Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

1. Chapter One

Chapter One

Jade

Murder makes me calm.

I tap the side of my glass, trying to ignore the pounding bass of whatever remixed song is playing. A murder podcast whispers in my ear, soothing the anxious buzz in my brain. The irony isn’t lost on me—true crime podcasts are my therapy. Keeps my mind off things, like the fact that I might have completely bombed my PT exams.

I should be celebrating, right? But instead, I’m here, practically holding my breath, because I’m too fucking scared to check my results.

“Jade!” Millie’s voice slices through the noise and I yank out an earbud just in time to see her barrelling toward me, her brunette curls bouncing like she’s in some sort of shampoo commercial. She’s got that wild, excited look on her face, like she’s about to burst. Or tackle me. Probably both.

“Please tell me you’ve checked your email,” she says, sliding into the booth beside me. Her boobs practically bounce into my face when she leans over, and I can’t help it—I laugh. “Jesus, Millie, are you smuggling watermelons in that top?”

Millie’s laugh is loud and bright, and she swats my arm. “Don’t squeeze me too tight when we hug, or I might start leaking. You want milk with that drink?”

I snort and nearly choke on my vodka soda. “Okay, first of all, eww. Second, I haven’t checked yet. I’m too scared. What if I failed?”

She rolls her eyes and snatches my phone off the table. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Jade. You’ve been busting your ass for months. There’s no way you failed. We’re checking this now.”

I grab the phone back, holding it just out of her reach. “What if I did fail? What if all this stress was for nothing and I’m just…a huge, embarrassing failure?”

“Then we’ll drown our sorrows in tequila shots and you’ll retake the damn test. But you didn’t fail, so let’s not waste time. We’ve got drinks to finish and hot guys to ogle.” She gives me that “don’t mess with me” look, and I sigh, knowing I’m not getting out of this.

“Fine,” I mutter, taking a deep breath. “But if I failed, you’re buying the first round of shots.”

“Deal.” She grins and leans in, practically vibrating with excitement as I swipe to open my email.

The subject line reads, “Congratulations, Jade Maddox!”

My heart stops, then kicks back into gear, hammering like it’s about to burst out of my chest. I blink at the screen, not quite believing what I’m seeing.

“I…I fucking passed,” I whisper, staring at the words like they might disappear if I blink too hard.

“You passed?!” Millie shrieks, drawing attention from the tables around us. She doesn’t care though, and neither do I, because she’s already pulling me into a bone-crushing hug, her boobs squishing against me. “You fucking passed!”

“I fucking passed!” I yell back, laughing as she squeezes me tight. “Shit, I can’t believe it. I’m a certified physical therapist!”

“You’re gonna be the hottest, baddest PT in Chicago,” Millie says, pulling back to look at me with a beaming smile. “And you know what that means, right?”

“That I’m gonna be swimming in debt?”

“No, bitch! It means we’re celebrating tonight! Shots, dancing and maybe, just maybe, getting you laid by a hot hockey player.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help grinning. “Fine, but you’re not wearing that top when we dance, or you might actually knock someone out.”

She grins and grabs my drink, clinking her glass against mine. “To passing exams, massive boobs and a night we won’t remember!”

I laugh and take a sip, feeling the weight of anxiety lift off my shoulders. Tonight, I’m gonna forget about everything except having fun.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll even let myself enjoy it.

The lights pulse in time with the bass, making everything feel a little surreal as Millie and I dance like idiots. We’re a couple of shots deep, and she’s doing some wild move that looks like a mix between twerking and trying not to fall over in her heels. It’s hilarious, and I can’t stop laughing. My short black skirt is clinging to my body in all the right places and my black ankle boots are actually kind of comfy. I feel good tonight. Fucking invincible.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of him—a guy at the bar nursing a whisky. He’s wearing a black hoodie that’s doing nothing to hide how broad his shoulders are. His brown hair is tousled like he just rolled out of bed and I can’t quite tell if his eyes are blue or green from here, but damn if they aren’t burning a hole through me.

Millie suddenly gasps and grabs my arm. “Oh my God, I just got a text. It’s Finn—I’ve gotta take this.” She’s already backing away, phone in hand.

“Of course! Go!” I wave her off, trying to ignore how big her boobs look when she squeezes by a couple of drunk dudes. I love her, but I’m not about to be cockblocked by her love life.

I need a break from the dance floor anyway, so I head over to the bar for some water. My throat’s dry and I could use a minute to breathe.

When I reach the bar, I glance over, and, yup, hoodie guy is still there, still watching me. There’s something in the way he raises his glass at me that makes heat bloom low in my belly. He’s got on a couple of rings that are glinting in the low light, and I’m trying not to stare at his hands, but fuck—they’re the kind of hands you want on your skin.

I grab my water bottle and sip slowly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as I check my phone. There’s a text from Jared, my older brother, asking if I got my exam results. I send him a thumbs-up emoji and he replies with a string of excited emojis that makes me laugh.

Millie taps my shoulder, and I look up to see her face twisted in worry. “What’s wrong?”

“The milk I pumped for the twins spoiled, and they just woke up starving. Kieran and Kaylee are screaming and Finn doesn’t know what to do.”

My heart clenches for her. Those kids are precious. “Go, Millie. I’m good here. Seriously.”

She hesitates, biting her lip. “I wanted to stay and celebrate with you.”

I hug her tightly. “Babe, get out of here. Go be a mom. I’ll finish my water and head out soon anyway.”

She squeezes me back, hard. “You’re the best, Jade. And congrats again—you deserve it.” With that, she hurries off, leaving me alone at the bar.

I take another sip of water and glance around. The place is getting more crowded by the minute. My eyes sweep over the bar, and yup, he’s still there, the black hoodie with brown-hair guy. Seriously, why is he staring so much? If he wants to talk to me, he should just come over, right? It’s not that hard.

I pay my tab, ready to call it a night. I’m scrolling through my phone to order an Uber when I look up, and holy shit—he’s right in front of me.

“Creepy,” I say, raising an eyebrow.

He flashes a smile, and damn if it doesn’t make my knees go weak. “I was just trying to find the courage to approach you. Then I looked up and you were gone.”

He’s got this accent—something distinct, like he’s from somewhere else, somewhere far away. It’s the kind of accent that would sound amazing whispered in your ear.

“Just your luck,” I say, smirking at him. “You almost missed your chance.”

His gaze drops to my Metallica T-shirt, peeking out from under my jacket. “You listen to them?” he asks, pointing to the band logo.

“Sometimes,” I shrug, trying to play it cool even though my heart’s racing.

“I’m a big fan,” he says, and we talk about the band for a minute before he finally sticks out his hand. “I’m Carter, by the way.”

“Jade.” I shake his hand, and there’s something about the way his fingers wrap around mine that sends a shiver right down to my core.

“I like your eyes,” he says, and I can’t tell if he’s being cheesy or if that’s just how he is.

“Yeah,” I nod, feeling a little flustered. “So, you gonna buy me a drink, or what?”

He looks around, then leans in a little closer. “It’s getting pretty loud in here. You over it?”

“Kind of,” I admit, suddenly hyper-aware of how close he is.

“I know a quieter place,” he says, and when I raise an eyebrow, he grins. “Follow me.”

He starts walking away, and damn, he’s tall. That black hoodie stretches across his shoulders and back in a way that’s almost distracting. Okay, it is fucking distracting.

“This is how people get killed in this city,” I call after him, half-joking but also half-serious.

He turns and gives me a look that’s half-smirk, half-challenge. “How do I know you won’t kill me first?”

I laugh, and before I know it, I’m running to catch up with him. He offers his hand again and like an idiot, I take it.

“Where are we headed?” I ask, trying to keep up with his long strides. “I’m in heels, you know.”

“I parked my car down the block,” he says. “But I could carry you if you’re tired.”

“Ridiculous,” I snort, but before I can say anything else, he crouches down in front of me and I’m suddenly hoisted up on his back.

“You’re insane,” I laugh, my arms around his neck as he starts walking. My short leather skirt rides up a bit, and I wonder if he notices. Hell, I know he notices.

“Please don’t kill me. I’m texting my bestie that we are leaving the club.”

“Text your best friend your live location,” he says, and I do it without even thinking. “Seriously, do it.”

“Already done,” I say, and he starts walking, my body pressed against his back.

The night air is cool against my skin as we walk down the block, and I’m suddenly aware of every little thing—the way his muscles move under his hoodie, the way his rings glint under the streetlights, the way his hands grip my thighs, holding me up like I weigh nothing.

“Where are we going?” I ask, trying not to sound as nervous as I suddenly feel.

He stops in front of a sleek black Jeep, setting me down gently before opening the passenger door for me. “Get in and I’ll show you.”

I hesitate for just a second before I slide into the seat. I should be more cautious, but there’s something about him—something that makes me feel safe, even though I barely know him.

He gets into the driver’s seat and as he starts the engine, I catch him looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

“Ready?” he asks, and there’s something in his voice, something low and smooth that makes my stomach flip.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

“Good,” he says, pulling away from the curb. “Let’s go.”

And just like that, I’m off on an adventure with a guy I just met, not knowing where the night will take me, but suddenly, I can’t wait to find out.