Destiny on Ice (Boys of Winter #1)(73)

“Don’t be too long,” she says.

“We won’t,” he assures her as we head for the door.

Down in the cafeteria, as we move through the line, picking out sandwiches and a side of carrot sticks with dipping sauce I insist on having, I finally share with Brent what Lainey told me about how contract addendums have to be signed by both parties to be enforceable.

As I finish with my explanation, I add, “And I don’t think Mr. Dolby ever signed the addendum that day we met.”

“Whoa, what?” Brent stops in his tracks, but I can’t go on since we’re at the register. He pays for our food quickly, and then says, “Let’s talk about it once we sit.”

“That works for me.”

We choose a table far away from everyone, and once we’re seated, he clears his throat and asks, “So what is it exactly that you’re saying about the updated contract?”

I take a bite out of a carrot stick. “It may not be valid.”

“Have you checked to see if Dolby signed it?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. I was about to search for the paperwork when you arrived at the townhouse last night. But I’m almost certain he never signed anything.”

Brent leans back in his chair, his sandwich untouched. “Shit, if that’s the case then we could’ve been together all this time.”

I nod as I dip another carrot in a cup of yogurt sauce. “Hmm, maybe.”

He must sense my reticence, as he’s quick to add, “Aubrey, I know I have a lot to apologize for. And I’ve had weeks to go over everything that happened. I think it comes down to three things.” He pauses, then releases a breath, like he’s gearing up. “One, I never should’ve gone through your laptop bag. Two, I shouldn’t have released that video without talking to you first. And three, I definitely should’ve told you about the strip club and the video right from the start.” Sighing, he adds, “I’m sorry I f*cked up so epically, babe.”

I know Brent’s sorry, and frankly I can’t hold something against him that I’m not even mad about anymore. Plus, his dad is sick, and I’d be a real bitch to drag this thing out, especially when I want to be with him.

“You’re forgiven, Brent,” I say. “And actually you have been for a while. It’s all water under the bridge.”

“That may be true,” he says. “But I think if we’re getting back together I still need to own up to what I did.”

I like his accountability—it’s a good change for him—but right now I’m more focused on the first part of what he said. “Are we getting back together, then?” I ask.

“I want to. As long as you do too, Aubrey.”

Why fight what my heart is telling me to do. “I want to be back with you, Brent. I want us to be a couple again.”

Reaching across the table to place his hand over mine, he says, “I guess it doesn’t much matter what we want. We still have to wait till you find the new contract, the one with the addendum, to see if we’re free to pursue this relationship.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t care if the addendum is signed or not. I want to be with you no matter what.”

He raises a brow, making him look more adorable than ever. “Are you saying f*ck the consequences, Aubrey?

Rising from my seat and leaning my whole body across the table, I press my lips to his. “Absolutely,” I murmur.





Al is Forever My Bitch





My dad’s surgery goes extremely well. He comes through the operation with flying colors.

With my father out of the woods, on Christmas Day I fly back to Chicago with Aubrey to search her apartment for the contract. Her sister is gone, having flown back to Pennsylvania to spend time with her folks.

Good ole Al is still with us, though.

When we take a break from searching, we order ham dinners from a little café around the corner that’s open for the holiday. We eat with the green alligator at the table with us.

Afterward, when Aubrey’s busy clearing our plates, I make her stop so I can bend her over the table.

“What are you doing?” she asks, laughing.

“Having dessert,” I inform her.

I make sure Al has a good view when I lift up her pretty velvet skirt and pull her panties down her legs.

When I start pounding into Aubrey, she finally notices Al. “We should turn him away,” she breathes out roughly, breathless from our activity.

“No,” I counter. “I like that he’s watching. He’s forever my bitch now.”

She stills and looks back at me over her shoulder. I stop moving, but remain inside of her. “What?” I ask.

“I can’t believe you are seriously this jealous of a stuffed alligator.”

I shrug. “Maybe I am, but just a little. What can I say? I hold grudges. And that little stuffed bastard deserves it. He had me so worked up that day back in October.”

“You’re silly, Brent.”

“I’ll show you silly, woman,” I warn. And with my eyes on my new bitch, Al, I add, “I’m gonna show him how it’s done.” I pull all the way out, and then slam back into Aubrey at a new angle, one that has her grabbing the sides of the table and screaming out my name.