Page 33 of Secrets on Ice

“We were talking with the girls about how Ember Black and Cassidy Sullivan never got to grow up, and we want to give them that chance,” I explain. The boys seem surprised by this but don’t say anything. “We even messed around with the idea of maybe starting our own interior design firm.”

“Sullivan Black Designs,” Cassidy says excitedly.

“Wow. That’s …” Emmett starts.

Jo elbows him. “That is a great idea, isn’t it, babe?” she looks at him.

“It is, but …”

“But?” she questions my brother.

“It’s only been a week.” I know my brother is only looking out for us.

“It’s just an idea, something to think about,” I tell him.

“We’re not even sure we want to go back to Wisconsin,” Cassidy adds.

“You want to stay here?” Sully asks.

“Maybe,” she tells him.

“Wasn’t expecting that, but I’d love to have you closer.” He smiles.

“Look, nothing is set in stone, we still have so much to work out,” I add.

“Still proud of you girls. I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through, and you’re still smiling,” Jo says.

“Not sure about smiling, but we feel like we have made a little peace with it,” I tell her as my phone buzzes beside me.

I grab it without thinking, and still when I see whose name it is … Kevin.

Kevin: You asked for a week of no contact and we’ve done that. Time’s up, we need to talk.

“Em, are you okay?” Cassidy asks.

“It’s from Kevin. He’s just reminding me the seven days of no contact are up.”

“Are you serious?” my brother says angrily. “How fucking dare he. After what he did. He has no right to demand anything from you.”

“What are you going to do?” Jo asks, putting a reassuring hand on my brother’s arm to calm him down.

I look at Cassidy. “I don’t think we can hide anymore.”

“I agree,” she says.

“Guess we need to go home.”

“You’re not going alone,” Sully adds.

“Exactly, we’re coming too,” Emmett states.

“If you come, you can’t do anything stupid,” I warn them.

“Define stupid.” Sully grins.

“No physical violence. I will not have those two idiots ruining your careers,” I tell them both.

The boys look at each other and nod. “We promise to behave,” my brother says. I don’t believe them, but also, I don’t want to go home without them.