The Cabin: A Rixon Raider Short Story (Rixon Raiders) Read online

  “I think Cam and Hailee will get pregnant first,” I mused.

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Cameron wants to be there, back at Rixon. Don’t you see it in his eyes?”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  “He’s already counting down until the day they graduate and can move back.” Part of me wondered if he’d even make it that long.

  “I’m not so sure about Asher and Mya though,” he said. “She loves the city.”

  “Yeah.”

  Silence settled over us. We still had time. We were only sophomores. But life was moving fast. Before we knew it, we would be seniors, counting down the days until graduation, and everything would change again.

  As if he could sense my thoughts, Jason hugged me closer. “It doesn’t matter, babe. Wherever we all land, we’ll still be family. Always.”

  Four

  Jason

  The next morning, I woke first. But I didn’t move. I was more than content watching Felicity sleep, thinking back on our conversation yesterday. I’d meant what I said, that it didn’t matter where we went or how our lives moved in different directions, the six of us would always be tight. Cam and Asher were my guys. Even though I’d made new friends at Penn, they would never replace the bond I shared with my best friends.

  Slipping out of bed, I pulled on a hoodie and went in search of coffee. Turning on the coffee machine, I went to start the fire next, adding a new pile of wood and lighting it. The flames crackled to life and I savored their warmth for second.

  Satisfied with my handiwork, I made myself a cup of coffee next. The morning sun filtered in through the curtains, and mug in hand, I traipsed over to the window next, to see if the storm had passed.

  “Fuck,” I breathed. It had stopped snowing but there was at least another five or six inches, the snow drifts banked higher than the window ledge.

  “Morning,” Felicity’s voice was thick with sleep.

  I glanced back and smiled. “Morning.”

  “What’s wrong?” She frowned.

  “We might be snowed in after all.” I’d joked about it, but I hadn’t really imagined it would happen.

  Joining me at the window, Felicity sucked in a shaky breath. “Wow, okay.”

  “Maybe it’s not that bad out front.” I moved to the door and pulled it open, my eyes going wide.

  “Hmm, babe, what is that?” She joined me as I stared at the sheet of compacted snow blocking the door.

  “Maybe it’s the universe’s way of saying we should stay here.”

  “You think?” Felicity wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder. “You’ll be able to clear it though, right?” She let out a strangled laugh.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Oh God. So we’re actually snowed in?”

  “Let me check the back door.” I kissed her on the forehead before taking off down the hall. But it was no better.

  “I’ll have to call Gio,” I said, joining her in the living room again. “Someone will have to come dig us out.” I dug my phone out my pocket, but Felicity moved around me, covering my hand with hers.

  “We have time.” She smirked up at me. “There's that clawfoot tub in the master suite.”

  “Yeah?”

  She grinned.

  “I’d still better give him a heads up.”

  I typed out a quick text.

  Me: We’re snowed in.

  He replied almost immediately.

  Gio: Yeah, it’s pretty bad out there. Nicco and Matteo are going to see if it thaws a little throughout the day. You good until then?

  Me: Yeah, we’re good.

  Gio: I bet you are…

  Me: Fuck off.

  His reply was a laughing emoji.

  Fucker.

  “So, what’s the verdict?”

  “Nicco and Matteo are going to come up later if it doesn’t start to thaw.”

  “Perfect.” Fee went up on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Then we’d better go make the most of it.”

  “Breakfast in bed?” I suggested.

  “Sounds like Heaven.”

  Felicity

  The snow didn’t thaw. By lunchtime, the flurries started again. I sat by the window, watching the white blanket rise and rise.

  “That was Gio,” Jason said as he entered the room. “Nicco and Matteo should be here any—”

  “I see them.” I leaped up, and Jason chuckled.

  “So eager to get out of here, or just that desperate to get a look at Nicco again?”

  “What? No!” I blushed. “I didn’t… I’m not…” God, why was it so hard to get out the words?

  “Relax, I’m joking.” Jason frowned. “Although I’m starting to question my manhood given how tongue-tied he’s got you.”

  “You know it’s you I love.”

  “Damn right.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a knowing smirk.

  “I don’t want to leave,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I just don’t like the idea of not being able to get out.”

  “I could have always smashed a window.” He shrugged.

  “Behave.” I went up on my tiptoes and kissed his stubbled jaw. “I like the scruff. You should keep it.”

  “Yeah?”

  I nodded. “I can’t stop thinking about that photo we found,” I confessed. “I was thinking maybe you should ask—”

  “No way. No fucking way. They are not mobsters.” Jason rolled his eyes.

  “Yeah, but there’s something weird about—”

  “Felicity, let it go. Nicco did a good thing letting us stay here.”

  “I know, I just—”

  “Babe, drop it.” He kissed me hard before moving to the window. “Okay, they’re digging.”

  “God, I feel so bad. We should invite them to stay for dinner at least.”

  “Maybe we should leave early and check in at a hotel? Just in case.”

  I glanced around the cabin. It was so beautiful, but he was right. I didn’t want to risk missing New Year’s Eve with the guys.

  “Yeah, maybe.” My smile fell.

  “It’ll still be just the two of us. We don’t have to leave for New York until the thirtieth.

  “Okay.”

  “Hey,” Jason came over to me. “I know you love it out here, but if the snow doesn’t let up—”

  “I know. It’s just such an incredible place.”

  “Perhaps we can come again, in the summer?”

  “I’d like that.”

  Jason grunted. “Although next time, I’ll ask Matteo to meet us if you’re going to get so hot and bothered every time Nicco is around.”

  “You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?” I groaned.

  “Nope.”

  Minutes passed, although it felt like a lifetime. Then there was an almighty bang on the door.

  Jason went to open it. “Hey, guys. Sorry about this.”

  “Don’t sweat it,” Matteo said, stepping inside and shaking off the snow on his jacket. “The forecasters were wrong about this one.”

  “Are you both okay?” Nicco asked.

  “We’re good. Managed to get out and explore yesterday a bit, but both doors were completely blocked in this morning.”

  “Yeah, if the wind changes that can happen. We didn’t think it would be an issue this time though.”

  “Can I get you both some hot cocoa?” I asked.

  “Yeah, that sounds pretty great.” Matteo made himself at home, dropping into one of the armchairs.

  I set about making the hot cocoa from the batch of mixture Alessia had left behind. The guys were chatting about Jason’s football career when I handed them their mugs.

  “Heisman Trophy, that’s pretty epic.” Matteo grinned.

  “You guys play?” Jason asked, and Matteo snickered.

  “No, we don’t really have time for sport.”

  My brows furrowed. That was... odd.

  “That’s cool. I forget sometimes that not everyone loves the game.”

  “Oh, I love the game,” Matteo said. “I’m a huge Patriots fan,”

  “See, babe, just regular guys.” Jason winked at me.

  Oh God, he didn’t…

  I scowled at him.

  “I feel like we’re missing something?” Nicco said.

  “Oh, it’s nothing.” Jason looked far too smug, and I wanted to die. “Felicity found an old photograph and got it into her head that you guys might be mobsters or something.” Laughter rumbled deep in his chest but nobody else joined him.

  I was too busy shrinking into the couch.

  “Mobsters, you say?” Matteo smirked. “That’s a new one.”

  “Matt,” Nicco warned. “Can you show me the photo?” he asked me, and I went to fetch it.

  “Here.”

  “I had no idea this was here.” He studied the photo. “That’s my great grandfather and his brothers and cousins. I can see why you thought they might be mobsters. It’s the Fedoras and suspenders isn’t it?”

  My cheeks pinked as he smiled at me.

  “I... sorry. My brain runs away with me sometimes.”

  “It’s okay. But I can assure you we’re good people.” Nicco winked.

  “I told her it was nothing,” Jason added with a little snort. “So do you think the snow is here to stay?”

  “It’s looking that way.”

  “I think we’re going to drive to a hotel and stay there until it’s time to head to New York. But we appreciate you letting us stay here.”

  “It’s probably wise,” Nicco said. "We can help you get packed up and make sure you get back to the main road safely.”

  “That would be great, thanks. Felicity?”

  “Huh, yeah?” I blin
ked over at Jason who was frowning at me.

  “If we get packed up, Nicco and Matteo will make sure we find the main road safely.”

  “Oh, that’s nice, thank you.” I smiled, barely hearing the words. Because my mind was still stuck on the idea that Nicco and Matteo were mobsters.

  After all, he hadn’t denied it.

  But Jason was right—it wasn’t possible.

  Was it?

  The End.

  You can read Jason and Felicity’s story in The Game You Play. Or perhaps, you’re as intrigued about Nicco as Felicity. You can read his story in Prince of Hearts.

  Other Books by L A Cotton

  Verona Legacy Series

  She’s the Capizola heir, he’s the Marchetti prince, and their love is forbidden . . .

  Prince of Hearts

  King of Souls

  Villain of Secrets

  Savior of Regrets

  Rixon Raiders Series

  Cocky football players, school rivalry, and the girls who get in their way. Get ready... The Raiders are here!

  The Trouble With You

  The Game You Play

  The Harder You Fall

  The Endgame Is You

  About the Author

  Angsty. Edgy. Addictive Romance

  Author of mature young adult and new adult novels, L A is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.

  Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find L A immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.

  L A loves connecting with readers.

  The best places to find her are:

  www.lacotton.com

 

 

  L A Cotton, The Cabin: A Rixon Raider Short Story (Rixon Raiders)

 

 

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