Defying Gravity

by Kendra C. Highley

  Knowing Luke, they picked up some girls. He couldn’t go anywhere without a coven forming to follow him around. He often blamed his “natural charm”—and there was some truth to that. How could she compete if every girl in a five-mile radius wanted him, too?

  She rolled her eyes. Pouting wasn’t going to do any good. She’d have to work harder at making him notice her, that’s all.

  Z: Sucks to be him. Meet you outside in twenty.

  P: At your service.

  He was such a goof. Grinning, she spun around to her mom. “Parker’s up. He’ll go with.”

  Mom smiled into her coffee cup. “You can always rely on Parker to be there, can’t you?”

  “Yep.” And if he could help her convince Luke to meet up with them later, all the better.

  Chapter Seven

  Parker

  Parker’s hands shook a little as he zipped up his jacket. This was it—he had a whole morning alone at Snowmass with Zoey. Luke could sleep in all he wanted—after the bet last night, Parker was going to use this chance to his best advantage.

  Zoey was waiting for him by his car when he came outside. He shut the door nice and quiet, to make sure he didn’t disturb Sleeping Beauty upstairs.

  “I’ve been waiting for you guys to wake up forever,” she said, climbing into the Land Rover. “What was Luke doing out last night until three?”

  Parker didn’t answer, and slammed the tailgate shut. He knew full well what Luke had been doing, and he was still pissed. The “guy friends” he’d mentioned to Zoey included three girls. He’d sent Parker a snap saying, “Wish you were here!” and one of the girls in the picture was wound around him so tight, Parker wanted to suggest they get a room. So, not only had he bet Parker he could win Zoey over first, he did it on a night he had a date—a date he lied about to the very girl he was trying to steal.

  His head pounded just thinking about it, and his chest felt tight with unspent anger. He could really go for punching the sand out of a bag right now, but the mountain would help just as much. And he wouldn’t hurt Zoey by mentioning it, but he wasn’t going to do Luke any favors, either.

  When he hopped into the driver’s seat, Zoey repeated the question. “Where did he go last night?”

  Parker strangled the steering wheel with his hands. “To a party at a guy’s house. That’s what it sounds like.”

  “Hope he didn’t drive home drunk,” she murmured, staring out the window.

  At that, he almost told her. She was so concerned about where Luke had been and how he was now, that she totally missed the point. “I don’t know. He’s usually smarter than that, though.”

  “Good.” She finally smiled at him. “So what are we going to do first? Since Luke’s not here, maybe we should wait on going up to the Cirque.”

  “That’s fine.” Changing the plan didn’t mean he couldn’t take her on a little adventure though. Especially if it distracted her from Luke. “Let’s go up to the High Alpine, take some of the diamonds up there, if you’re up for it.”

  She nodded, considering. “Oh, I’m up for it.”

  He gave her an appraising smile. “Good. I’m in the mood for some speed.”

  “I thought that was Luke’s line.”

  He managed to keep the smile on his face as he leaned over into her seat. “Not always.”

  Her sides were shaking with an effort not to laugh. She fluttered her eyelashes and fanned her face. “Ooh la la, you better show me something good, big boy.”

  A fire raged in his chest, spreading a flush up his torso and around to the back of his neck. He almost had her. “Will do, Miller. Will do.”

  She giggled and pushed him back toward his seat. “Put your money where your mouth is, then.”

  He put the car in gear. “I intend to.”

  Parker stood at the gate to Grinder, a straight shot trail that sent skiers and boarders alike careening down the mountain as fast as they liked. They hadn’t run this trail together for two years, mainly because Luke thought it was boring. Parker was out to prove his brother wrong.

  Zoey peered over the edge. “It’s steeper than I remembered.”

  “It’s a great ride. Promise.”

  “Okay.” She frowned and stood next to him. “Are we racing?”

  “Nope, just doing a mad dash for fun.” He pulled on his goggles and tightened the strap to his helmet. “You ready?”

  She jammed her cap down on her head. “As I’ll ever be.”

  He heard the doubt in her voice. No matter how bold she was with Luke, Parker knew steep runs made her nervous. He was out to prove that she could do it. “You’ll do great. I’ll stick close by, okay?”

  She nodded, and they went over the edge together. The first bit wasn’t very steep, but they gained speed quickly. The sunshine was bright on the snow, almost blinding. Both of them had protective eyewear, but it was still a challenge. Parker stayed behind and above Zoey, making sure she was doing okay. When she squealed, he sped around her and jumped to turn one-hundred-eighty degrees so he could face her.

  She had a manic smile on her face, like she couldn’t decide if this was the most awesome thing she’d ever done, or she was about to have a stroke.

  Parker moved closer and gave her a thumbs up. “You can do this. Stay low and go.”

  He bent his knees, mimicking for her to do the same. They streaked down the hill, her screaming all the way. By the time they reached the bottom, her hands were shaking as she pulled off her cap, but she was laughing.

  “Well?” he asked, skidding to a halt next to her. “Was I right?”

  “You were right.” She leaned against his arm. “That was almost as exhilarating as sex. Let’s go again!”

  She scampered off toward the lifts, leaving Parker stranded, flustered, and unable to get the idea of exhilarating sex out of his head.

  By the time they made it home, Zoey had plunged down Grinder four more times, and hit three other black diamond trails. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes shone as they drove home. Her hair was down again, but she’d let it get all windblown, and she looked relaxed for the first time since she’d arrived.

  Chest swelling with pride, he asked, “Did I show you a good time or what?”

  “It was the best time.” She bounced in her seat like she was seven again. “That was so much fun.”

  “See, we don’t have to have Luke with us to have fun.”

  That slipped out, wishful thinking maybe, and Zoey’s crooked frown make him curse his stupid mouth. If he wanted her to forget about Luke, why the hell did he keep saying his brother’s name?

  “We probably should apologize for going without him,” she said.

  “No.”

  The word came out hard, forceful, and Zoey recoiled. “Why not?”

  Parker clenched his jaw to keep from sounding like a cornered bobcat—all teeth and claws. “Because he was tired, and probably didn’t want to come with us anyway. If he’d wanted to go, he wouldn’t have stayed out until three, knowing full well we were going to Snowmass this morning.”

  Her shoulders tensed. “And how would you feel if he and I left you behind because you overslept?”

  She made it sound like a challenge, and it hit him where it hurt. “I’d feel abandoned.”

  She crossed her arms and stared out the window. “That’s right. So we’ll apologize.”

  But when they made it to his place for dinner, Luke was hanging out with the dads in the living room, watching a bowl game and laughing.

  He looked up when they came in. “You two have fun?”

  There wasn’t a single bit of jealousy in his tone. In fact, he sounded a lot like their dad asking Parker how a date went. Not that he’d dated anyone since Zoey stole his heart, but still. Could he be any more condescending, especially since Parker had one-upped him by taking Zoey out all day? It was like he didn’t care one bit.

  Worse, it was like Parker spending the whole day with Zoey didn’t worry him one bit.

  Zoey cr
umpled at Luke’s reaction. She probably wished Luke had been heartbroken that they’d left him, instead of perfectly happy in front of the TV. She shrugged. “Yeah. Where were you?”

  “My plans changed. Sorry, Z. I thought Parker could stand in for me.” Luke’s mouth twitched with a hidden smirk. “Bro, don’t you know how to entertain a guest at all?”

  “We had a good time.” Which was true—Zoey had said so until she realized Luke didn’t miss her all day. Which blew. Parker narrowed his eyes at Luke, wishing eye-lasers were a thing. He’d melt Luke’s eyebrows right off. See who gloated then. “Zoey ran down Grinder, did great.”

  “Grinder, pah.” Luke shook his head. “No obstacles, just a hill. We definitely should go up on The Cirque tomorrow. That’s a trail that’ll make you cry for your mama. How about it, Z? You up for that?”

  She lifted her head and met his gaze dead on. “I’m up for anything.”

  Luke smiled when her tone challenged his, and a spark passed between them. Parker groaned inwardly. Fine, let them have a moment. He was too strung out to keep up his game face.

  “I’m going to clean up.” Parker held in the extra-intense glare he had reserved for Luke and stomped out of the room.

  Tomorrow, he’d try harder.

  Chapter Eight

  Zoey

  The sun was peeking over the horizon when Zoey bounced downstairs dressed in fleece leggings, thick socks, and a thermal top, ready to slip into her ski gear. It was barely past seven, and the Cirque’s lift didn’t open until ten, but she knew the boys would be by soon. She’d gone to bed pissed that Luke was fine skipping out on her, but he’d said they were definitely on today, so she couldn’t stay angry.

  The Sky Cab opened at eight, and she’d made sure they understood her displeasure at waiting until late morning yesterday. Today, they’d want to hit whatever trails were open until they could go up top. The Cirque Headwall was a series of nasty trails, black diamonds, doubles, and extremes, that started at the highest point the resort would allow you to go. Legally, anyway. There were boarders who went way off trail to find the scariest rides they could, but she didn’t agree with that. Good way to get yourself killed, without any chance of someone finding you.

  She hummed while she made coffee, then went to pull her hair back in a ponytail. For a second, she debated if she should wear it down again, on Luke’s account, but if they were taking rough trails, better to have it out of the way. When she came back to the kitchen, Mom was staring longingly at the coffeepot, still wearing her pajamas and a bathrobe.

  “Have I told you today what a great kid you are?” She gave Zoey a half-asleep smile. “Coffee, already on the go? And you’re dressed…early day on Snowmass, huh?”

  Zoey smiled and helped herself to a protein bar. “The boys are taking me up on Cirque.”

  Mom’s eyebrows rose. “Be careful.”

  “I will. I can’t vouch for those two knuckle-draggers, though.”

  “Oh, I think Parker’s plenty careful.” Mom chuckled. “I’m worried about Luke.”

  “Don’t be,” Zoey said, feeling the need to defend him. “He takes his shredding very seriously.”

  “That’s the only thing,” Mom muttered into her coffee mug.

  Not a glowing endorsement. What would she do if she knew Zoey wanted to date him? Probably try to talk her out of it. That wouldn’t stop her though. She deserved to forge her own happiness, to decide, to be herself. If Mom didn’t like it now, she’d learn to.

  The doorbell rang, and she hopped up to get it before Mom could start another lecture. She flung open the front door, and the boys stood on the doorstep, already dressed for the day out, Luke in his trademark red ski gear, and Parker in blue. She loved the cut of the Madisons’ ski gear line, especially on guys. It stretched across their shoulders, but was cut close, to emphasize everything that looked good on a guy. So hot. And the red made Luke stand out, even as a tiny dot on the mountainside.

  No one spoke for a second, then she realized what was wrong—her top had pulled up a little when she leaned against the door. A strip of skin was visible, and both of them were staring at it.

  Luke’s gaze thrilled her. Parker…he was staring, too, but why? He’d seen her in a swimsuit for years. His gaze made her flush and she tugged the shirt down, forgetting to be alluring for Luke in her confusion. “Uh, sorry. I was talking to Mom and lost track of time. Come on in.”

  “No worries,” Luke drawled behind her as she led them to the kitchen. “View’s nice.”

  Her ears burned, especially when she heard a thump and a shuffle of steps, along with Luke’s muttered, “Stop it, asshat.” Parker must’ve shoved Luke into a wall. Flirting was going to be so much harder with him around. Was that why he stared a moment ago? Because he was disgusted with her? It was an accident, but what if he thought she’d done it on purpose?

  That bothered her.

  “Morning, boys.” Mom’s hand fluttered to her mussed hair. “Sorry for the bedhead.”

  “It’s all right, Miss Jen,” Parker said, as Zoey hurried to the mudroom, keeping her back to everyone. “You’re practically our mom. Bedhead’s totally cool.”

  Mom laughed, and started grilling them both about school. Zoey closed the mudroom door behind her and leaned against it, listening to the half-audible murmur of voices. This morning was already off to a weird start, and she was so flustered she needed a minute to chill.

  After a few deep breaths, she gathered ski gear together. Her lime green jacket with the leaf pattern on the sleeves—a Madison exclusive designed just for her, and a gift from Tina and Jason last Christmas—was her favorite piece. She had other jackets, but she never wore them anymore. She had a pair of matching bibs, and her parents had, on a whim, bought her a pair of black boots with her name airbrushed in green on the side. She’d proclaimed them cheesy, and hoped she never ran into anyone from school on the mountain, but she wore the boots all the time, anyway.

  Ready, she smoothed down her jacket with shaking fingers. She couldn’t go on being embarrassed around Luke. She had to turn on the heat, and finish what she started. She could do this. She could.

  She grabbed her board and flung open the door. “All right, boys, let’s go show the tourists how to shred.”

  Chapter Nine

  Parker

  All Parker could think about on the ride to Snowmass was that strip of skin Zoey had accidentally flashed. He knew it wasn’t on purpose, although Luke’s weak attempt at flirting made him think Luke thought she had. His brother knew nothing about Zoey. She hated flaunting her body, and any time it happened, it was inadvertent. From the way her ears had turned pink, he knew she felt weird about it, too.

  That’s mostly why he’d shoved Luke into the wall. Although, seeing him trip over his own feet was pretty amusing.

  Zoey’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Which trail do you guys want to run from The Cirque?”

  “Headwall,” Luke said before Parker could answer. “Great natural jibs up there. Moguls, too. Not like that manmade crap on the terrain parks.”

  Parker bristled. The terrain parks were his turf, and Luke loved to poke fun at his “little skater hobby.” He knew the only reason his brother teased him about it was because he wasn’t all that good at ramps or rails. No, Luke was built to shred fast, to go off trail into deep snow, and to jump moguls like he knew what jumping really was. He wouldn’t be caught dead trying to take the big air ramps down at the park.

  And he probably thought Parker wouldn’t, either. Wait a minute…

  “Sounds good,” Parker said, biting back a sly smile. “We can go down to Snowmass Park tomorrow. They have a 20-foot kicker this year and a lot of new features.”

  “Parks are for wusses.” Luke waved a hand. “You want to jump, tackle a natural ramp.”

  “We’ll do both,” Zoey said, and Parker’s heart soared. “I know full well you know how to ride a rail, Luke. Just like I know Parker can tackle a mogul.”

  Tru
e, but can Luke ride a down-flat-down pipe, or a stair rail? No, he can’t. Parker bit back another smile. Time to ride and shine. And plot. Definitely time to plot.

  “So, bro, you hear that they’re having an amateur slopestyle competition on Wednesday?” Parker asked, all innocence. “Prize money’s two-grand.”

  Even from the back seat, Parker could see Luke’s hands tighten on his steering wheel. “Is our company sponsoring it?”

  Nice attempt at getting out of this. “Nope. Means you can enter. The deadline’s today.”

  “Me?” Luke’s voice went up at the end, and Parker almost laughed—he totally had him. “What about you?”

  Time to lower the boom. “Oh, but I already have.”

  Zoey whipped around in her seat, grinning. “Are you serious? I’ve always wanted to watch you guys compete.” She turned to Luke. “Please say you’ll do it. Please.”

  Parker thought he could hear his brother’s teeth crack as he clenched his jaw. “Yeah, sounds fun.”

  Oh, yes…yes, it sure did. After Wednesday afternoon, Zoey would be sure to give him—and not Luke—a solid look. He’d win that two-grand and buy her something nicer than the little charm bracelet he’d reserved as her Christmas gift. It would be perfect.

  The parking lot was already filling up when they arrived, and they wasted no time pulling their gear from Luke’s trunk and heading for the tram. Even though it was Monday, a lot of weekenders had stayed over, and the lines for the lifts were long.

  Zoey shifted from foot to foot, full of restless energy. Luke wasn’t paying her any attention, so Parker took advantage. He sidled up to her, making sure to keep Luke in front of them, where he’d have a good view of the college girls ahead of them in line. That should keep him occupied for a while.

  “How are your legs today?” he asked in a low voice. “You ready for Headwall?”

  She smiled. It was muted, but she was smiling, and that’s what mattered. “I’m fine—nothing a couple of Advil and a hot shower couldn’t cure.”