That ass wasn’t just soft; it was addictive, it was memory, and it was mine once. And seeing her wrapped in silk and feathers like that? I wanted to feel that ass bounce under my hands again and watch it move while she moaned my name with her face buried in the sheets I paid for.
Adrian strolled in a moment later, and just like that, my whole energy shifted.
I cleared my throat and spoke up. “As y’all see, it’s snowing. It’s not bad yet. It could ease up... or it could get worse. But let’s listen to the radio before we jump the gun."
I moved toward the shelf and grabbed the emergency radio, flipping it to the local weather frequency, the familiar static crackling in the air.
A man’s voice emerged, authoritative and urgent. “A strong cold front has already moved into the mountain region, and conditions are expected to worsen. Snowfall totals may reach up to eight inches over the next twelve to twenty-four hours. Roads may become impassable. We advise all locals to remain indoors and stock up on food, water, and essentials. If you are already off the road, stay where you are until conditions improve.”
As soon as the broadcast ended, Isis began to spiral. Her hands flew up in a flurry of anxiety.
“Oh my God! Ican’tbe stuck here for days; I have to be back at work on Tuesday! Most importantly, I don’t have my steamer, my silk pillowcase is at home, and I only brought ten outfits!”
“Ten outfits?” Chesteria scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Girl, you were coming to a cabin for a weekend getaway, not going on tour.”
“I have to stay ready! I never know who might pop up, or who might be watching! I might’ve wanted to shoot content or go viral off a ‘stuck-in-the-snow’ fit check!” Isis threw a hand dramatically toward the window. “Now look at me! I’m trapped in the wilderness with barely enough outfits, one man who’s still traumatized from the bear,”she complained, flicking a side-eye at Adrian. Then, carefully, like she had to pause and run it through a filter first, she cast a quick glance at me.
“And another man whom I’d rather not speak on,” Isis added a little softer, tone adjusted just enough not to come out as disrespectful. “Oh, and a girl who hates me,” she finalized, before flopping back onto the couch, completely ignoring reality.
“Correction,” Chesteria chimed in, dry and unbothered. “I don’t care enough about you to hate you. I just think you’re loud and unnecessary.”
Isis rolled her eyes.
Adrian, who’d been sitting quietly on the edge of the couch like a confused field trip chaperone, spoke cautiously, “I just got one question. So, uh… with all this snow, will the WiFi still work, or are we talkin’ full blackout conditions? ‘Cause I got a fantasy draft tonight, and I’m not trying to auto-pick a kicker in round three again.”
Chesteria rolled her eyes again, that time with extra effort, like she was searching her skull for any remaining patience.
“Seriously, how did y’all survive before WiFi came along? Like, y’all can’t function without scrolling and filters? Maybe it’s time to unplug and enjoy nature a little!”
And just like that, Day Two had officially begun, and thestorm outside didn’t have shit on the drama brewing indoors.
Chapter eleven
Chesteria
“Chef Boy-Are-You-Serious? Isis vs. Breakfast Ends in Tragedy”
Bryce leaned against the counter, his voice calm but laced with that signature savage professionalism.
“It depends on how bad it gets. The snow itself won’t kill the signal, but if the satellite tower freezes over or the wind knocks something loose, that router gon’ blink red like it’s gasping for help. No FaceTime. No TikTok.” He looked directly at Adrian, smirking.“And yo’ fantasy draft? That’s gon’ be a fantasy for real. So, yeah… you might wanna go ahead and brace yourself for auto-pick and pray the app don’t give you another punter this year. Looks like we’ll be staying another day.”
Those words sent a visible ripple through the room.
Isis rolled her eyes dramatically, as if staying one more day was a personal attack on her bougie spirit. Then there was Adrian, who blew out a breath so hard, the puff of air hung inthe room like steam off a pot. The both of them clearly hated the idea of me and Bryce being locked in here together, sharing space… sharing heat… and sharing time neither of them could control. As for me—even though I’d been itching to leave since earlier that morning—I couldn’t deny the quiet relief settling in my chest knowing Bryce was staying. That shifted something.
Snowstorms, bougie breakdowns, and emotional, jumpy men like Adrian aside, I don’t mind being stranded like this.
“The snow’s not unbearableyet,” Bryce added, explaining, while glancing out the window, “but it’s thick enough to make that mountain road a gamble. I ain’t taking no chances… and damn sure not with Isis in the car with me.” He looked over at me briefly before continuing, “We’ll head out first thing in the morning if the roads are looking better.”
I nodded.
“Well…” Adrian clapped his hands together. “Now that that’s out of the way… who’s cooking? A nigga hungry.”
Bryce and Adrian looked at me. Then, like she was following stage cues, even Isis slowly turned her neck in my direction.
Mmm.
That told me everything I needed to know.
