Craving You (Revised Edition for 2025)
Chapter 17: Blizzard Bound
Somewhere on the outskirts of Texas, we pulled into a gas station to refuel and grab some snacks. I texted Jo to let her know where we were, and she responded immediately with a weather warning—Boise was expecting snow, and she wanted us to be extra careful. I showed Jensen, and he assured me that his truck had snow tires, and if it came down to it, he’d throw on the chains for better traction. Jo had even packed a few thick blankets in the backseat for us, just in case. That woman was always ten steps ahead.
By the time we crossed into Colorado, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. I turned my face to the window, trying to hide the tear that slid down my cheek. I already missed Austin. Missed Jo. Missed the strange comfort of knowing I was still near people who understood me.
Jensen noticed and reached over the bench console to take my hand.
“Babe, you okay?” he asked, his voice soft as he glanced between me and the road.
I gave a weak nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Yeah. I’ll be okay.”
His fingers tightened around mine, silently grounding me. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the temperature followed suit. Jensen turned up the heat, creating a warm cocoon inside the cab of the truck. I lifted the bench console so I could slide over next to him. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, letting me rest my head against him as he continued driving one-handed.
I looked up at him. “You should stop soon. Your arm’s going to start throbbing again.”
“I’m good,” he murmured, but his voice was thick with fatigue.
“How about we find a place for the night? Start fresh in the morning after breakfast?”
He nodded. “Yeah. We’ve been at this for hours. Let’s find something close.”
I found a nearby hotel and booked a room. Once we checked in, Jensen took his pain meds and was out like a light. I sat on the edge of the bed for a while, watching him sleep. He was so peaceful. So real. And I couldn’t stop wondering what I’d done in life to deserve someone like him. He listened, supported me, and never judged. And here he was, driving nearly three thousand miles with me so I wouldn’t have to face my fear of flying.
I climbed in next to him and wrapped my arm around his waist. He instinctively lifted his arm, letting me snuggle closer. I kissed the side of his face.
“I love you,” I whispered, barely audible.
The next morning, Jensen showered while I ordered breakfast. Once he was done, I took my turn. The hot water was heaven—exactly what I needed. Dressed in cozy leggings and a long-sleeved tee, I stepped out of the bathroom to see Jensen fidgeting with his sling.
“Babe?” I asked, placing my hand gently on his back.
“This stupid strap’s too tight,” he muttered.
“Let me help.” I adjusted the straps until his shoulders relaxed.
He leaned down and kissed me. “Thanks, sweetheart.”
That word. Sweetheart. It never failed to send shivers down my spine.
“Did you eat?” I asked as I zipped up my duffel.
“Yeah. It was good. Let’s grab snacks and water before we hit the road. We ran low yesterday.”
Outside, the snow had started. I smiled up at the sky, catching flakes on my tongue like I used to when I was a kid.
“What are you doing, woman?” Jensen chuckled, wrapping me in his arms.
“Being a kid,” I laughed, “I love fresh snow.”
He secretly recorded me while I spun around with my hands raised. For a moment, I was that carefree girl again, remembering snow days with my mom.
We got on the road, but by 4 PM, just outside Boise, things turned. Snow poured heavily, blurring the road ahead. I glanced at Jensen.
“Jensen, this is getting bad. I don’t think even snow chains are gonna help.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” he said, scanning for signs.
He pulled off to the side. No other cars. Just us and the snow.
“Closest hotel is too far,” he muttered, his voice tense. “We might be stuck.”
“Wait—what? We’re staying here?”
“It’s our safest option right now.”
I wanted to panic. The cold was seeping into my bones. But Jensen stayed calm.
“We can move to the back seat and cuddle up with the blankets Jo packed.”
He made sure we were out of traffic’s way, and we climbed into the back. I was freezing, my socks and shoes soaked. My teeth chattered.
“You know,” Jensen said, “the best way to stay warm is skin to skin.”
“Don’t make this weird,” I grumbled, but agreed. We stripped down, climbed under the blankets, and let our bodies warm each other.
“Do you know how hard this is gonna be?” he muttered with a grin.
“Cute choice of words.” I rolled my eyes.
We lay there, tangled in blankets and limbs, when I noticed blood seeping from his shoulder.
“Jay, your arm’s bleeding.”
I fished out the med kit Jo packed. “Drink this,” I handed him whiskey. “This is gonna hurt.”
He took a long drink. I cleaned the wound and poured antiseptic over it.
“I warned you,” I said, biting my lip.
Some stitches had come undone.
“You’re going to have to sew me up.”
“Babe, you can do this. I’ll walk you through it.”
Shaking, I prepped the needle. Hands trembling, I followed every instruction, watching his face twist in pain. He didn’t scream, but it was written all over his body.
When I finished, I covered it with fresh gauze, then threw the used supplies aside and held him.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “I know how hard that was.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” I whispered, my face wet with tears.
“You didn’t,” he said, cupping my cheek. “I love you too.”
I held him tighter, pressing my cheek to his chest.
“I love you too, Jensen,” I whispered, finally letting the words settle into the cold night air.
We lay together, wrapped in each other’s arms as the storm howled around us. But inside that truck, it was warm, safe—and filled with something I never expected to find on this trip: love.
