by Cari Quinn
The odor of roasted beef reaches my nose and my stomach growls. I venture into the kitchen. The sound of metal brushing against a pan greets me as Megan makes gravy. “Everything looks great, including you. Pink is definitely your color.” We exchange a quick air kiss as she continues to whisk. Nick and Jason are over by the fire, chatting.
“Thanks. I’m so glad Jason came too. How’s it going?”
“So far, so good.”
“So are you still ready to explode?” She starts to giggle.
Nick walks over to us. “Explode? Oh God, Casey, are you still in that predicament?” He teases.
My face heats up. Jason has a questioning look on his face. I close my eyes and shake my head. “When I open my eyes, you two will stop. Got it?”
Jason’s arm wraps around me. “Do I want to know?”
I open my eyes to Nick and Megan’s laughter. Nick stops and says, “Let’s just say you’re about to be a lucky man.” He pats Jason on the arm and raises his eyebrows at me.
It’s time to turn the focus away from me. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you guys. Poster Gretchen will be here in a couple of days. She’s following a coach here and will be living with me.”
“Poster Gretchen? You mean the girl in the Burton poster at the shop?” Megan doesn’t sound thrilled. I know why. Gretchen and her smoking-hot body are the subject of a snowboard ad. She’s in a bikini with snowboard boots and a Burton board. Standing in the snow, there is a blurry log cabin behind her. Little boys are standing on the porch. The caption reads, “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.”
“You know Poster Gretchen?” Nick chuckles.
“You guys have no idea.” Jason rolls his eyes. He likes Gretchen, but I know he thinks she’s a bad influence on me.
A knock at the door interrupts us. When it opens, I’m struck by what a good-looking couple Lori and Kaleb are. Lori is wearing a green silk bustier and high-wasted black silk pants. They give the impression of long legs even on her petite body. I point to the mistletoe and give each one a kiss. “Kaleb, you look handsome tonight.” His sweater is a bit tight, showing off his muscular build. “And you look fabulous.” I give Lori a wink.
The sound of plates rattling comes from the kitchen. Megan calls out. “You two are just in time. Dinner is almost ready.”
Dinner goes on for hours. Get six instructors together and the stories never end. At eleven, Megan looks tired, and I realize we all have to work tomorrow. Fortunately, we have cleaned in spurts and there is nothing left to be done other than the table linens.
“Jason, we should get going.”
We all rise from the table to exchange hugs, kisses, and holiday greetings. When we get to the car, there are a couple of inches of snow on it, but it’s wiped off within moments. I’ve just shifted into second gear when Jason asks, “So, want to tell me what Nick meant by exploding?” Damn. I guess I might as well tell him. I wouldn’t want him to keep something like this from me.
“Blaine and I never… I never slept with him. You’re the last person I was with, and they think I might explode.” I realize that sounds like I’m sharing my sex life with them. “Blaine is gay.”
“Whoa, he’s gay? I saw you kiss him last summer, and it sure didn’t look like he was gay.”
“I know. He was trying to be straight, and I had no idea.” Right now, telling Jason this doesn’t seem like a good plan. “The whole thing was too weird for words.”
“Casey?”
I sigh. “Yeah?”
“If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t been with anyone since you either.” It does make me feel better. He snorts. “Maybe we can explode together.”
I chuckle. “You’re such a charmer.” Maybe? I want to be with him tonight. Except it needs to be him asking me. We’re almost at his house, and I wonder what he has in mind.
Snow is covering the lights on the trees in the yard. Little dots of glowing color wink at us. I put the car in park and turn to him. I remember his gift. “I have a little something for you.” The paper rustles as I grab the present from the back seat. “Open it tomorrow morning.”
“Is this from Santa?” A boyish grin lights his face, and my heart constricts with joy.
“It is.” I lean over and kiss him. His tongue meets mine. It’s a slow, sexy kiss, and desire simmers below the surface. When he pulls away, a yawn escapes.
“I’m exhausted. Those kids wear me out.”
A twinge of disappointment dampens the heat in my belly. “Merry Christmas, Jason.”
He hugs his gift. “Merry Christmas. And thank you.”
I watch as lights color his movement toward the door. I back out and imagine him tomorrow morning. The smell of his sleepy, morning skin fogs my mind as I tremble with pent-up emotions.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Our boots squeak as we walk to the Kids’ Castle. The blue sky and bright sun tease us with the promise of warmth, but it’s bitter cold today. I say, “I think we have too much hot chocolate in our future.”
Jason claps his gloved hands together to keep warm blood flowing. “That means a day full of bathroom trips too, right?” He chuckles. I know he’s remembering the little boy that almost sprayed him with pee when Jason made the mistake of asking a question mid-stream.
My phone vibrates with a text. It’s Blaine. “Decided to get a week of Breck skiing in for the holidays. I’ll be in the locker room later today and will look for you.”
My heart warms. It will be so good to see him. I doubt we can ski together, but I would like to catch up on his life now. I text back. “Would love to see you. Merry Christmas!”
Jason holds the door open for me. “Who was that?”
“Blaine’s in town for the week. I’ll probably grab a coffee with him after work. Want to come?” We’ve entered mayhem, and Jason has to raise his voice.
“No, you enjoy catching up. I would just be a third wheel.” He sounds sincere, and when I look at his face I can tell all is well.
The workday flies by as Jason and the kids have me laughing and not minding the brisk temperature one bit.
Cold moisture cuts through me as we walk back to the locker room. “You’re relentless. I can’t believe you tried to squeeze into my boots.” I look over at Jason’s big grin.
“I can’t help it, you make a great target. Thanks for being such a good sport.”
I snort. “Yeah, well, you know what they say about payback. Tomorrow, look out.” I lift my face to the sky. “A storm is coming. Think we’ll get a good dump?”
“Don’t know. I haven’t checked the weather report.” Jason tromps down the metal staircase with ease.
He holds the door open as I walk through. A blond ponytail sways. Jess is talking to Blaine. He catches my eye and breaks into a big smile. Ignoring Jess, he calls out and walks toward me. “Casey!”
I meet him, and strong arms pick me up off my feet in a big hug. “It’s so great to see you.” As he sets me down, I turn to look for Jason, but he’s already gone to his locker.
I turn back to Blaine. “How was your ski day?”
“Amazing. And tomorrow will be too. They predict a couple of feet.” His face glows. I feel a trickle of jealousy thinking about skiing powder with Blaine instead of a class full of children.
“Wish I could join you.” I sigh. “But hey. Let me grab my stuff, and let’s go get coffee. I want to hear all about what you’re doing these days.”
“Sounds like a plan. I even have presents for you from Clara and the kids.” I hear a deep voice say, “Blaine!” He nods to another instructor behind me. “I’ll go catch up with Greg while you get your things.”
I turn the corner as Jason slams his locker shut and twirls the lock. “Have a good time.” He gives me a kiss on the top of my head.
I waste no time changing. Excitement builds as I think about presents. I wonder what the kids gave me. An image of Blaine with blue glitter polish on his nails pops into my mind. Gosh, I miss th
ose kids. And Clara. I let out a sigh as Blaine walks down the aisle toward me.
“I used to have my locker in this row. Right here.” He slaps Jason’s locker. Weird. “Ready?”
“Yup.” I yank my bag out of the narrow locker and snap my lock shut.
As we walk out of the locker room, Jess cuts me off and steps next to Blaine. “I have tomorrow off if you want to ski.” She leans into him and looks up at him with big eyes. “I’m much better this year.”
Blaine has a strained smile on his face as he steps away to get space. “Ah, sure. I’m meeting Matt for first chair, but I can ski with you when he goes to lineup.” Poor Blaine, he is too kind to that girl.
Jess gushes on. “Oh, good. I’ve really missed you. It will be so great to spend time together.” Yeah, I’ll bet she’s mentally sharpening her hooks. Jess pushes open the locker room door and cold air hits my face. She asks, “Do you need a ride anywhere?” Oh, my God, I swear her voice just raised an octave.
We trudge through the snowdrifts in the parking lot. “No, thanks. Casey and I are headed to The Baked Bean.”
I realize he left the door open for her to squeeze in on our time together. I speak before she can. “He’ll see you tomorrow, Jess. Bye!” I wave at her as I grab Blaine’s arm and pull him toward my car.
When she is out of earshot, I speak. “You’re way too nice. Do you really want to waste a good powder day skiing with her?” I unlock his door.
“No.” He sighs. “That’s me. Mr. Nice Guy.” He slides into the passenger seat and reaches over to flip up the lock button of my door.
The car groans with the cold when I pull open my door. I climb in behind the wheel. “Well, you can do what you want, but just know she’ll be flirting with you all day.” I turn the key in the ignition and shift to reverse. “Good luck with that.” I shake my head.
“Maybe I’ll tell her the truth.”
I stop the car and look at him. “Maybe you should.” I shift to first. “Are you ready to do that?”
“I think I am. I told Matt last night at dinner. If I tell Jess, that will take care of everyone else.” He chuckles and nods. “Now that I think about it, that’s not such a bad idea.”
I smile proudly and reach a hand over to his knee. “Sounds like you’re doing really well. That makes me happy.”
“I am. How about you?”
I see a spot in front of The Baked Bean and set up to parallel park. “My life is pretty great too. Being an instructor is the best job I’ve ever had.”
“It’s the best job I ever had too.” He pulls himself out of the car and jingles change in his pocket as he looks for quarters. I lock the car and meet him on the sidewalk as he feeds the meter. The windows of the coffee shop are steamed up, and the aroma of warm bagels floats through the air. Blaine pulls open the door, and the rumble of conversations envelops us.
“Skinny latte and some kind of cake?” Blaine has a twinkle in his eye because he thinks it odd to have a diet drink with a fattening dessert.
“You know it.” I say.
He pulls his wallet out of his backpack. “My treat. I have a real job now. Go find us a table.”
I take his pack from him. “Okay, pick me something—”
“Chocolate. Don’t worry, I remember.”
I chuckle as I scan the room for an open spot. Great, Jess is here. I turn far away from where she is. No way am I letting her horn in on us.
I find a small table near the window and fall into the oversized wooden chair. The hollowed-out seat hugs my thighs as my body relaxes in exhaustion. Cold days always do this to me. I lean back, close my eyes, and a shiver runs through me.
I open them to the sound of a plastic tray landing on the table. “You brought me heaven on a plate.” There is a huge, decadent-looking piece of chocolate cake and two coffees. “Wait. Where’s yours?” I’m teasing because even I can’t eat that dessert all by myself.
Blaine grins. “Tell you what. I’ll just eat what you can’t finish.”
“Naw, I’m feeling generous today. Here.” I hold out a fork.
He takes a bite and moans. “Oh yeah, this is heaven.”
I put a frosting-heavy piece in my mouth and lick the fork as I pull it out of my mouth. “Uh-huh.” The sweet chocolate races right to my bloodstream. I lean back with my coffee cup in my hands. It’s an oversized mug, and warmth soon soothes my icy fingers.
“Tell me about your job. Is it in engineering?”
“Umm-hmm.” He swallows his coffee. “I work for a solar company. We set up systems for big buildings. My job is to lay out the design and manage the installation.”
“So you get to be outside?”
“I do. And a couple of the guys love to surf. We often catch a few waves before work.” He takes another bite of cake.
“That’s awesome.” I sit forward for more chocolate.
Blaine sets his fork down and reaches for his pack. “I have presents for you.” He unzips the big pocket and pulls out three packages.
“How am I supposed to eat cake when there are presents?”
“It’s all part of my plan to get half.” He sets the gifts on the table and reaches for his fork. “Open the big one first. It’s Clara’s.”
The package is rectangular and flat. I think it’s a framed picture, and I’m anxious to see it. I tear the paper and reveal a photograph of Blaine, the kids, and me. We’re sitting on Benjamin’s floor with the train set up. I clutch it to my chest. “I love it.” Holding it out to Blaine, I ask, “Did you see this?”
“I got the same one. I will treasure it always.” He leans forward. “Now Jenny’s.” He hands me what looks like a shoebox. His eyes shine with tears.
I open the present and my hands wrap around a soft teddy bear just like hers. “Brownie?”
“She said you must be lonely without me and—” His voice cracks and I hear a gulp. “When she misses Daddy, she hugs Brownie tight.” A tear rolls down his cheek.
My eyes well up with tears too. I scoot to the edge of my chair and reach for his hands. He grabs on, and I can almost feel his pain radiate into my fingers.
Releasing my hands, he wipes his eyes with the back of his sleeve. “Okay, this next one is important. I need to get it right.”
He hands me a small velvet box that isn’t wrapped. It snaps open and I find a glass gem in a plastic silver ring. Blaine reaches over and removes it from the box.
“Benjamin wants me to ask if he can marry you.” His warm hand takes mine, and he slips it on my finger. “I was supposed to get on my knee, but let’s just pretend that happened.”
“Oh, Blaine, that is too cute.” I get out of my chair to hug him and he stands to meet me. His arms wrap around me tight. It’s a bittersweet moment as I think about how I had wanted this from him not so long ago. “Tell Benjamin I’ll wait. Thank you, these are such precious gifts.” I pull back to kiss him on the cheek and I notice Jess scowl toward us.
An evil thought overcomes me, and I kiss him on the lips instead. I hold for a moment with the intention of making it look like more. Blaine pulls away and cocks his head at me in question.
I give him a dismissive wave. “I’m sorry. Jess was glaring at us, and I couldn’t help it. I’m awful, I know.” I swipe a stray tear from my cheek.
He shakes his head at me. “I don’t think I’ll ever get girls.”
“You don’t have to.” I chuckle as I watch Jess leave the cafe.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
“Damn it!” My car won’t start. I turn the key in the ignition one more time. I know it’s pointless when I hear just a ticking noise. I must have left something on to drain the battery. I text Heather. “My car won’t start, I’m going to be late. Sorry!” I hope my neighbor is still home.
* * *
I get to the Kids’ Castle just after the groups have all left. I find Heather talking to Blaine by the signs. Her laughter makes me smile as I approach them. “I finally made it. I’m so sorry.”
“No worries. Jess was here to free ski, and I had her suit up for the morning.” Jess is with Jason? And I ruined her date with Blaine? Oh, boy.
“Oh, good. So what should I do until lunch time?”
Heather winks at me. “You should play hooky with me. Blaine and I are off to ski the bowl as long as my radio stays quiet.”
“Sounds great to me.” I hear a hollow thump as I drop my skis and prepare to click in.
Blaine leans over his poles. “Looks like we get to ski together after all.” I flash him a smile and remember how much fun we had last winter.
“Let’s go.” Heather leads the way to the chair.
After an amazing morning of powder, I walk into the chaos of lunch in the Kids’ Castle. The smell of pizza and French fries reminds my stomach I’m hungry. I grab a slice from the kitchen and find my group. “Hey, Jess, thank you for taking my place this morning. If you ever need me to cover for you, just ask.”
“You’re welcome.” She stands and clears her plate.
“Blaine’s in the locker room if you want to ski with him this afternoon. I told him I would send you over.”
She squints her eyes and tilts her head like she doesn’t believe me. “Okay.” Huh. I wonder what that was about.
Jason is at the other end of the table. He’s engaged in conversation with the boys. I call to him. “How was your morning?”
He looks up with anger in his eyes. “Fine.” Wow, Jess must be a bitch to work with too. “Hey, guys, let’s do a boys’ afternoon. Finish up quickly and we can get going.” Geesh, it’s not like I planned to have a dead battery. Why is he running out on me?