Page 42 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
"Turtle cove." She nodded. "Got it."
"Of course, you know it." He shook his head. They'd grown up in Gulf City but few people could claim that honor. The town was full of northern transports, people searching for some warmth yearlong. "We've been in school together for twelve years, how is it we've never hung out or seen each other at the same places?"
She was quiet for a moment, and when she spoke, her voice was almost a whisper. "Jesse, I've always been around. I see you and your friends everywhere. I mean, you go to my dad's rink every day. I was just never worthy of notice." She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Unless it was for your crowd to call me ice princess. Then they noticed me."
How had he not seen it? She was right there all this time, skating on the outside of his world.
Her wipers worked furiously as her headlights cut through the darkening afternoon. A steady drumming against the roof provided them with a veil of peace, almost like when they were in her car, nothing else existed.
"I'm sorry." He turned to look at her, but she kept her eyes on the road.
"I know you are." She sighed. "You're a nice guy, Jesse. I know you don't mean to treat people the way you do sometimes."
"Something about you made me want to fight."
"Probably my disdain for you."
He laughed. "Has it lessened?"
She only shrugged.
"Come on. Just a little? You can admit it. You don't hate me nearly as much anymore."
Her face grew serious, and she glanced at him before fixing her eyes on the road again. "Playing hockey with the team today... I've never been on a team."
"It's kinda great, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Her lips twitched into a smile before dropping again. "I know I only got to experience that because of you. So, yeah, maybe I don't hate you anymore."
His arms shot into the air. "I knew it!"
"Shush, you."
"Admit it, I'm growing on you."
"Like a fungus."
His grin widened. "Truffles are fungus, and they sell for a lot of money."
"You're not a truffle. Maybe a shriveled toadstool."
He glanced out the window to hide his smile from her and lowered his voice. "I'll take it."
A few minutes later, they pulled into the small gravel parking lot of Turtle cove. If it wasn't raining buckets, they'd be able to see the tiny beach only frequented by locals. Instead, he focused on the jeep ahead. "Right there." He barely waited for Charlotte to stop the car before jumping out and running to Cassie's window.
Relief flashed across her face when she saw him. She threw open the door, not caring about the rain, and jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as her entire body shook.
"Hey," he said into her ear. "You're okay."
"Jess..." Tears mixed with the raindrops on her face.
"I know, Cass." And he did. She hated the anxiety coursing through her at every moment of the day, and she felt guilty for how often her brother had to help her.
What she didn't understand was he'd do anything for her.
"Go sit in the car with Charlotte." He released her and led her to the back door before opening it. "Please, Cass." He met her gaze, knowing how she felt about new people. "She's nice. I promise you'll be okay."
To his surprise, Cassie only nodded and slid into the car.
