Page 41 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
"Oh."
His smile widened. "I know I got you into that mess with the principal, and I'm sorry, but I'm glad you were here today."
She averted her eyes and red crept up her cheeks. "Well... you're welcome?"
His laugh was cut off by the ringing of his phone. He pulled it out to silence it, but when he saw Cassie's name, he had to answer. "Just a sec," he said to Charlotte. Bringing the phone to his ear, he answered, "Hey, Cass."
"Jess, I need you. I went to my appointment, and then I was driving home in the rain and the tire… and I had to pull into a parking lot. I can’t get home, and—"
"Cass, slow down. Are you okay?"
Her voice quivered. "I... your car has a flat tire. I tried calling Dad, but he didn't answer. I know he has the boys tonight, so it's not like he could come help. Triple A says it'll be like an hour, but I can't sit here by myself that long. What if something happens? What if—"
"Slow down, we'll figure this out."
"Can you and Roman come get me? Please?"
Think, Jesse.
Roman already left. He pictured his sister freaking out on her own, letting her anxiety get the best of her. And then what would happen when Triple A did show up? She didn't talk to people she didn't know. He imagined her shrinking away in fear. Ever since the day their mom died, he'd needed to protect her, wanted to be there for her.
"I'll figure it out, Cass. Don't worry. I'm coming."
She sobbed something unintelligible into the phone before hanging up. Jesse searched the hall, surprised to see Charlotte still standing there. Panic clawed at him. He couldn't let his sister down.
For most people, a flat tire was just an annoyance, and waiting for help only a time suck. But for Cass, it would set her back, erasing the progress she'd been making.
He never should have let her go to the appointment alone. Practice meant nothing compared to that.
"I need to find your dad," he choked out. Coach would help.
"What's wrong?" Charlotte's face shone with concern.
"My sister has a flat tire, and I have to get to her."
"I'll take you."
He froze. Charlotte didn't question why he was so worried, she only offered to help. With the exception of Roman, he'd kept his two lives separate from each other. His family life and his school life didn't cross over.
Now, they were on a collision course he couldn't avoid as he nodded, unable to form a thank you.
Charlotte pushed through the door and held it open for him. They stood, not speaking, under the overhang by the door, a sheet of water raining down before them.
"Ready?" Charlotte yelled over the drumming of the rain.
He nodded as she darted out into the freezing downpour. Water wicked into his eyes and soaked his clothes as he raced across the parking lot, following Charlotte's small form to a light blue Honda civic. The car fit her, understated, reliable.
But it also didn't fit her. If that made any sense. She was so much more, and he'd only scratched the surface.
The locks clicked open, and Jesse pulled the passenger door and practically fell into the seat, slamming the door behind him.
She sat much more gracefully than him and started the car, blasting the heat.
He searched the immaculate seats. There wasn't a bit of trash in it. "Your car is clean." He cringed at how lame he sounded. Confident, charming Jesse Carrigan was sitting in a car alone with a girl and didn't know what to say.
Charlotte didn't respond as she pulled out of the lot. "Where are we going?"
"There's a part of the public beach few people know about."
