Chase: Congrats baby doll. 2nd place is amazing.
I smile. Somehow over the last couple days of texting, his nickname for me had slipped back in. I love that he’s excited for me—no, proud of me, even if I didn’t hit the top spot.
Chase: Are you sure you’re okay though?
Blake: The dick did what? Swear I’ll run his ass over with a Zamboni.
I smirk at that.
Carter: Need us to sneak you out of your house tonight? Because I’m down.
Me: I’d love that, but I don’t see me going anywhere tonight. I need to talk to my dad about Antony. I can’t keep doing this with him.
Blake: Again I could easily take care of the prick. One word. ZAMBONI!
Chase: A freak accident. I think we could do it. We need to start planning.
The warmth in my chest spreads at their words, at the way they check on me, the way they care.
For the first time since stepping off the ice tonight, my body relaxes.
Chapter 30
Ginny
The night air iscrisp as I step out of the car and make my way up the familiar walkway to Chase’s house. My heart is hammering against my ribs, a mix of excitement and nerves buzzing. This is it—our first night alone together since reconnecting. No Carter hovering, no distractions, no interruptions. Justus.
I finally get to have Chase and Blake all to myself. Our chance to reconnect. To move our relationship forward and build it back to what it was.
For the first time in what feels like forever—but really has only been three days—I’m free from my father’s scrutinizing eyes and Antony’s suffocating presence. If Antony had his way, I’d be locked away in my bedroom, only allowed out for training, eating, or to piss and shit. He’s already working his manipulations, planting seeds of doubt in my father’s mind, whispering how I need more discipline, less distractions. No friends.
I shove the thought away.
Tonight isn’t about them.
Tonight is aboutthis.Us.Blake, Chase and me.
I blow out a breath and knock on the door, barely able to contain the giddy energy thrumming through me. I hear footsteps—heavy and familiar. They get louder, closer, before the door swings open, revealing Chase.
His chestnut brown hair, normally neat, hanging in a mess—and I like it. His dimples are on full display as he grins down at me.
“Hey, Ginny.”
My stomach flips at the warmth in his voice.
“Hey,” I breathe, smiling back.
He reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine as he pulls me inside. The warmth of the house surrounds me instantly.
“Blake’s in the kitchen, getting everything ready,” Chase says, taking my coat and hanging it up in the closet. “We decided we’d make personal pizzas tonight. Each of us can make our favorite to share. Then we thought we’d watchHouse of Villains, keep things light and fun—especially after all the drama you’ve been dealing with at home.”
The tension in my shoulders eases at his words. These men are perfect.
“That sounds heavenly,” I say, and I mean it.
I follow him to the kitchen, my lips parting in amusement as soon as I spot Blake. He’s standing at the counter, rolling out dough, a mischievous smirk on his lips. But it’s not the smirk that gets me—it’s the apron.
Kiss the Chef.
