Chapter 9 Snowed In
By midafternoon, the storm had swallowed the whole mountain. Snow hammered the windows in fast, angry sheets. I stood beside the glass, watching it pile against the porch railing.
Jake came up beside me, hands in his pockets, shoulder brushing mine.
“Definitely not going anywhere today,” he said, voice soft with amusement.
“Nope,” I agreed.
Behind us, Mike glanced at the weather app and let out a low whistle.
“We’re officially snowed in. Roads are closed until morning.”
Drew didn’t look concerned. “We’ve got food, power, and heat. We’re fine.”
Josh walked over and gently tugged me toward the couch. “Sit with me.”
I sank beside him, curling under his arm as the storm growled outside. Jake dropped onto the other side of me, casual and warm.
“We should watch movies,” Jake said. “Something good.”
Mike flopped into the armchair. “Define good.”
“Christmas movies,” Jake said, like it was obvious.
Patrick’s voice drifted from the kitchen. “No.”
Jake leaned back, unbothered. “He’ll give in.”
“I heard that,” Patrick called.
Josh smirked. “He’s still not wrong.”
Jake turned on the TV and scrolled until he found the most questionable holiday rom-com ever filmed. When the hero tripped over a Christmas tree and landed face-first in a plate of cookies, Mike groaned.
“This is awful.”
Jake nudged my knee gently. “She likes it, though.”
I laughed. “I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to,” he murmured, smiling.
Half an hour in, Drew wandered behind the couch with a bowl of popcorn. He set it between Jake and me, then dropped onto the floor with his back to the couch. I ran my fingers through his hair, and he hummed in pleasure.
Outside, the wind howled hard enough to rattle the glass.
I flinched as the lights flickered.
Josh immediately rubbed my arm. “It’s just the storm.”
“I know.”
But Jake shifted a little closer, his thigh brushing mine. “We’ve got generators. Even if the power goes out, we’re not freezing.”
That helped more than I expected. I had spent far too many nights in my father's cold house.
Patrick finally joined us, sitting near the fire. He didn’t comment on the ridiculous movie, but his mouth twitched every time something truly stupid happened.
By the second movie, everyone looked more relaxed. The storm kept throwing branches against the house, but inside felt warm and dim and safe.
Jake leaned his head against mine lightly. “How’s the anxiety level?”
I nudged him. “Surprisingly okay.”
“Good,” he said softly.
Halfway through the movie, a loud thud from outside hit the wall hard enough that I jerked upright.
Jake’s hand was on my back instantly. “Hey. It’s okay. Probably just ice falling.”
Josh pressed a kiss to my temple. “You’re safe.”
Drew looked at the window with calm assessment. “Nothing’s moving out there. You’re good.”
I nodded, but Jake didn’t move his hand until I reached for his and squeezed.
By the third movie, the guys had drifted into soft piles around the room. Mike stretched out on the couch arm. Drew leaned against the back of the couch again, legs stretched long. Patrick sat with one knee up, firelight flickering across his jaw. Josh kept me tucked against his chest.
Jake slid down a little, resting his shoulder against mine and letting out a soft breath. “This is nice,” he murmured.
“Yeah,” I whispered.
The wind outside roared, but it felt far away.
Jake reached for the popcorn bowl and held it out to me first. “Want more?”
I shook my head. “Too full.”
“From cinnamon rolls?” he asked, raising a brow.
“No, from you forcing popcorn on me every five minutes.”
“Someone’s got to make sure you get proper nutrients.”
“You mean butter.”
“It counts.”
Josh huffed a quiet laugh into my hair.
When the credits rolled, Drew looked over his shoulder at me. “You doing okay now?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Really okay.”
Mike stretched until his back popped. “We could do a fourth movie.”
Patrick looked at him flatly. “No.”
Jake grinned. “We have to do at least one more.”
“You hate these movies,” Mike said.
Jake shrugged. “I like watching her watch them.”
My face went warm.
Josh kissed my cheek. “You are very easy to entertain, baby girl.”
“Rude.” I huffed in mock offence.
Drew stood and stretched. “I’ll make cocoa.”
Jake got up too. “I’ll help. Em likes extra marshmallows.”
“You mean she likes marshmallows with a little hot chocolate under them?” Mike said.
“Exactly,” Jake replied.
When they came back, Jake handed me a mug with a little smile. “Perfect ratio.”
I took a sip. “Okay, yeah. You win.”
His eyes softened. “So what did I win?”
"I will tell you later." I grinned devilishly at him, and his eyes heated.
Everyone settled back into their spots. Josh pulled me against his chest again. Patrick shifted closer to the couch. Drew sat at my feet. Mike took the armchair with his legs dangling over the side like a bored prince.
The storm kept raging, snow piling high and fast. But inside, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by steady warmth and soft laughter, the world felt small in a good way.
Safe.
Held.
Mine.
As the next movie started, Jake leaned in, voice low. “Hey, Em?”
“Hmm?”
He nudged my knee lightly. “This is my favorite part of vacation.”
“What part?”
“All of us,” he said simply. “Together.”
My heart squeezed. “Yeah,” I whispered. “Mine too.”