Snowflakes and Ice Skates: A Holiday Romance Anthology (Utah Fury Hockey)

by Brittney Mulliner

  “Thanks. I’ve got all of your gifts as well.”

  He walked in and made himself comfortable, sitting at the end of the couch near my feet. While everyone was moving around and getting gifts together he caught my eye. “Are you feeling better?”

  Right. I was ill. I nodded. “Much. Thanks for asking.”

  “Good.” He smiled and handed me a box. I looked at the tag and it said it was for me.

  “You didn’t need to get me anything.”

  He smiled. “I know. Just open it.”

  I unwrapped the small box and lifted the lid. It was a beautiful rose gold watch with a pearl face. “Wow.” I looked up at him in shock. “This is too much.”

  He just smiled. “Think of it as a graduation slash birthday slash Christmas present.”

  I shook my head and slid it on. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I thought it looked like something a professional would wear.”

  I laughed and nodded. “It definitely is a grown-up watch.”

  Steven stole his attention and they exchanged gifts. I snuck away to grab his present from my room. I paused in my room, holding the wrapped box. I felt a little silly giving him a beanie after receiving such a nice present, but it wasn’t like I could do anything about it now.

  Oh well. At least I had something to give him. When I got back downstairs Dad was holding up a tie and laughing. “I can’t believe you found this.”

  Everyone was laughing but I didn’t understand. “What is it?”

  “It’s a Doctor Who tie.”

  I shook my head. Dad loved that show. “Good find, Vince.”

  I was actually a little disappointed in myself for not thinking of something so perfect. Since when was Vince the expert gift giver?

  “This is for you.”

  He looked up at me surprised. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”

  I just smiled and sat down on the couch and watched him open the box. He pulled out the grey beanie and touched it as if it was the most delicate thing he’d ever held.

  “It’s amazing. Thank you, Harlow.”

  He said my name again. It took me a minute to response. “You’re welcome.”

  Mom reached for the beanie and nodded approvingly. “Real cashmere. Good job, honey.”

  I rolled my eyes. Of course, she would notice that.

  Vince pulled it on and modeled it for us. I didn’t say it aloud, but it looked good. Way too good. He looked sexy with his dark hair peeking out.

  After all the gifts were exchanged, we settled back into our spots on the couch. Somehow, Vince ended up next to me.

  Once Buddy the Elf went back to making a disaster in the toy store, Vince leaned over. “I really like the beanie. Thank you.”

  I looked over and paused. He was so much closer than I realized. I could see the golden flecks in his brown eyes. The tiny lines around his eyes. The dark stubble on his cheek.

  We were too close.

  My brain went back to the last time we were close. Last night. The kiss. His rejection.

  I turned back to the TV and pretended like he didn’t affect me at all.

  Nine

  The day after Christmas was always one of my favorites. When Steven and I were younger, it was a day spent returning and exchanging sizes but now it was a day for Mom and me to shop.

  We’d gone to the mall and were back by lunch, worn out but happy. We got some great deals, especially on Christmas decorations for next year.

  I think Mom enjoyed this part even more than the parties. She loved a good deal and Christmas décor was her kryptonite.

  “We’re in the kitchen.” Steven called when we walked in with our arms full of bags. I dropped them off by the door and headed in.

  Dad, Steven, and of course, Vince were standing around the kitchen island. “What are you guys eating?”

  Steven held up a sandwich. “Leftovers.” And that was my favorite part of the holidays. After the parties were over and the big meals were done, we could feast on leftovers for days.

  Everything was spread across the counter, so I assembled a turkey sandwich and sat at one of the barstools. Mom kissed Dad on the cheek and made her own plate.

  “How bad was the damage this time?” Dad asked, looking at me.

  “She reigned herself in. I think you should have some change left in the bank account.”

  He cringed but ended up laughing.

  “What are your plans for the rest of the day?” I took a bite as Dad asked and looked around the table.

  Mom shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “I’ve got a hot date tonight.” I rolled my eyes at my brother. I couldn’t say anything. The holidays were technically over.

  “What about you, Harlow?” Dad was looking at me.

  I shrugged. “Nothing.”

  I felt a little lame not having a date like Steven, but what did I expect? I just got home.

  “I was going to go down to the skating rink if you want to come?” I looked to Vince and stopped. Was he asking me out?

  “Oh honey. You used to love that.” I nodded with Mom. I did love it. Back in high school. I hadn’t been ice skating since then, though.

  “Are you sure I wouldn’t be imposing?”

  Vince shook his head. “Not at all.”

  I really wanted more details. Who else was coming? How long would we stay? I couldn’t be rude though, especially with my parents watching us. “Okay, thanks.”

  He smiled and nodded.

  After we finished eating and cleaned up, Vince stopped next to me. “Do you want to go now?”

  I nodded. I had nothing else to do. We walked out to the foyer and slipped into our coats. “Bye, guys.” I called out hoping someone heard but got no response. “Oh well.”

  He laughed and opened the door for me.

  When we arrived at the rink, I waited for him to tell me someone else was meeting us. We rented our skates and found an empty bench to put them on. I looked around, still expecting to see someone walking toward us.

  “Is anyone else coming?”

  He finished tying his skate before looking at me. “No, why?”

  “You were just going to come down here by yourself?”

  He shook his head. “No, I asked you to come.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “You made it sound like I would be tagging along with you. Like you already had plans to be here.”

  He was silent for a moment while I finished tying my skates. I sat up and looked at him, and he finally smiled.

  “I wasn’t sure how to ask you to come in front of your family without making it sound like a casual, group thing.”

  Huh?

  “You wanted it to just be me and you?”

  He nodded.

  “Why?”

  I was getting more confused by the moment. He stood and offered his hand before leading me onto the ice.

  “I wanted to spend time with you.”

  “We’ve been together every day since I got home.”

  He smiled. “Not alone.”

  What did this mean? We were on a date? Was he interested in me or was he just taking his little sister out?

  I looked down to our hands. Siblings don’t hold hands.

  We did a lap in silence. I couldn’t take it anymore though. I needed to clear this up.

  “Vince?”

  He looked at me with a content smile. “Yeah?”

  I took a deep breath. “Is this a date?”

  He turned away, guiding us around again. He couldn’t ignore that question. It’s not like he could escape either. He was my ride.

  “You know, just a few days ago you were referring to me as Little Harry and telling me I was like your little sister, and now you want to spend time alone? I’m just a little confused.”

  I watched him, waiting for any sign of a reaction. He was stone faced. Giving away nothing.

  We did another loop before I tugged on his hand and pulled him to the wall. I positioned myse
lf in front of him, hopefully blocking his retreat. I stared up at him and waited.

  If he wanted to give me the silent treatment that was fine, I’d just give him a staring contest in return. I wasn’t going to let this go. He couldn’t change his mind within days and not expect me to question it. I mean, he regretted the kiss and that was two days ago. No way would he flip the switch and think I’d go along with it.

  I folded my arms and waited.

  Happy couples and children skated past us. I knew we were getting looks, but I didn’t care. I focused my attention on Vince, not looking away.

  He finally sighed. “I don’t know what to say, Harlow.”

  “Anything would be good right about now.”

  He looked down and smiled. “Seeing you, this you. The grown up, beautiful, new you is confusing.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”

  The corner of his lip tugged up a millimeter. “Because you’re you. You’re my little Harry. My shadow, my little sister.”

  I cringed at that description. His shadow? I wasn’t that bad. . . was I?

  “But ever since the day you moved back, things have felt different.”

  “How so?”

  He looked into my eyes and I saw it. The spark from under the mistletoe.

  “You’re all grown up. You’re not a little girl anymore. As much as I’d love for you to go back to that, so I didn’t feel the need to break every guy’s face that looked at you. . .”

  He trailed off and I felt like we’d lost track of the conversation.

  “Vince.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want to screw this up. I don’t want your brother to hate me. I don’t want your parents to feel awkward when I’m around.”

  I was lost now. “What does that mean?”

  He blinked and stared into my soul. I could feel what he meant, but I needed to hear it from him. “I don’t see you as a little sister anymore. I don’t see you as a sister at all.”

  I held my breath.

  “You’re just as amazing as you’ve always been, but now. Now you’re confident. You’re independent. You’re beautiful.”

  My knees buckled, and I started to fall. Vince caught me and pulled me against his chest. “Harlow, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m drawn to you. I want to spend more time with you, alone, like this.” He smiled, and my entire body flushed with heat. I wouldn’t mind more time in his arms, either.

  “But I don’t want to mess things up. Your family is important to me. I don’t want to ruin things with them.”

  I nodded and stepped back. He couldn’t decide if taking a risk for me was worth it. That hurt, and I couldn’t hide that. I headed for the opening to get off the ice. I wanted Vince to think I was worth the risk. I wanted him to want me so bad it wouldn’t matter what else happened. Sure, he and Steven were best friends and business partners, but that didn’t give my brother a say in his dating life.

  “Harlow.” I sat on the bench and looked up. Vince stopped in front of me and bent down until we were eye level. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think it did. I think you told me the truth. It just sucks hearing it.”

  “Let me explain.”

  I pulled off my skates and changed into my boots. “Please don’t. I just want to go home.”

  I walked to the exit and waited. I didn’t want to hear him try to fix this. He was attracted to me. He was interested, but it wasn’t enough. Or I wasn’t enough.

  Vince followed me out and to his car in silence. Neither of us said a word on the drive back to my house. I had nothing to say and I don’t think he wanted to make it worse.

  Once he pulled into the drive I opened the door and was out before he had a chance to put it in park. When I got to the door I paused to see if the car was still running. It was. He wasn’t going to follow me.

  He wasn’t going to chase me.

  I closed the door and hurried to my room before anyone saw me. How would I explain the tears? Spending a few hours with Vince shouldn’t have upset me and I didn’t want any questions.

  When I got to my room, I locked the door behind me and walked to the window. He was gone.

  Ten

  I’d found that there are very few things in life that can’t be remedied, or at least eased, with the help of ice cream.

  That’s why I was sitting on the couch in my pajamas when the rest of my family got home that night. Mom and Dad had gone out to dinner with one of his old colleagues that was in town. They came in laughing and in bright spirits. I took an enormous scoop of cookie dough ice cream and shoved it in my mouth. Good for them. Happy. In love. Having a good time. Must be nice.

  Great. I was jealous of my parents’ social life.

  Steven walking in after them and sat down next to me. “You know, there’s bowls. You don’t have to bring the whole tub out here.”

  I glared at him and shoveled in another spoonful.

  “Yikes. What crawled up your—”

  “Steven.” Mom cut him off just in time. I was two seconds away from attacking him with my spoon. “Leave your sister alone.” She sat next to me, looking a bit concerned with her eyebrows creased. “Honey? What’s wrong?”

  I ignored her and focused on the superhero movie on the screen. No love or romance tonight. Oh no. I wanted fighting. Blood. Death.

  Yeah.

  I took another bite and smiled.

  “She looks like she’s losing it.”

  I ignored my brother. He was right. I was.

  “Did something happen today?” Mom asked in a gentle voice.

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  The doorbell rang as I took another enormous bite. Nothing happened. Literally nothing. The opposite of something. Just a whole lot of nada.

  Steven walked back into the room with. . . oh. Are you freaking kidding me right now?

  Vince looked at me and seemed to hesitate.

  Yeah. That’s right, boy. You better be scared.

  “Hi, Harlow.”

  I glared at him. If only I was like the people in the movie. I’d have laser beams or heat rays shooting out of my eyes right now. Boom. Boom.

  Nope. Nothing. Just another let down for the day.

  “Dude, come on. She’s in a mood.”

  Vince looked at me for a long moment before turning and following Steven out of the room.

  There it was again, ladies and gents. The runner. When conflict was near, Vince disappeared without a trace. That was his super power.

  “Honey, you might want to put that away soon. It’s melting.”

  I looked up at Dad and he slowly backed away.

  “Never mind. The whole tub is yours. Do with it what you may.”

  He laughed and joined Mom as they walked out.

  Alone. Again.

  I took another spoonful and groaned. I was pitiful. Not even my parents wanted to be around me.

  I got up and put the ice cream away and wiped off my face with a wet towel. When I turned around, Vince was standing in the kitchen watching me.

  “Harlow?”

  Must retract the anger. I inhaled slowly. “Yes?”

  He took a step closer. “I didn’t come over to see Steven.”

  I nodded. What did he want me to do with that information?

  “I came to talk to you.”

  “Okay.”

  He cringed, slightly. “I don’t like how I left things earlier.”

  Neither did I but he was the one in control. He was the one that drove away.

  “I know I upset you, and I’m so sorry.” He paused and took another step closer, as if he was testing my limits. “I do care about you. I’m attracted to you. I want to keep spending time together. I want to get to know you. Who you are now.”

  That all sounded good to me. It’s what I wanted, but I didn’t want to get hurt again. One bad day with him hurt more than any break up I’d been through. It was always him. It always had been. He was who I measure
d other guys to. He was it. I’d known that since I was little. He was finally catching up.

  But I wasn’t willing to keep us a secret. I wanted us to happen, more than anything. But he had the power to destroy me.

  Funny how I was willing to risk that, but he wasn’t willing to mess up his relationship with my family.

  My heart must not be worth much to him.

  “Then why didn’t you say that?”

  He looked confused. “I just did.”

  “No. When Steven was here. When my parents were around. Why did you let Steven assume you were here for him? Why did you walk away?”

  He looked at the ground.

  I wasn’t worth it to him.

  “I’m not going to do the secret thing. If I’m not important enough to you to try, no matter the potential consequences, then I don’t want to do this.”

  He looked at me like I was speaking a different language. Maybe he didn’t understand being turned down.

  “Harlow—" He took another step, but I held up my hand.

  “Please don’t. If you’re not willing to tell my family, then I don’t want to start.”

  His eyes seemed to plead with me, but I wouldn’t cave. I couldn’t.

  He sighed and nodded once before turning and walking out.

  Just like that.

  Was it really so easy to leave me?

  I bit my lip and went up to my room. I couldn’t waste any more tears on him. I couldn’t fathom how many I’d shed over him in the past ten years, and I realize now how little he cared about me.

  Unrequited love sucks.

  Eleven

  I woke up to snow. I pulled back my curtains and sat in front of the window watching it float down. A fresh, perfect sheet.

  Movement caught my eye and I leaned forward to see a person in a jacket near my car. It wasn’t Steven or Dad. I didn’t recognize the coat. I watched, waiting to see if I should grab my phone and call the cops.

  The person had something in their hand. They moved toward the front of my car and raised their arm. I gasped. They were going to break in.

  I stood up as the arm came down. . . and brushed the snow off my windshield. I froze, watching as this person scrapped off my entire car before coming to the front door. I tried to see the person’s face, but their hood blocked my view.