“What? No, I’m not madatyou. I just want you to be okay.”
Penny mumbled something in the background that I didn’t quite catch. “Hey, great idea, babe,” my brother said. “Send your location to Hayden.”
“Hayden?” I repeated, my face growing red despite no one being able to actually see me. “Hayden Porter?”
“You hit your head that hard? Yes,Hayden Porter. He couldn’t make it here last night because of Gwen, so he’s on his way up now. I’ll call him, give him a heads-up.”
“Wait, no!” I shouted, unable to produce a single, rational reason why this was a terrible idea. My brother’s best friend was my personal fantasy and single biggest regret combined into one broad-shouldered, giant, walking Greek God.Okay, maybe I did bump my head.I now pictured him as a Greek statue with his perfectly unperfect nose and dark gray eyes that paired with his suntanned skin from always being outdoors. He’d feed me grapes and flash that dangerous smile my way.
“Charlotte, send him a pin of your location now.”
My brother ended the call, bringing me back to reality.Breath in, out.Unless I wanted to be the mayor and only resident of this car igloo, I should text him my location. Even if it meant having Hayden find me this way. Would he drive me the rest of the way too? In his car? Us alone?
My heart raced for an entirely different reason. I’d done my best to never be alone with him afterthat nightthree years ago. His beautiful baby girl Gwen was always there, or my brother, or their friends they had somehow kept since high school. Honestly, how? Making friends as an adult is hard. Unless you work with them, you had to actually leave your house to see other people, and frankly, I didn’t want to do that most days.
Ever, okay? I never wanted to leave my house. Especially not in winter when the cold tried to eat my face. My phone pinged.
Christian:YOUR LOCATION. NOW.
Focus.Right. I sent my brother and Hayden a location pin and leaned back in my seat. I knew I’d have to see Hayden at the ski resort, but I had practiced my fake smile and pleasant talking points that would be needed around the group. Where five of us all sat around drinking and eating and skiing. Not… the two of us in a car alone. Not with him rescuing me from my igloo. Maybe I could live here forever? I had snacks and four pairs of socks. It’d be a short lifespan but filled with joy.
I rubbed my temples and wished I had brought pain meds. The throbbing at my skull had nothing to do with Hayden and our past, well, lack of a past, and more to do with the fact that my face became a steering wheel pancake five minutes ago.
Silver linings. I was that kinda person, always focusing on the bright side.
I was alive. That was great. I could still eat and drink to my heart’s delight.
My car still had power, which meant I had heat.
I could move my limbs. Again, another huge win.
Incoming call.
“I sent the dang location, Christian,” I answered, so annoyed that my irritation snuck out.
“Hello to you too.”
“Hayden.” I sucked in a breath and felt the color draining from my face. I must match the snow now. We were twinning in paleness. “Hello. Hi.”
Could I be more of a dork? Shame danced along my neck and down my spine. I shouldn’t care what he thought of me, not after that night, yet I still wanted him to view me as someone other than his best friend’s kid sister.
“Are you alright?” His voice was deep and low with concern. “Christian said you were in an accident and I needed to rescue you?”
“Of course he did.” I sighed.
“Were you not?”
“No, I’m stuck in a snowdrift, have no idea where I am, and can’t get out of my car.” Saying the situation aloud mademe laugh. “This is a scene from a terrible movie. How is this my life? Why did I wear my knee-high orange and yellow socks today of all days?”
Hayden didn’t answer but I swore I couldfeelhim annoyed. He had a habit of breathing heavier whenever I was around. Great for the ego, knowing he could keep his calm demeanor around everyone except me.
“How do you not know where you’re at?” he asked, his voice not kind.
“Because I didn’t pay attention to the street signs when all I saw was the snowdrift and semi wanting to make a sandwich out of me,” I snapped. A shiver cascaded down my body at the reminder. “It was terrifying. I thought…
I thought I was gonna die so I’m sorry for not—”
“Hey, whoa,” he said, his rough voice gentler than before. “Char, it’s okay. I’ll find you. I’ll get you out.”
