Wicked Winters: A Collection of Winter Tales

by Lucy Smoke

I was doing a final pass through of the content, making sure everything flowed and didn’t overlap into the margins, when my phone vibrated.

  Unknown Number: Hey it’s Vinnie. Hoping I’m texting Scoop n not some random person. Did u still want tickets to the hockey game?

  A smile crept its way onto my face, even though I knew about the game that he was playing. Well, maybe I would play a little game with him.

  Me: Sorry man, looks like you got played. But I would love tickets to the game.

  I giggled to myself as I imagined the look on his face. I clicked on the info of the text and added his number as a contact in my phone and then went back to finalizing the paper. Not even a minute later I had a reply.

  Vinnie: Ahh damn. Chicks huh? Thanks for letting me know. And sorry, the tickets were for media only.

  I smirked at my phone. Gotcha!

  Me: Just messing with you, it’s Hayden. I’d love those tickets.

  I watched as the message instantly turned to read. The little bubble appeared as he typed his response.

  Vinnie: Ahh Scoop, that was mean.

  Me: My mom always told me, treat em mean, keep em keen ;)

  I bit my lip, wondering if I had over played my hand. I’d implied he wanted more than just an article from me, and I could be totally way off base.

  Vinnie: Ahh so u want me keen huh? Well u got me right where u want me :p

  Me: Ooo, now what shall I do with you?

  Vinnie: Whatever you like ;)

  I got a warm tingle down my spine, imagining him coming into The Press office late one night. He opened the door and stalked towards me. Bracing his hands on the arms of my chair he pressed his lips to mine in a hard, firm kiss. Placing a hand on his chest, I pushed him away so that I could stand. My hands gripped his shirt and dragged his lips back down to mine. I pressed my hands back into his chest, pushing him backwards until the backs of his legs hit my desk. He sat on the edge as I stepped between his legs and wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning up to kiss him. He nibbled on my lower lip. As I opened my mouth to him, he reached down and grabbed my ass, lifting me up. I brought my knees up to rest on the table and straddled his waist, pressing myself into him until he laid back on the table, me draped over the top of him, staring down into his gorgeous green eyes.

  My phone vibrated in my hand snapping me out of my day dream. Vinnie: I was thinking we could grab a drink after the game?

  I sat back in my chair and tapped my index finger on the desk. Drinks after the game, I could do that. I could get Steph to text me an hour after the game had finished to give me an out if I required it. I just needed to start laying the groundwork for an invite back to his place.

  Me: Deal. I thought you were going to ask me to go back to yours after the game.

  Vinnie: Would u have said yes if I’d asked that?

  Me: You’ll never know now :p

  Vinnie: Haha ok, I’ll remember for next time ;) I’ll have the tickets sent to the paper tomorrow. I’ve gotta go, just finished training. See u Sunday.

  Me: Sunday J

  Hopefully, Vinnie would shine some light on a lead for me on Sunday, or offer himself up on a platter. I turned back to my computer and picked up where I’d left off with the paper. The sooner I got it done, the sooner I could get out of here.

  9

  Christian

  Friday 1st December – 24 days until Christmas

  I'd arrived early to PSY100, not really wanting to analyze why. Hayden wasn’t there when I arrived, probably because I’d gotten there fifteen minutes early. I’d headed to the spot she had sat at on Wednesday, assuming it was her usual place, and got my stuff out, fiddling with my phone until other students started to arrive.

  When the room was mostly full, I started to wonder if she was actually going to turn up. The idea of her not showing actually made me deflate a little, which shouldn’t have surprised me. I’d only met her a few days ago, with barely a handful of words said between us. I’d been kicking myself for the last two days for not having noticed her before. Although, not having noticed her was probably a good thing, considering declaring Whip wasn’t a part of my NHL plans.

  Professor Evans walked into the room and dropped his leather carrier bag onto the table down in the pit. He went through his usual routine of pulling out a folder and started flicking through the sheets it contained, probably looking for today's lesson plan.

  I sighed, flicked my notebook open, determined to at least make decent notes.

  Just as Professor Evans stepped up to the microphone the door to the lecture room opened again, and I swear, my heart stopped beating for a second, maybe a whole minute. It then picked up its beat, pounding so hard that I could feel the skin of my chest beating.

  Wow.

  Hayden had arrived, and she looked like she’d just stepped off a movie set. I scanned her body, starting at her head; her dark brown hair covered by her aqua beanie flowed over her shoulder as if someone had expertly styled and placed it just before she’d walked through the door. She wore a black hoodie with grey lining that came to her waist, where a white shirt of some kind tucked into the tightest pair of light blue skinny jeans I’d ever seen. My eyes almost bulged out of my head when I got to her feet, encased in knee high, black leather, stiletto boots.

  Holy hell.

  Hayden searched the room, and when her gaze landed on me her red lipstick covered lips arched up into a brilliant smile that had me seeing stars. She turned and headed up the stairs and then crossed towards me, never breaking eye contact.

  I wiggled uncomfortably in my seat as my mind conjured up an image of Hayden in my bedroom, wearing nothing but one of my white button up shirts, that red lipstick, and those boots, the light streaming in from behind her making the shirt all but transparent.

  Fuck.

  "Hey Christian," she practically purred as she smiled down at me. I suddenly felt like the prey instead of the hunter.

  "Hey Hayden," I replied, my voice noticeably rougher. I turned my head and gave a little cough to clear it, as she sat down in the seat to my right and sorted her things out.

  "Did I miss anything?" she asked sweetly, as she turned to face me.

  Except for my fantasy about your boots?

  "Uh, no, hasn't started yet," I responded, thankful my desk was covering my hard-on from her.

  Fuck, what am I, sixteen? Getting an erection from a girl with sexy fucking boots, seriously Christian. Calm the fuck down.

  "Ah that's a shame, I would have asked you to be my study buddy if I had." Her lips tilted up in a cute smile.

  Is she flirting with me?

  "I want to do more than study with you," I muttered back under my breath.

  Hayden opened her mouth to say something, but then Professor Evans started the class. She cast me a quick smile before focusing on her own notes.

  I settled into listening to the droning of the professor; my pen scribbled down any interesting details he let slip about the final exam.

  About halfway through the class, the sound of paper tearing. I glanced over with concern. She was smiling mischievously as she slid the torn sheet over to me. I looked down in confusion, and then smiled as I saw her curly writing looking back at me.

  This class is so boring. I've been putting it off since junior year.

  I pulled the paper closer to me and quickly scribbled my reply.

  Me too. Most of the Gen Ed subjects have sucked so far.

  I folded the sheet and passed it back to her. She took a moment to finish what she was writing and then opened our note. She instantly started to write a reply, so I naturally tried to sneak a peek. She glared up at me, and hid her words with her arm.

  Suppressing a laugh and I held my hands up in mock surrender returning my attention to the professor. A few seconds later, I had the note back.

  I know, right? You show me a Gen Ed course, and I will show you nap time. What's your major?

  I sighed, hating that question. College had no impact on my dr
eams except to be the slingshot I needed to get into the NHL.

  Business, but I plan on going pro with hockey.

  I folded the note back up and passed it again. I tried to gauge her reaction out of the corner of my eye. Would she think I was a dumb jock and lose any interest she might have?

  The note landed back on my desk with a light swish. I covered it with my left hand to stop it from sliding off my desk and finished off the notes I was taking.

  Opening up our note, I smiled with relief that she was still asking questions.

  Oh, so you're an athlete! Explains all those muscles ;) What position do you play?

  Any position you want baby. I almost forehead slapped myself. Where the hell did that just come from? I’d definitely been hanging out with Vinnie too much lately. Needed to grab a beer with Grant or someone. I let out a bit of a huffed breath as I noticed the professor finishing up the class, and I wrote my response.

  Forward, Left Wing. And you noticed those huh?

  I smirked as I handed back the letter. She quickly read it and looked up at me, catching my sneaky smile, and grinned back as she leaned in, gave my bicep a squeeze and whispered in my ear, "Hard not to."

  I was instantly hard, and I’m not talking about my biceps. I could feel the seam of my zipper as it pressed into me through my briefs. I glanced around, hoping no one was watching us, and that the angle of the desks would hide my rapidly tenting pants from view.

  Hayden slipped the note onto my desk and picked up her bag. When did she pack her things up? Then she sauntered off down the row of desks and merged with the other students without even a goodbye. My eyes focused on her ass as it swung from side to side with each of her steps in those fuckable heels. Once she was gone from my sight, I flipped open the note.

  Call me,

  -Hayden.

  Her phone number was neatly written just below her name.

  A huge smile spread across my face as I picked up my phone and instantly opened it to the call app. I quickly typed in her number, saved it, and then called it. It rang twice before she answered.

  "Hayden Halloway." Her voice was strong and husky, something I hadn't noticed before, too interested in everything I could see rather than just hear.

  "Hey, it's Christian. Just wanted to call and say hi." I smiled to myself as I used my free hand to start packing up my things.

  She chuckled on her end. "That was quick. I thought you would at least make me sweat it a few hours."

  "Na, this way we can keep passing notes all day," I replied, hoping she didn't think I was being corny.

  "Oh, I'd like that. I have to go work on an art… assignment, you’ll be a welcome distraction."

  "Great, well, I think it's up to you to reply," I shot back.

  Laughing back at me, "Okay Sport, I get it. I'll start our note chat back up."

  "Great, can't wait to read it. Bye, Hayden," I responded.

  "Bye, Christian."

  I stood and pocketed my phone, stuffing the last few things into my backpack. Just as I was zipping it shut, my pocket vibrated. Heart pounding, I reached for my phone.

  Hayden: So about those shirts, do you have any tighter ones, or do I need to work on my imagination?

  10

  Hayden

  Friday 1st December – 24 days until Christmas

  My phone vibrated just as I was reading through of my puff piece on Vinnie. I’d just gotten to the part about his dad taking him to a hockey game when he was a kid, when I flicked my eyes down to the screen.

  Justin: Hey, are we still on for tomorrow? I have the same table booked. I'll bring the muffins this time ;)

  A piece of me warmed at the sight of his flirting. He’d seemed like a really serious guy, only ever showing the truest version of himself to the world, which had me thinking he was genuinely interested in me. But the knowledge that he was on the hockey team, a player in the Puck Games, had me blowing out the small flickering flame before it threatened to turn into a raging inferno. It wasn’t just Vinnie I had to be weary of, with his easy charm and dashing smile, it was Christian with his quick smiles and Justin with his heated looks. Dammit, I have to be on guard with all of them.

  I put my phone down without replying, figuring I would let him squirm for just a minute since he’d taken two days before he had finally texted me.

  Returning my gaze to my computer, I started to read again but before I had read a sentence my phone buzzed again. An exasperated chuckle escaped me. Impatient much? I glanced down to read his message but was surprised when it was from Christian. Not that I should have been, his earlier message had said he’d had training and would message me when he was done.

  Christian: Did you miss me?

  I smirked at his message. He was only silent on me for two hours. I’d noticed the lack of buzzing from my phone, but knew he wasn't shutting me out. He was apparently incredibly funny, his humor as dry as the air at the hockey rink. Miss him? Yeah, maybe. Was I going to tell him that? Hell no. He could squirm for a minute too.

  I went back to the sentence for a third time, and yet again was interrupted before I could make it to the end. I let out a huff. Reaching for my phone, I saw that it was from Vinnie. An imaginary cartoon light bulb suddenly turned on above my head. Hockey practice had just finished, which meant they were all in the locker room checking their phones. A little bit of evil seeped onto my face, as I decided to catch all of their attention at once.

  I quickly opened Justin's message and typed out my reply.

  Me: Sounds good to me :) As long as they are naughty muffins, like triple choc chip ;)

  I hit send, with my message turning to Read instantly. Oh, so you were waiting for my reply huh?

  I changed messages and went over to Christian's.

  Me: Oh wow, is your training over already? I barely even noticed your absence. :p

  That message turned to Read straight away too. What were they doing, sitting next to each other, all hot and steamy after their showers, with their phones out?

  Opening Vinnie's message, I read it first before I replied.

  Vinnie: How's my article going?

  Me: Well right now I have your basic bio done, the questions you answered, I’m just up to telling your Disney moment with your dad. Then, I just need to get your players stats, like your scoring average.

  I smirked at that last bit, hoping he would take the bait. My phone had already vibrated twice, and I quickly came to the conclusion that this would get confusing. Last year, Steph had found an app that color coded text messages so that we could have an aqua and purple chat. I quickly launched the app and set Vinnie to blue, Christian to red, and Justin to green. That done, I changed back to my messages.

  Christian: Well if that's the case, I guess I won't ask you out for dinner.

  Ohh that's smooth.

  Me: Who says I would say yes?

  I switched to Justin's message.

  Justin: Naughty huh? I thought you would be more of a sweet muffin eater, like blueberry.

  Me: Depends on the day. Muffins are my favorite, but I definitely prefer the thick, moist kind.

  Wow, I did not realize my mind was so... filthy.

  Vinnie: My average is 100%, I score every time. I’ll show you some time ;)

  Ha, gotcha!

  Me: Oh, I thought you were going to show me Sunday night? Or aren't you playing anymore?

  Justin: It's a good thing I know where to get the best triple choc chip muffins from then ;)

  Me: Definitely a good thing :p What are you up to right now?

  I bit my lip at the little deception. I knew he had just finished hockey training, but he didn’t know I knew that.

  Christian: Oh you would say yes.

  Me: Is this you asking me?

  Christian: Nope, apparently you didn't miss me enough.

  I chuckled at his use of my own words against me. No, stop laughing Hayden. Head. In. The. Game.

  Shaking my head, I forced the smile from my face. This w
as investigative journalism, not actual flirting. I needed one of them to get me entry into the Puck Games.

  Me: Ahh that's good. Cause I was totally going to say no. How was training?

  Vinnie: I'm always playing Scoop. The game is what I live for.

  I sucked in a breath. Did he mean Hockey or the Puck Games?

  Me: Well I will see how good you are on Sunday night ;) What are you up to?

  Justin: Just finished up at training. Heading home. You?

  Me: I'm at my dorm working on an assignment and getting some studying done. Training? For what? Do you have plans for tonight?

  Christian: Haha nah you weren't. Training was good, lots of blocking and sprints today. Legs are burning.

  What wasn’t I? I quickly scrolled back up, oh that’s right, I wasn’t going to say no to a date, got it.

  Me: Totes was! No pain no gain, especially if you are planning on going pro.

  Vinnie: Just got in the car and heading back to our place. Can’t wait to just crash on the couch, thighs are burning from training.

  Me: I hope you aren't driving and texting Mr. Our place? Do you have a roommate? And no pain no gain, especially if you want to go pro :p

  A sinking feeling started pulling at my stomach. They couldn’t be, surely? The world wasn’t that ironic was it?

  Vinnie: Nah Scoop, I don't roll like that. One of my roommates is driving. He’s on the team with me.

  Me: You have more than one roommate?

  That sinking feeling was turning into an anxious stomach roll.

  Vinnie: Yeah got two. We are all the first-string forwards. Best wingers a center could ask for.

  My heart had started pounding in my chest, my face going slightly numb. Was I having a heart attack? I anxiously reopened Christian's message, but he hadn't read it yet. Could they all live together? Was he the one driving the car? It would explain why he hadn’t read the message yet.

  Justin: Hockey None at this stage. Probably end up playing video games with my roommates.

  Me: Roommates? Do you live on campus?