Page 120 of Hot As Ice

Naturally, that’s important to her, because my father treated her abominably.

We didn’t talk about my dad at all. We rarely do, but sometimes he calls on certain events like my birthday or the holidays. He didn’t call this year.

It still hurts to be so thoroughly abandoned by him. I know that “the phone works both ways,” but he’s the parent, not me. I think it’s up to him to do more of the work. Why would I call him when he clearly doesn’t want me in his life? And if he does, he does a very poor job of showing it.

So, yeah, I did spare him some thought over the week, but it wasn’t much, and it didn’t ruin my holiday spirit at all. I even spent a few days with Elle, my high school best friend. I told her that I met a great guy who makes me so happy, and unlike with my mom, I gave her all the dramatic details. She said I was crazy for signing a sex contract, then asked if any other hot hockey players were offering one. We both laughed like hyenas at that.

But I’m happy to be back in Concord now. Mom wasn’t too thrilled that I wanted to head back on New Year’s Day, but she relented eventually. I drove back after dinner, even though I wanted to bolt as soon as I woke up. There are still a few days of break left, and I’m excited to spend them with Hunter.

Becca is still in California visiting her family, so the apartment is empty. I’m heading over now to grab some more clothes and toiletries I’ll need while I stay at Hunter’s. He calls me on the phone as I’m heading up the stairs to my place.

“Hey, princess.”

“Hello, my prince.”

“When will you be here?”

“Hunter, I literally haven’t even stepped into the apartment yet. How are you so impatient?”

He laughs. “How can I not be? I need you here, completely naked, as soon as possible.”

“You’ll have to wait at least 30 minutes.”

“That’s an eternity.”

“Oh my god, you’re such a baby sometimes.” I stick my key into the lock and push the door open, hanging my handbag from the hook on the wall. As much as I love Hunter’s huge penthouse, I missed my humble little abode. It’s perfectly neat and clean, just like Becca and I left it.

“Try to make it back in 20 minutes at least. I’m horny as fuck.”

I roll my eyes, but his words make my stomach clench. “Maybe I’ll make you wait even longer, just so you can learn some patience.”

“Did you grab your stuff yet?”

Christ, he is incorrigible. “I’m walking into my bedroom now, goofball.”

“I don’t understand why you need to grab more clothes when I’m just going to take them off you. You might as well walk around my place fully nude.”

I shake my head and push my bedroom door open, flipping the light on. “I swear to god⁠—”

When I see who’s sitting on my bed, I scream and drop my phone.

“What’s wrong?” Hunter’s voice is barely audible. “Stevie!”

I crouch down to pick up my phone, but Joe reaches me in two steps and grabs me, throwing me against the wall. For a few seconds, I can’t catch my breath. His hands grip my throat the second I start breathing again, and he squeezes, hard.

I clutch at his fingers, desperate to peel them off me, but it’s useless.

The strength slowly drains out of me, and my panic prevents me from thinking clearly. All I can see is his face twisted into a hideous rictus, with his hatred for me blazing from his eyes. The only sound is his harsh breathing.

But then another sound breaks through. It’s Hunter’s voice, tinny and weak, but still audible from my phone. “Stevie! Hold on! I’m on my way!”

My heart leaps, knowing he’s coming for me, but my mind knows he won’t make it in time. If I want to live, I have to do something. And I do want to live. I want to see my mom again and give her a big hug. I want to laugh with Becca again. I want to tip my face up to the sun and feel its warmth. I want to kiss Hunter again, over and over and over.

I stop trying to peel Joe’s hands off my throat.

Instead, I press my thumbs into his eyes. He yelps and lets go of me.

I choke and cough, immediately ducking down before Joe can lunge at me again. I crawl away on my hands and knees, reaching for my phone. Before I can grab it, Joe pulls me back by my ponytail.