The Pucking Girl Next Door (Power Play Off The Ice: Snowed in for the Hoildays)

5. Smith

Chapter 5

Smith

" T hanks man," I say absentmindedly as I put my phone back into my pocket while the driver pulls in front of my buddy's parents' house. They are so gracious in letting me stay while they're on vacation. My eyes go wide when I see it because I don't remember Steve's house being this big. Admittedly I've only been here once, and that was during college, right after my mom died. I'm not a stranger to big houses. Actually the house I grew up in could be considered a mansion, but I expected something different when he described this place as a "cabin in the woods."

Grabbing my stuff, I enter the code he gave me into the panel on the garage and get settled. The inside looks like a normal open concept house, but with a few rustic touches like wood beams running throughout the entire house. I decide to place my bag down on the couch and give myself a quick tour. The kitchen is large, with an island in the middle, and commercial grade appliances, which will make cooking easier. I open the large fridge and smile when I see that Steve's mom left me groceries, even though I told her it wasn't necessary.

Closing the fridge, I move toward the back of the house, walking through a game room that has a pool table in it, and a door that leads to the back porch. Stepping out on the porch, I take a deep breath and love the way it smells, like fresh crisp air with a slight dampness, meaning we will probably get snow while I'm here. In the distance, I can see a small guest house. Steve mentioned his sister lives in there but she won't be there because she'll be in the Bahamas with them.

After a few minutes of taking in the beautiful scenery, I decide to go back into the house and unpack my stuff. Rolling out my shoulders and feeling how stiff my body feels after being on the plane for a few hours, I decide to go into the hot tub later. Steve gave me explicit directions on exactly which room I'll be staying in and how to access everything, like the hot tub.

When I get back to the large living room, I pick up my lucky duffel bag and take the steps two at a time toward the guest room. Opening the door to the room I'm staying in, I see that it's more of a suite. The walls are a light gray, and a huge king size bed sits in the middle with a small set of chairs off to the side. On the bed there is a pile of pillows, sheets and towels, that makes me smile because not only did Steve's mom leave me everything I could need while I stay here, but there's also a note sitting right in the middle of the pillows.

Smith,

We hope you enjoy your stay and find the answers that you need. Next time we vacation you'll have to come with us.

See you soon,

Vickie

While I read the note, I can't help but feel an ache in the center of my chest. Not only did she make sure I have everything I need, but she also wanted me to know that she was thinking of me. Even after all these years, Steve's mom still reminds me of my own, making it hard to be around her sometimes I've been working through it, but it doesn't stop grief from hitting you in the weirdest way, or at the wrong time. I shake out my shoulders, literally shaking the sadness off of me. This is not the time to dwell on my problems, I'm here to enjoy myself.

I open my bag on the bed and unpack, placing my pants and t-shirts in the dresser, along with hanging up my sweaters in the large walk-in closet. When I come to finish unpacking, I hear a whirling sound coming from the floor below me.

What was that?

In my mind, I retrace my steps, trying to remember if I closed the garage or not, which I'm pretty sure I did. Stopping in my tracks, I try to listen to see if I hear anything else. When I don't, I take a deep breath and continue to unpack.

I've got to be hearing things. You are the only one in the house.

I grab my toiletries from my suitcase, juggling the shampoo and conditioner bottle with my bag so I don't have to make two trips. A loud bang rings through the room when I drop one of the shampoo bottles on the floor.

"Shit. I guess I'll have to come back and grab it," I mutter to myself as I head to the attached bathroom, forgetting all about the bottle, I should go get when I see it. The rustic feel even follows through here, with navy blue tiles that line the walls of a huge shower encased in floor to ceiling glass doors. Next to the vanity that has white marble countertops sits a clawfoot tub that looks out at the mountain landscape. It's freaking gorgeous. When I retire, this is what I want, hopefully with a partner.

Returning to the room, I'm reminded of the bottle I dropped when I see it lying in the middle of the floor. Not wanting it to spill, I bend down to pick it up when I hear a door close downstairs. I thought Steve said no one was supposed to be here, I shrug my shoulder's thinking it's probably the housekeeper. My father has one who comes in and cleans the house every few days maybe Steve's parents are the same. I mean, this is an enormous house and would be a lot for one person to clean. I ponder about the noise downstairs while I put the rest of my toiletries in the large sized bathroom.

Wanting to finish up so I can head downstairs to get something to eat, I lift my bag from the bed to put it away. Entering the large walk-in closet, I accidentally drop it harder than I meant to creating another loud noise. I wince and the need to scold myself is high. "Fuck Smith, this isn't your house. You need to be more careful," I mumble under my breath.

That's when I hear another door slam, and what I swear is the garage door opening again. Maybe I should go down and introduce myself, so I don't scare whoever is here. Making my way back downstairs, I walk through the house searching for whoever could be here but come up empty.

So strange.

Taking my phone out of my pocket, I decide to text Steve to let him know and see if they have a housekeeper. As I wait for his response, I decide to grab something to eat and do what I came here for, relax.