Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 32

Luci

Syd naturally texts me five minutes after I get home. Her apartment is only a block from mine and with the way they are built, I guarantee she was watching out the window for Easton’s truck. Our apartments are set up more like townhouses and he drove right past hers to bring me home.

“How’s your night going?”

“Not my best night ever.” She’ll be knocking on my door in minutes.

I take my wintry accessories off and note Easton cleaned everything up while I put my coat on earlier.

The loud knocking on the door makes me laugh. Sydney rushes past me. “You had a bad time?”

“Would you be surprised if I did?” I am trying not to laugh. “You failed to tell me you’ve been conspiring against me all week.”

“Yes. What did he do? Do we need to go kill him? Banning is free tonight.” She is completely serious.

I start laughing, unable to help it. “Kidding. It started out as an awful night, but that wasn’t Easton’s fault. I had a good time with him. He took me to the park festival.”

“What was awful?” She’s concerned.

I sigh. “We need to sit down for that part.”

“Half an hour before I left Cole, I got a text from Stormi about meeting her at the rink. She needed help getting home. Car trouble and a box of hockey photos and records for her next article to pack home. She said Humphries was gone and she was about to interview Kendall so the timing seemed to work. I should have been suspicious when she mentioned practice was ending and I’d have time. So I agreed to pick her up. Except I got there and walked inside only to find Maxton Porter waiting. He said something about me being a glorified puck bunny.

He was between me and the exit so I took off in the other direction. My sweater got caught on something metal when I was trying to stay against the sides to hide. It started unraveling and he grabbed the yarn pulling it more. He was laughing like some kind of crazy psycho and talking about how he’d finally beat Easton at something. I managed to find an open door and locked myself in. Next thing I know Easton is growling at him and I heard someone getting punched.”

She’s been sitting wide–eyed the whole time. Now she shakes her head blinking rapidly. ” Please tell me Easton beat the crap out of him.”

I nod. “I heard security show up but Easton had me lock myself back in the room until they left.”

She smiles. “I am definitely an Easton Reed fan. You might need to file a report Luci. That guy is unhinged.”

“Yeah, but he’s wealthy and his father is a huge school donor. I don’t stand a chance.”

“Stormi helped him?” She asks angrily. “Because her ass I can kick alone.”

I sigh loudly. “I don’t think so.” I tell her what Stormi said. She did like I asked and didn’t call Syd.

She looks as conflicted as I feel. “We need to talk to her. Tomorrow night she wants girls‘ night?”

“Yes. I want to believe her Syd, but I don’t want to get burned.”

Her blue eyes are sad. “I know. Let’s talk to her tomorrow night. Maybe campus police know something from Maxton. Ask Easton if he can find out. You said he seemed friendly with them from what you overheard.”

“That’s true. I’ll ask in the morning. He wants to talk about something important.”

She smiles slyly. “I wonder what.”

“He says he has baggage Syd. I think it’s that.” I caution her.

“Maybe Cole’s mom. Easton’s mother is more like a millstone not baggage.” She adds dryly.

I frown at the mention of Imogen. There is no way that woman would be remotely pleased I went on a date with Easton. “What is that look Luci Forrester?” She asks suspiciously.

“There’s no way she’ll be happy he took me on a date Sydney.” I admit softly. My mind is already racing.

Syd’s soft voice breaks through. “Luci, that’s not up to her. Easton’s opinion is what matters. And that guy is definitely all in after you. I got the impression he’s never had to work for female attention or a date, like ever.”

“He said he wasn’t good at any of that and had never done it.” I frown though.

Sydney grabs my hand. “Hey, let him talk to you. This talk turned out to be pretty good, right?”

“I know. Just figure the bottom will drop out anyway.”

Easton

“You ready to play today?” I ask Cole as he practically bounces in his seat.

“Yes. And Luci is coming to watch me too.” He grins and I return it. At her place, he rings the doorbell excited to see her. Me too, but I need to back off and not seem obsessed or something.

She opens the door and Cole launches at her. She laughs, hugging him back. “I’m excited to see you too.”

“Can we come in and see your house?” He asks eagerly.

“Sure. It’s not very big or impressive though.” She sets him down and he races behind her. Her eyes look and meet mine. I’m not sure what she’s feeling for once. “Hi.” She says quietly.

“Morning Luci.” Probably should keep my hands to myself this soon.

Cole yells her name and she turns to walk quickly after him. I close the door and race in. “You are making something. Is it my costume?” He’s pointing to a sewing machine with some bright green fuzzy material.

“No that’s Barrett’s. He’s going to be the Grinch so I’m starting on his now. Then I’ll have time to make yours. Mrs. Hutchins has to send me her final idea pictures next week.”

“Do I get to know which character you are this time?” I tease him.

“No Daddy. It’s a surprise. I don’t know too.” He adds and I laugh.

“Luci does.” I whisper loudly.

“Not telling.” She says in a singsong voice. Cole runs down the hall that leads to her bedroom.

“Can you be bribed?” I ask.

“Nope.”

“Luci your house is small.” Cole says as he races back.

“It’s just me Coco, so I don’t need anything too big.” She’s pulling on her coat and gloves. I should probably get her another pair.

“Daddy used to live in a house by here. He showed me.”

“You did?” She sounds surprised.

“My brothers and I rented a house about a mile from here freshman year. Before I had to move back home.” I confess giving a meaningful look to Cole.

“My car is still at the rink.” She reminds me as we walk outside. I lift Cole to put him on the backseat.

“I thought I’d take you by there after we leave.”

She nods and climbs into the passenger seat.

The kids‘ league plays at the public rink near downtown. Cole chatters happily the whole way there with Luci answering him easily.

I help him lace his skates and climb out onto the ice. “Luci and I will be right up there.” I point to where I told her to go sit. “Today is skating and learning how to hold the stick while you skate ok? And you know how but you have to show your coach.”

He nods and waves to Luci before going to join the group. I take the steps three at a time and sit next to her.

Turning to look at her I begin. “Maxton confessed he was trying to frame you for vandalism at the rink to get revenge. Said he tricked your friend into giving up her phone so he could text you and have your number. Watch out for unknown callers.”

“Stormi wasn’t lying then.” She sounds relieved.

“No, it looks like she wasn’t. Luci, I know Cole asked you about his mom.” Time to jump right in since Vivienne drove by this morning.

Now I see fear. “I hope I didn’t cause problems. I told him to ask you. I…I tried to help him. I heard you get very angry about her.” She looks down and I see her nail scraping habit has

started. I reach over spear my thumb between those fingers to stop her.

“Luci what you told him was perfect. I heard you the second time. I do get angry but probably not for the reason anyone suspects. Once upon a time it was because I wouldn’t listen to anyone speak a word against her. Now it’s because I want to explode at her.” I watch Cole as I

continue to talk. “Her name is Lorelei Winters and she lives in France, near Paris. Her mother is Vivienne Winters.”

“The actress?” Luci asks surprised.

“Movie buff…you would recognize her name. Yes, that’s her. They moved into the house two doors down from us when Lorelei and I were eight. She became our fifth wheel, literally, once our mothers became fast friends. Until we were fifteen and we started dating. We were inseparable and I thought we’d be together forever.” I glance at Luci, but her eyes remain on me.

“I’m focused.” She murmurs before glancing back at Cole.

I do the same and continue talking. “Squeeze my arm when I pause if you’re still with me.” She nods and lays her hand on my arm. “She wanted to be a model and actress like her mother.

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