Page 143 of Cross Check

Guess you’ll find out.

Are any of your teammates still in town?

GE

They all left this morning.

Ethan is going to the All-Star game with CCM, and Connor is giving a speech at his old high school. The rookies are too annoying to fly back with by myself, so I booked the afternoon flight that got canceled.

Karma for not being a good teammate, I guess.

Me

Wow. The universe really wanted to put you in your place, huh?

GE

Apparently!!!

Bright side: I’m at a Doubletree, and they gave me like, three cookies haha

Me

To answer your earlier enthusiasm, you can come over whenever you want. I’m just hanging out, and company would be nice.

GE

Yeah? I can be there in about thirty if that’s okay.

Me

That’s perfect!

Grant answers with a thumbs up, and I put my phone down.

A thrill passes through me at the recognition that what I’m doing is wrong, but I don’t care. I told myself I would take more risks this year, and Grant Everett is a big risk.

He shouldn’t be coming here.

He shouldn’t be coming here alone, and that’s definitely going to get me in trouble.

I throw off the blankets and stand, excited to descend into temptation once again.

Grant’s hair is covered in snow when he gets to my apartment. He shucks off his coat, scarf, and gloves, placing the stack of clothes on the hook behind the door.

“That was an experience. It’s literally a whiteout.” He shivers and rubs his hands down the sleeves of his hoodie. “I couldn’t see shit on my walk over.”

“You walked here?” I ask. “Why didn’t you take an Uber? Or let me come pick you up? And with no hat? You’re going to get sick.”

“I’d never ask you to compromise your safety for me. I’m fine.” Grant pulls me into a one-armed hug and tucks me close to his side. “Hi, Lia.”

“Hi. I’m sorry you’re stuck in Denver for another day or two.”

“I’m not. It means I get to see you, and that’s way better than a four-hour flight home.”

“We better make the most of it.” I pull away and point to the shoe rack against the wall. “You can take off your boots and get comfortable if you want.”

“I do want.” With the flash of a smile, he’s unlacing his shoes and putting them next to my sneakers. “It’s so warm in here.”