39. One Frosty Pucking Meet Cute - Sneak Peak （Jesse）

I'm driving slow, hands tight on the wheel and eyes alert as I scan the road for signs of tire tracks. The guys are sweaty from practice and my injured ass is perfectly clean in a heavy wool shirt. Carter and Liam were the only ones who managed to get themselves moving fast enough to join me in the search for Jake's little sister. Nolan and Maddox had just gotten in the showers, so we told them we'd catch up later.

"Think we'll find her?" Carter asks. He has a mop of brown hair that's permanently disheveled, mischievous blue eyes, and a knack for turning even the most dire situations into a joke. On the ice, it can be an asset. His over-the-top celebrations and trick shots have a way of calming all our nerves, even in the biggest games.

"There's only one road into town from that direction," I say. "We just need to keep looking."

"A runaway bride, huh?" Liam muses. He's in the back of the car, cold air blowing through his hair so he looks even more like a movie star than usual. He has chiseled features with green eyes that seem to win over girls the moment he meets them. On the ice, he's all grace and smooth skating, with a knack for scoring in ways that look effortless. But that's Liam in a nutshell. Everything seems to come too easily for him, which is probably why he always seems on the verge of boredom. "Why do you think she bailed on the groom?"

"Don't know," I say. "Jake wasn't exactly bursting with details. He texted that she crashed on the side of the road coming in from the east side of town. She's cold and needs us to get her ASAP. That's all I know."

"Think she's cute?" Carter asks. "Or do you think she's like a female version of Jake? All big muscles and big eyebrows with a jawline to slice garlic in prison for mobsters?"

"What?" Liam asks.

"Haven't you seen that movie?" Carter says, circling his hand as he searches for the title. "Ah, shit. I can't remember what it's called. The one where the mobsters are in jail and they cook this pasta meal, but they have to cut the garlic so thin they use razor blades?"

"Uh, no," Liam says. "And it's concerning that you've paid so much attention to Jake's features. I should tell him you have a crush. Maybe he can cut you out of your clothes with that jaw of his you admire so much."

"I was only trying to imagine what his little sister looks like," Carter complains. "You know me, man. Tell me I can't have something and I just want it more. How many times has he told us his little sister is off limits since we met him? A thousand? I've never even seen a picture of her. It's shameful."

"Would you both focus on helping me look?" I ask. I keep picturing her shivering somewhere, breath coming out of her mouth in frosty puffs. A wedding is the day most girls spend their whole lives dreaming of. I can't even imagine how she must be feeling to have run away from her own wedding only to crash her car on the side of a freezing mountain.

"I can look and bullshit at the same time," Carter complains. "I'm an elite athlete. I could even chew gum while I do this if I wanted."

"Then maybe quit chatting so I don't have to listen to you," I suggest.

"Somebody's cranky," Carter says.

"Jesse's always cranky. It's part of his charm."

"Not always," Carter says. "He has been extra cranky since he hurt his shoulder. Well, I guess he also got more cranky after that thing with Sarah."

I tense up at Carter's words. Both topics feel like fucking barbs in my side. I try not to let my irritation show, though.

"Do you know what tact is?" Liam asks. "Sorry, Jesse. I'm apologizing for Carter and his big mouth."

"It's fine. Just tell me if you see something."

"Do you think the car is on fire?" Carter asks. "That would be pretty easy to spot."

"If Jake's sister dies before we get to her," I say. "Jake is going to personally murder all three of us, starting with you."

Carter folds his arms. "Point taken. We're hoping the car isn't on fire, then."

We drive a few more minutes before I finally see a set of skid marks. I follow them and spot the little red car. The shoulder slopes down from the road and thankfully curves up long enough that she didn't roll all the way down the mountain. The car is bent in the center so it's slightly in the shape of a "V".

I pull the truck to the side and flip on my hazards. I look down at the car and think I'm seeing the airbags at first, except they should've deflated by now.

I realize what I'm looking at, though. It's a big, poofy wedding dress practically taking up the whole cabin of the car. I don't know how the girl even drove safely with that thing on. Actually, it kind of explains the fact that her car is crashed in a ditch.

"You two wait here," I say, getting out.

Liam holds up his hands in a "what the hell?" kind of gesture. Carter opens his mouth to say something, but I just jab my finger at him. "You can meet her when she gets in the car. But she might be freaked out. I don't want to overwhelm her."

"Yeah, yeah," Carter grumbles. "You just want first crack at her. At least be honest about it."

I ignore him and slam the door, picking my steps carefully down the steep shoulder toward her car. "You okay?" I ask.

I approach the driver side window and can't even see her through all the white lace. I hear her voice come muffled from inside the dress.

"How do I know you're not a roadside serial killer?"

"Uh," I say. I was kind of expecting her to rush out of the car and offer me thanks. "I know your brother, Jake."

"Prove it."

I can't help grinning a little. I feel like I'm speaking with a talking floof of lace and white silk right now. A sassy floof of lace and white silk, that is.

"Your brother is going to kill me if you freeze to death out here. So I'd really prefer it if you got out of the car and followed me up to the road. I've got the heat blasting in my truck right now."

There's a long pause. "I am a bit nippy," she admits.

"Can I get you out of there, then?"

"Alright, beefy hockey guy. Let's do this."

I pull on the door, but have to give it a few yanks before it comes loose. The girl practically falls out of the car and lands straight on me. She grips my hips on both sides, trying to keep herself from falling, but my feet catch on a patch of something that leaked from her car and froze. We both go toppling backwards. My back hits cold dirt and her face lands in my lap. She screams into my crotch, bare feet kicking uselessly as she's tangled in her dress and her feet can't get traction on the frozen ground.

All she's managing to do is grind her face harder between my legs. I try to get up, but my feet slip, too.

The sound of laughter from above makes me look up just as she realizes her only chance of escape is to roll sideways.

"Jesus," Carter says, skidding his way down the hillside. "And I thought Liam worked his magic fast. Four seconds and you already got her going down on you? I find it usually works best if you take your pants off first, though. Feels a lot better that way."

"I'm so sorry," she says, teeth clattering.

"Shit," I say, managing to get up and extend a hand toward her. She takes it, and her skin is freezing.

When she gets up, her dress finally pulls away from her face enough for me to see her. Her skin is pale and her hair is dark. She has big, bright brown eyes and an upturned nose. She looks like a fucking princess, and she makes my breath catch. Her wedding dress has bits of leaves stuck all in the clingy lace fabric and the hem is torn up to mid-thigh on one side, like it got caught on something. I realize I'm admiring the shape of her leg and blink, forcing my eyes somewhere else. "Come on," I say, hand still holding hers.

"Should Liam and I wait outside the truck and give you two some privacy?" Carter asks. "I mean, if you guys want us to watch, that's cool, too."

"We slipped," I say. "Can you shut up and help? She's fucking freezing."

"Oh, it's not so bad," she says through clattering teeth.

"Where are your shoes?" I ask, looking down at her feet, which are covered in dirt.

"I tried to pull a Cinderella. But I lost both shoes instead of just the one. So much for my fairy tale exit, huh?"

Something about her carefree attitude despite a moment in her life that has got to be near rock-bottom strikes me. Her eye makeup is smeared and there's a twig stuck in her hair. Her car looks like it's posing as a letter of the alphabet and her wedding dress is covered in dirt. All this, and she's making lighthearted jokes?

"Did you hit your head?" I ask.

"You know," she says. "I'm starting to get offended by how often people ask me that."

"No," I say. I reach up, gently touching a small cut on her otherwise perfect forehead. "You've got a cut. We should take you into town and have the doctor take a look. You could have a concussion."

"Hear that?" Carter says as we reach the truck.

Liam is giving us a mildly interested look from the back seat.

"Jesse is already trying to convince her to let him play doctor. Don't listen to him. The only one here who's qualified to be your doctor is me. I got certified in CPR a few years ago. If you need mouth-to-mouth, I'll take one for the team and administer it, Jake's sister."

She narrows her eyes at him. "My name is Andi. Has Jake really not told you guys my name?"

I open the passenger door for her in the front, jerking my thumb for Carter to get his ass in the back with Liam. "Your brother treats you like a national secret."

"Same goes for you guys," she says, lifting her huge dress and trying to get up into the truck. She struggles, so I kneel and thread my hands together, giving her a makeshift step.

She smirks at my gesture, curtseys, then plants her filthy foot in my hand and pauses. "Um, don't look up while I do this. Jake told me not to mention it, but I kind of went commando under this dress."

And just like that, my cock, which has been in a state of hibernation since my break up with Sarah, stirs to life. I stare hard at the ground, watching her dirt-stained toes flex as she pushes herself up and crawls into the passenger seat. She shuffles, tucking the dress in around her and then gives me a thumbs up once she's settled. I close the door for her, shaking my head.

No wonder Jake didn't tell us about his sister. She's fucking infectious. If I introduce her to the team, they're all going to be punching each other out for a chance to make a move on her. The assholes probably won't even care that she clearly needs some time and space, given the whole runaway bride thing.

I get back behind the wheel and look at Liam and Carter. The expressions on their faces immediately tell me this girl is going to be trouble. I have about thirty minutes to figure out how the hell I'm going to keep them away from her.

"So," Carter says. "We've got a spare bedroom in the cabin, right? If not, she could have my bed. I'll just sleep on the floor until she's ready to invite me in. Or if you're still cold, we could cuddle up for warmth."

Andi is rubbing her hands together in front of the heaters. She pulls them to her face, pursing her full lips and blowing on them. "Sorry. I know I look like quite the catch, but I'm completely broke. I couldn't pay for a room at your cabin. I think I'm just going to hide out at a fast food place and wait for my brother to come pick me up."

"No," I say. "We're not taking your money. But I don't think it would be a good idea for you to sleep in the cabin with us."

She tilts her head at me, mischief glinting in her eyes. "Why is that?"

I clench my teeth together. Carter leans forward, punching my good shoulder from the back seat. "Yeah, Jesse. Why is that? Worried you'll pop a stiffy in the middle of the night and puncture your water bed?"

She laughs, clapping her hands. "Wait. You really sleep on a water bed?"

"The guys make fun of me for it, but it is a nice way to sleep."

"Wow," she says, still smiling. "I've always kind of wanted to sleep on a water bed."

"Hey, Jesse," Carter says. "Remember when you asked me to trade beds with you? I've thought harder about it and decided to allow you to trade with me. I'll take your water bed. For the team."

"I never asked to trade beds or rooms with you, Carter. It's my cabin. Why would I want to give you my room?"

"Come on," he says, grinning. "Help me out, dude."

"He calms down eventually," Liam says. "Carter just gets excited when he meets new people. He's obnoxious when he's excited."

"I've been called endearing," Carter says. "By nicer people," he adds under his breath.

"I don't mind it," Andi says. "I've always wanted to meet Jake's teammates. He's just… protective. He's worried I'm going to fall in love with them or something. You," she says, correcting herself as if she's just now realizing we are "them".

Carter runs a hand through his hair, only managing to make it messier. "Well, you've already got the dress. What do you say we leave these losers behind? You and me can go get hitched somewhere."

She laughs, even though I'm not sure Carter was joking. "You know he said you guys weren't even fun. Obviously he was just trying to keep me away. This is already great."

"Right," Carter says, sinking back into his seat. "We're a blast."

"I think she should stay in the guest house," I say suddenly. "Nolan can take the spare bedroom and we'll give the guest house to Andi."

"Does she plan to stay in Frosty Harbor long enough to need a bed?" Liam asks.

Andi tilts her head as if she's thinking over the idea for the first time. "Maybe I will. My family used to visit here when I was a kid for the holidays. Jake will be here, too. I was kind of bummed to be away from him for Christmas during the honeymoon. But now I wouldn't have to be. And besides, what better place for a fresh start?"

"Jesse grew up here," Liam says. "He could show you the local's tour."

"Is that how you guys have a cabin to stay in?" Andi asks.

"Yeah," I say. "My parents left it to me." I tap my shoulder. "I screwed up my shoulder in the first game of the season. I'm resting and training on my own here in town until I recover. The team came to spend the holidays with me in my hometown."

"That's so sweet. I can't wait to meet everyone. Is the whole team at the cabin?" Andi asks.

"Just the starters," I say. "There's the three of us, then Nolan, Maddox, and your brother."

"So tell me about everybody. Do you guys have cool nicknames? Wait," she says, turning in her seat to face all of us. "Let me guess them." She starts with Liam, who is lounging in the back and grinning. "I bet they call you Hollywood."

"More like shitstain," Carter laughs.

"And you," she says… "Joker."

"Oh, come on. That's way too edgy for me. You can call me Heartstopper."

"No," Liam laughs. "Nobody is allowed to call you that."

"And you…" she says, looking me over. She takes a long time, tapping her lips in thought. "You're harder to figure out. I'm going to have to think about your nickname."

"Oooh," Carter says. "How come he gets to be hard to figure out? I can be mysterious. You know I don't even like chocolate. I bet that raises all kinds of questions about my troubled past, doesn't it?"

"Sorry," she says. "You're very mysterious, too."

I keep my focus on the road, but my thoughts are spinning. Part of me thought maybe my heart had permanently frozen over after Sarah. I decided to put all my passion into hockey this season. I wanted to leave it all on the ice. Play my ass off, clear my head, and move on with my life.

And then I had to fuck up my shoulder. My stick ended up hitting an opposing player's skate during a slapshot and tore something deep in my rotator cuff. I can still live a mostly normal life, but it's going to be several months before I can swing a hockey stick again. For the first time in years, I've had to look in the mirror and see just plain Jesse–not Jesse the hockey player, or Jesse the teammate. Now all I see is Jesse, the guy who couldn't keep his girlfriend from running off. I see the guy who doesn't know who the hell he is without hockey.

Now this?

I'm gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles have gone white. I'll be fine. The runaway bride sitting beside me is probably going to get bored with Frosty Harbor after a day or two. She'll go back to her pretty little life and I'll be left to brood alone, just the way I'd planned.

My teammates haven't said it, but I know they're aware I'm not in the best place right now. It's why they are making sure to spend as much time in town as they can while I'm here rehabbing. Contractually, I'm not obligated to go to games injured, even though I know I should be dragging my ass to them to support the guys. None of them have said a word about it, so far, and I wonder if they ever will.

Either way, I'll spend Christmas with my teammates here in Frosty harbor. Then they'll go back to finish out the season and leave me to wallow. What more could I want?

But instead of the silence I've come to expect when I ask that question, I find my eyes sliding to the girl in the passenger seat of my truck. I jerk them back to the road, grip the wheel harder, and wonder if I'm really that stupid.

That ends the sneak peak!