Chapter 5 Naomi
Chapter five
Naomi
The leather armchair creaks as I shift my body to survey the room for the fifth time.
The inside is super cozy: exposed beams cross the ceiling, a stone fireplace with a mounted TV above holds dying embers, and one entire wall is glass, showcasing snow-covered pines and the driveway where Mia's SUV waits.
The other walls are full of pictures. Silas, Felix, Liam, younger in some shots, older in others, always together. Lifting trophies. Grinning into cameras. Sweaty, bruised, triumphant.
Quite different from the three alphas I saw thirty minutes ago.
My phone buzzes in my lap.
Mia: How’s it going?
Me: They’re making me wait. Classic power play.
Mia: The AUDACITY
Me: Too bad for them I wrote the book on power plays, and I'm sitting on a play of my own…
Mia: ?
Me: Let's just say their little stunt will cost them.
Mia: Get em tiger
I pocket my phone and let my gaze wander again. Two hallways branch off from the main living space, disappearing deeper into the chalet. One curves left, the other angles right. I can't see where either leads from here.
The door from the breezeway finally opens.
They walk in and my brain short-circuits for a second.
Felix's changed into a soft heather-gray henley that clings to his sculpted chest and arms, the buttons undone just enough to show a hint of collarbone.
Liam's black long-sleeve tee stretches across his shoulders and tapers down to a narrow waist, the fabric thin enough to hint at the muscle underneath.
Silas has traded his jersey for a blue-and-gray flannel, sleeves rolled to his forearms, the soft fabric doing absolutely criminal things over shoulders that broad.
I'm suddenly very thankful I took DuoBlocks this morning. I can only imagine how impossible it would be to think straight if I could actually smell them right now—not that I'd necessarily like the notes of their smells of course…
Felix is the only one who acknowledges me, his mouth lifting in a quick, polite nod. The other two angle toward the far hallway like they're going to breeze right past me.
But nope, not today.
I stand up and step into their path. “Going somewhere?”
Silas has to stop short, close enough that I feel the heat radiating off him. Those gray-blue eyes narrow. “Yeah. Shower.”
"The meeting was scheduled for four." I reach into my handbag and pull out the folded contract I want to make them reread. "It's four fifty. I figured we'd start."
One of his brows kicks up. “You figured.”
“Yes.” I meet his gaze, keeping my tone light. “Silas Reed. Captain. Center."
Felix huffs a faint laugh, quickly smothered. Liam’s gaze flicks from me to Silas like he’s tracking a puck mid-play.
"Hold on." Liam's voice is low, careful. "He never told you his name. You had a file on us?"
"Of course, Liam Quijada." I turn to meet his dark brown eyes. "Right wing. Excellent read of the ice. Probably overthinks everything off it, too, if I had to guess."
"So you skimmed our Wikipedia pages," Silas cuts in. "Are we supposed to be impressed?"
"Let's just say I figured I'd handle introductions myself, since manners apparently aren't part of your skill set. You're welcome."
Felix snorts again.
“Bold talk from an outsider,” Silas replies.
"Bold talk from someone bailing on one of Lakeview's most beloved traditions."
Silas jaw hardens. “You’ve been in Lakeview, what, half a day? Don’t pretend you’re here for the town. You don't even know the first thing about this place.”
“You’re right, I don’t know Lakeview the way you do.” I meet his gaze head-on. “But I know Mia. And Mia cares enough about this community to fly me from New York to deal with three hockey players having a tantrum."
"A tantrum?" His voice drops dangerously low.
"What would you call it? You signed a contract. The date changed for legitimate weather concerns. Now you're pouting because it's inconvenient?"
Silas’s voice drops. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then enlighten me.” I slide the contract out and tap the highlighted section.
“Original game date: December twenty-eighth.
Weather service predicts a blizzard. The festival committee moves up the game on December twenty-third, which is well within their rights.
You still get paid. Where's the problem? "
Felix takes a half-step forward. “It’s not that simple. That day—”
"Felix." Silas's voice cuts like a blade.
Felix shuts his mouth and Liam’s hands curl.
I look between them. “That day what?”
No one answers.
The quiet stretches, and I hear the windows rattle once as the wind outside hits them hard enough to make the panes hum.
I glance outside. The snow that was drifting gently twenty minutes ago is coming thicker now, angling sideways.
"I'm waiting," I say, letting impatience sharpen my voice.
Silas folds his arms over his chest, every line of him closing off. "It's none of your business. The date changed. We're exercising our option not to play. End of story."
“You don’t have that option,” I say evenly. “The contract allows for reasonable schedule adjustments in case of severe weather. This qualifies.”
“You’re here to tell us what we already know?” His mouth curves, not quite a smile. “Great use of a plane ticket.”
“I’m here because if you sit out, Lakeview takes a hit. You already know this event is important for the whole community. People have taken days off for this event, small businesses have invested in it." I hold his stare. “That’s what I care about, not winning some argument.”
The lights flicker, once, twice. The lamp beside the couch buzzes angrily before stabilizing. Wind howls again, louder this time.
Silas doesn’t look away from me. “You can dress it up in civic duty all you want. Bottom line is, we’re not stepping on the ice on the twenty-third.”
I sigh. He's like a broken record. My frustration spikes, but I keep my tone cool.
"So let me make sure I understand your position. You're willing to let the festival scramble, disappoint an entire town, tank sponsor confidence, and torch your reputation as Lakeview's favorite players… all without even trying to work with me on a solution." I tilt my head. "Did I miss anything?"
Felix's lips press into a thin line. Liam's shoulders go rigid.
“That’s not what we want, we—” Felix starts.
"But that's exactly what it is," I cut in, gentle but firm. "How can you be this selfish?"
Silas exhales through his nose, a rough, controlled sound. "You're very good at spinning other people's choices into your narrative, Ms. Quinn. But the fact is, the game was moved without our consent. It can be moved again." He starts to turn. "Now if that's all, you can show yourself out."
Fine. Time for my power play.
"As you wish." I fold the contract back into my handbag, taking my time.
"Just understand, when I walk out that door, you lose everything.
Contract termination. No pay for the rest of the season.
" I pause, letting that land. "And I know you're already earning a fraction of what you used to make.
.. Can you really afford to walk away from even that? "
Silas can't quite hide the way his expression flickers.
"That's right," I continue, pulling on my coat. "Oh, and the festival committee will come after you for damages, too. Hope whatever's so special about December twenty-third is worth torching your careers over."
I stride toward the door, floorboards creaking under my boots. My hand closes around the cold metal handle.
Come on, take the bait.
I pull the door open—
And the world turns white.
Snow and wind blast through the doorway, instantly soaking the front mat and stinging my cheeks like needles. I stagger back a step, shielding my face with my arm.
My phone starts shrieking in my pocket.
EMERGENCY ALERT: Severe blizzard conditions in the Lakeview area. Zero visibility. All roads closed. Seek shelter immediately. Do not attempt travel under any circumstances.
What the hell?