Page 5 of Icebound Hearts

“Hell yeah! We need a girl around here—one that isn’t Roman’s latest mistake.”

“Booty call,” Roman corrects.

“Oh,” Roman adds. “Someone delivered your stuff earlier. We put everything in your room. I hope you don’t mind.” My mouth parts slightly in surprise. “You did what?” Will shrugs. “It was mostly Roman. He got excited about a girl moving in.” I shake my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.”

Three hours later, my room is finally starting to feel likemine.

I have hung my clothes, made my bed, and added the perfect softness to my mattress topper. My bookshelves and trophy shelves are missing, but I’ll get to that later. My phone rings, and I reach towards my nightstand, grabbing it.

Jake.

I hesitate before answering, putting in my headphones. “Hey, Jake,” I say, hoping the call ends quickly.

“Hi, Kat. Are you okay?” I sigh, rubbing my temple. “Yeah. Why?” My brows dip in confusion. Does he already know about the housing situation?

“I heard about the housing situation. It’s unacceptable. I was going to come down tomorrow, talk to the Dean, maybe get you your place—”

“No.” My voice is firm. How did he find out so soon? Is he going to be breathing down my neck the whole semester?

“Please, don’t. I just unpacked, and I’m not moving again. Plus, having a little male influence in my life is refreshing, consideringI haven’t had any all my life.” The silence stretches between us before he exhales.

“Are you sure, Katerina?” I know he is trying, but knowing my every move and not giving me space will not fix our relationship.

“I’m sure.” A knock at my door pulls my attention. “Hold on,” I say before opening it.

Will stands there, arms crossed. “Hey, uh… there’s a guy outside. Says he’s delivering a car.” A sinking feeling settles in my stomach. I mute Jake before storming outside. I feel my blood boil when I see the sleek black Jeep parked in our driveway.

I quickly unmute the phone, “Are you serious? What the fuck, Jake? I told you not to throw money at me! You weren’t there for twenty-one years, and now you think you can buy me?” I abruptly end the call before he can respond.

The delivery guy clears his throat and steps forward with a clipboard.“Miss, I need you to sign so I can drop off the car.” I drag a hand down my face. “Can you take it back?” My voice is softer now, and exhaustion is creeping in. “I’m sorry, but it’s been paid off already.”

Of course, it has. I huff out a breath, sign the damn papers, and watch as the delivery guy sets the keys on top of the paperwork he laid on the hood of the car before driving away. Silence lingers as I go back inside, the boys watching me with varying degrees of concern. Well—three of them.

Standing there, leaning against the door, is the guy from the rink. What is he doing here?

Roman is the first to speak, walking over with a glass of water and handing it to me, “You okay?” I nod, taking a sip. “Just frustrated. I can’t believe my dad would do this shit.” Roman observes me.

“Touchy subject?” I nod, swirling the water in my cup. “Very.”

He hesitates before offering, “Well, if you need someone to talk to, me and the guys are here for you.” A deep, familiar chuckle comes from behind me. I whirl around—and of course, it’s him.

“You,” I breathe, staring at him in disbelief. The smirk on his face is infuriating.

Oh my god.

Is he my fourth roommate?

This cannot be happening.

The jerk leans casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. His dark eyes flick over me, and that infuriating smirk tugs at his lips. “You seem surprised, angel face.” I blink, my brain short-circuiting. “You live here?” I ask, pointing around the house.

“Clearly.” His voice is smooth, dripping with amusement. “Try to keep up.” I open my mouth, then quickly shut it. Of course, he lives here. Of course, the cocky, ice-stealing, smirking jerk is my fourth roommate. The universe must genuinely hate me. Roman clears his throat behind me, watching the scene unfold like prime-time entertainment.

“Sooo… I take it you two know each other?” I let out a sharp laugh. “Unfortunately. We met right before he kicked me off the rink.” My eyes catch a muscle twitch in his arm, and I hover over it, noticing how defined and strong they are.

“Whoa, whoa.” Roman’s brows shoot up. “Aiden, tell me you didn’t.” Aiden. That’s his name. The Jerk feels more fitting, but I won’t fault his parents for that. Aiden just shrugs. “She was in my time slot.” I glare at him.

“Anyone can use the rink, asshole. You don’t fucking own it.” Roman whistles while Will and Grayson chuckle. Aiden’s eyes darken slightly, but the corner of his mouth quirks up.

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