by SM Olivier
“La la la,” Kade dramatically threw his hands over his ears. “Thanks for sparing me!”
Chapter 22
I breathed in awe as we got out of our vehicles. My father and I had traveled a lot when I was younger, but I had never been to a ski resort. Sure, we lived in a snow-covered mountain right now, but it paled in comparison to this. The resort was more than I could have imagined. When they said we were going to be in cabins, I pictured a small, quant cabin, not the large structures in front of us. I wish my dad had taken me to a place like this.
We avoided areas that the weather conditions may keep us from leaving at a moment’s notice. Certain things started to click in place the more I thought about things. We didn’t go to states that were prone to keep us snowed in during the winter months, we didn’t go to hurricane alley during hurricane season, we didn’t go to states that were susceptible to tornadoes during tornado season. In short, picking up and vacating in a timely matter had been important for years. It wasn’t until he met Heidi that he had settled down for a longer period than I was accustomed to.
I only noticed three of the other cabins seemed to be occupied. Jace went over to the main office to grab all of our keys while we all got out and stretched our legs. The trip had been harrowing at some points but I had driven the whole time.
“You did good,” Remy said proudly as he wrapped his arms from behind me and kissed my temple.
I smiled up at him. “Thank you, I had a good and patient teacher.”
“Don’t thank me yet, we still need to teach you parallel parking,” Remy joked.
“Completely useless,” Jemmy stated as she walked up towards us. “I’ve never had to parallel park yet, and I’ve been driving for two years.”
“Please do not take drivers ed advice from Jemmy.” Jaxson sauntered up to us with a wide grin. He clapped his hands together. “Where’s the ski shop? Because I need to get on the slopes ASAP!”
“We need to get settled in and help set up the brain’s equipment,” Troy reminded him as he stretched his arms up over his head, his tan skin and happy trail peeking out.
I couldn’t even pretend to not stare. They were still able to turn me on every day. I couldn’t get enough of them. The more I got to know them and the more our relationships grew the more I wanted—no I needed them.
Wanna find the hot tub? Troy asked in my head with a cocky little grin.
I couldn’t resist the urge to stick my tongue out at him. To drown you in, I teased back.
If we get in the hot tub, the only time I’ll be in danger of drowning is if I’m under water, worshiping that sweet space between your legs. He gave me a suggestive wink.
I quickly turned, feeling the warmth spread between my thighs once my overreactive imagination conjured up the images of his suggestions. Troy chuckled huskily knowing the effect his words had on me.
Jace came back with our keys and started handing them out. We had the same amount of people we had on the last mission. Even though the Illinois team wasn’t the most skilled or trained, they had heart, and they had already shown improvement since we went on our last mission. They stayed longer after training was completed and sought additional help from us and the trainers. They put over one hundred percent of themselves in everything they did.
We all gathered in a tight circle.
“We’re setting the brains up in cabin 1. No one goes anywhere or does anything without seeing and going to them first.” Jace pointedly looked at Jemmy and Jaxson who had been the most restless to get on the slopes. “No one is to go off on their own. Even if you decide to hang out with another team, both team leads need to know where you’re going, and you need to have your phones on you at all times.
“The first course of action is to drop our gear off into our cabins, and then the brains need their headquarters set up. No one is dismissed or able to go off until the brains release you. Copy?”
We all nodded and immediately went to grab our bags. I went to grab my bag but Remy immediately took it out of my hand. I gave him a look of exasperation and he shrugged. “It’s slippery out here, and you don’t have the proper shoes yet.”
I huffed but I knew resistance was futile. I followed Jace to the cabin assigned to me, my guys, Kade, Gavin, Sierra, and Jemmy.
The teams had been rearranged for this mission. Each team was assigned to one cabin. They had tried to place us in cabins with the people we were naturally drawn to. However, the Nons were all split up between the other gifted teams. We were the only team without any Nons on it. We knew teams might change again based on the mission, but this is what we were beginning with.
I gasped once more as I entered the cabin. The outside didn’t do the inside justice. Inside was a large open area. The kitchen, dining room, and living room were all in one place, a huge fire place, already lit, dominated the middle of the room. The back wall was filled with nothing but large windows and doors that led out to a sizable deck complete with hot tub.
Two sets of stairs led up to a balcony where I counted seven closed doors. I looked over to my right and left and noticed three additional closed doors. I saw a look pass between Jemmy, Jax, and Noah before they took off running up the stairs. Noah ran up the farther stair case, while Jaxson and Jemmy pushed each other to go up the other.
“What in the−?” Kade asked in confusion.
“The children are looking for the best rooms,” Jace said with a small smile. He grabbed my hand and gave me a knowing smile. He led me to the left of the kitchen and slid open a barn door. Behind the doors was a large spacious bedroom that I assumed was the master, complete with a walk-in closet and master bathroom.
“There are more rooms down stairs, too.” Jace poked his head back out the door to tell the others before he turned back to me. “I already talked to Gavin, and he was okay with you taking the master.”
“Why?” I asked mystified. “I really don’t need all this,” I said halfheartedly. I really did like the idea of spreading out on the king size bed with one of my guys tonight.
“You deserve it. You’ve been bed hopping for months now, and we figured while we’re here we can come visit you in your room,” Drake said quietly from the doorway as he leaned against the frame. Troy and Remy were right behind him.
“You didn’t clue Jaxson, Jemmy, and Noah in, did you?” I laughed.
Remy raised a brow at me. “What do you think? Besides, if they would have studied the mission briefing they would have seen the plans for each one of the cabins.”
I ducked my head. I have to admit I had skimmed over that page as well. Again, when they said cabin, that’s the image that was conjured up in my head. A small rustic abode− not this extravagant monstrosity. I didn’t really care where we stayed. The children were upset at me, and I currently lived in a six hundred or so square foot apartment.
“You can start unpacking. We’re going to put our stuff in our rooms, and then we’re going to help set up Ops,” Troy grabbed my upper arms and kissed my forehead.
“I’m going to help, too,” I said resolutely. “The sooner we get done, the sooner we can go grocery shopping. I’m hungry.” I smiled.
We had stopped at a fast food joint on the way here, but I hadn’t been terribly hungry then. I had only grabbed a couple items off the dollar menu. Now I was famished.
“We’re having it delivered. I already placed our order online last night,” Drake explained with a smile. “The local grocery store delivers to all the resorts around here. I already told the other team leads, too, just in case they wanted to place their orders.”
I stood up on my tiptoes and grabbed his face to pull down to mine. “I love how prepared you always are.”
“Can we convince you to stay here so you can unpack and get a little of your school work done before we head out to get our snow gear?” Jace gently prodded.
He said the right words. The only thing that could convince me to not help was my school work.
I submitted my paper and the
n opened up my math ‘workbook.’ I pulled out my notebook and transferred the problem over to my paper. After I worked out the problem, I plugged the answer into the computer. I continued doing that for the next twenty-four problems before I hit submit. Within seconds, my grade popped up. 92% popped up on my screen.
They gave me an option to redo the problems I got wrong to gain two points back per problem. I confirmed the redo and reworked the problems. I silently cursed myself for the simple mistakes I made. It didn’t take me long to get them correct and my grade came back as a ninety-six percent.
When I first started school at Knightstown, I thought some of their methods were unconventional but after being in the school for some time, I was pleased with it. Some of the classes had the option to ‘fix’ your mistakes. Like math. Which made sense to me now.
“Can you proof read this for me and check my outline?” Kade asked from the couch. His hair had gotten longer, and it was in disarray. His frustrations were mounting as he worked on his English paper.
I looked up with a smile. We had both elected for comfort over practicality. We both had changed into comfy clothes, and I had taken over one side of the huge wrap-around couch and using ottoman for my over flow, while he was on the opposite end with the same exact set up.
He was more scientifically and mathematically inclined. He hated English and struggled with it, but breezed through all his math and science problems.
“Sure,” I said as I put my notebook away. It was pretty convenient that I was done and he needed my help. I was now officially done with all my catch-up work and working on next weeks assignment.
I had already emailed my professors and requested the assignments for anything they have may have prepared for the week after the holidays. Some of them had already sent me the links and assignments for them.
He slid his laptop over to me, and I promptly began to read his paper. “Did you do a spell check?” I asked as I stumbled across his third misspelled word. I laughed. “They’re highlighted for a reason.”
“Gah,” he muttered as he stood up and stretched. He stumbled over to the fridge as the doorbell rang. “There aren’t any drinks.” He frowned as he turned around.
I leaned over and saw a man in a red uniform standing at the front door. “That’s probably him now,” I stated with an exasperated smile. “Maybe you should help him unload while I continue looking at your paper.” I stated as I fixed some of his misspelled words.
“K,” he shrugged as he headed towards the door.
“The Bells?” the man asked as Kade opened the door. He looked like a college student, barely older than myself.
Kade fidgeted for a moment before nodding. “That’s us,” he peered around the man and starting putting on his shoes. “That’s a lot of groceries.” He whistled.
The man chuckled. “Tell me about it. I have two more deliveries to make up here. You guys ordered at the right time. Where do you want me to put it?”
“We can put it on the counter,” Kade said as he ambled past the man.
“It’s all good, dude. I can get it all,” the guy said.
“My sister said I have to help,” Kade said over his shoulder, relief evident in his voice.
I laughed to myself as I stood up. It sounded like they may need help. I could finish his paper when we were done.
It was the first time I heard him call me his sister. It kind of warmed my heart. I knew we could never replace his other family, but I wanted him to understand that new families were created every day. We shared the same blood, but it didn’t have to be all that we shared. We could become a family, too.
I slipped on my shoes and noticed what they meant. His little pick-up was filled with groceries. All neatly piled in canvas bags.
“I’ll help,” I told the guy as he entered the kitchen.
He gave me an appreciative smile after I noticed him checking me out. I nearly snorted. I had changed into a pair of yoga pants, Troy’s tournament hoodie, and my hair was haphazardly thrown into a messy bun.
“You here with your parents?” he asked casually, too casually, as he walked back out with me to his truck.
Kade was carrying up several bags of groceries and must have overheard and started to laugh uproariously. “No, dude.”
I noticed his use of the other guys’ slang and had to hide my own smile.
Drake and Jaxson came jogging up to the truck as we reached it. “Hey, perfect timing,” Drake smiled as he grabbed several bags. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Did you get any work done?”
I laughed as I noticed the guy watching us avidly. “You guys have been gone for nearly two hours. What do you think?”
Jaxson laughed. “We had to help the other’s unload their bags,” he gave the other guy a curious look as if he noticed his interest. “Then Terrance wanted to show us his game room that they have in their basement. They have a pretty sweet set up over there.”
The guy snorted and laughed simultaneously. “Mr. Banks didn’t skimp on these cabins. You normally have to have the whole month of December through February reserved a year in advance. I was surprised to see our regulars chose to vacate or cancel their plans this close to Christmas and during the peak skiing season.”
I exchanged a glance with the guys but smiled charmingly. “We were so happy to find out that there was so many cancellations ourselves.”
“You guys big skiers?” the guys asked skeptically as he looked down at our shoes.
“Let’s go shopping then boarding!” Jemmy squealed as she came running into the house. She stopped short as she looked at all the bags of groceries. She turned to leave, and I knew her intentions.
I was glad for her interruption as the guy looked at us once more before shrugging and turning to get more bags.
“Oh no you don’t, get back here. You’re helping us unload if you’re going to be eating the food,” I yelled at her retreating back.
She turned around with a pout. “You’re so mean,” she said like a sullen child as she dragged her feet to the kitchen.
“And just don’t throw things in the cabinets just because you’re too lazy to put them away correctly,” Drake added.
Jemmy turned and glared at him. That’s exactly what she would have done, too.
Jaxson laughed. “You know he won’t let us leave unless it’s put away right.”
“Well, Jace said we were released to go,” Jemmy said smugly.
“After we help Drake,” Sierra teased as she came in with more grocery bags. She promptly began to unpack the bags into the cabinets.
I laughed as I started to unload the cold food into the refrigerator. “Got you.”
Jemmy huffed loudly. “You know Drake will purposely nit pick at the way we put everything away, and then we won’t be able to get our gear. We still have time to hit the slopes before they close.”
Grocery guy laughed as he came back into the kitchen. “They’re the only slopes around that close at midnight six days a week. That’s why I don’t mind working this shift. I can go to school, then work, and still have time to board after I get off.”
I noticed how he was now checking out Jemmy. I had to laugh at how noticeable he was being. He had zero game.
“Mind if I join you tonight?” Grocery guy asked as he leaned against the counter.
“Sure, that’ll be great. As a local, you should know all the best slopes,” Gavin drawled as he came into the kitchen and put an arm around Jemmy.
I had to hide my amusement into the fridge. It was the first time I had ever noticed Gavin having a jealous bone in his body. I hadn’t noticed that Grocery guy was actually attractive. He looked like he would be a snowboarder, with his longish dark brown hair and laughing hazel eyes.
Grocery guy looked put out for a moment. “No problem dude.” He handed Jemmy his phone. “Put your number in my phone, and I’ll hit you up after I get off work.”
The guy had big cajones, I’ll give him that. He still seemed determined to hit on
Jemmy, even with Gavin by her side. I shouldn’t have been surprised that his interest in me had waned when he saw Jemmy. I felt no jealousy. I was a realist. She belonged on the covers of magazines.
Jemmy took it, much to our shock and put her number in.
“Thanks, Jemmy,” he gave her a huge smile. “I’ll hit you up.” He turned and started walking back out the door.
“This is the last of it,” Troy said as he followed Kade and Jace into the house.
“Thanks,” Jace said as he used his free hand to slip the guy some cash.
The guy looked momentarily taken aback. He grinned even wider. “Thanks, dude.”
“Dude, you shouldn’t have tipped him,” Jaxson said as the door closed. Then he turned on Jemmy. “Did you really just give him your number?!”
I was surprised at the anger he was exhibiting. Gavin had stepped back from Jemmy as Sierra looked torn between the both of them.
Jemmy looked at him and snorted. “No.”
“Then who’s number did you put it?” Gavin asked, his eyebrows knitted together.
“What just happened?” Troy asked in confusion.
Kade snorted. “Grocery dude was hitting on Blake when he first got here. Then he started hitting on Jemmy.”
Jaxson frowned as he looked at me. “Was he hitting on you?”
I shrugged and tried to deflect it back on Jemmy. “He offered to hit the slopes with Jemmy and asked for her number. Whose number did you give him?” I asked suspiciously.
It worked because Jaxson turned on her once again. “I saw the area code. It was our area code!”
Jemmy nodded trying to look repentant. “It was.”
Gavin looked momentarily hurt and surprised, before she quickly added. “With your number.” She said with a gleeful smile.
Jaxson’s jaw dropped. “My number? You gave that dude my number?”
“Why are we saying dude now?” Troy said with laughter lurking in his eyes.
“Dude started it,” Kade chuckled as he unloaded some groceries.
“Time out! Did you really give him my number?” Jaxson exclaimed.