I sit bolt upright.Shit.Practice.I didn’t even think about it.My first week here, and I’m already missing practice.
“Oh, shit, Coach, I’m sorry.I’m snowed in.I can’t get to practice.I didn’t call.I’ll accept the benching or whatever the appropriate punishment is.It won’t happen again.This isn’t like me at all.”
A chuckle comes through the phone.“Breathe, King.You aren’t missing practice.There is no practice.Calling to see how you are.You’re at your brother’s on Pott’s Creek Road, right?”
Wow.They really know everything.“Yeah, I am.My…” What do I call her?Friend?Sister-in-law?Alvarez and Andie think we’re engaged, and who knows what they told people.“Phoebe sprained her wrist, and she’s cat-sitting my brother’s cat, so I’m here to help.We’re snowed in, and there are trees down in the road.I’m going to see if I can move them, but we’re not sure Phoebe’s car will get us through.”
“No worries.We have snowmobiles and tools.We can get you guys, kitty cat included, to somewhere safe and comfortable.If you want.”
“Oh.Wow.Thanks.Let me check with Phoebe?”
“By all means, go ahead.”
I turn to Phoebe, who’s looking at me with wide eyes.
“What’s up?”she mouths.I shrug, slip out of bed, and pad to the front door.I glance out the window next to the door and feel Phoebe come up behind me, lightly resting her hand on my back.I feel like I’ve been branded and am proud to wear her mark.She slips in front of me when I move to the side so she can see outside.It’s beautiful.Judging by the porch rail, there’s about five inches of snow and whatever ice may be underneath.The snow has stopped, and the sun is shining.And we have power again.
I hit mute on the phone and look down into Phoebe’s upturned face.
“It’s Coach, checking in.Some of the team can come help us dig out or take us somewhere, Marsha too, if we want.I’ll go along with whatever you want to do.”
She gives me the sweetest smile.“We have power and heat again, food.I’m okay staying here.We can catch up.It’s been forever since it’s been the two of us, and I’ve missed it.It’s like a winter wonderland.When will we ever have this chance again?”
My heart clenches.Spending time alone with Phoebe, without the world intruding, does sound magical.I swallow thickly and unmute the phone.
“Coach?We’re okay here.If that changes, I’ll reach out.Thanks for checking on us.”
Coach chuckles.“Snowed in together in a cozy cottage?I wouldn’t go anywhere either.Let me know if you need anything.I’ll text you about tomorrow’s practice once we have an idea of road conditions and stuff.We can pick you up if necessary.”
I don’t bother to correct his impression of the situation because I don’t want to admit it’s not a romantic opportunity.I want to pretend as long as possible.
“Okay, thanks.”
I lower the phone, then realize I’m still in my Bigfoot form.In front of Phoebe.I don’t think she’s ever seen me like this before.Maybe if she watched the first episode ofBigfoot Finds a Bride.They had us initially greet the bachelorette in our Bigfoot form, but wearing suits.That’s different from standing in front of her in a T-shirt and shorts.I hope I don’t frighten her.Self-consciously, I step back from her and hunch my shoulders, trying to make myself smaller.
“Don’t do that,” she says.
“What?”
“Make yourself shrink or disappear or be less or whatever the heck you’re trying to do.I’m not uncomfortable around you like this.I’m not intimidated or afraid of you.You’re cute like this.Stand tall, be proud.”
My skin is darker in Bigfoot form, but she can probably still see my cheeks get ruddier as I blush.But I straighten up and stand at my full height, towering over Phoebe.To my shock, she steps close to me and wraps her arms around my waist and rests her cheek on my chest.Of course I embrace her too.
“Hmm…this is what I love about you, Ollie.You’re the only man I’ve felt tiny next to.”
My heart trips when she says she loves something about me.I wish she was saying she lovedme.
I chuckle.“I’m a foot and a half taller than you when I’m like this.I’d make anyone feel tiny.”
She squeezes me tighter.“When you’re not shifted, I still feel small and protected by you.”
“You’re always safe with me, Phoebe.I’d do anything for you.”
I feel her sigh.If this were a romantic movie, we’d look into each other’s eyes, romantic music would play in the background, and we’d finally share our first kiss.But it’s not.
Phoebe lets go of me and steps back.I miss her already.
“I know you would.I’d do anything for you too, Ollie, starting with cooking breakfast, since we have power.Do you want to eat first or go outside to see about moving the trees?I can have breakfast ready when you come back in.”
