by C. M. Owens
Babysitter? Everything in me chills to the point of breaking. She might as well have slapped me. Roommates? And I was about to stupidly tell her how I feel.
She walks away as though this conversation is finished. Well, fine.
Courtney follows on my heels as I walk over to my discarded gear, ready to take my anger out on the snow. This is ridiculous. Everything was fine. Better than fine. It was perfect. Then it all crashed.
Everyone else starts collecting their stuff. Wren gives me an apologetic smile, probably feeling the anger rolling off me. Erica shakes her head, not making eye contact with me. Aunt Melanie never said a word, and now she's looking at me like I did something wrong. She needs to be giving Raya that glower.
Lyle Hughes, Courtney's brother, is with Raya at the bar. That bastard had better not even think about it. Then again, he doesn't have a shot in hell. Raya hates people with money. Except for Tag apparently. I hope he's ready to have me strangle him later.
I duck out of the lodge, ready to hurry up and get this shit over with. Later, I'll find out what the hell is wrong with her. I don't care if I have to pin her down and force her to talk.
"You're awfully quiet," Courtney says, standing far too close to me as I prepare to ski down the mountain.
"You're awfully perceptive," I quip, my mind completely focused on Raya and what all happened, while I struggle with my uncooperative glove. Did it shrink in the five seconds I took it off? What the hell?
She rolls her eyes just as Erica approaches, and I consider pushing her down the side.
When Lyle asked about Raya earlier, she talked her up, made her sound just as incredible as she is. Raya's too good for him, and Erica should have told him that. She's too good for me, too, but she's still mine. Even if she does want to fight me every step of the fucking way.
"Has Lyle come back up?" Courtney asks Erica.
"He left. Said he wanted to hit up a bar."
Good. I don't have to deal with that dipshit anymore.
Courtney looks from me to Erica, who looks like she needs to speak with me. Why does everyone insist I talk? I came, I've skied, and I've done what's expected. Someone else can run the conversation for once.
"This is my last go," I mumble, ready to just get back. "As soon as this damn glove gets back on my hand."
"Then we'll go out," Courtney chirps, apparently missing the big-ass sign I'm wearing that's telling her to fuck off.
"Tag's waiting, so this will be it for all of us. You want me to have him grab Raya on his way to the bar?" Wren asks, coming to stand behind Erica.
Maybe a beer would pull the stick out of Raya's ass. And she and I won't end up arguing in front of everyone. I'd rather be in a better place than we are now before discussing her switch flip.
"Are we not changing?" I ask, motioning to the fact we're still in ski stuff.
"Wasn't planning on it. You want to head in to change? The girls will take for-fucking-ever if we do," Wren groans, earning a jab to the stomach from Erica's elbow.
If I go back and Raya's still pissed, she won't go, and she might lock herself up in a room to stay away from me. She seems to be fine with Tag, so he might be able to lure her out.
"Tell Tag if he touches Raya, I'll break all ten of his fingers. One at a time."
Wren fights back a grin and nods as he heads to the side. Courtney frowns, probably just now realizing that Raya is more than a friend. I'll deal with that when I have to. No more pretending.
When she starts talking, I realize that time is apparently going to be now. "So, you and Raya—"
"Raya's not any of your business, and you should think long and hard before saying anything about her or to her. I'll see you at the bottom, Courtney."
The warning edge to my tone, which is accompanied by the not-so-veiled threat, is enough to shut her up, even though I can see the determined look in her eyes. She wants to know more, and well, she won't get it from me.
She drops off the side close to Wren, and Erica takes the opportunity to speak to me privately.
"It's because you called her a friend," she says randomly.
I look up from my war with my glove to see her staring directly into my eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
"When Melanie was talking about Billy and Ash, you said it was good to have a friend. You men are completely stupid sometimes. When a girl is cradled in your arms, dressed in clothes like that despite the freezing temperature, and is on a family vacation with you, the last thing she wants to be called is a friend. Then you had to go and say yes to Courtney."
Is she kidding?
"Raya and I are friends. All she has to do is say the word, and she knows I'm hers. And are you crazy? I all but begged to stay there with her. She refused to let me. She pushed me out here like she wanted me to be with Courtney."
Erica rolls her eyes as though I'm the one not making any sense. Were we listening to the same conversation earlier? Because I'm pretty sure we weren't if she didn't hear the adamant stand Raya took against me staying.
"Raya has little confidence in herself, and she's far, far out of her element. Have you told her how you feel? I'm pretty sure she needs it spelled out, since you seem to give her a lot of mixed signals," she adds.
"Mixed signals?" I ask incredulously. "Raya knows. She's smart. I don't have to spell it out."
She rolls her eyes while skiing closer to the edge. I don't appreciate her condescension.
"Stupid," Erica sings, and then ducks off the side, skiing down like a pro.
Fuck the glove. I'm going.
Tossing down the stupid piece of shit that won't go back on my hand, I use the poles to propel me forward, and I race down the side of the mountain like there's an Olympic finish line waiting on me.
I pass Courtney like she's standing still, ignoring her when she calls my name. The wind strikes against me, making me thankful for the goggles. I didn't need them for the bunny slopes all day with Raya. Raya—every thought is apparently consumed by her.
Wren starts racing beside me when I catch up to him, but I've already built up too much momentum for him to compete this late in the game. It's annoying to keep dodging other skiers who are going at a more leisurely pace, and I curse a few who force me to skid sideways in order to avoid a collision.
Ski patrol will probably ream my ass for going this fast, but fuck them.
I reach the bottom finally, and tear away my goggles and my toboggan in one smooth motion. The others are still trying to catch up, so I use the opportunity to call Raya.
Voicemail. That pisses me off.
I start to send her a text, but decide against it. I'll just wait until Tag brings her to meet with us.
"Damn, dude. You trying to get yourself killed?" Wren asks, sounding breathless when he reaches me.
"Just skiing. Not like I haven't gone faster," I say with a shrug. "Where's the car?"
He rolls his eyes while pointing toward the lodge. "We'll take the Hummer."
I nod while skiing toward the lodge, prepared to dump my equipment off there. I'd rather leave everything at the house, but Raya might not come if I show up. Especially if she's pissed.
Is it really because I called her a friend? Are girls that damn complicated? Life used to be so much simpler.
By the time I get all my stuff put up, Courtney and Erica are joining us, laughing as though they enjoyed themselves. Wren walks with me to his ride, making his way to the driver's seat.
"What are you doing?" he asks as I climb into the passenger side of the Hummer.
I glance toward the back and then at him. "If you think I'm sitting back there with Courtney, then you're crazier than she is."
He bursts out laughing, making my lips twitch in amusement. It's always funny to watch Wren laugh. He doesn't do it as much since Erica's stunt with Bity.
Speaking of Erica...
"I guess I'm sitting back here?" Erica asks, climbing in behind me while Courtney takes the spot behind Wren.
"Where are we going?" Courtney asks.
"A bar the locals use," Erica answers. "It's supposed to be less crowded than the lodge, and they serve some badass burgers. I'm starving."
It's bad when the promise of a good burger doesn't excite me.
The rest of the ride gives me a headache. I call Raya relentlessly, but she never answers. Courtney manages to monopolize the conversation—not that I want to join in. Everyone understands why I broke up with her by the time we get out. Vanity is her only trait.
"Damn, she's full of herself," Wren whispers to me as we near the bar.
"Tell me something I don't know," I mumble.
We manage to make it into the bar and find a table that will hold all of us, unfortunately. I wouldn't have minded expelling Erica and Courtney to another section of the bar.
I start to sit down beside Wren, but Erica steals the seat, and Courtney takes the one beside her. Which leaves one last seat next to the vain bitch who never shuts up. The more she talks, the more I hate myself for ever having dated her. What was I thinking?
"We need two martinis and two beers—anything on tap," Wren orders when a waitress finds us.
Courtney tosses her arm around the back of my chair when a girl across from us winks at me. This is a terrible night. The wrong girl is staking a claim on me.
Tag shows up, stealing a few gushing sighs and gasps as he makes his way toward us. He grabs a chair from another table and pulls it closer, putting himself next to me. I want to trade seats.
I keep watching for Raya, ready to pull her to another table so we can talk, but she never walks through the door.
"Where is she? Did you leave her in the car?" I ask, turning back to Tag.
"She wasn't there," he says while shrugging, acting as though that's an acceptable response.
I dial her number again, cursing as I glare at him and get her voicemail.
"Where the hell else could she be?" I ask as the waitress drops our drinks off.
"Ah, hell," Wren groans, his eyes trained on the far side of the bar.
I turn to look, but all I see is a mess of people gathered in a crowd, all of them talking and bidding farewells. Tag's eyes widen when he looks in the direction, and I start to stand to see over the crowd, when they part.
A divine ass with thin material covering it is splayed across the pool table as a perfect shot is made. That ass is familiar, and so is the tool staring at it up close. Ah, shit.
Lyle and Raya are here. Together. I'm going to jail.
"Calm down," Tag says, sighing as he watches me watch Raya move around the table, smiling as though she's having the time of her life. Then she leans forward, hitting another ball just right, and giving Lyle a peek down her shirt.
He looks. The perverted son of a bitch looks. Fuck jail—I'm going to prison.
"Damn," Tag says as she sinks another ball. "I didn't know Raya played pool. She looks like a pro."
I'll add it to the list of things I didn't know she could do. Along with go out on a date with a douche like Lyle. I've been working so hard to ease her into dating me, and she just goes out with a guy she's known for less than a minute?
"You look like you're ready to murder someone," Erica says from behind me.
"They're just playing pool," Wren says, even though he sees Lyle staring at her ass as she lines up another shot, now standing in front of him as she bends over.
"Kade," Courtney says, groaning as though she's annoyed by my rage.
She really doesn't need to push me right now.
She takes the hint, and she and Erica start talking about mundane shit they do on weekends. I'm on the verge of killing Lyle Hughes, and they're talking about what stores have the best service.
Tag and Wren study me, acting as though they're terrified to spook me. Lyle is the only one who needs to fear me right now.
"Did she really just make that shot?" Tag says in awe as Raya puts down the pool stick and dusts her hands, her lips moving as she says something to the walking dead man who’s laughing for the last time.
Tag turns to Wren to gush over Raya's impossible shot, acting as though that's what's important, and Wren actually joins in, speaking about it as though it's brilliant. There are far more severe things going on at this moment. For one, Lyle Hughes will be walking around without arms if he touches her in front of me.
Raya turns with her hand toward a waitress, but she freezes, letting her eyes lock on mine. That's right, baby. You're busted.
Tag and Wren look back toward them, and Tag's smile for Raya's masterful shot dissipates when he sees just how far past crazy I've gone. I stand, ready to kill Lyle and drag Raya out of here, but Tag jumps up and puts his hand on my chest.
"Let it go," he says, warning me.
But then that sleazy asshat slides his arm around her waist, acting as though he's about to claim her. Fuck this shit.
"Kade, stop," Tag says, pushing against me harder.
Wren joins him in holding me back, and I growl as I glare at Lyle's back. Oh hell no. He just put his hands on her hips.
With a hard shove, both men are knocked off me, and I'm charging across the bar, scaring the hell out of anyone who gets in my way. I grab Lyle by the back of his shirt and sling him against the wall.
Then I cut my eyes toward the girl I've been chasing.
"What the fuck!" Lyle blares. "What the hell is your problem?"
I have no use for him as I glare at Raya. Lyle's too big of a bitch to try coming at me.
"Kade!" Tag yells, placing himself between Lyle and me.
"What are you doing here with him?" My voice is deceptively low, but there's no mistaking the fact I'm pissed. I take a step toward her. "What happened to being tired and crashing?"
She looks nervous, but she knows I won't hurt her, so she doesn't look scared. Lyle, on the other hand... She should be scared for him.
"I... I thought... I'm sorry. I'll go," she stammers.
"No! Hell no," Lyle says, acting as though he has the balls to step in. "If you're not dating her, then you have no right—"
"Stay the hell out of it!" I bark, dangerously close to losing it.
"You don't tell me what to do, you arrogant son of a bitch!" Lyle snaps, again pretending to be badass, but only because Tag is here to hold me back.
I lunge at him, but Wren comes to aid Tag in keeping me restrained. Lyle makes a half-assed attempt to fight with me, but he deliberately stays shielded.
"Kade, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to piss you off. I just wanted to have some fun," Raya says, pulling my attention back to her.
I could have helped her have fun. I brought her here to have fun.
"You shouldn't be out with him. You should have stayed in the damn house like you said you were going to, or you should have come out with—"
"I said I'm sorry!" she yells, surprising me with the tears in her eyes. "I'm leaving now. I'll take the bus back to Sterling Shore and I'll be out of the house before you return. I'm sorry."
She takes off running, but I'm ripped back by four hands when I try to follow.
"Let me go!" I roar, cursing Tag and Wren.
"No, dammit, let her go while you calm down," Tag hisses. "I'll go get her and take her back. When the psychotic Hulk subsides and Kade is back in control, let me know, and you can talk to her then."
I struggle to get away from them, but men I don't know are suddenly there, helping them. Tag disappears, more than likely going after her. Lyle lets go a string of curses from somewhere nearby, as I condemn all my oppressors to hell.
"Get the hell off me! She'll walk back if he doesn't get her! Let me go before she fucking tries!"
"She won't walk back," Wren groans, exasperated with me. "She's probably waiting on one of us to come out there and take her home."
He doesn't know Raya like I do. She'll walk or hitchhike. I get sick thinking about the second option, and it
fuels my fight.
I shove four of them off me with one powerful heave and make it outside before anyone can stop me. Tag is swearing as he kicks the snow, walking back toward the bar.
"Where is she?" I bark, making him drop a few more choice words.
"Gone. One of the guys over there said she got in a car just down the road."
"Fucking shit, Tag. She's—"
"I'm going over there now. I'm not going in or letting her see me, but I'll make sure she shows up. Once she does, I'll leave. I don't think either of you needs to speak to each other tonight."
"Give me your keys," I growl, holding my hand out.
"No. Go back—"
I start running, not hearing another word he says. The cabin is a few miles from here. It'll take me a little while, but I can take shortcuts. I'm not letting her leave, and she'll do it if I don't hurry. She already has a head start.
I don't even feel the cold, considering my blood is pumping and I'm in a race against time. Minutes seem like hours as I run harder than ever before, thankful the roads are clear of snow. That would have been a bitch.
I leap over the curb and start running up the hill that will lead me to the house, but my heart sinks when I don't see any lights on. Not even the one to her room.
She'd better still be here.
I reach the door, jerk it open, and slam it as I take long, determined strides toward her room, preparing to drive to the bus station next. My breaths grow louder inside the enclosure as I try to recover from my unplanned exercise.
As soon as I push her door open, I hear her small voice breaking through the darkness, leading me to her as the moonlight illuminates her through the window. Her back is to me, meaning she doesn't want to see me.
"Please go away," she says, her voice sounding exhausted and strained. "I get it. You don't want me fucking with your business and all—"
"Did you go out with him tonight because you like him?" I ask, unable to keep the anger out of my tone. I grimace because I didn't mean to sound so harsh.
And what is she talking about my business and Lyle? The Hughes have no bearings on my business. Hell, I haven't even told her what my business is.
"Kade, please... leave me alone," she stammers, sounding so damn defeated.