Page 16

PRESTON

A few days after the tournament, I stepped back onto the ice, still feeling the exhaustion from back-to-back games but knowing recovery was key.

Practices were lighter, with a focus on conditioning and getting our legs back under us.

I actually enjoyed the mix of on-ice drills and off-ice recovery sessions, like yoga and stretching—they helped ease the fatigue.

During team meetings, we dissected game footage, pointing out defensive lapses and missed power play opportunities.

It wasn’t about dwelling on the loss; it was about learning from it.

The coaches made it clear that the Great Lakes experience was fuel for the rest of the season, and I could sense the team’s focus shifting toward what lay ahead.

By midweek, the intensity had definitely picked up.

We dove into drills to sharpen puck handling, passing, and breakout plays, all aimed at boosting our speed and execution.

Special teams got a lot of attention as we fine-tuned power play and penalty kill strategies.

The controlled scrimmages were my favorite—they felt game-like, forcing me to make quick decisions under pressure.

Even the goalies were locked in, working with us on positioning and rebound control.

It was clear we weren’t just preparing for the next game; we were gearing up to dominate the rest of the season.

I liked that and used the motivation to fuel the uncertainty about my future.

I didn’t want to be like some of the guys, the ones who knew they’d never play pro. They didn’t play the same way Hawthorne did. I didn’t want my choices to be taken from me from not performing well enough, so I’d give it my all so I could make the choice to play pro or walk away.

After the weekend, my uncertainty grew of the loss we had.

“Gentleman,” Liam said as he stood on top of a bench in the locker room. “We have two events the next two days, and I want you to take it easy. Have fun, but when we come back after New Year’s, I want to see you refreshed.”

“Yeah, Captain—‘refreshed.’ Does that include nursing hangovers?” someone yelled back.

“What about you, Liam? Planning to ‘refresh’ your slap shot over the break?”

Liam raised a hand in surrender. “Okay, enough. I meant what I said. I’ll see you tomorrow at the rink, and make sure you have a tux for Saturday’s formal fundraiser. Coach said its non-negosh.”

“Did you just say negosh instead of negotiate?” Quentin asked, his tone laced with disgust.

“Sure did, Hawthorne.”

“This guy,” Quentin mumbled. “Great on the ice, but off the ice I want to punch him just once.”

I snorted. Liam was a good dude. I just had a hard time not picturing him and Jordan flirting at the hotel pool. “He’s alright. Come on, let’s head back.”

Quentin and I dressed and hopped in my truck for the short drive to the house. The cold seemed worse. It could’ve been the wind or an incoming storm or something, but it was freezing even with the heat blasting .

“Damn,” Quentin hissed. “Logan texted me. We’re under a winter advisory warning for the next twenty-four hours. Possibly ten inches of snow, negative temperatures.”

“They always say that though.”

“Heard, but check this out.” He showed me the radar on his phone, and it was straight green and white from Illinois all the way to Oklahoma. “We’re getting hit.”

On cue, his phone rang, and Logan’s cheerful voice was loud enough for me to listen.

“ Hey, so my dad is coming to pick us up,” she said. “He has a generator and a ton of food, so we’ll be better waiting out the storm there. Have you seen Jordan? She won’t answer her phone.”

“Just got outta practice, baby, so I haven’t seen her. When is your dad arriving?”

“Thirty minutes. I’m throwing my stuff in a bag. I can start on yours too?”

“That’d be great. I don’t mess with snowstorms.” Quentin shivered. “Preston and I will get a hold of her.”

“Thanks, Q. See you soon!”

“We gotta find Jordan to bring her to the Hart’s house.”

I chewed my lip, scanning my brain on all the places Jordan could be. She was in charge of the hockey fundraiser event in two days, so she’d be at the library or student union with her other classmates in charge. “I could drop you off and swing by the library.”

“Might be faster to walk there.” Quentin squinted out the window. “It just looks cold as shit. I’ll be thankful to play for any NHL team but maybe one in the south?”

I laughed right as I pulled into the driveway. “I don’t mind the cold, actually. I prefer it.”

“Well, you’re fucking weird, Preston.”

We quickly grabbed our bags and went inside, the tips of my hair freezing from the short distance. I shook out my hair while Logan stood in the hallway with worried eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Her phone died or something, and I’m freaking out. I don’t see her location. She’s never done this before! What if something happened? There’s a blizzard coming!” Logan’s voice broke as Quentin pulled her into his arms.

“Hey, she’s definitely gotten lost in her work, and her phone died.

She probably thought she had a charger in her bag and it was too late when she realized.

” I placated Logan despite my heart racing with worry.

“I’m checking the library and her favorite café.

You two go with your dad, and I’ll head there once I find her. ”

“Are you…sure?” Logan swallowed. “I should help.”

“No. Preston will find her.” Quentin stared at his phone, sighing. “We have two hours before the snow starts. It won’t get dangerous until tonight. Plenty of time.”

“You share your location with her, yeah?” I asked.

Logan nodded. “It says last known location was near the library an hour ago.”

That could be any number of cafes. I moved to our closet and threw on two hats, a pair of gloves, and put another scarf on. “I’ll head there now. Everyone leave your phones on and charged, please.”

“Agreed. Keep us posted, Charming.”

The cold air whipped at my face as I marched down the road, my phone in my gloveless hand trembling from more than just the chill. My stomach knotted as I fired off a text.

Preston: SOS, blizzard coming, you need to come back ASAP.

The dreaded red “Not Delivered” symbol stared back at me, confirming what I already feared—her phone was dead.

My breath came faster, matching the hammering in my chest, as I tried to shake off the spiraling thoughts.

Where could she be? What if she didn’t see the storm coming?

My lungs burned as I jogged, the icy wind clawing at my face, but I pushed forward.

I burst into the library doors, scanning the deserted floor.

A few lone people sat at tables with headphones, and I wondered if they were aware of the incoming storm.

Shouldn’t the school send out an alert or something? Oh. It was break, so a lot of people weren’t here. Fuck.

I sprinted up to the second floor, then the third. Jordan spent time in a certain nook, and she wasn’t fucking there. The first real blip of fear inched its way down my spine when I also didn’t find her on the fourth floor.

My chest ached, and I rubbed it, frozen, as I stared at tables. If she wasn’t here…my phone buzzed, hope bursting in my stomach.

Jordan: OMG I’m okay!! My phone died. With some girls from class, we ran to the store for materials. We have a few hours before the storm gets here.

Preston: Did you text Logan?

Jordan: Yes. Sorry to worry you guys

Preston: Where are you now?

Jordan: Hobby Lobby with Libby and Sara. One had a portable charger. I can’t head to Logan’s house for the next two days. All the stuff for the event is in my room at the house. You go though, okay?

I pinched my nose, frustration and relief merging into an unpleasant combo.

She wasn’t passed out somewhere, unconscious and scared.

She was stubborn and making rash decisions.

Very different yet still causing the same conflicting feelings.

I wasn’t going to leave her at our house alone for a fucking blizzard.

Preston: I’m not leaving you.

Jordan: I’m a big girl, Charming. I can take care of myself.

Preston: Yup, fully aware of that. Nothing to do with you.

Jordan: Don’t feel like you have to watch out for me.

I straightened. I didn’t appreciate that tone or text, and I cussed, scrubbing a hand over my face and taking a deep breath. She was pushing my buttons, and whether her choice was intentional or not, it pissed me off.

Yet at the first sign of annoyance, Jordan would shut down.

I needed her back at the house, then I’d call her out on her shit.

Preston: I’m coming to get you.

Jordan: Please, don’t.

Preston: There is a massive blizzard coming, and the roads will get bad soon. Logan was freaking out, and you’re being selfish. The people who care about you want YOU safe.

Jordan: Jesus. We’re checking out now. I’ll catch a ride with them and come back.

There’d be hell to pay for this, but this damn girl made foolish decisions. I didn’t want to be in love with her. It’d be easier if I cared for her like I cared for Logan. I wouldn’t be messed up and this fucking angry when she was in danger. I needed to use the next half hour to calm down.

I walked home, changed into sweats and a long-sleeved green shirt, and had all the flashlights and batteries on the counter when the front door burst open.

“Hello, ball and chain,” she said. The tip of her nose was red, and her black hair was tangled in her earmuffs. “Or should I say keeper?”

I took the bags from her hands and set them on the living room floor, ignoring my pulse pounding in my temples.

She was looking for a fight. It was clear in her wild gaze and harsh tone.

Either something had happened, her mom made some bullshit comment, or us worrying about her triggered her fight-or-flight.

She’s safe. She’s here.

“No comment, Charming?”

We had a stack of firewood in the backyard. It must’ve been left over from the previous renters, but I was thankful. I put on my gloves and ran outside, taking two trips inside with the ten logs. It wasn’t a ton, but it’d do if we lost power. I checked the radar, and we had an hour before it hit.

“Is there a reason you aren’t speaking to me?” Jordan followed me into the living room, her tone dangerously low and close to how she sounded in the bedroom.

“I don’t have anything nice to say.” I scanned my phone, reading some quick tips. If we were gonna wait it out here, we should put towels near the cracks in the doors. Warmest part of the house would be either my room or the hall closet. Probably not that. “We can stay in my room tonight.”

“Oh, that’s presumptuous.”

“Jordan,” I scolded, finally meeting her gaze.

“I don’t know what happened or why you’re behaving like this, but I’m over it.

Pout, be dramatic, what the fuck ever, but you scared the shit out of the three of us today, and you’re acting like we’re the burden.

I get you have a huge event that matters for your grade, but damn.

There’s a line between being stubborn and stupid, and you’re crossing it. ”

She blinked, her lips parting as a blush crept up her cheeks. Her eyes widened in panic as she took a step back. Then another.

“You’re not running out of this house. I will chase you and fucking tie you to my bed if you try.” I pointed a finger. “People argue sometimes, and yeah, that feeling in your chest right now? It sucks. But I care enough about you prevent you from hurting yourself.”

“You won’t… tie me down?” She gripped the back of the couch as she glanced at the front door.”

“Try me. I dare you.” My skin felt too tight, and my mind buzzed like we were in the middle of a shoot-out in a game. The same adrenaline coursed through me, ready for her to make a move, and I’d react. This was all defense .

Her nostrils flared as she bolted for the front hallway. I caught up to her in three seconds, wrapping an arm around her waist and picking her up. “No. You’re not leaving.”

“Put me down, asshole!” She kicked and tried punching me, but I was stronger and faster. Plus, I took more hits during a game. This was nothing. She wiggled, twisting her weight to try to escape, but I held on tighter.

Adrenaline surged with the thrill of the fight. It was similar to being on the ice. I went up the stairs, pushed my door open, and tossed her onto my bed. “Don’t make me tie you.”

“You’re such a dick,” she said, her chest heaving. Her black hair was everywhere, her eyes large and staring daggers at me. “Fuck, Preston, you’re an ass.”

“Am I? Am I being an ass for trying to keep you safe? It seems I’m the only one out of the two of us who gives a shit about you.” I pulled on my hair and sighed. Why did I keep doing this?

Would I do this forever? Take care of her and be there for her, fighting with her every step of the way when it wasn’t reciprocated? My jaw hurt as the anger left me. “You know what, go. Be careless. I’m done.”

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I left her in my room and went back downstairs. Snow already started coming down in sheets of ice when someone banged on the door.

What?

Maybe it was one of Jordan’s friends for her project.

Unless she called some guy? My stomach bottomed out at the large shadow in the window.

I wouldn’t put it past her to retaliate against me.

Fuck. I had to get over this with her because the emotional turmoil was gonna make me lose it.

I opened the door, ready to tell whoever to get home, but my brother stared back at me.

“What up, baby bro? I’m crashing here!”