Chapter 13
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
ADDISON
“We’re snowed in.”
That’s what Zeke told me an hour ago, and I’m still trying to figure out what the universe has against me.
Maybe this is karma.
Maybe this is what happens when you let go of the man you loved years ago, and your punishment is being trapped in one place with him, his two boyfriends, and the unbearable truth that you still have feelings for all three of them.
I glance out the window again, searching for any sign of hope, but the world’s disappeared beneath a thick, relentless blanket of white. There’s no chance any vehicles are getting up or down this mountain.
I’m completely stuck.
Last night we crossed a line. And not just any line. The line.
The kind that doesn’t come with a rewind button or a cute little apology. It’s the kind that changes things permanently, and now we’re trapped at this lodge for who the hell knows how long, with no distractions, no exits, and way too many unresolved feelings between us.
I’m standing at the front desk, phone pressed to my ear, trying and failing to get ahold of my mom.
Now they’re saying the ceremony might be canceled thanks to last night’s surprise snowfall, and of course, she’s not answering.
She’s probably sitting right next to the damn thing, squinting at the screen, still unsure which button actually picks up.
“Still nothing.” I sigh, lowering the phone. “She’s not answering.”
“We can keep trying if you’d like,” Joan offers.
She’s the one running this place—calm, capable, with a reassuring voice that makes you feel like maybe everything will be okay even when it’s clearly not.
I have to quickly remind myself that it’s not just us stranded up here. The storm trapped all the staff and guests too.
“Would you? I want her to be prepared, just in case.”
“I’m hoping we’ll get it cleared by then—as long as we don’t get hit with more.”
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed.” I glance toward the window where snow piles against the glass. “Actually… you don’t happen to have any other cabins available, do you?”
“You don’t want to stay with your friends? They’ve got the biggest place—plenty of bedrooms.”
“I’ll talk to them, but if not…”
“If not, we’ll find something for you. Although, fair warning, if the weekend goes ahead, we’re booked solid.”
“Thank you, Joan. Is everything still working in the restaurant?”
“Yeah, and Clive’s not going anywhere, so there will always be food if anyone needs it.”
I nod before stepping back into the cold, and the wind bites at my face as I approach the cabin.
Jasper throws the door open, standing there in nothing but a pair of gray sweats, looking so good I want to drop to my knees and thank whatever god made men like him.
“Get in here, you dumbass, before you freeze,” he calls out, grinning like nothing’s changed. His chest is bare, his abs are on full display, and his messy, light-brown hair looks like he’s been dragging his hands through it for hours.
Roman’s already at the kitchen island, sitting next to Zeke with a mug of coffee in front of him, his gaze following me the moment I step into the room.
“Did you find out what’s happening with your dad’s award this weekend?” Zeke asks.
“Yeah,” I say, glancing between the three of them. “They’re hoping the roads will clear—assuming we don’t get hit again tonight.” I drop onto the edge of the couch, fingers fidgeting in my lap. “They’ve got a cabin for me if I want it. At least until Saturday.”
Jasper’s head snaps up. “What?”
Jasper doesn’t do subtle.
He doesn’t do quiet either.
“What do you mean a cabin?”
“I mean…” I swallow hard. “You’re all staying here, and I didn’t want to assume anything. I figured I could just—”
“What? Leave?” Jasper asks, already crossing the room like he’s about to argue this with his whole chest. “Seriously. Explain this to me, angel, because right now I’m wondering if I hallucinated last night.
Wondering if you didn’t actually fall asleep in our bed, and I just imagined you hooking your leg around me this morning when I tried to get up. ”
“I don’t want to impose. I’m not supposed to be here.”
Jasper slides in beside me, throws his arm around my shoulders, and pulls me into him until there’s no space left between us.
“Don’t ever say that. If there’s anywhere you belong, it’s right here with us. You know that, yeah?” He glances at Zeke for backup.
“No one’s going to make you do anything you’re not ready for,” Zeke says, “but you’re not staying in some empty cabin by yourself. Not when this place has plenty of room and not when we want you here.”
My throat tightens as I glance over at Roman. He hasn’t said a word, but his silence feels heavier than anything else in the room. I can’t do this if he doesn’t want me here. I need to hear it from him.
His golden eyes meet mine, burning with something real.
No walls.
No bullshit.
“Stay,” he finally says, standing up and rinsing his mug before dropping it into the sink. “They’re right. It’d be stupid for you to hole up somewhere by yourself for the next few days.”
“Okay, well, I’ve got another problem, and this one’s a little humiliating,” I admit, my cheeks warming as I watch Jasper stand and saunter around the kitchen island, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
Zeke raises a brow. “What is it?”
“I have no clothes. No underwear. No toothbrush. I’m pretty sure reception can hook me up with the basics, but…”
All three of them go still for a beat, and it’s Jasper’s reaction I clock first. His mouth curls into a slow, wicked smile, one arm crossing his chest while the other rubs a hand along his jaw, like he’s trying and failing not to say exactly what’s on his mind.
“I mean,” he drawls, his eyes raking down my body and back up with zero shame, “I’m just not hearing a single problem in that sentence.”
“I’m being serious,” I say, rolling my eyes even though I can’t keep the smile off my face.
“What? I can’t help it if the idea of you wandering around here in my T-shirt and no panties sounds like a Christmas miracle.”
“This,” I mutter, waving a hand in his direction, “is exactly why I almost kept my mouth shut.”
“Oh, come on. You drop a visual like that and expect us to behave? We’re only human, angel.”
Roman finally speaks from his spot at the island. “We’ve all got plenty. There’s a washer and a dryer. We’ll figure it out.”
“It’s only four more days,” Zeke adds, stepping in close enough that I can feel his warmth. “Why don’t you go take a shower, and we’ll get you what you need.”
“Okay, thank you.” I give them a small smile and turn toward the hallway.
In the guest bathroom, I turn the water on and let it run, watching as steam immediately starts fogging the mirror and curling into the corners of the room.
I strip off the clothes I arrived in last night and step under the spray, letting the water scald my skin, hoping it’ll burn away the ache I’m carrying.
But the truth is, no amount of heat could distract me from the simple, terrifying fact that I’m snowed in with three men I never stopped wanting.
Two who look at me like we could somehow pick up where we left off and pretend that’s a realistic option when we all know it’s not.
Four days trapped in this cabin with them, with nowhere to run and no excuse to leave.
I press my palms flat against the tile and close my eyes.
How the hell am I going to survive this?