Once he had dressed and grabbed an apple on his way out, he ran over to Zoey’s house. Luke was gone already, and had taken the Jeep. So much for sharing.
He knocked, bouncing on his toes. A butterfly swarm roamed his stomach at the thought of seeing her after last night. God, he had it bad.
Jen opened the door. She was dressed for a day of skiing, coffee mug in hand. “Parker? What are you doing here, honey?”
The butterflies in his stomach dropped out of the sky, dead. “What do you mean?”
“Luke and Zoey left more than two hours ago.” She frowned. “Luke said you’d meet them there.”
Shocked, he could only shake his head. Luke had taken Zoey to Snowmass—without him. And she’d gone, after she’d scolded him for doing the same to Luke. She’d abandoned him, knowing full well it would hurt his feelings.
“You okay?” Jen asked gently.
“Yeah.” He forced a polite smile. “Great. I forgot that was the plan today. I guess I overslept.”
Her forehead wrinkled. “Are you sure that’s all?”
No, not even close, but he wasn’t going to vent to Zoey’s mom on her doorstep. “It’s fine, really. I’ll…I’ll head up there now.”
And when he found Luke, there were going to be fireworks on the mountain.
Chapter Fourteen
Zoey
Zoey skidded to a stop at the bottom of her second run of the day. Luke was leaning on his board, watching her. His smile was possessive, but his gaze was remote, like he was watching her, but seeing something else.
She pulled off her board and walked over to him. When he’d shown up at her door, looking gorgeous and dangerous, and asked her to come with him, she’d been thrilled, but uncertain about an offer out of the blue like this.
“What about Parker?” she’d asked, remembering how bad she’d felt when they left Luke behind, and wondering if it was some kind of payback.
“Sleeping in, getting extra beauty sleep. He needs it.” Luke had flashed her a grin. “He’ll meet us up there later. Besides, I seem to remember a girl who said I needed to spend more time with her.”
Her heart had pounded at the way he leaned closer to her, something about that sway of his body promising more than he said. Enthralled, she’d caught herself nodding before she’d had time to question the arrangement. Instead, she’d gone to get her gear with her face on fire and her belly in excited, confused knots. She’d even taken a second to put on some mascara and lip gloss, embarrassed to be caught in a raggedy bun and no makeup.
Now, they’d come down a few blues, “warming up” as Luke said. For what, he hadn’t explained, yet. “Are we going to the terrain park now?”
He shrugged. “Or we could go back up to Headwall. Parker hogged your attention yesterday afternoon.”
Zoey flushed clear down to her toes. “So you want me for yourself?”
He slid an arm around her shoulders. “What guy wouldn’t?”
The flush faded and Zoey went cold. That was the problem—every guy thought they wanted her for himself, without knowing what he was really getting in return. Like she was a prize. Luke knew her better than some, but not really enough to make his comment any less concerning.
She stepped out from under his arm and leveled a stare his way. “I’m not interested in all the guys. A good one will do.”
“That so?” He smiled. “You’re a long haul type girl?”
“I am,” she murmured, looking away. Was he offering? And if he was, could she trust him to stick around? She knew he had a reputation as a charmer, always on the prowl for the next girl and the next, but she’d hoped she could change him.
Could she?
No, she wouldn’t think about that. She had to believe she could, or the two years she spent waiting for this moment were wasted.
“How about some coffee?” Luke asked, checking his watch. “Maybe a quick bite? It’s eleven already.”
They went to Two Creeks and, like usual, a small group of girls watched every move he made, whispering, smiling slyly, and giving Zoey “hands off, he’s mine” looks.
“Your fan club is here. Again.” Much as she wanted to enjoy Luke’s company, he was a package deal, and that would never change. As long as he changed, she’d learn to ignore it. Probably.
He smiled and winked at the girls in the corner, and led Zoey to a table across the café. “Does that bother you? The fan club?”
It sounded like a challenge, especially after yesterday. “No.” She met his eyes and held them. “They’re temporary.”
Luke’s eyebrows shot up. “You know the score, huh?” With a somewhat bemused tone, he added, “Seems to be that way most of the time.”
Zoey latched onto the opening. “Why? Why haven’t you tried to settle down with one girl?”
He reached for her hand and ran his thumb along her wrist. Zoey froze, like a rabbit caught in the stare of a coyote. “I haven’t found the right one, yet. I’ve had to test drive a few.”
“More like lots,” she squeaked out.
He laughed. “Yeah, you got me. But I’d only need one, right?”
He was still stroking her wrist, and it was hypnotic. His cocky façade faded, leaving only the Luke she remembered from her childhood. The fearless, wild, present kid she’d loved, and in a way, still did.
“Yes, only one.” Her head felt muddled, like she’d had a shot of Jack. Her chest burned like she’d had a shot, too. It was too warm in here. She needed some air, but she couldn’t look away from him. He had her in his grasp, and she didn’t know if she could—or wanted to—pull away. Was this the moment? Would he finally see that she was more than enough girl for him?
He leaned forward, and it seemed like he was about to admit something, when a sharp, “There you are!” interrupted them.
Zoey yanked her hand free from Luke’s and stared up at a very, very angry Parker. “Oh, hello.”
This wasn’t how she imagined he’d be when she saw him again after the craziness at the sleigh ride. She expected awkward, maybe confused, sweet. Not teeth-gritting, fist-clenching pissed. She should’ve listened to her gut this morning, but she didn’t, and now look where she’d landed.
“It’s about time,” Luke declared. “We thought you’d never wake up.”
Luke’s voice was too loud, somewhat fake, and Zoey’s stomach clenched. Oh, no…how could she have been so stupid? She’d been so bedazzled by Luke’s smile and willing to believe anything he said that she’d fallen right into the trap.
“You. Left. Me.” Parker turned his glare on Zoey. “Did you honestly fall for that?”
Shame burned in her belly. “I, uh…”
“You know what, never mind. I need to practice for the contest.” He turned toward the door, but gave her a withering look over his shoulder. “You two have fun.”
Then he stalked out of the restaurant, and Zoey burst into tears.
“Oh, Zoey.” Luke sounded genuinely sad. “I was only trying to show him that we’re not going to wait on him if he won’t set an alarm.”
She doubted that was the real reason—Luke loved one-upping Parker—but whatever was going on with them had gone too far. She dabbed at her cheeks with her napkin, getting angrier by the second. The only thing she hated more than crying, was crying in public. “Well, you sure taught him a lesson. And you taught me one, too, about trusting everything you say.”
“Yeah.” He scratched his neck, face pink. “Sorry about that.”
She didn’t have a chance to grill him about what had started the raging competition between him and Parker, because three college girls strolled over, eyes focused on Luke.
“You’re Luke Madison,” said a girl with a blue streak running through her ash-blond hair.
“Maybe,” Luke said, turning on the charm as easily as breathing.
The blue-haired girl nodded to her friends. “Told you. I saw him race at Keystone last year.” She turned back to Luke. “When are you going pro? You’re a boardercro
ss monster.”
“Thanks.” Luke smiled his killer smile. “Why don’t you join us?”
Blue hair gave Zoey an appraising look. “Is there room?”
Zoey couldn’t believe it. Here he was, reeling them in, one-by-one, all while sitting next to a girl he’d made cry. Fury built in her chest like steam in the espresso machine behind the bar. She’d have to vent it soon, or she was going to blow.
“We could pull up a chair or two,” Luke said, giving the girl the same lazy smile he’d used on her earlier.
Zoey seethed—she was done here. “You know what, I was just leaving.”
As soon as she was out of the way, the blue-haired girl jumped into her seat without a thank you, chatting Luke up as if Zoey didn’t even exist.
She stalked outside, hugging herself. Her jaw was gritted tight, and her breath came out in furious puffs of steam. Why did Luke enjoy girls hanging all over him, with a new girlfriend every weekend? At the table she’d thought maybe he was starting to understand he couldn’t live that way long-term. His smile might be catnip to every girl—her included—but unless he straightened up, he’d end up lonely.
You know what, though? Fixing him wasn’t her job. And it might not ever be.
Chapter Fifteen
Parker
Parker sat at the edge of the terrain park, head in his hands. What had he done back there? He was mad at Luke, not Zoey, but who did he yell at? The girl he loved more than anything. Testosterone sucked. So did bad judgement. He had an overabundance of both. Still, knowing she fell for Luke’s trick hurt.
And what about the part where they’d been holding hands? That sight had made him want to break things.
“Hey, P-Mad!” a female voice called.
He looked up. Shawn Beldon waved madly, her boyish face split in a wide grin. She was with a group of guys he normally hung out with. They skated over and he stood to meet them. “Hey, Shawn. Guys.”
The Guys—four of them, two named Tyler, one Max, and one Balthazar, whose dad was a hippie—nodded in unison. That’s why he called them “The Guys.” They were a single unit, and travelled in a pack. He was allowed to join them, Shawn, too, but only as an outside addition.
“Practicing for tomorrow?” Shawn asked.
He looked across the park at all the familiar jibs and rails. A little flying would clear his head. He owed Zoey an apology, but anger still nipped at his veins, and he should work that off first. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”
Parker shook out his shoulders, and went to the starting gate. He tightened the strap on his helmet and closed his eyes a second to catch some Zen, rocking his board back and forth to get a good feel. Finally, when everything went still and quiet inside of him, he tipped his board over the edge and flew.
That’s what it felt like—flying. He took the twenty-foot kicker first, launching himself into a backside 540 to whistles and catcalls from other boarders. He landed clean, and turned for the main course, not giving himself time to think. Moving would erase everything.
The first rail came up, a down-flat-down. Perfect. He jumped a small mogul and landed on the rail, pulling his board into a 50-50 before turning back and making a grab as he flew off the end. He stomped the landing and decided it was time for a show.
A box came up next. Parker sprang onto it, conserving his energy so he could do a 540 off the end. He barely had time to register the look of delight on Shawn’s face before the end came up, then he was spinning and the world was a crazy top for a second. He stuck his landing, cutting an edge in the snow. This was his element. All fine-tuned perfection. A place where he could practice his patience and master a skill not too many had. Something his brother never quite learned to do.
Luke was going to be in for a surprise tomorrow.
The crowd at the bottom grew as Parker zig-zagged around a group and slid over a rail. Feeling cocky, he saluted The Guys when he flew off the end. Cheers erupted from the crowd.
The last advanced obstacle was another kicker—not quite as big as the first one, but still twelve feet. When he went airborne, he bent his legs up to grab his board, before landing and taking a hard cut on his toes to slow his board in a spray of snow.
Five feet away from Zoey.
His glee faded at the sight of her. Oh, man…what was she doing here? And had she been crying?
Shawn ran across the snow and flung her arms around him. “Are you not the baddest badass in all of Snowmass? Ha! That rhymed.” She turned and saw Zoey. “Hi there!”
Zoey gave her a dark look that quickly focused on Parker. “Hello.”
Shawn frowned. She was about the nicest person you’d ever meet. She was also gay. Parker toyed with the idea of letting Zoey think she was a groupie, but Shawn would probably punch him for it later. Her girlfriend was an Olympic hopeful for deadlift, on top of it. Between the two of them, he could end up damaged if he pulled that prank.
He stepped out of her arms. “Zoey this is Shawn.”
“Oh, so this is Zoey?” Shawn replaced the frown with her quick smile. “Nice to meet ya.” She shook Zoey’s hand with the friendliness of a spaniel puppy. “Parker talks about you a lot. Guys! Come meet Zoey!”
Zoey’s death-glare crumbled into outright bewilderment. “Your name is…Shawn?”
“Yep.” She laughed. “Shawna, actually, but that’s hardly a good board name, is it? Why not be Shawn after His Eminence?”
Zoey mouthed “His Eminence” and Parker choked back a laugh. “Shaun White.”
“Uh uh, no taking his name in vain.” Shawn wagged a finger in his face as The Guys trooped over. “Zoey, meet The Guys. Guys, Zoey.”
They said, “Hello,” more-or-less in unison. Breaking with tradition, Balthazar stepped forward and took her hand. He kissed it and murmured, “A pleasure to meet you, finally.”
Zoey broke into a smile and Balthazar’s ears turned red.
“These are my people,” Parker told her, after giving Balthazar a good-natured shove back into the collective. “They’ll compete tomorrow.”
“But they won’t win.” Shawn whacked him on the back. “This guy will.”
“Um, I forgot to tell you. Luke entered,” he admitted to the crowd.
Shawn cackled. “How in the name of His Eminence did you talk him into that?”
“It’s kind of hard to explain.” He darted a look at Zoey. “I appealed to his ego some.”
Zoey was watching the ping-pong of the conversation, her expression softening. She’d probably come here to chew him out for snapping at her—and he deserved it—but this unruly scrum of crazy snowboarders had an impact on her. She’d never seen this part of his life, despite the fact that all these people had obviously heard of her.
“So, uh, you want to watch us practice?” he asked, hopeful.
She gave them a slow nod. “I’ll go you one better. I want you to teach me.”
Shawn smacked her on the back. “You’ve got balls, Blondie. I like that in a girl. C’mon, let me show you around.”
And to his great surprise, Zoey went with her.
Chapter Sixteen
Zoey
Parker’s friends spent the next few hours taking turns teaching Zoey each of their trademark skills. Most of it was too advanced, but they watered it down, and by the end, she could do a wobbling 50-50 on a low rail. When she landed with only a small slip, but didn’t fall, they applauded her.
She flushed at the praise, pleased at her progress, and gave The Guys and Shawn hugs. “Good luck tomorrow. All of you.”
“Aye, we’ll need it,” Shawn said, laughing. “P-Mad here, he was built to dominate. Should go pro.”
Pro? She looked Parker over, who carefully avoided her gaze. He’d always told her this was just a hobby. What was going on here?
“But I won’t.” Parker scuffed at the snow with his boot. “I like doing this for me rather than a sponsor.”
“Purity,” one of the Tylers said. “Respect, man.”
“But you’re stil
l going to try to smoke Big Man, right?” Shawn asked. “This is your year. Say it and own it.”
He rolled his eyes. “This is my year.”
They must be talking about Luke, from the wickedness in Shawn’s eyes. So there was a part of Snowmass that wasn’t Luke Madison’s playground. Zoey nodded to Parker. “You know, I was so busy taking my lessons I didn’t see you practice. Would you run a few for me?”
Watching him out here had been an education so far. His confidence was so much higher, his presence larger, his dominance more certain. He was a whole different Parker, and she wanted to see more of him.
Shawn elbowed him in the ribs. “Come on…give the girl a show, eh?”
Parker ducked his head. “All right, all right.”
While he jogged up to the top of the course, Shawn leaned in close to Zoey. “He’s a special guy.”
Zoey’s stomach clenched. Was Shawn interested in Parker? The thought made her want to punch something. God, possessive much? “He is. He’s been my best friend forever.”
“Oh, we know.” Shawn gave her a knowing smirk. “He told Mandy and me all about you last week before you came. He was excited to see you.”
Shit, did Parker have two groupies? Or more? “Mandy?”
“My girlfriend.” Shawn’s forehead wrinkled. “Wait, are you not down with that?”
Zoey had burst into relieved laughter, then felt guilty for being relieved. “No, I’m totally fine with that. I just…”
“Naw, I get it.” Shawn patted her arm. “Here he goes. He’s magic.”
Parker waved at them, then jumped onto the downhill. He took the first rail full speed, turning his board perpendicular to the jib. He came off easily, like he was stepping off a low curb, and zigzagged to the smallest kicker, about eight feet tall, and made a tail grab, before landing like he did this all day. He curved to the next jump, this one twice as tall, and spun off the edge, grabbing his board as his body whirled through the air.
Zoey’s mouth hung open.
“You okay, there?” Shawn asked, looking like she was in on a secret. Her eyes gleamed, and one side of her mouth turned up. “To tell the truth, I get a little lightheaded watching him up there, too, and I don’t go for guys.”
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