Steam (Homecoming Hearts #4)(71)

“Yes, we will,” Trent said. “We have to.”

He reached out and took Ashby’s hand so they could slowly move through the snow together. Ashby could just about make out the sauna building to the left, but it was difficult to see where the swimming pool was.

“Should we text the others and let them know he’s definitely outside?” Ashby called over the wind.

“Let’s just look a minute,” Trent called back.

Fuck Kiefer. What kind of bastard put a puppy in danger just to spite someone? The old Ashby might have fallen into a pit of guilt that Kiefer was essentially doing this because Trent stopped him from ‘having’ Ashby. But the new Ashby didn’t have a single fuck to give about that. He absolutely should not have shagged Kiefer for any reason when he didn’t want to. It definitely wasn’t his fault that the twisted psycho was now trying to hurt him, Trent and Trent’s family anyway he could. He was a maniac and deserved to be behind bars.

Ashby’s ears just caught something that made him stop. He tugged Trent so he would pause too. “Did you hear that?” he asked.

“What?” Trent asked, shaking his head. The wind was roaring and howling like a wounded beast. Or…was that whimpering Ashby could just make out?

“I think he’s close,” Ashby cried, trying not to get emotional. He needed to concentrate, not panic. “Merlin? Merlin! Good boy, come here!”

Trent shook his head. “I don’t hear anything?”

But Ashby knew there was something drifting on the violent winds. He lifted his arm up to try and stop the snow from flinging into his eyes as he moved to the left where he thought the sound might have come from. He wished he had his ski goggles on.

“Merlin? Good boy, come here, sweetie!”

Both he and Trent froze at the same time. “There!” Trent cried, pointing. Ashby had to agree. There was definitely a yowling sort of whimper coming from in front of them. They hurried forward. Trent only just pulled Ashby back before he ran over the lip at the edge of the pool.

“Oh, shit!” Ashby said, clinging to Trent to stop himself from falling. Then he gasped in realization. “You don’t think…?” he said, looking up at Trent.

The yelps came again. This time, Ashby could make out a faint sound of splashing.

“He’s in the pool!” they cried together.

Ashby didn’t even think. He let go of Trent, unzipping the big coat he’d borrowed and throwing it to the ground. “Wait, Ashby,” Trent said. But Ashby was already running down the steps into the heated water.

“Merlin!” he yelled, dragging him and his saturated clothes further into the pool. The steam and snow made it impossible to make anything out. “Merlin, baby, come here!”

Splashes from behind told Ashby that Trent had followed after him. Ashby waded on, only able to see about a foot in front of him in any direction. The warmth of the water was a sharp contrast to the evil, icy winds cutting through the top half of his body. Where the water splashed up and made his clothes and skin damp, the air was even more biting. Ashby sunk down further to try and stop his teeth from chattering.

The splashes in front of him were getting louder. Ashby lifted his feet and swam blindly toward the noise. Then the steam parted to reveal poor Merlin, soaked to the skin, struggling desperately to keep his head above water.

“I’ve got him!” Ashby screamed. He lunged forward, kicking and thrashing until he scooped the little guy into his arms, holding him to his chest and taking his weight.

Within seconds, Trent’s muscular arms were wrapped around Ashby and Merlin both, supporting them as they huddled together in the rippling water sloshing around their shoulders.

“Oh, good boy! Good boy!” Ashby said. He allowed himself a little sob as the puppy wriggled in his grip, whimpering and licking his and Trent’s faces.

Trent kissed Ashby’s temple, pressing his lips to his skin for several seconds. “Well done,” he said. “Let’s get inside.”

They began the difficult task of pushing their way back through the water. Merlin wasn’t exactly convinced about venturing back out into the biting cold and begin squirming, trying to stay in the warm water.

“Come here, dude,” Trent said affectionately as Ashby almost lost his hold on him. Trent easily cradled the fat puppy against his chest as they hurried up the pool steps.

Immediately, Ashby was so cold he saw stars. But Trent didn’t pause as he marched back toward the lodge door. Ashby only hesitated long enough to pick up Trent’s leather jacket as well as his ski jacket that they’d discarded in the snow.

It felt like an eternity to get through the frenzied snow. But eventually, Ashby was following Trent and Merlin through the door into the side corridor that led back into the belly of the lodge. “F-fuck me,” Ashby stammered. It was undeniably warmer inside, but the chill from the wind clung to their sodden clothes and Merlin’s thick fur. He was yowling and grousing in distress. Poor thing was probably going to be averse to baths his whole life now.

“Bar, go,” Trent grunted. “Phone, in pocket.”

Luckily, Trent had left his important possessions in his leather jacket, just like Ashby had moved his stuff to the coat pockets when he’d put it on. Neither of them had destroyed their phones by jumping in the pool. As they squelched their way down the hall, Ashby fumbled with trembling hands to remove Trent’s phone, presumably so he could call his dad.