Exposed on Ice

Chapter 3

Ronan Vale

There are bad ideas.

Then there are catastrophically stupid ideas.

And then—

There’s me.

Driving across the city in an outfit that should be illegal in at least twelve countries, wondering where exactly my life took a turn this violent.

I glance down at my legs at a red light.

Immediate regret.

“Brilliant,” I mutter. “Absolutely brilliant. Career highlight, this.”

The shorts ride up every time I move. Which is often. Because I’m uncomfortable. Because I’m aware. Because I can practically hear the universe laughing at me.

And don’t even get me started on the hat.

I reach up, adjust it slightly, and scowl at my reflection in the rearview mirror.

“Pull it together, Vale,” I tell myself. “You’ve played in front of twenty thousand people. You can survive a pair of shorts.”

This is different.

Those people expect skill.

This?

This is humiliation.

My phone buzzes in the cup holder.

Zane Holloway:

Send pics or it didn’t happen

Jett Calder:

Please tell me you wore the hat 😂

Caleb Cross:

Why is my sister texting you?

I freeze.

Oh.

Right.

That.

I pick up the phone at the next light, typing quickly.

Ronan:

Her car broke down. I’m picking her up.

Three dots appear instantly.

Disappear.

Then—

Caleb:

I’m on my way.

I stare at the message.

Jaw tightening slightly.

Too late.

I’m already closer.

Already halfway there.

Already… committed.

Ronan:

She’s fine. I’ve got it.

No reply.

Yeah.

That’s going to be a conversation later.

I toss the phone back down and exhale slowly, gripping the wheel a little tighter than necessary.

This shouldn’t matter.

It’s just a lift.

A favor.

Nothing more.

So why does it feel like I’m about to walk straight into something complicated?

The city lights blur past as I turn onto Broadway, scanning the side of the road.

Then I see it.

A car pulled over.

Hazard lights blinking.

And—

There.

Sitting inside.

Her.

Something in my chest tightens before I can stop it.

I slow down, pulling in behind her car.

For a second, I just sit there.

Engine running.

Hands still on the wheel.

Watching.

She’s in the backseat.

Holding the baby.

Rocking him gently.

There’s something about the way she moves—careful, protective, completely focused—that knocks the breath out of me a little.

Not dramatic.

Not flashy.

Just…

Real.

“Right,” I mutter, shaking my head once. “Get out of the car, you idiot.”

I kill the engine and step out.

Instant mistake.

The night air hits my legs, and I immediately regret every decision that led me here.

“Fantastic,” I mumble. “Absolutely fantastic.”

I tug at the hem of the shorts like that’s going to magically make them longer.

It does not.

Of course it doesn’t.

I shove my hands in my pockets and walk toward her car, trying to ignore the fact that I look like an absolute clown.

Focus.

You’re here for her.

Not your dignity.

I reach the driver’s side and knock lightly on the window.

She looks up.

And for a second—

Everything else disappears.

Because Sienna Cross is even more beautiful when she’s not trying.

Hair slightly messy.

Face a little tired.

Eyes wide, soft, and just a bit uncertain.

And then—

Her gaze drops.

To my legs.

Oh no.

Oh, absolutely not.

Her lips press together.

Her shoulders shake.

And then—

She laughs.

Not a polite laugh.

Not a quiet one.

No.

Full-on, can’t-stop, slightly breathless laughter.

I stare at her through the window.

Deadpan.

“Go on,” I say as she opens the door. “Get it out of your system.”

She steps out carefully, still holding the baby, trying—and failing—to stop smiling.

“I’m sorry,” she says, which is a complete lie. “I just… I wasn’t expecting…”

“This?” I gesture down at myself. “No one ever is.”

She bites her lip.

Fails again.

“Is that a sailor outfit?”

“It’s a tragedy,” I correct. “A carefully planned act of betrayal by people I used to trust.”

That earns me another laugh.

Brilliant.

At least someone’s enjoying this.

I run a hand through my hair, then gesture toward her car. “What happened?”

Her expression softens slightly, shifting back to concern.

“It just… started making noise,” she says. “Then smoke. I pulled over as fast as I could.”

I nod, glancing at the hood.

“Good call.”

I step closer, peering at it briefly, though I already know I’m not fixing anything on the side of the road dressed like this.

“Yeah,” I say after a second. “That’s not a quick fix.”

She exhales slowly, looking down at the baby.

“Yeah… I figured.”

Silence settles for a moment.

Not awkward.

Just… there.

I glance at the little one in her arms.

He’s staring at me.

Judging me.

Fair.

“Alright,” I say, clearing my throat slightly. “Let’s get you both out of here.”

Her eyes flick back to mine.

“You don’t have to—”

“I know,” I cut in easily. “But I’m going to anyway.”

She hesitates.

Then nods.

“Okay.”

I move around to the backseat, opening the door carefully. “Car seat?”

She shifts slightly so I can see it.

“Yeah.”

“Right.”

I unclip it, lifting it out carefully, making sure it’s secure.

The baby blinks up at me.

Still judging.

“Don’t,” I mutter quietly. “I’m aware.”

Sienna laughs softly behind me.

I glance over my shoulder at her.

She’s watching me.

Something softer in her expression now.

Less panic.

More… trust.

And I don’t know why that hits the way it does.

“Come on,” I say, nodding toward my car. “Let’s get you somewhere warm.”

She falls into step beside me.

Then pauses.

“Ronan?”

“Yeah?”

Her eyes flick up to mine.

“Thank you.”

Simple.

Quiet.

Real.

I hold her gaze for a second.

Then shrug lightly.

“Don’t mention it.”

But something tells me…

This?

This is where things start getting complicated.

.........

ICEWIRE // LIVE DROP

Timestamp: 9:03 PM

Rescues always look heroic from the outside.

But tell me…

Who needed saving more tonight?

#IceWire #WolvesExposed