Page 65 of Melting the Ice

“Well, as long as you’re both happy, that’s all that matters,” Cora said.

“Yes. Have all the fun. Seriously, hockey boy stamina is next level,” Ally said, pink staining her cheeks.

“No kidding,” Anna said, poking her head around Cora.

“We’re still keeping it quiet because of my brother. I mean, we actually haven’t talked about how and when to tell him. I’m probably making a bigger deal of it than I should, but I don’t want to rock anything right now, you know what I mean?”

“I totally get it. I will say that Christian was actually not that bad when I told him, but brothers can be so annoying,” Cora said.

“No kidding. Ethan did not react as well as Christian did.” Ally huffed. “He shoved Dom into the boards earlier this season. Idiot. He kept going after Dom during the game. I was so fucking pissed.”

“What?” I asked.

She waved her hand. “Stupid overreaction. My brother, Ethan, plays for the Strikers, Dom’s old team. We had this on-again, off-again thing when he was a Striker. Anyway, we hadn’t told anyone that Dom was the father, so of course, it came out on the ice during warm-ups. These guys are horrible gossips.”

“The worst,” Cora agreed.

“Oh my god. Was Dom okay?” I asked.

“He was fine. Ethan got a piece of my mind and eventually pulled his head out of his ass, and we’re all good now. So, I guess my advice would be to just tell your brother about you and Micah before he knocks you up.”

Everyone laughed.

“Um, yeah no. He’s definitely not knocking me up. I’m so not ready for that. But Ray doesn’t even know I’m staying with Micah. Family stuff. And I have no clue how long I’m staying in Denver, so I asked Micah to keep it a secret at first, and it just hasn’t come up since.” I sighed. “I feel bad that Micah iskeeping something from his best friend, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Ray was more protective of Micah than of me.”

And I hated how that statement made me feel when I said it out loud. Not that I could completely fault my brother for feeling that way.

“What?” Harper squawked. “How dare he pick his bestie over his sister?”

“No, no. It’s just… I’m used to it. My family thinks I’m a flight risk. My head up in the clouds or some nonsense, according to my mom. Just because I didn’t go to college and I like to enjoy life and not settle in one place or with what they consider a stable career. Ray has always been protective of Micah, and my family would all agree that Micah has always known exactly what he wanted. He’s the steady guy, and I’m the hurricane.” I couldn’t help but smile at Micah’s nickname for me. I’d always loved it.

“Pssh. Whatever. They sound judgy and boring,” Harper said. “Sorry.”

“Yeah. You’re doing your own thing, and they shouldn’t try to fit you into a box where you don’t belong,” Ally said indignantly.

“You’re living your life on your terms and not hurting anyone, and that’s all that matters. I know I grew up with a stupid amount of money, so my career path had a lot more leniency, but I’ve gotten comments about choosing to be an author when I could have a more ‘important’ and ‘normal’ job.” Cora rolled her eyes as she did the air quotes. “And then, on the flip side, people ask why I even have a job at all. For god’s sake, I would be so bored just sitting around doing nothing. Ignore the haters.” She reached over to squeeze my hand.

My heart warmed at how they all stood up for me, and once again, I was grateful for my stupid ex. His driving away allowed me to barge in on Micah’s life and meet these amazing women.

“Thanks, guys. And honestly, Micah and I haven’t even brought up telling Ray about being roommates, let alone all the other stuff.”

“Cheers to the other stuff,” Harper said, clinking her glass against mine.

“Absolutely.” Ally grinned while Cora and Anna held up their own glasses and laughed.

“But really, tell him when you’re both ready, and just live your life and be happy. Life’s too short for all the bullshit,” Cora added.

I gave her a soft smile. I knew some of her history—the heiress who lost her younger brother and parents in a plane crash when she was a teen and was left to be raised by her older brother, Christian. I couldn’t imagine all that she’d gone through.

“But maybe talk to Micah about where you both are. Communication is key, and he’s totally smitten,” Ally said.

Harper took a sip of her beer and then nodded. “Yeah, totally smitten.” Then she winked at me again.

I rolled my eyes at her, and she grinned before popping a bite of mozzarella stick into her mouth.

“He thinks I’m a good luck charm,” I said.

Anna laughed. “These guys and their superstitions.”

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