Page 76 of Melting the Ice

“Uh, my brother texted.”

“You still haven’t told him anything, have you?” Harper asked.

“You haven’t?” Ally asked. “I mean, I get the not mentioning hooking up, but, like, not even that you’re staying with Micah?”

“Yeah. It hasn’t come up. I mean, it’s not like he’s outright asked if I’m living with Micah.” I knew it was a weak claim, especially since he’d asked about Blaine more than once.

“Semantics,” Harper deadpanned. I ignored her. “So, why the face when he texted?”

“He’s coming to visit for spring break. He’s a teacher,” I said.

“Like here? In Denver? Oh, crap,” Cora said.

“No kidding. And he’s staying with Micah.”

Harper snorted. “Yeah. He’s definitely going to find out about you two, then.”

“So why don’t you just tell him before he gets here?” Anna asked.

“Because that would be the adult thing to do,” I muttered. “I know, I know. I should, but I don’t want the pressure.”

“What pressure?” Joy asked.

“I get it,” Harper said at the same time.

“Micah’s been Ray’s best friend since they were kids. He’s part of our family. And he’s always known exactly what he wantsin life. Micah’s stable, loyal.” I paused, laughing softly, because when he’d said that weeks ago, I’d compared him to a supportive bra.

“You love him,” Ally murmured, but I didn’t respond.

“I get it. There’s pressure there. Expectations. Timmy and I had the same thing,” Harper said.

“But I’m also flighty and the total opposite of Micah.” I let out a humorless laugh. “Hell, my brother might be more on Micah’s side than mine if it goes sideways.”

“Fuck that,” Harper said.

“So we figure this out. You can stay in your bubble for now and see where it goes,” Cora said. “But don’t let your family look down on you and how you live your life. I bet some of it is jealousy because you’re doing what you want and are successful at it.”

“I’m crashing at Micah’s place because I didn’t have anywhere to go after my ex ran off to New Mexico without me, so I’m not sure how that lines up with being successful,” I muttered.

“Stop that shit right now. And maybe it was fate because you and Micah belong together. Plus, we all get in a bind at some point in our lives. You’re figuring it out, and your happiness is all that matters,” Cora said sternly.

“You guys are amazing,” I said with a smile.

“Damn straight we are,” Harper said. “And you can crash at my place while your brother is here.”

“Really? I was going to ask but wasn’t sure how.”

Harper waved her hand. “Of course you can stay with us.”

“Thank you. I won’t cramp your time with Timmy.”

“Nah. You work at Tipsy a lot, after all. And it’s just a few days.”

Between these women, my jobs, and Micah, I never wanted to leave Denver. I finally felt like I was home.

Chapter 16

MICAH

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