Page 82 of Heart on Ice

“I don’t know why he is moving in when he’s so happy with her.”

“They got together because of Harper’s ex. Felix was trying to protect her and in the process this “fake dating” thing they thought they were doing turned into something more. I know Harper told him that it was until her ex got the message and left her alone, and that once the season started they would go back to being friends, but the genie is out of the bottle, and those two are in love. I know my sister and she’s scared. She doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to dating,” Sam explains.

“She never did in high school or college either,” I add.

“Exactly, so I think your brother showing her what it’s like to be truly loved scares her. I want my sister to be happy, and your brother makes her happy. But I’m not going to meddle in their relationship, they both need to figure it out.” I nod in agreement as I take a sip of my beer. “Now I’m going to meddle with yours. How are things with Issy?”

“Just perfect,” I answer sarcastically.

“She’s a stubborn one.” Sam chuckles.

“Don’t I know it.” I sigh. “I’ve been miserable without her. Even Frankston was depressed for a couple of days. But what can I do? She’s not willing to put the past aside and try again.”

“It sucks, man. I feel for ya,” he says, clapping me on my back. “All I can say is, be patient. Nate waited almost six months to be with Cam again. He’s been miserable this entire time, but look at him now, he would tell you it was all worth it.”

“The difference is, Cam wanted to come back. Issy disappeared fifteen years ago. I know she can go and never comeback. The only reason I had a chance again is that I was forced onto her. She never wanted me,” I explain.

“Look, I think you and Issy should be together. But also, don’t forget, a month ago you were marrying someone else. Yes, you and Issy have come a long way in such a short time, but don’t you think she is worried that she’s the rebound even though you know Kitty was,” Sam states.

“Kitty was a mistake in so many ways. I just don’t know anymore, Sam. I’m sick of her using the past as an excuse. I’ll be patient, but I won’t wait forever. It’s not fair to keep punishing me,” I tell him.

“I understand.”

Felix comes backfrom the beach and doesn’t look happy. “Goodnight, team, I’m going to head to bed. Too many beers for this guy.” He grins, but I can see the smile is forced. When I look over to Harper, she looks devastated and is huddled with Meadow in the corner. What happened? Sam and Nate tease my brother, who takes it on the chin and waves us goodnight.

“I think we might need to get those two girls to bed too,” Sam says, elbowing me in the side as I look over to where Issy and Kimberly are rolling around in the garden laughing. They have progressively been getting worse with each bottle of wine they have consumed. Cam and Nate are in their own bubble, kissing and cuddling, and have no idea what’s going on around them.

“Yeah, shall we go grab them?” I ask.

Sam nods. “We’re going to call it a night. I think everyone has had too much sun,” he tells Camryn and Nate before looking over at Kimberly and Issy.

“Make sure they get to bed okay.” Cam winks at us. Nate picks her up in his arms, making her squeal as they head upstairs.

Sam and I walk over to where Issy and Kimberly are on the grass giggling and talking incoherently, but they both seem to understand each other.

“Ladies, think it might be time for bed,” Sam says, looking at them. Both flip us off before bursting into fits of laughter. Next thing I know, Sam is scooping Kimberly up and starts walking off with her, singing something about coconuts.

Issy’s smile falls when she sees me. “Don’t you fucking touch me,” she warns through slurred words.

“I think you’ve had enough to drink. It’s time for bed,” I tell her.

“You don’t tell me what to do.” She points at me as she tries to stand up, but she falls right back over again. “The moon is spinning.” She giggles. I’ve never seen Issy this drunk before. I do the same as Sam and scoop Issy up in my arms and head inside. “You’re so strong,” she says, her face nuzzling into my neck, her lips touching my skin as she talks which makes it hard to carry her when I’m sporting a semi. Then she licks me neck. “I miss licking you,” she says.

“Issy,” I growl because she’s so drunk she has no idea what she is doing to me. I take the stairs two at a time and walk into her bedroom. I place her down on her bed, but she won’t let go of my neck. “Issy, you have to let go of me.”

“I don’t want to,” she grumbles.

“But it’s bedtime, you need to go to bed.” I extricate myself from her koala grip. She stays sitting up, those chocolate-colored eyes look up at me, and I see nothing but hurt and pain behind them.

“I miss you. My home isn’t the same now.” she sighs. Does she realize what she’s saying? “No home-cooked meals when Iget home. I’m so hungry. Nothing I cook tastes the same.” She’s been cooking. “I liked coming home and being slobber attacked as soon as I entered my door by that golden floof ball.” She giggles. “I liked coming home and talking to someone about my day. It’s so quiet now. So empty. I don’t like my home anymore. You ruined it.” She huffs. Living in my new apartment isn’t a walk in the park either. “You ruined me.” Issy pouts as she finally looks up at me, teary-eyed. “You were supposed to stay in the box.” The box? I frown. She starts making gestures of a box. “Nice and safe in a box. But no, you couldn’t do that. You had to come into my life again and mess it all up. Confuse me. Make me feel things for you again.” I still at that comment. Feel things? Does she have feelings for me? Why does this make me happy. “You’re supposed to be in the box,” she mumbles again.

“What box?” I ask her.

“The do not open one. But I opened it and now I can’t close it again.” She sighs, wiping the tears from her eyes.

I take a seat beside her on the bed. “Would it be so bad to love me again?”

Issy looks up at me, her lip wobbles with emotion. “I never stopped and that’s what scares me.”

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