“I just need to know,” he said with a low voice. “Based on your past experience with her, do you think she would do something at this competition to hurt you?”
My teeth sunk into my lower lip until the pain finally had me responding, “I… I don’t know. I want to say no. I want to tell you that it’s all talk and venom, but she went and injured herself to try to blame it on me, and it didn’t work. I don’t know what happens when that kind of hatred brews inside of you for five years.”
When he didn’t say anything else, I followed the tense lines of his throat up to the clenched muscles in his jaw and finally, landed on the cool determination in his stare.
“Why are you asking?” I breathed, feeling in my gut that there was something more here than just what my past had provoked.
He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends before resting his lower back against the edge of the kitchen counter, a model of frustrated uncertainty.
“The other day I overheard her talking with the head of Ski Patrol. She was asking about the protocol for the equipment storage at the resort, specifically about the keycard security measures.”
“And?”
His shoulders slumped. “That’s it.” Worry and skepticism bled together as he glanced over to me. “It’s dumb. I heard nothing basically. She could have been asking for herself. I just—fuck.” He pounded a fist onto the countertop. “I just feel like there’s more. The way she’s talked about you, to you. The way she looked at me when I interrupted their conversation—I saw that same look on her face from the article where you two fought.”
My head fell. Of course, I rationally assumed that he either knew or looked it up or somehow had some idea about my past before tonight. Still, to hear him admit it made me shudder.
“She looked at me like she was proud of herself for her plan. And I just… I swear to God, if she does something to you, Jac…”
“Hey.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, forcing myself in his face. “I’m going to be fine. She can’t… get to my skis if I have the only key. Plus, I check and triple check everything with Danny before the race. One of us would catch if the DIN on my bindings was changed the same way she’d altered hers all those years ago. Even if she got to my skis and changed something, we would find it.”
He groaned and dropped his forehead onto mine.
“Princess, I’m going to tell you something else, but I need you to understand that I don’t know if I can stop myself from doing it even if you ask.”
I gulped. He couldn’t confront her. It wouldn’t work. If five years couldn’t dull her hatred, he definitely couldn’t.
“I want to talk to a private investigator.”
My eyes bugged as my mouth parted. “What?”
“I don’t trust her. I’m sorry, but I don’t. And you can’t stand here and tell me that she’s not insane enough to try to hurt you, when trying to hurt herself didn’t work the last time.” His tortured expression drove right into my heart and jumpstarted its heavy beat. “I know you can take care of yourself. I know you think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell she could sabotage your stuff. But it’s not enough for me.”
I stared at him blankly for a moment before I started shaking my head no. It was too much.
“No, I can’t… I don’t want—” I broke off, ignoring the growl of thunder that came from his chest. “I’m sorry, Kyle. But it’s too much. It’s going to be fine. I’m going to be fine. I’m not going to risk my reputation—risk the press finding out I had someone watching her when I was the one accused of going after her first. I’m sorry,” I went on with repetitious insistence. “I think this is all just for show. It’s all just Andrea looking to get a rise out of me in order to play the victim once more. That’s all she wants from life: to play the victim and make me out to be the villain.”
“Jac—”
“No,” I repeated angrily, the tension cracking in the air between us. “I said no. It’ll only make everything worse. She’s not going to do anything. She just likes to antagonize.”
Our eyes locked for long, hard seconds, both of us unwilling to back down.
Just because I told him about my past, about Evan, didn’t mean I needed this. If anyone found out that I hired a PI to look into Andrea, my reputation would truly be ruined. They would spin it that I was looking for one more way to mercilessly take out the competition. Even if he had a reason to be concerned, I could take care of myself. I’d notice if she did anything to my skis.
“This is who I am, Kyle. And I’ve been doing this… dealing with this for a long time. She hasn’t done anything, she isn’t going to do anything, and I don’t want you to do anything,” I insisted firmly.
He wasn’t going to give in; I could see the war going on in his eyes and I could see the chivalrous side of him winning out because it always did. But this was who I was and if he couldn’t accept that, then maybe he should go.
“Okay,” he said with a low voice and my eyes flinched wide with surprise. “I won’t… for now.”
My mouth opened to interject, but he didn’t let me, cupping my face and planting his lips on mine.
“If something else happens. If I hear anything else. If I see anything else from her...” He growled against my lips. “I’m not taking any chances. Not with you.”
My lips thinned. I wanted to tell him no again, that I didn’t need all of this. But Andrea got what she wanted from me—a reaction. That’s all she ever wanted, to make me lose my cool, to know that she could get inside my head.
Even though I was strong, even though I could take care of myself, hearing him say those words sent a warm tingle down my spine.
I’d told him no and he still fought to protect me. As much as I didn’t need him to, I’d never wanted to feel protected until this moment. I never thought I’d like the feeling. Resting my cheek against the beat in his chest, I let the steady rhythm sink that thought deeper and deeper into my heart.
We stayed like that for several long moments.
Evan had broken a lot of things that day on the mountain aside from his back—our relationship, my view of the world, my view of what I deserved, they all were fractured. I fooled myself into thinking I put the pieces back together when all I did was freeze them in place, knowing the second I melted I would fall apart again.
And tonight, I had. But it wasn’t anything like I thought it would be.
Kyle listened. He didn’t question. He didn’t demand. He didn’t confront me. He let the truth slowly melt out of me, and then he held me and told me it wasn’t my fault; his words became the glue the pieces of me needed.
I didn’t care what the media thought, what my fellow competitors thought, or what the world thought of me; I held the gold and my talent should speak for itself. It made a name for me, that was for sure. And for a long time, I thought my name would be enough to satisfy me.
And then I saw Prince Charming standing at the bar, looking like he’d take down the world to save me, and suddenly the only name I started to care about having was his.
“Spend Christmas with me.” It wasn’t a question as his lips brushed over mine.
This time, I didn’t pause.
I’d been running in order to hide the truth I’d just revealed. But now he knew—and he was still here. Still wanting me.
And I was tired of fighting that I wanted him, too.
Cinching my arms around his neck, I molded myself against him, letting the last of my ice melt from between us.
“Okay.”
“YOU SURE IT’S OKAY THAT I come?” I slid my eyes to Kyle, trying to keep my body relaxed in the passenger seat of his truck even though I was nervous.
Me… Nervous.
I’d competed in the Olympics, but this… spending Christmas with Kyle and his friends… made me nervous.
My fingers toyed with my hair as my elbow rested on the joint between the door and window. I didn’t regret my choice. There wasn’t anywhere else I wanted
to be today—not even on the mountain. But that didn’t change how I felt.
I hadn’t had a someone special in a long time. And I hadn’t met anyone special to my special someone in, well, ever.
Even though they were his friends, and I’d briefly met Jessa at the gym and Channing on the mountain, I had a reputation—a reputation I was afraid that preceded me.
I let out a small gasp as Kyle’s hand closed over my free one and tugged it up to my lips. My eyes widened as the warm pressure of his lips branded the back of my hand, sending a searing heat straight through to my core.
“Positive.”
I acknowledged him with a small nod. “And you’re sure this is all we need?” I glanced down to the two White Elephant gifts we’d picked up yesterday—a set of Storm Trooper mugs and a special edition of Friends Monopoly.
“Yes.” He chuckled, using one hand to turn the truck up a partially obscured driveway. “Gifts and ugly sweaters was Jessa’s instruction.”
I grumbled under my breath that I hoped so.
“Hey,” he claimed my attention and commanded, “Read the sweater.”
My eyes dropped to his ugly Star Wars Christmas sweater—Darth Vader in a Santa hat with the phrase, ‘I find your lack of cheer disturbing.’ The sight brought a smile to my face.
“I’m cheerful,” I assured him.
Meanwhile, my bright red sweater was adorned with various icons of Storm Troopers, C-3POs, R2D2s, and spaceships, and read in the center, ‘Merry Sith-mas.’
“Wow.” My jaw dropped as we pulled up to a picturesque wooded chalet, the kind I’d seen a few times while skiing in Switzerland.
I drank in the sight of the rich, wooded beams that characterized the house along with the large windows framed by snow-covered evergreens, all adorned with twinkle lights, as Kyle pulled up and parked behind a black Range Rover.
“Let’s go.”
I turned to see Kyle holding my door open for me, missing the part where he’d turned off the truck and walked around to be my ever-present gentleman.
“Thanks.” I grabbed our gift bags and hopped down.
If there was a moment for my anxiety to peak, Kyle stole that with a hard, hot kiss against my mouth as he closed the door behind me.
“Kyle! Jac!” A holly-wearing pink head darted out from the garage and pulled me into a warm hug.
“Hi.” My arms moved awkwardly around Jessa at first but quickly got the hang of the whole hug thing.
“I’m so happy you both could come,” she went on as she briefly hugged Kyle and escorted us into the house. “Your sweaters are awesome!”
“Thank you.” I smiled, taking in her ugly Christmas garb at the same time.
The holly crown was the tip of the iceberg. Her sweater, though patterned with more holly and Christmas bells, was a tie-dyed blend of tropical colors and written on the front was ‘Merry-la Croixmas.’
“This place is beautiful,” I murmured, noting to myself to ask about her sweater later.
Jessa beamed over her shoulder. “Thanks! The Ryders kept this place for their kids, but then Channing moved in with Wyatt. Ally with Emmett. So, Chance and I have been making it our own over this last year.”
I tried to place names and faces and connections as she spoke but lost track when she opened the door from the garage to the house and I was hit with the warm, welcoming aroma of vanilla and pine.
We stepped into the spacious living room that still managed to feel cozy with its rich brown leather sofas and crackling fire surrounding a very real Christmas tree that looked close to crumbling under the weight of the lights and ornaments that decorated it. Continuing to scan the room, I noted the three candles burning on the coffee table, realizing where the aroma infusing the room had come from.
Beyond the couches was a smaller kitchen table followed by the kitchen. High ceilings and high-tech appliances were hidden by the group of people standing around the counter.
“Guys! Look who’s here!”
The group turned to greet us and the next few minutes was an assembly line of hugs and introductions, new faces blending with familiar ones.
“Good to see you again, Jac,” Channing Ryder greeted me, her short blonde hair pulled in a similar careless fashion as mine—though she also wore a holly crown. “This is my boyfriend, Wyatt Olsen.”
The name and face collided in my mind. He had a reputation on the mountain just like I did, and I waited for the look of skepticism and judgment to come… but it never did.
“Jac Blanchard.” Instead, his Canadian accent came out just as friendly as his smile as he extended a hand. “I’ve a feeling we’ve probably seen each other at some point over the years, but it’s nice to finally meet you.” His grip was firm as he shook my hand. “I’ve caught a couple videos of your winning races. Really impressive.”
Breathing a small sigh of relief, I felt Kyle’s comforting presence behind me, his hand never leaving the small of my back.
I murmured my thanks and tacked on, “I hear your skills on one board are something similar.”
He smiled, and I could see why Channing had fallen for him.
“Don’t tell him that. It goes right to his head,” another attractive man said as he stepped up beside Channing.
It took only a second with their faces right next to each other with their matching blue eyes to realize he must be Channing’s twin brother and Jessa’s boyfriend.
“Chance,” he introduced himself with a grin.
“Don’t listen to him,” Wyatt countered. “It’s not my fault I’m the best.”
I laughed because it sounded like something I would say.
“Hey, I’m all healed up, Olsen.” Chance raised his arms and teased, “We can settle this any time you want.”
“Okay, boys. That’s enough,” Jessa chided as she appeared underneath one of her boyfriend’s arms. “Don’t make me bust out the rolling pin again,” she warned Chance as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Oh, you mean the weapon you were about to use to harm me for entering my own home—a home you were trespassing in?” he teased back lovingly.
She let out a loud gasp. “I was not trespassing.” Jessa looked to me. “Ally told me I could stay here while a mold situation was being taken care of at my apartment,” she explained, repeated, “I wasn’t trespassing.”
“Haven’t been able to get rid of her since,” Chance chimed in with a wicked grin.
“Oh, really?” she sassed. “You want to get rid of me? I can certainly—” Her boyfriend cut her off with a hard kiss and then murmured something in her ear that turned her cheeks almost as pink as her hair.
Clearing her throat, Jessa turned away from Chance even though it was obvious her attention was still captured by him and whatever promises he’d just made, and she tried to step back into her hostess shoes, asking, “Can I get either of you a drink? I’ve got some warm, mulled cider on the stove if you want.”
I chuckled. “Just some water would be great.”
“Oh, God…” Chance groaned as Jessa’s face lit up with excitement. “Not the water…”
She slapped his stomach and gave me her full attention. “Do you want sparkling water? I have a whole selection of La Croix flavors in the fridge—I have a small obsession,” she exclaimed.
And now the sweater made sense.
“Whichever you like the best.”
“Oh, man.” She tapped on her lip and disappeared in the direction of the fridge, her presence replaced by a smaller blonde.
“The only thing worse than having her pick a favorite candle, is telling her to choose her favorite La Croix.” The woman beamed a bright smile and I noticed those same blue eyes again; she must be the younger sister. “I’m Ally—Chance and Channing’s sister. And this is my boyfriend, Emmett.”
The taller man with buzzed red hair appeared by her side, sinking a hand around her waist as he greeted me.
“Emmett owns King’s Boards. His shop is up at the resort,�
� Kyle told me and I nodded, vaguely remembering seeing a sign with that name. “And this,” he paused as another younger man joined our group, “is Tyler. He’s a cousin of theirs.”
“Good to meet… you.” My greeting was broken when I realized it wasn’t the elf hat or the Santa sweater that made me question his sanity, but the fact that he was wearing matching Santa shorts.
Shorts. In this weather.
It was warm inside. Maybe he’d changed—
“You wear those shorts here, man?” Kyle asked as he shook Tyler’s hand.
The short-wearing elf smirked. “You know it.”
Never mind.
“You’re going to be waiting a while for that water,” a tall brunette chimed in as Kyle, Tyler and Emmett spun off into their own conversation.
I looked to the fridge where Jessa was stuck trying to decide which can to bring me.
“I didn’t realize the struggle I was causing,” I replied with a small laugh.
“I’m Tammy,” the woman introduced herself with a smile that washed a sense of calm over me.
“Yeah, she’s going to be awhile,” Ally chuckled.
“Jessa! Just bring her the tangerine lime,” Channing yelled over her shoulder with a small roll of her eyes before she nodded to the last person in the room. “Frost, come meet Jac.”
“Jac, this is Nick Frost and his daughter, Lila.” Impersonal eyes and a coldly carved face appeared next to Tammy muttering a brief greeting.
His cold felt familiar—until Tammy picked up the little girl and he looked at the two of them; any harshness I’d first seen completely disappeared.
“Alright!” Jessa yelled, drawing everyone’s attention as she strolled through the crowd to hand me a tangerine lime La Croix. “The Christmas taco dip is ready. Let’s move into the living room for snacks and presents!”
Kyle’s arm came around my waist just as I turned to look for him.
“Christmas taco dip?” I questioned.
“Don’t ask,” Kyle warned with a light laugh.
“Jessa thinks taco dip is a holiday staple for every holiday,” Ally murmured wryly as she walked by me with Emmett’s hands lock possessively on her waist.
The Winter Games Box Set Page 163