Then, my eyes drop to the bottom of the locker, and relief washes over me. The skates sit exactly where I left them, scuffed but reliable, their laces coiled in a loose heap. I let out a slow sigh, the tension in my shoulders easing. The weight of uncertainty lifts, replaced by the familiar comfort of knowing. While everything isn’t as it should be, I can at least let out a little of my tension as I glide across the ice—the one place where I feel truly free.
Chapter 14
Ginny
“Do you think theplan will work? It seems kind of crazy and there’s a ton of moving pieces to put into place.” I pick up a chip, dunking it in the queso dip. I can’t help the moan that escapes my mouth once the delicious taste of spicy goodness hits my tongue.
“Without a doubt. We’ll have to do some work to make sure everything is set. But that’s the easy part. It’s going to be getting them both there that will be hard, but I already have an idea for that, too. I just need to talk to Henley and get him in on this,” Carter says excitedly as he rubs his hands together in a diabolical fashion, reminiscent of Dr. Evil.
He’s the perfect male specimen with his sparkling green eyes and just a hint of a yellow fleck in his right one. His hair falls around his face, having grown out some since the holiday break when we first met. It still escapes me how I thought he and Chase were the same person that morning. It’s so clear to me now how very different they are, even though they’re a carbon copy of the other.
“Are you sure no one will be around for the whole weekend?” This plan of ours goes to shit if someone shows up and lets them out before they can work through their issues. I need them to fix whatever is wrong with them. One relationship out of this has to survive. It’s the only thing that keeps me from truly drowning in misery.
“Yep. No one will be in the building. I even confirmed with the administration. All it took was a wink and smile and Mrs. Strong was putty in my hands. She didn’t even question why I was asking.” He gives me a smile that has my panties melting and a wink that has my core aching.
“Such a ladies’ man,” I tease him, reaching out, giving his shoulder a gentle shove as I laugh. He covers my hand with his before I can pull away, squeezing it, then scoots over on the couch closer to me and my breath hitches as I bite my lip. Everything in me yearns to have his hands all over my body, exploring every inch of my skin as he edges me closer and closer to orgasm.
“Nah, I only have my eye on one woman.” He gives my hand another squeeze before letting go, and I’m finally able to pull away, instantly missing the feel and warmth of his body.
Shit, there he goes again. If he keeps that up, all my control is going to go right out the window.
“Are you sure my dad doesn’t know or suspect anything?” I ask, hoping to change the subject and remind him at the same time why there isn’t ever going to be anything more between the two of us, or the four of us, for that matter. There’s no way I could be with one of them and not all three. It would kill me.
“Nothing. The only problem will be one of them swiping their key card to get out, which I’ve found a solution for. It’s why I need you to help me get everything ready. Then I’ll make sure to get them both there and lock them in before we need to be out of the building.”
“Anything to help. Chase and Blake belong together. They’re soulmates.”
“Soulmates?” Carter asks, raising his eyebrow. “You believe in that shit. Like that’s really a thing? That there are people who are meant to be together from the moment they are born. Isn’t that like some trope in a paranormal book and not in actual reality?”
“Maybe. I mean, is it so far-fetched that there’s two people out there meant to be together and that no matter what, they can make it happen?” I lean over, pick up another chip and dip it in the queso, avoiding his gaze at all costs.
“Or what about someone having three people? That I can get behind.” He moves even closer, resting his arm along the back of the couch as his fingers lazily drag along my intertwined ones.
“I guess that’s a possibility.” I clear my throat and shift, pressing my thighs together. I need to change the subject—now. “We’re talking about a whole weekend. They’ll need a lot of things: food, blankets, a couple of air mattresses, clothes.”
“One air mattress; let’s not let them be able to separate themselves from each other even more. As for clothes, I was thinking maybe just one change. I mean, if they’re naked, it may help the situation move along quicker. It can remind them what attracted them to each other in the first place.”
I can’t argue with him there. My mind drifts back to being pressed between Blake and Chase as we all make out, edging each other until we can’t take it any longer and one of us ends up begging to be fucked.Typically me.
“Okay, you have a point. So how do we do this without anyone knowing what we’re doing?”
“We don’t have practice on Friday. Do you?” he asks as he picks up his beer and takes a swallow.
“Yes, that morning, but only for an hour. Dad just wants to run through our routine one time.”
“So we’ll do it then. Leave and then come back an hour later. I’ll give Chase some reason why I need the truck and that I have to go alone. We’ll meet back here. I’ll pick up everything. Then once we’re done, I’ll set up step two of the plan, which involves Henley. I’ll let you know when we’re on the way there so you can hide inside. We’ll get them inside the locker room, then shut the door, locking it from the outside.”
“Foolproof plan, but what about their phones?”
“Simple, it's a phone free meeting. All phones will have to be dropped in the basket before entering. I’ll set up one of those nanny cameras so we can keep an eye on them, just in case something drastic happens and we need to get them out.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Drastic like one of them kills the other?” Carter just shakes his head and smiles.
“Well, it looks like we have everything sorted out, so I guess it’s time for me to get out of here.” I lower my feet to the floor and scoot to the edge of the couch. The selfish part of me desperately wants him to stop me, tell me not to go, to stay with him. But I can’t let that sliver of hope bloom. I need to stay firm. Any kind of relationship between us won’t work. They’re on my father’s team and, more importantly, I don’t date hockey players.
He scoots closer, our legs touching now as he brushes a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Why are you rushing away? I thought since we’re rekindling the spark between Chase and Blake, we could work on doing the same with the two of us.”
“Carter,” I breathe, his name slipping effortlessly across my lips.
