Wicked Winters: A Collection of Winter Tales

by Lucy Smoke

  "That’s... a really great idea. I've never done that before." He mulled the thought over for a second, then reached for my phone. I panicked a little and quickly reached for it before he could get to it. What if Vinnie or Christian had texted me? I didn't have their names in my phone under codes, it was just their names. Rookie error apparently.

  "Uh, why don't we both time, in case it doesn't work. We can use my phone for the overall timer and you can use your own phone to lap since I need both hands to do the flash cards?" I quickly suggested, trying to hide my lame attempt at keeping my phone from him.

  "Sure." He fished his phone out of his bag. "Okay, ready? Let's go."

  We were almost to the end when my phone vibrated, causing my heart to almost jump out of my chest. Play it cool Hayden, it might not be one of them. We finished the round, and I told Justin his time. He just nodded in reply, as he scrolled through the lapped times, counting up to the slowest one.

  I handed over the cards and reached for my phone once he was distracted by them.

  Steph: Hay, having a problem at The Press, you need to come in asap xx

  "Everything okay, H?" Justin asked.

  "Uh, I don't know. I need to meet up with a friend. A... project we work on together is having a problem and she needs my help." I looked up at him to see his concern written all over his face.

  "Anything I can help with?" he offered.

  "No, I don't think so, but I’m really sorry for cutting our session short." I apologized as I packed up all my things.

  "It's fine, I'm in surplus anyway. You go take care of your business, I can take it from here." He reassured me as he reached across the table and captured my hand, giving it a supportive squeeze.

  "Thanks, Justin. Message me later, okay? I want to know if our idea worked."

  "Sure thing."

  I waved as I walked away and headed back out into the snow. I practically ran to The Press; my worry grew the closer I got. Had she been approached by another athlete? Had James hurt her? God, I hoped they hadn't broken up already. Steph was a force of nature, but she meant well.

  By the time I arrived, I was huffing and puffing, making me wonder if I should start doing some more regular exercise. Pushing through the door, I saw nearly the entire team in the room, all looking stressed out. Clearly this was not a Steph issue, but a paper issue.

  "Okay, what's the issue?" I barked out, wanting my troops to get in line and start updating me.

  Steph stood up from her desk. "The printers called about forty minutes ago to say their printer is having issues and that we may not be able to go to print tomorrow night if they can't get a technician in to fix it today. Their backlog will be too long to make our news cycle."

  Well crap on a stick.

  "That is a problem." I put my Chief hat on and started thinking through the issue. "Okay, we’re going to continue on as if we’re going to print, but someone call the web guy and get him in here ASAP. I know our website’s not quite ready and we don't have the subscriptions yet, but let’s at least get as many articles online as possible. We'll need him to finalize the half-completed pages and upload as much content as he can."

  Steph nodded her head before I even finished talking. She was at my desk going through my top drawer, which had the paperwork from the website guy. Within seconds she was on the phone explaining the issue.

  The movement to digital was one of the first changes I’d made when I became editor. I’d started the process to move us to dual mediums, and then eventually to just straight out digital. It was cheaper for The Press and would also let us reach a wider range of people if we used social media correctly. I couldn’t understand why we weren’t already digital, especially with how automated the university was becoming.

  I turned to Melody, our social media wiz. "Mel, could you please draft up a post that I can send live tomorrow night once we know for sure if we aren't going to print?"

  "On it."

  "James, once Steph is done with her phone call, you two," I turned and pointed to Mitchell, Susie, and Dana, "and you three, meet me over at the board. We need to prioritize articles for the online addition so that we can make sure those ones make it to the website. Just give me a minute while I call the printer."

  I strode over to my desk, dropped my bag, whipped out my phone, and was talking to the manager of the printing company on campus within minutes. By the time I got off the phone, I knew more about the printing process than I cared to. From what I understood, one of the main rollers in the machine had developed a crack that was tearing sheets as it tried to feed them through. They had already put in a request for a technician, it just depended on when one could get out to them.

  Awesome...

  "Okay, who’s ready to help me get this board sorted out?" I called out. We had this. I hoped we had this. Not like we could do anything about it but cross our fingers.

  21

  Hayden

  Wednesday 6th December – 19 days until Christmas

  The mess at The Press had made me late for the Winter Wonderland Committee. There was literally nothing I could do about the printer, but I’d still buzzed around like I could magically pull a solution out of my beanie. We just had to hope that the technician would get there in time for our run.

  When I arrived at the door, it wasn't my usual cool, calm, and collected self, it was the huffing and puffing, red in the face, hair frizzed out all over the place self. I dumped the box on the table and pressed my hands either side of it as I leaned on the table to catch my breath.

  "Are you okay?" I think her name was Samantha, asked me. She was a really quiet little thing. I'd only spoken to her once since joining the committee. She had wavy, light brown, shoulder length hair, pale skin with a smattering of freckles across the delicate bridge of her nose, and soft brown eyes. She was smaller than me, I’d say one hundred pounds soaking wet.

  "Yeah," I breathed. "I was across campus... and... I was running late... so I ran... because Eliz—" I was cut off by my phone ringing. I pulled it out of my back pocket and confirmed the caller. "—abeth is calling in tonight."

  Standing up straight, I quickly fixed my hair —why did I care what I looked like? —by tucking it behind my ears and unlocking my phone.

  "Hi, Elizabeth." I smiled into the camera.

  "Hey, Hayden! How's it going? Only two days to go! Have the trees arrived? What about the snowmen decorations? And the food, has that been confirmed? All of the caterers have handed in a copy of their licenses? Did the posters get put up? Where are we on the horses? Did he confirm the dappled ones?" She fired out questions like a rapid-fire machine gun.

  I just took the blast, waiting until she had to take a breath to cut in.

  "Okay, one sec. Let’s just handle this in an orderly fashion, everyone can answer your questions." I gestured out of range of the camera for everyone to take a seat around the room. I sat at the end of the table, kind of in the middle, and aimed the phone at the first committee member, Samantha, who was responsible for the posters.

  "Hi, Elizabeth. We got the west and north quads done today, and we’ll get the east and south done tomorrow. We even did a poster drop along Greek Row."

  I smiled at her, nodding encouragingly, as I jotted down notes and checked off her tasks. Once I was done, I swiveled the phone to face the next person, who was responsible for the miniature Christmas tree farm.

  "Hi, the trees are arriving tomorrow. I have them being delivered to the southeast garden and security will be there to guard them at night. I drew up a schedule for the committee so that everyone can make sure none get taken during the day." He turned to look at everyone around the room. "I'll text it to everyone. If you swap that's fine, but we can't leave them unattended." After everyone murmured their agreement, I moved on to the next person.

  And that's how we went for about an hour. Elizabeth interjected every few minutes with additional questions or tasks for me, but the committee had really pulled together and supported each other.
When it got to my turn, I switched the camera back around so we were face to face again. "Okay, so I have my list of extras to chase up and I just wanted to let you know that The Press is putting up an article on our website as well as on social media, just a little bit of extra advertising." I smiled into the phone.

  Elizabeth smiled and gave a weak nod. She looked a lot paler, with a tired tilt to her head. Her skin appeared ashen under the harsh hospital lighting. I furrowed my brow in concern; maybe this had been too much for her.

  "You get some rest and take it easy, we've got this. I’ll call you if anything comes up that I can't deal with, and I’ll be sure to send you pictures of all the stalls on the day. Okay?"

  "Okay, thanks Hayden. I just want this to be fabulous. I know you’ll look after it for me," she replied. Then with a little extra volume she called out, "Thank you everyone, you are doing a great job. You’re all amazing."

  There was a chorus of "Thanks Elizabeths" and "Get well soons" before I hung up the video call.

  "Okay, so now that our fearless leader is resting, does anyone have anything they need to run by me or need help with?" I asked the room.

  When there was nothing brought up I called the meeting to a close; the whole committee trooped out and left me in the room with my box of glitter and fake snow.

  I just sat there for a moment, savoring the silence. It was the first time all day that I had managed to just sit down, without worrying, without planning, without digging. Just sitting. My mind ran over everything that was going on in my life. Last paper for the semester was in one week and one day, finals starting in one week, and the Winter Wonderland in two days. Not to mention, juggling my three sources and forcibly ignoring my developing feelings for all of them.

  Nope, what feelings? I have no feelings, they’re sources for a story. That’s all.

  Right.

  I'd texted Justin earlier when I was at The Press, explaining that the project I was working on had hit a snag, and my team had been rushing to get a solution up and running since we had a submission on Thursday. Not technically a lie. He'd mentioned that he was off to an away game. Checking the time I saw that it was going to start in about thirty minutes. Hopefully they were still in the change rooms. If not they would see it after the game.

  Me: Good luck!

  Me: Good luck!

  Me: Good luck!

  I stood up and shut the WWC notebook, placing it inside the box. Reaching to hit the light switch on my way out, my phone buzzed from its place on top of the box. I looked down at it, juggling the box so that I could unlock it.

  Christian: Thanks, going to be a rough game, hopefully still have all my teeth after it :p

  Laughing, I started to reply.

  Me: You would still look pretty without them ;)

  As I’d typed, I'd gotten replies from the other two.

  Justin: Thanks H :p Did you get your project sorted out?

  Me: Kind of, we have a work around solution, not as good, but it will get the job done :)

  I switched to Vinnie.

  Vinnie: Thanks Scoop, hoping to put up some big points tonight.

  Me: Hoping to score huh?

  Bubbles appeared within seconds of the message delivering, so I waited for his reply.

  Vinnie: I'd really like to score with you, but since you aren't here I'll just have to aim for the net ;)

  Me: Smooth Vin, real smooth :p go warm up or something lol

  I went back to my inbox and saw Christian had responded, so I put the box on the ground and leaned up against the wall in the hallway. I figured I was going to be here for a few minutes, may as well get comfortable.

  Christian: Oh, so you think I look pretty huh? Not sure if I’m happy about that or disappointed that it’s not a better adjective.

  Me: Can't have you getting a bigger head than you already have, it needs to fit in your helmet.

  Phone buzzing with a reply from Justin, I switched over to him.

  Justin: That's good, as long as you get it in on time, that's what matters. Pre-game chat is about to start. Will msg you on the ride home.

  Me: Okay :) I'll reply if I’m still awake.

  Going back into my inbox, I was glad that these chats were color coded. Without that, I think this would have been really complicated.

  Vinnie: I'm already warm, but the Coach is about to give us a pep talk. Coffee tomorrow? At the Coffee House?

  Me: Sounds good to me, same time as last time. x

  Christian: Haha, I see. Okay I have to go, about to have our Coach explain the plan for tonight. I'll talk to you later.

  Me: Kick some butt!

  When I didn't receive any further replies, I picked up my box and headed down the hallway; my mind lingered on the guys. Did they talk about me with each other? My gut said no since they were all chatting with me at the same time. They weren't dropping any sly comments about me and their roommates. Which was weird right? If they were trying to get me into bed, wouldn't it be better for them to share notes or something?

  22

  Hayden

  Thursday 7th December – 18 days until Christmas

  As I approached the Coffee Shop, I checked my reflection in the windows, making sure my outfit was sorted out. Today, I’d opted to go for a more professional look with a pale blue, knitted, scoop neck sweater tucked into a black pencil skirt. I had stockings with a seam down the back which disappeared into my black leather knee high boots, the same ones I had worn for Christian. Finishing off the look was my black parka, hood down with my beanie and mittens on.

  It was as if I was trying to slip on my investigative journalist skin. Like the clothes were my superhero outfit, giving me the powers I needed to push through any feelings I might have and get to the heart of this story. Vinnie was my primary lead. He was the Player out of the three guys, and I figured it would be the easiest to get him to either cough up some details or take me back to his place. Which I had every intention of doing today – the details part, that was. I just hoped I found an easy opening.

  As I stepped through the door, I was hit with the sweet heated haze that is a part of every café around the world; my eyes scanned the room looking for Vinnie. He sat at the same table where we’d met, tucked into one of the back corners that overlooked the quad, fiddling with a piece of paper on the table.

  I tried really hard not to notice how good he looked today as I approached him. Wondering if he had noticed how romantic the spot was the first time we had sat there. I sure hadn’t; I’d just needed an electrical socket. Fresh snow fell outside, and the room was warm and comforting, the lighting low, with the soft sounds of The Little Drummer Boy playing.

  "Hey Vinnie," I said as I reached the table. "Have you ordered yet?"

  "Scoop." He stood up from the table and leaned down to give me a quick kiss on the cheek — which shocked the hell out of me— and sat back down. "Yeah, actually, I ordered for both of us. Hope you don't mind," he said, with a small smile that was a touch nervous.

  I eyed him carefully, taking in his perfectly styled hair, the black leather, motorcycle jacket hanging over the back of his chair, the navy blue, long sleeved shirt that he had pushed up to his elbows, and the tailored jeans, wondering at the loss of his confidence. Something didn't feel right.

  "Yeah, that's fine. Do I get to know what it is you ordered or is it a surprise?" I asked with a soft smile, but on the inside, I was coiled as tightly as a loaded spring. I slid into my chair and put my messenger bag on the seat next to me. Take in the details, you can figure this out.

  "It’s a surprise. Well not really, if you check the specials board, you'll see it — don't look!" he chided me as soon as I started to turn and look over my shoulder.

  A chuckle escaped me at the chagrined expression on his face as he realized I was just messing with him.

  "So, how was your game? You never texted me afterward," I tsked him. Truthfully, I knew they had won and it had been a close game; Justin had told me last night. I’d woken u
p to his two texts, but none from Vinnie or Christian. I forced myself not to bite my lip as the guilt churned my already anxious stomach.

  "Yeah, sorry about that. I meant to text you, but when we got off the ice there were scouts waiting for me and my wingers. On the ride home, we had talked strategy to ensure we stayed on their radar. By the time we got home, it was past midnight and I didn't want to wake you up." His eyes were earnest as he reached across the table to hold one of my hands.

  I withdrew my hand instantly, covering it up by doing a single clap and waving them in the air slightly. "Wow, that's great news! And you are totally excused for not messaging me!" I exclaimed, because that really was great news. Dropping my hands to my lap, I leaned forward pressing my ribs to the edge of the table. "Do you guys all want to go pro?"

  "Yeah, it's been our plan since freshman year when we all met. We all just clicked together on and off the ice. They’re like family to me. We’re actually hoping we all get picked by the same team but know realistically that probably won't happen. Our strategies involve us showcasing how well we play together as a unit, rather than just as solo players who’ve learned to play well together, if that makes sense."

  I nodded in understanding. But true understanding was starting to dawn on me. These guys were a unit, not just roommates but best friends. They were trying to build a future where they stayed together as a team. As a family. They trusted each other, had each other's backs. And I was sure they told each other everything, unless there was a really good reason to keep it to themselves.

  This was all the confirmation I needed to know that they weren't talking about me to each other. A team would come after me together as a united front. They probably would have already pucked me by now if I was some unsuspecting girl.

  But since I wasn't, I was now even more suspicious. Something wasn't right here. There was something about the Puck Games I was unaware of. A detail was missing, and it was keeping me in the dark. I really needed more information. I needed to get Vinnie talking, to give me some direction. I was just about to try something new, like full flirt mode, when Vinnie cut me off.