Page 16

Chapter 16

Carter

T oday’s the day. My brother and Blake are going to be forced to face their issues, and either come out of this on Monday morning together, or forever be broken. But it has to be done, no matter the result. Personally, I have a good feeling it’s going to be with both of them madly in love and ready to make Ginny ours as a unit.

When I pull into the nearly empty parking lot, a sense of excitement overtakes me when I see Ginny’s car. I can see the smoke filtering from the tailpipe, so I know she’s inside it. My heart warms knowing that she’s safely enjoying the heat it provides.

A few stray cars are parked, scattered near the far end, their windshields glistening faintly with the promise of frost. But none of them belong to Coach Lein. We’re good. We can slip in, set up everything and then get the two key players into position.

A sharp gust of wind cuts through me as I open my door, stepping out of my truck, carrying the biting scent of impending snow. I shiver, shutting the door behind me, making my way over to Ginny’s car. She sits inside, head down, scrolling through her phone, not even aware that I had pulled up beside her. I use my fist and give a gentle, but firm knock on her window that causes her to jump and her phone to go flying into the passenger seat.

She places her hand over her chest, breathing deeply when she looks over to see me. Her head falls back on the seat and she begins to laugh. “You scared the ever loving shit out of me!” she screams through the shut door, not even taking the time to open it or roll down the window.

I move back, allowing her space to open the door and get out. As soon as she shuts the door, I step into her space, backing her up against her car as my fingers slip through her hair and my lips crash onto hers.

It’s reckless. I know it. Anyone could see us and report back to her father, but I couldn’t let the moment pass. She moans and I capture it, savoring it like I'm an inmate on death row and her kiss is my last meal.

She places her hands on my chest, gripping my jacket in her palms before pushing me away, frantically looking around the parking lot to check if someone is watching.

“We can’t do this in the open, especially not right here, where my dad could show up at any minute.” The panic in her voice is evidence of how scared she is of getting caught.

“You’re right. I just couldn't help myself. I’ll make sure to check first next time. I can’t help it. You’re so fucking irresistible.”

“Stop. Are we ready? We need to be quick.” She pauses for a moment, biting on her bottom lip, as if she’s thinking about how to word her next response. “How are you going to make sure my dad doesn’t see anything? He’ll be here in a few hours and will close up the rink. How are we going to get Blake and Chase in there without him seeing?”

A wide grin stretches across my face, one full of mischief and something dangerously close to delight. I’m barely able to contain the amusement I have over her question. I feel as smug as the Cheshire Cat himself.

She narrows her eyes. “What?”

My grin only deepens. “There may have been a part of the plan I kept from you. I told you I was going to cover any possible scenario that could arise. I just need one thing from you.”

She crosses her arms, leveling me with a stare that any other time would have me shitting my pants in fear she was able to end me, end us. “Carter.”

I chuckle, shifting my weight, but not answering.

“Carter. Tell me. If you need my help more than this, don’t you think it’s important to let me in so I know what to do?”

“Fine. Like I told you, I was going to bring Henley in on the plan. He’s going to be here to make this meeting look legit. He’s also going to take everything from where we place it and set it out. All I need you to do is to be here at three sharp and get your father out of here. He always stays while they resurface the ice, but Henley is going to step in and tell him he’ll do it for him.”

“See, Carter. Vital information I needed. Three sharp. I can do it. I actually have the perfect plan to get him out of here.”

“Good, then we’re set. Come Monday, the two of them will be back together.” God, I hope so.

I take hold of her hand and move toward the truck bed. We need to hurry up and get this shit inside before anyone catches us. Then I need to head home and make sure Henley calls for the meeting. Of course, all the other guys will already know to ignore the message. We just needed to include them to make it look legit. The only person blocked from the thread is Max. He’s too much of a wild card and we don’t need him showing up and fucking shit up.

“What can I take?” Ginny asks, stepping up beside me as I lower the tailgate.

“If you can get those two duffel bags, I’ll take the box and rolling footlocker. Just be careful.” I take hold of the handle on the footlocker and pull it off the truck, letting it fall heavily onto the concrete. There’s nothing inside that can break, so I’m not worried about that.

She reaches in like a fucking champ, taking hold of the straps of the bags. Their weight nearly knocks her off balance, and she lets out the cutest little huff as she struggles to get a better hold.

“What the hell is in these?” she asks, her fingers digging into the thick fabric.

“Blankets and pillows,” I reply, shifting the large box in my arms so I can take hold of the footlocker handle and pull it behind me. I’m trying to make as few trips in and out of the building as I can to keep people from asking questions. “And the other one has some food. Stuff that won’t go bad, since we’re locking them out of the coach’s office.”

“Right,” she nods. “And why are we doing that?”

“Because that’s where the mini fridge is. And the phone. Can’t have them calling for backup.”

She grins, seeing the necessity in that. “True. But why not just move the fridge into the locker room, plug it in there, and lock my father’s door?”

I glanced toward the rink entrance, considering her words. “You’re a fucking genius, Pixie. I knew you were the perfect person to help me. Now we can put the sandwich meat in the fridge and it will last longer than in the cooler.”

She looks around, her eyes raised in confusion. “Where’s the cooler?”

“I forgot it. I was just going to make a second trip and sneak it in when we’re done. Now the meat doesn’t risk a chance of going bad before I do.”

I smirk and give her shoulder a nudge as we make our way toward the doors. Our steps echo in the stillness, the weight of what we are doing settling over me. It isn’t just about locking Blake and Chase inside. It is about forcing them to talk, to confront everything they’ve been avoiding. And if they try to kill each other in the process? Well… we'll have to deal with that later.

“I saw Blake skating the other morning,” Ginny says after a moment, her voice low so only the two of us can hear. “He’s incredible.”

I shift the box, readjusting my grip, as I glance over at her. “Yeah. He loves having those fleeting moments to skate. It’s different for him when he’s not in the net. He gets to be free.”

She nods. “It’s like he’s a different person out there.”

I let out a soft chuckle, bumping her with my shoulder as we near the doors. “Chase likes to watch him too, you know.” I can imagine after this weekend the two of them spending time together watching Blake skate, drool dripping from their lips. Maybe even Chase, slipping his hands underneath the waistband of her pants, as she spreads her legs wide, allowing him access to her pussy.

She looks up at me, her eyes wide with surprise, but I just smirk as she pulls open the door, leading us inside. The cold, hollow stillness of the rink greets us, the air heavy with anticipation.

This is going to work. It has to.

“Let’s get this done so we can move on to the next step,” I tell her as I take a quick look around and head straight for the locker room.