Page 105 of Melting the Ice

“Wow. Another fucking lie. I’m glad you’re ready to put your cards on the table, friend, but you’ve both been lying to me. And if you’re so serious, and she’s been living here, why come up with such a ruse? Did she even meet Harper before she reconnected with you? How long has she been here? Since she broke up with that idiot? She said she needed a place to stay. How long ago was that, really?”

“Don’t be such an asshole, Ray,” Josie muttered. “I am sorry that we lied to you.”

“Don’t try and tarnish what I have with your sister. I don’t give a fuck how it started. All that matters is where we are right now.”

“Yeah, lying to people.”

It was like he wasn’t even listening to us. To his sister’s apology. And, fucking hell, that pissed me off.

“Again, I’m sorry that we lied to you; I truly am. But our lies do not make how you’re reacting okay. Yeah, I get your shock, but I cannot believe how awful you’re being toward her. This is your fucking sister, man. And she means the world to me.”

Her fingers trembled in mine, and all I wanted to do was kick my best friend out of my home, pull Josie into my lap, and make her never doubt how amazing she was. Never doubtus.

Ray sighed. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Or have Josie feel she has to stay in something she doesn’t want.”

That last part fucking stung. I didn’t want to think about that happening.

“Okay, we all need to cool down,” I said, hating how mute Josie had become. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at her for fear of what I might see. I didn’t want to put any stock in Ray’s words, but he had known her longer.

No. I knew her better, and I trusted what we had.

“I need to go walk some dogs.” Josie pulled her fingers from mine.

My empty hand felt like a heavy brick was sitting on it.

“Josie,” Ray started, but she was already walking toward the door.

“I’m sorry, I just need to get some air,” she murmured. I met her gaze.

Fuck that.

I strode toward her and tugged her back into my arms.

“It doesn’t matter what he thinks. And I know this isn’t the right time to tell you this, but I love you, Josie. I love you so fucking much, and I’m all in.”

“Micah,” she gasped.

There were tears in her eyes, and I wanted to throat punch Ray.

“I can’t deal with this—with him—right now. Please. I just need some air.”

“Please, don’t freak out right now. I know you have dogs to walk, so go do that, but don’t let his words get to you. I love you.”

Then I leaned down, not giving a fuck about Ray, and poured everything I had into kissing her.

My heart started back up again when she kissed me right back.

But all too soon, she ended it and opened the front door, slipping out of my condo.

Our condo, if I had my way.

And I would. She meant way too much for me to let her go so easily. I’d give her some time, but not a lot.

Then I spun on my friend. “You are an asshole.”

“And you’ve been lying to me,” he fired back.

“You’re my best friend, man, but you’re on a thin fucking rope right now. I’m in love with your sister. Yeah, we should have told you she was living here before you arrived. But she wanted to wait, and it made sense. For us to all hang out and maybe you would see how great we are together. I don’t fucking know, but this is now a mess.” I glanced back at my door, wishing she would walk back through it. I hated leaving her that way, especially because I had to get ready for a game, but I didn’t have much of a choice.

---