by Anna B. Doe
As if he could sense my thoughts, Jason hugged me closer. “It doesn’t matter, babe. Wherever we all land, we’ll still be family. Always.”
Chapter Four
Jason
The next morning, I woke first. But I didn’t move. I was more than content watching Felicity sleep, thinking back on our conversation yesterday. I’d meant what I said, that it didn’t matter where we went or how our lives moved in different directions, the six of us would always be tight. Cam and Asher were my guys. Even though I’d made new friends at Penn, they would never replace the bond I shared with my best friends.
Slipping out of bed, I pulled on a hoodie and went in search of coffee. Turning on the coffee machine, I went to start the fire next, adding a new pile of wood and lighting it. The flames crackled to life and I savored their warmth for second.
Satisfied with my handiwork, I made myself a cup of coffee next. The morning sun filtered in through the curtains, and mug in hand, I traipsed over to the window next, to see if the storm had passed.
“Fuck,” I breathed. It had stopped snowing but there was at least another five or six inches, the snow drifts banked higher than the window ledge.
“Morning,” Felicity’s voice was thick with sleep.
I glanced back and smiled. “Morning.”
“What’s wrong?” She frowned.
“We might be snowed in after all.” I’d joked about it, but I hadn’t really imagined it would happen.
Joining me at the window, Felicity sucked in a shaky breath. “Wow, okay.”
“Maybe it’s not that bad out front.” I moved to the door and pulled it open, my eyes going wide.
“Hmm, babe, what is that?” She joined me as I stared at the sheet of compacted snow blocking the door.
“Maybe it’s the universe’s way of saying we should stay here.”
“You think?” Felicity wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder. “You’ll be able to clear it though, right?” She let out a strangled laugh.
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh God. So we’re actually snowed in?”
“Let me check the back door.” I kissed her on the forehead before taking off down the hall. But it was no better.
“I’ll have to call Gio,” I said, joining her in the living room again. “Someone will have to come dig us out.” I dug my phone out my pocket, but Felicity moved around me, covering my hand with hers.
“We have time.” She smirked up at me. “There's that clawfoot tub in the master suite.”
“Yeah?”
She grinned.
“I’d still better give him a heads up.”
I typed out a quick text.
Me: We’re snowed in.
He replied almost immediately.
Gio: Yeah, it’s pretty bad out there. Nicco and Matteo are going to see if it thaws a little throughout the day. You good until then?
Me: Yeah, we’re good.
Gio: I bet you are…
Me: Fuck off.
His reply was a laughing emoji.
Fucker.
“So, what’s the verdict?”
“Nicco and Matteo are going to come up later if it doesn’t start to thaw.”
“Perfect.” Fee went up on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Then we’d better go make the most of it.”
“Breakfast in bed?” I suggested.
“Sounds like Heaven.”
Felicity
The snow didn’t thaw. By lunchtime, the flurries started again. I sat by the window, watching the white blanket rise and rise.
“That was Gio,” Jason said as he entered the room. “Nicco and Matteo should be here any—”
“I see them.” I leaped up, and Jason chuckled.
“So eager to get out of here, or just that desperate to get a look at Nicco again?”
“What? No!” I blushed. “I didn’t… I’m not…” God, why was it so hard to get out the words?
“Relax, I’m joking.” Jason frowned. “Although I’m starting to question my manhood given how tongue-tied he’s got you.”
“You know it’s you I love.”
“Damn right.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a knowing smirk.
“I don’t want to leave,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I just don’t like the idea of not being able to get out.”
“I could have always smashed a window.” He shrugged.
“Behave.” I went up on my tiptoes and kissed his stubbled jaw. “I like the scruff. You should keep it.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded. “I can’t stop thinking about that photo we found,” I confessed. “I was thinking maybe you should ask—”
“No way. No fucking way. They are not mobsters.” Jason rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, but there’s something weird about—”
“Felicity, let it go. Nicco did a good thing letting us stay here.”
“I know, I just—”
“Babe, drop it.” He kissed me hard before moving to the window. “Okay, they’re digging.”
“God, I feel so bad. We should invite them to stay for dinner at least.”
“Maybe we should leave early and check in at a hotel? Just in case.”
I glanced around the cabin. It was so beautiful, but he was right. I didn’t want to risk missing New Year’s Eve with the guys.
“Yeah, maybe.” My smile fell.
“It’ll still be just the two of us. We don’t have to leave for New York until the thirtieth.
“Okay.”
“Hey,” Jason came over to me. “I know you love it out here, but if the snow doesn’t let up—”
“I know. It’s just such an incredible place.”
“Perhaps we can come again, in the summer?”
“I’d like that.”
Jason grunted. “Although next time, I’ll ask Matteo to meet us if you’re going to get so hot and bothered every time Nicco is around.”
“You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?” I groaned.
“Nope.”
Minutes passed, although it felt like a lifetime. Then there was an almighty bang on the door.
Jason went to open it. “Hey, guys. Sorry about this.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Matteo said, stepping inside and shaking off the snow on his jacket. “The forecasters were wrong about this one.”
“Are you both okay?” Nicco asked.
“We’re good. Managed to get out and explore yesterday a bit, but both doors were completely blocked in this morning.”
“Yeah, if the wind changes that can happen. We didn’t think it would be an issue this time though.”
“Can I get you both some hot cocoa?” I asked.
“Yeah, that sounds pretty great.” Matteo made himself at home, dropping into one of the armchairs.
I set about making the hot cocoa from the batch of mixture Alessia had left behind. The guys were chatting about Jason’s football career when I handed them their mugs.
“Heisman Trophy, that’s pretty epic.” Matteo grinned.
“You guys play?” Jason asked, and Matteo snickered.
“No, we don’t really have time for sport.”
My brows furrowed. That was... odd.
“That’s cool. I forget sometimes that not everyone loves the game.”
“Oh, I love the game,” Matteo said. “I’m a huge Patriots fan,”
“See, babe, just regular guys.” Jason winked at me.
Oh God, he didn’t…
I scowled at him.
“I feel like we’re missing something?” Nicco said.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Jason looked far too smug, and I wanted to die. “Felicity found an old photograph and got it into her head that you guys might be mobsters or something.” Laughter rumbled deep in his chest but nobody else joined him.
I was too busy shrinking into the couch.
“Mobsters, you say?” Matteo smirked. “That’s a new
one.”
“Matt,” Nicco warned. “Can you show me the photo?” he asked me, and I went to fetch it.
“Here.”
“I had no idea this was here.” He studied the photo. “That’s my great grandfather and his brothers and cousins. I can see why you thought they might be mobsters. It’s the Fedoras and suspenders isn’t it?”
My cheeks pinked as he smiled at me.
“I... sorry. My brain runs away with me sometimes.”
“It’s okay. But I can assure you we’re good people.” Nicco winked.
“I told her it was nothing,” Jason added with a little snort. “So do you think the snow is here to stay?”
“It’s looking that way.”
“I think we’re going to drive to a hotel and stay there until it’s time to head to New York. But we appreciate you letting us stay here.”
“It’s probably wise,” Nicco said. "We can help you get packed up and make sure you get back to the main road safely.”
“That would be great, thanks. Felicity?”
“Huh, yeah?” I blinked over at Jason who was frowning at me.
“If we get packed up, Nicco and Matteo will make sure we find the main road safely.”
“Oh, that’s nice, thank you.” I smiled, barely hearing the words. Because my mind was still stuck on the idea that Nicco and Matteo were mobsters.
After all, he hadn’t denied it.
But Jason was right—it wasn’t possible.
Was it?
The End
You can read Jason and Felicity’s story in The Game You Play. Or perhaps, you’re as intrigued about Nicco as Felicity. You can read more about him in Prince of Hearts.
Books by L A Cotton
Verona Legacy Series
She’s the Capizola heir, he’s the Marchetti prince, and their love is forbidden . . .
Prince of Hearts
King of Souls
Rixon Raiders Series
Cocky football players, school rivalry, and the girls who get in their way. Get ready... The Raiders are here!
The Trouble With You
The Game You Play
The Harder You Fall
The Endgame Is You
About the Author
Author of mature young adult and new adult novels, L A is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.
Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find L A immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.
L A loves connecting with readers.
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The Elements of Unrequited and the Missing Einstein
The Science of Unrequited Holiday Story
Len Webster
Chapter One
Evan
How did I get so lucky? Evan Gilmore thought as he watched the snowfall through the stained-glass window of his bedroom. He thought back to a time where he solemnly believed this would never be his future. He had been a college sophomore when he spent his first Christmas truly away from his best friend. It didn’t matter if he had his brother or Mr. and Mrs. Parker with him, it was the loneliest Christmas he had ever had because she was gone. He’d driven her away when he never came back to Massachusetts the year before for her. Then she fell in love with someone else, and Evan was certain he had lost Alexandra Parker for good.
A sleepy groan caught his attention, and he glanced down to find his wife snuggling into his chest. “She’ll be awake soon,” she whispered, her eyes still closed.
He couldn’t help the grin on his face as he looked over at the bedroom door. “Door’s unlocked,” he confirmed as he ran his palm up her arm.
Finally, his wife opened her eyes, and that dreamy smile of hers greeted him. It had been almost five years since he married AJ. And in those years, they shared their lives together with their daughter in Cambridge, Massachusetts. If you had asked him at eighteen and after his first steps onto Stanford University without AJ, he would have denied this future of his. There was no doubt about it, Evan hadn’t deserved her then. This life he treasured was one he had earned. One he continued to earn every day he was her husband.
AJ settled the side of her cheek to his chest as she, too, looked out the window. “She’ll be barreling through that door any minute now.”
“Means we don’t have long to enjoy the snow.”
She laughed. “Don’t pretend you hate Miller running to you first thing in the morning.” AJ’s hum was filled with the contentment he loved hearing. She sounded happy, and he hoped the life he gave her contributed to her happiness. It was all Evan had ever wanted for her.
“You’re right. I don’t hate it,” he admitted as his wife sat up and looked down at him. God, she was beautiful. Those stunning green eyes mirrored their daughter’s. To this day, Evan still couldn’t believe AJ loved him. After everything, she chose him.
As if on cue, they heard their daughter’s footsteps rush down the hall before the door handle twisted, and it slowly opened. “Mummy, Daddy, are you awake?” Miller asked as she peered into the room.
Her dark curls were messy with sleep as she stepped forward and her smile stretched wider when she saw them awake. Last night, she had chosen her solar system pjs to wear before he tucked her into bed and watched the stars twinkle on her ceiling from the light her aunty Savannah had gifted her a few years ago.
“Come here, my love,” AJ said as she scooted closer to him to give their daughter room. Miller jumped on the bed, throwing her arms around AJ. “Good morning, Miller.”
“Good morning, Mummy.” Then Miller’s bright green eyes met Evan. “Hi, Daddy!”
He chuckled as he brushed her hair behind her ear. “Good morning, my love. Did you have good dreams?”
Miller pulled out of her mother’s embrace and scrambled to sit between them, Evan covering her with the blanket to keep her warm. It was December in Massachusetts, and the cold winter morning had truly graced them. He should have woken up earlier to turn on the heating for his family, but he was selfish and wanted a quiet morning with his wife before they both had to leave for work.
“I did,” Miller said as she cuddled into Evan’s side. He liked to believe he was her favorite person in the world, but Evan suspected his brother was trying to win that title from him. Kyle could try all his life, but Miller was her mother’s daughter. Those two were attached to the hip, and every morning, AJ would teach Miller a little more about science—physics in particular. “I was on the moon!”
“The moon,” AJ said with excitement. “What were you doing on the moon?”
Miller looked up at him. “Daddy, would you come to the moon with me? You weren’t there.”
Nodding, he reached up and pressed his palm to his daughter’s cheek. “My rocket must have been the slower one. Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes,” she answered as she pulled back and pointed at the moon on her sleeve. “I was on this side of the moon. Mummy was here, too. We were waiting for you.”
His poor heart filled with warmth. He was a sucker for his daughter. Evan never thought he could love someone like he loved Miller. In fact, he never thought he’d ever be a father, let alone the father to this beautiful, sweet girl who loved space and baseball. She was a miniature version of his wife, and she truly had the best of AJ in her.
Dropping his hand from her face, Evan pointed at a little star near the moon on his daughter’s pjs. “See this star?” Miller nodded. “I left my rocket to get on the closest shooting star to get to you.” Evan moved his finger across the small space between the moon and the star to show her that he was always on his way.
His daughter smiled as if he had shown her the most
magnificent thing in the world. Then she turned and showed her sleeve to her mother. “Mummy, Daddy left his rocket!”
AJ laughed as she grasped her arm, taking in the moon and the shooting star. “See, Daddy will always find a way to you.”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you get Einstein, and we’ll have some breakfast downstairs before you get ready for school?” AJ released their daughter’s arm.
Miller scrambled off the bed, and on her way out of their bedroom, she said, “I’ll go get Einstein.”
When the door closed behind their daughter, AJ dragged her knees across the mattress and set her hands on his jaw. Her beautiful smile reminded him of just how lucky he was that it was directed at him and no one else. That she had made him her husband and chose to continue to love him.
“I love you,” AJ whispered as her thumb brushed the corner of his mouth.
“I love you, too.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in a chaste kiss.
AJ pulled back and shook her head. “Not just because you’re my husband and you support my dreams.” Her smile softened as did that gleam in her eyes. “Because you find ways to become an even better father every day. You’re her entire world, you know that, right?”
And that there, that validation that he was a good father, had his eyes stinging with unshed tears. Evan didn’t have the best father growing up. His father had been neglectful but had spent the past six years trying to make up for it. However, Evan had one role model, AJ’s father, who had treated him as if he were his own. Evan didn’t think he’d ever make a good father, but Miller had taught him everything he knew. Whatever she needed, he gave it to her.
“She’s very much my entire world,” Evan insisted as he wrapped his fingers around his wife’s wrists. “And so are you, AJ. I wouldn’t be the father I am, the father I try to be, without you. You’re everything. God, are you everything to me.”