Page 32 of Icebound Hearts

Before he can finish, the door swings open. “Kat!” Will’s voice rings through the night. “Your mom wants to know where the tea is.” I jump back like I just got caught doing something illegal. Aiden’s jaw tightens. I clear my throat. “Uh—second cabinet to the right of the stove!” Will nods before disappearing backinside. The second the door closes, the tension between Aiden and me snaps back into place.

I shift on my feet. “I should—”

“Yeah,” Aiden mutters, dragging a hand through his hair.

“Go.” I hesitate for half a second longer before turning on my heel and heading inside. But even as I walk away, I still feel his stare burning into my back.

Chapter fifteen

KATERINA

The drive to my qualifier is three hours long. Three long, excruciating hours in a car with Aiden, Roman, and Alina—while my mother? She’s getting a ride with my father. That was a plot twist I wasn’t prepared for. I ask my mom, horrified, as she casually puts her suitcase in the trunk of my father’s car.

“You two are riding together?” I ask my mom, horrified, as she casually puts her suitcase in the trunk of my father’s car.

“Yes, Katerina,” she says, amused by my panic. “He offered. It’s been years—we can be civil.”

Civil? My parents? In a confined space for three hours? This had disaster written all over it. But before I could argue, Aiden yanks open the passenger door of our car and turns to me.

“You’re sitting in the back,” Aiden says casually, and I scowl.

“Says who?” I can’t sit in the back. I’m a passenger princess—always have been—and that will not change today.

“Says the driver.”

I cross my arms over my chest in denial. “I should drive.” Aiden lets out a dry laugh. “You? Drive my car?” Roman whistles under his breath.

“Don’t even dream about it, Kat. Aiden doesn’t let anyone touch his car.” I smirked at the piece of information I had just been given, plotting my next move. Alina, already buckled in the backseat, grins like this is the best entertainment she’s ever witnessed.

“Kat, just get in. We don’t have all day.” I let out a long-suffering sigh before dramatically throwing myself into the backseat. Aiden smirks like he won, which only fuels my irritation. The second he turns on the engine, I reach for the aux cord. Aiden snatches it first. My eyes narrow.

“Give it.”

Aidens grin widenes. “Not a chance.” I lunge for it, but he dodges me effortlessly, plugging his phone in before I can react. The second the first heavy rock riff fills the car, I gasp in outrage.

“Absolutely not,” I say, immediately reaching to unplug it. Aiden grabs my wrist mid-air, his grip firm but warm. His stupid smirk deepens.

“You got a problem with real music, Angel Face?” I yank my hand free and glare at him. “This isn’t music. This is just noise.”

Roman snorts. “She’s got a point.” Aiden shoots him a glare, not believing Roman just agreed with me over him. “You’re dead to me, Rome.”

I lean forward, dramatically resting my chin on Aiden’s shoulder to annoy him. “If I must be stuck in this car with you, we are listening to Taylor Swift.” Aiden visibly tenses at my proximity before tilting his head slightly, eyes meeting mine briefly in the mirror.

“You’re actually serious,” he says, like he can’t believe it, I’m being serious. “Dead serious.” He laughs, shaking his head as he focuses back on the road. “Not happening.” I pout. “I thought you were all about protecting my fragile figure-skating soul?” His lips twitch up in amusement. “Not when it comes to my speakers.” Alina grins, enjoying every second of our banter.

“I don’t know, Aiden. ‘The Archer’ would really fit the mood right now.” Roman nods at Ali’s words. “She has a point. That song goes hard.” Aiden groans, rubbing a hand down his face. “I hate all of you,”

“You’ll survive.” I snap back. But then he does something unexpected. Instead of fighting back, he scrolls through his phone, clicks on a song, and lets it play.

The second I hear the first note of ‘Cruel Summer,’ I gasp dramatically.

“You did not just put on Taylor Swift.” Aiden shrugs, completely indifferent.

“Figured I’d give you your moment.” I stared at him, suspicious. “You’re trying to get on my good side, aren’t you?” He grins, eyes flicking to me in the mirror. “Maybe.” Something about the way he says it sends a shiver up my spine.

I should have let it go, ignore the way my stomach twists stupidly. But because I never know when to back down, I tease. “So you do like Taylor Swift,”

Aiden scoffs. “Let’s not get carried away, Angel Face.” Roman grins.

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