Page 41 of Decked, Wrecked and Pucked
“Still nothing.” I sigh, lowering the phone. “She’s not answering.”
“We can keep trying if you’d like,” Joan offers.
She’s the one running this place—calm, capable, with a reassuring voice that makes you feel like maybe everything will be okay even when it’s clearly not.
I have to quickly remind myself that it’s not just us stranded up here. The storm trapped all the staff and guests too.
“Would you? I want her to be prepared, just in case.”
“I’m hoping we’ll get it cleared by then—as long as we don’t get hit with more.”
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed.” I glance toward the window where snow piles against the glass. “Actually… you don’t happen to have any other cabins available, do you?”
“You don’t want to stay with your friends? They’ve got the biggest place—plenty of bedrooms.”
“I’ll talk to them, but if not…”
“If not, we’ll find something for you. Although, fair warning, if the weekend goes ahead, we’re booked solid.”
“Thank you, Joan. Is everything still working in the restaurant?”
“Yeah, and Clive’s not going anywhere, so there will always be food if anyone needs it.”
I nod before stepping back into the cold, and the wind bites at my face as I approach the cabin.
Jasper throws the door open, standing there in nothing but apair of gray sweats, looking so good I want to drop to my knees and thank whatever god made men like him.
“Get in here, you dumbass, before you freeze,” he calls out, grinning like nothing’s changed. His chest is bare, his abs are on full display, and his messy, light-brown hair looks like he’s been dragging his hands through it for hours.
Roman’s already at the kitchen island, sitting next to Zeke with a mug of coffee in front of him, his gaze following me the moment I step into the room.
“Did you find out what’s happening with your dad’s award this weekend?” Zeke asks.
“Yeah,” I say, glancing between the three of them. “They’re hoping the roads will clear—assuming we don’t get hit again tonight.” I drop onto the edge of the couch, fingers fidgeting in my lap. “They’ve got a cabin for me if I want it. At least until Saturday.”
Jasper’s head snaps up. “What?”
Jasper doesn’t do subtle.
He doesn’t do quiet either.
“What do you mean a cabin?”
“I mean…” I swallow hard. “You’re all staying here, and I didn’t want to assume anything. I figured I could just?—”
“What? Leave?” Jasper asks, already crossing the room like he’s about to argue this with his whole chest. “Seriously. Explain this to me, angel, because right now I’m wondering if I hallucinated last night. Wondering if you didn’t actually fall asleep in our bed, and I just imagined you hooking your leg around me this morning when I tried to get up.”
“I don’t want to impose. I’m not supposed to be here.”
Jasper slides in beside me, throws his arm around my shoulders, and pulls me into him until there’s no space left between us.
“Don’t ever say that. If there’s anywhere you belong, it’s righthere with us. You know that, yeah?” He glances at Zeke for backup.
“No one’s going to make you do anything you’re not ready for,” Zeke says, “but you’re not staying in some empty cabin by yourself. Not when this place has plenty of room and not when we want you here.”
My throat tightens as I glance over at Roman. He hasn’t said a word, but his silence feels heavier than anything else in the room. I can’t do this if he doesn’t want me here. I need to hear it from him.
His golden eyes meet mine, burning with something real.
