Page 25 of Frozen Play

“Are we settled, then?” I asked, also wanting heat and light and warm water to clean up in. I’d normally like a long soakin the tub, but we had one bathroom and Phin would need to shower too.

Remembering his chest and the feel of those muscles up against me made me shiver, but not from cold.

Phin spentthe drive back apologizing for the role he’d played in us losing the cottage, and for shutting everyone out.

“Your stepmother is something else. Remember when you had to go out there, Skye?”

I nodded. I had no desire to revisit that but Oscar didn’t let it go.

“She wouldn’t let Skye use the bathroom.” The one by the door that I’d been using since yesterday. “And your brother? Wouldn’t look at her, wouldn’t let on he knew her.”

Phin grimaced. “There’s a reason I have as little to do with them as I can.”

I shrugged. “Their loss. Since I’m awesome.”

My brothers hooted but Phin just gave me a warm smile. And when he did, there were more chills.We’d better get rid of him ASAP.

We pulled into the garage lot then, so I hopped out to help my brothers.

“You can take off, Riley. Christine’s family is waiting.”

“Thanks. I don’t want to miss Rowan.”

I blinked at him. “Miss him? Do you think he’s going to fall asleep before midnight?”

Riley just laughed and waved as he left.

Phin did his best to help as we unhooked the crippled tow truck and his car. Seeing the damage made my stomach drop, and not in the good way.

“That’s going to be out of commission for a while,” Oscar said, running a hand over the side of our truck.

“I’m sorry.” I couldn’t believe I’d done that.

“No, I’m sorry,” Phin repeated. “I distracted you so I’m taking the blame.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Oscar interjected. “It’s still not going to do us any good. Let’s get you two warm and fed. Then we can get ready for tomorrow.”

“I appreciate you putting me up,” Phin said.

Oscar slapped him on the back. “Oh, we’ll make use of it. I’m gonna put up a sign—Bongo slept here—like they do about all those old generals. People will come from miles around.”

“You think that would work?”

“Dude, you play for the Toronto Blaze. We’re all big fans up here.”

“All?” Phin shot a glance my way.

Oscar ignored him. “Let us repair your Honda and we’ll have people stopping by just to see it. Hell, I’ll charge them to take a picture with it.”

Phin laughed. “If it was Cooper’s Ferrari, maybe.” But he looked back at his car as if he was wondering.

Oscar was right. Especially since Phin had come here so rarely. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people wanted an oil change while we had the hockey star’s car in our garage.

I offered Phin the first shower but he insisted I go ahead. As I soaped up my hair, almost moaning at the feel of warm water, I found it hard to believe what had changed in thirty-six hours.

Chapter 11

I have an idea

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