Page 16 of Thin Ice

“Welcome to Reignite. I hope getting here was easy for you.”

“It was fine,” I say. “Thank you for having us.”

Hazel’s eyes linger on Noah for a brief time—not in a way that makes me uncomfortable but in a way that says she’s sizing him up.

Noah clears his throat. “Do you have a gym?” he asks.

I grip my hands at my sides, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment. I want to punch him in the arm and ask, Seriously? But I manage to keep myself from doing so. I know he’s struggling right now, and the gym is his safe space, but for that to be the first question he asks?

“Sorry,” I apologize for him.

Hazel continues to smile. “It’s okay. Obviously, that’s important to you, Noah. Yes, we do have a gym. I’ll give you both a tour of the property and show you to your bungalow. Today is for arrivals and settling in. The official first day of the retreat starts in the morning, so you can do as you please tonight. Though we suggest mingling with the other couples.”

“Is the gym air conditioned?” Noah asks.

I grit my teeth, but bless Hazel, she doesn’t falter or appear annoyed.

“Yes, with all brand-new equipment.”

“He’s a hockey player,” I interject before Noah can ask her more questions that he can figure out once he sees the gym.

“Oh?” she asks.

Noah puts his sunglasses over his eyes now, and I don’t know if it’s because I embarrassed him somehow or he’s thinking Hazel is going to recognize him and start grilling him as to why he missed that game-tying shot. Both of which are ridiculous.

“Yes.” I force a smile on my face. “Offseason, but he has a training schedule he sticks to.” It’s probably dumb that I feel the need to justify Noah’s behavior, but I just met Hazel, and I don’t like making bad impressions.

“That makes sense,” Hazel says. “And it’s actually perfect, because your mentor used to play hockey.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, hoping my disappointment doesn’t show on my face. I’d hoped this week would be a chance for us to get away from anyone that may or may not know my husband or share the love of the sport.

“Professional?” Noah asks.

Of course that piqued his interest. I take Noah’s hand and grip it.

“We can figure that out later,” I say. “I’d love to see the place and settle in our bungalow.”

Noah doesn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he holds it tighter and, to my surprise, kisses my knuckles. My stomach flips from the whiplash I’m experiencing with him, but despite my conflicting emotions, I’m comforted by his touch.

“That sounds perfect. Follow me inside, and we’ll get you sorted.”

“Great,” I chirp. With Noah holding one hand and my suitcase in the other, we follow Hazel through the front door of her home. I stare up at my husband, who’s looking down at me through his sunglasses.

His lip twitches back up into the soft smile that was there before we were interrupted, and maybe it’s stupid, but it’s all I need to reassure me that, despite his mood, he’s here with me. I just hope I don’t lose him to the stupid gym and hockey.

Chapter seven

Noah

I’ve always run hot. I prefer to sleep naked, a sheet at most on my body and the house at sixty-eight degrees. When I travel without Quinn, I’ll set the hotel thermostat to sixty-five, but at home, I keep it higher so she doesn’t freeze. She’s never complained about the cool temperature, either, preferring to wear sweatshirts and sweatpants around the house. It helps that she’s native to Michigan and spends her days at ice rinks.

I, on the other hand, grew up in Arizona. The heat never agreed with my fair skin and high body temp. My parents aren’t redheads, but I got lucky because they both carried the MC1R gene. I spent my childhood being lathered with pounds of sunscreen when I dared to go out in the sun.

Finding hockey was a godsend for me. To this day, it’s an outlet for all of the extra energy that constantly feels as if it’s about to boil over, but I also love being at the cold rink. I enjoy exerting my body and learning plays. As a kid, I used to wish I could play for a Canadian team so I could go somewhere super cold.

When my parents and coach at the time agreed that hockey could be a career path for me, I was sent to Hollis-McKinnon Academy, a prestigious boarding school in Minnesota. At sixteen years old, I felt like I’d won the jackpot. Not only did I get out from under the thumb of my overbearing and perfectionist dad, but I also got my wish: colder weather and a school where I could focus on hockey and play on a team at my level.

After that, I went to Michigan and eventually Seattle. I only visit Arizona if absolutely needed, preferring my parents to see me sparingly. I avoid the desert and any climate like it. If I do visit warmer places, it’s somewhere with humidity, like an island getaway, but even those are few and far between. The last trip Quinn and I took was to Iceland, and we had a blast. Or at least I thought we did.