Page 134 of Powerless
But this time, it’s us.
Together.
39
Sloane
Sloane:Get your asses to the rink!
Willa:I’m not playing hockey.
Summer:Why?
Willa:It’s not safe. Hard ice. Sharp blades. A bunch of men trying to prove that they aren’t past their primes. Fuck that noise. I’m going to sit on my ass and cheer for Luke.
Winter:I think show jumping is probably more dangerous. Medically speaking.
Sloane:Winter, are you coming?
Winter:Can’t. I’m sick.
Willa:Yeah. Me too. I’m sick. *cough cough*
Summer:Well, you’re all boring. I’m on team Sloane! Merry Christmas! Let’s fucking goooo!
Ithought my best Christmases came when I was child. When the magic was still alive and thrumming. But somehow this Christmas takes the cake. It takes all the cake. And all the magic is thrumming.
I woke up in Jasper’s arms. In our perfect, cozy little house. The home we’ve slowly made together. We made love while snow fell outside the window before we even got out of bed. And then we hopped into one of ourvery safeSUVs and headed straight for Wishing Well Ranch.
My mom and Harvey met us at the door with welcoming hugs and kisses as they ushered us into the bustling ranch house. Everyone was there.
We’ve all been together all day long, and my heart has never felt fuller. Every time I get too far, Jasper reaches for me. I barely go for five minutes at a time without feeling him touch me in some way. Without him pressing a kiss to my hair for everyone to see.
It’s . . . Well, it’s magical.
Almost as magical as this new tradition. The first of many Christmas traditions I plan to make with Jasper.
Christmas shinny.
“I thought skating was supposed to be easy? You assholes all make it look so easy!” Rhett complains as he clomps around like Bambi on the ice, all long legs and awkward motions.
“Bad word, Uncle Rhett!” Luke, his six-year-old nephew, calls while skating speedy circles around his uncle.
Summer laughs before getting up off the log where she’s been sitting with Willa. “I can help you, babe!” she calls as she skates effortlessly over to Rhett.
He rolls his eyes. “Seriously? You’re good at this too?”
Summer just shrugs, acting all saucy as she winks at him. “I’m good at everything.”
I laugh from where I’m leaning against Jasper’s net, taking it all in. Soaking it all up.
“It’s just proof that you’re overachieving!” Jasper’s voice draws my head up to the path that leads down to the ice. Cade laughs, each of them pulling a plastic sled loaded with snacks and thermoses filled with hot drinks. Harvey and my mom come after them, carrying blankets and even a couple of lawn chairs.
“You’re overachieving too, Gervais!” Rhett shouts as Summer takes his hands, skating backwards in an attempt to teach him how to skate.
Jasper shrugs, eyes finding mine almost instantly. “Yeah, the difference is I know it.”
I shake my head at him because I don’t feel like he’s overachieving at all. I feel like everything isjustright.
