Old Enough to Love... (Just One of the Guys)

by Pelton, Kristi

  Ryan and Ali had gotten off the lift and it was our turn. We slid off the ramp, joined my brother then waited for the rest of the crew. Zach carried my snowboard as we walked to the slope.

  Grant came up on the opposite side of me. “Hey.”

  “What?” I asked a little annoyed. I didn’t want to hassle with jealousy today. I could feel Zach’s eyes on us, though it was kind of funny knowing he didn’t want Grant around.

  “You were kidding about Sticks and Stones, right?” His goggles rested on his forehead and his eyes were serious. He was really bothered by this.

  “Why? You nervous?” I winked at him, trying to keep the competition real.

  He grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. “Em!” He barked. “Don’t!”

  “Let her go!” Zach snapped, dropping our boards and wedging himself between Grant and me. “Now.” Zach’s jaw was rigid. His nostrils were wide and his lips were tight. My heart pounded and I was suddenly frightened for Grant’s safety. I shouldn’t have joked about it. Grant released my arm and started on Ryan.

  “Ryan. Do not let her go down that slope.”

  “Runt. Stick to one of the other three. OK?” Ryan requested. Uh-oh. Big brother intervention. It must be serious.

  Zach’s face was still tense with anger. I reached up and touched him with my gloved hand. “Relax,” I tried to laugh it off. “He wouldn’t hurt me. You know that.” I certainly knew that.

  Zach released a breath and a puff of steam came from his nose. “He’s getting on my last nerve.”

  “I told you…it’s kind of a competition thing.”

  “I’m starting to see that. I’m not sure you are.” He handed me my board. “So what’s the deal with this slope that’s got him all worked up?”

  “See ya at the bottom!” Ryan hollered as he and Ali started down. I waved.

  “It’s rocky on one side. Kind of dangerous. But with the snow that fell, it’ll be fine.” I rolled my eyes.

  He took my gloved hand. “Let’s just say for the sake of safety, stay away from that one.”

  “OOH. Siding with Grant?” I teased. That was a shock.

  He nodded. “Maybe. No need to tell him that.” Zach winked at me and lowered his goggles. “He is waiting for you though. As much as I’d like to smack him with my board.”

  I waved my finger at him. “Now. Now.” I glanced over my shoulder and Claire was with Grant. “Looks like you’re going to have a partner…so…keep your eyes on the slope.” I bit my cheek. Why was it OK for me to head down the mountain with Grant but jealousy oozed from my body at thinking of Zach boarding with Claire?

  He propped his board in the snow, raised his goggles back up, wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in. “Let’s make it clear to both of them then.” He lowered his mouth to meet mine and his mouth was on fire. It was hard to kiss him because I was smiling so wide.

  “You’re being mean,” I mumbled.

  “And?” He laughed and dislodged his board. I glanced over at Grant.

  “You ready?”

  “You’re not going with loverboy?” Grant’s goggles were down so I wasn’t sure if he was eyeing Zach or me.

  I shook my head. “Nope. He understands all about friendly competition.” The wind was cold but the sun was making me sweat under my layers.

  Grant engaged his board. “I’m not racin’. I’ve lost the mood.”

  My boots were on my board and I was ready to go vertical. “OK…loser!”

  A grin touched his mouth. But he still didn’t give in.

  “I’m going in 10, 9, 8, 7,” I counted.

  “OK! I’m in!” Grant shouted and went vertical. I bent my knees low and went straight staying right on his tail. The fresh powder was awesome and sprayed up as we swayed. I glanced back to see Zach and Claire following behind. Grant didn’t turn around. He didn’t have too. He knew I was there without looking. We had to veer right up ahead and I saw the sign for Sticks and Stones. Diamond Back continued down and I spotted Ryan and Ali taking a break. If I was going to take it—I had to do it now. I would undoubtedly beat him. Grant shot his head around to measure my speed. I think he could tell I’d slowed and he brought his body upright. I looked for Zach and didn’t see him. At that moment, I darted right, changing slopes and leaning back on my heels. Zach would never know. Grant shot right and made the turn too, barely, almost taking out a tree. He shook his head, disgusted at me, and I knew he was pissed.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  I wafted through the powder giggling to myself. We would laugh and have a competitive race down the hill then fight later. He’d never be too mad at me. Confident, I slowed and watched as he pulled up and lifted his goggles glaring at me.

  “Seriously?”

  I grinned.

  He was on the farthest side of the mountain. We both heard the scrape against the bottom of the board indicative of rock. He leaned away from the sound edging the board down and I swerved his direction.

  “Emma, take it slow,” he cautioned.

  “I am.” Crap.

  “I need to get right,” he said studying the slope for a good path.

  He was right. Rocks poked out of the snow all around him. Gravity, along with the incline, kept inching my board away from him, as much as I fought to get to him. I tried to sit but even then the slope was too steep.

  “Grant. Kick off your board and walk it over.”

  He nodded and tried to gain leverage, then his foot slid and he biffed it. One foot still engaged on the board.

  “Shit,” I hissed beneath my breath. Still creeping down the slope, I forced myself to inch left.

  “Don’t EM! It’s fucking ice over here.”

  A wave of nausea swarmed over me.

  “Why wouldn’t they have this blocked off? Closed it? Anything!” I shouted and my chest tightened.

  I glanced up at Grant, he had disengaged his board. The altitude had never really gotten to me even with my asthma, but today, I struggled. He held onto his board as he maneuvered over the rocks. Snowboard boots were not easy.

  The sun hadn’t touched the side of the mountain Grant was on. It didn’t make sense.

  “There was…” I inhaled. “…a freaking…” breath “…blizzard last night…” Breath. “…this is crazy that….” Breath. “…that there’s no snow…” breath. “right there!”

  Grant stared at me as if I was the one in trouble.

  “Em. Do you have your inhaler?”

  I nodded.

  “Get it out, sweetheart.”

  To prevent sliding farther down the mountain, I decided to kick off my board. As I did, I realized I was now in the shade, and, when I disengaged my foot, my other foot slid out from under me. The slope was coming toward my face and I landed hard on my arms.

  “Em!”

  My breaths were coming quicker and he was right, I needed my inhaler.

  “Ryan. Get back up here. We need help.”

  Was Ryan here? I stared up at Grant. He was on the phone. Talking to Ryan?

  “Sticks and Stones.” He grinned. “Hey, I knew she would.” His smile disappeared. “Stop, don’t be mad at her. Listen. She just lost her board and she’s whistling.”

  Was I whistling? I was whistling. And my board was gone! I didn’t remember that happening.

  “Em. I’m coming down.”

  After unzipping my front pocket, I searched for my inhaler.

  “Shiiit!”

  My head jerked instinctively at the shriek and Grant was falling or sliding feet first.

  “Aaahh!” The painful scream echoed off the mountain then suddenly, his scream stopped. His board reached me first and I stopped it.

  “GRANT!”

  Working my way toward him while holding onto his board was hard.

  “Grant…” I panted reaching him and wedged the board horizontally at his feet.

  My stomach twisted when he didn’t move. No! No! This can’t be happening. Why? I studied his chest as I got closer.
He had on too many layers. That was a good thing…right? It would be harder to get hurt. Too many layers to get through. I dug my boots into the icy snow as I grew closer. I unzipped my coat trying to relieve the increasing tension in my chest. It hurt. I hurt. I couldn’t breathe.

  Gradually, edging my way up to his face, I lifted his goggles and allowed them to rest on his forehead. His eyes were closed and his lips slightly parted.

  “Grant.” My voice broke. No response. “Grant, can you hear me?” I could barely hear myself. I took off my gloves and raised his head. Oh shit! Blood. There was blood on my fingers and on a rock beneath his head. I was SO wrong. I thought the fresh snow would have been enough to cover the rocks. Why wasn’t the slope closed??

  I laid his head down gently on my gloves and found my phone three layers deep. I had only two bars and prayed for reception. I dialed.

  “Where are you?” Ryan demanded angrily. Not even a hello.

  “Ryan. We need help. Grant’s hurt.” I started to cry.

  “Grant? We are almost off the lift. We called it in, so ski patrol may be there first.”

  “ It’s bad….Ryan. When you make the cut…veer as far right on the mountain as you can.” A wheezy breath interjected itself between words. His phone disconnected. I stuffed mine back into my pocket. I closed my eyes and recalled slowly all the things my dad taught Ryan and me over the years. Never panic. TOO LATE! With my eyes still closed, I assessed my surroundings. I could hear people through the trees on Diamondback—laughing and chatting. I could hear skis and boards wafting through the powder. They were close but they didn’t realize we even existed. I thought about the three climbers on Mt. Hood and how’d they’d never been found. The cold air burned my throat as I inhaled.

  Opening my eyes, I knew I needed to gauge Grant’s injuries. I had a feeling he’d broken something by the pain-wracked scream. I peeked gently into his left glove. His wrist was swollen. Broken bone, possible fractured skull. I shivered at the thought. I rubbed his forehead. He was cold and that frightened me, maybe even clammy, or was I making that up? Cold was beginning to seep through my layers as well and I shivered.

  I ran my fingers through his shiny long curls then kissed his forehead. “I am so sorry.” I wiped my tears and bent over him resting my cheek against his—rubbing them together—creating friction. “Please be OK.” Then I pushed my cheek firmly to his nose trying to keep him warm before moving to the other cheek. I smelled his shampoo or soap or something that smelled good.

  “Could you please get your hair out of my mouth?” he spoke in a monotone.

  I reared back and gasped. “Grant?” I wailed. “Oh my God. Don’t move.”

  He blinked his eyes and stared at me—confused. He didn’t smile.

  “Do you know where you are?”

  Without moving, he swiveled his eyes in their sockets. Tall evergreens hovered over him. He was on a bed of snow, I hoped something would click. “Mt. Ashland?”

  I swallowed. Oh, this was so bad. We were miles from Mt. Ashland. He raised his head and cried out reaching one hand to his head.

  “Please don’t move.” I warned. “What’s your name?”

  “Grant.” His words were soft.

  “Do you know who I am?” My pulse raced as I waited for the answer. I kept glancing up the slope. Was there a friggin closed sign that I didn’t see up there?

  “Don’t be stupid, Chloe,” he answered and I’m glad he’d closed his eyes because I couldn’t hide my shock. Chloe had been in Okinawa for twelve months now. It had to have been my voice because I certainly didn’t look like her. She was beautiful.

  His left wrist was two times its normal size and was turning purple by the minute. I felt his right hand in my hair and I turned to face him again. “Did that make you mad, babe?” he asked quietly.

  Mad? How could I possibly be mad at him right now? He should be the furious one. “Why would I be mad?”

  “That I said don’t be stupid. I’m sorry.”

  “No. I’m not mad.” He was always so good to her. What I wouldn’t have given to be her a year ago when I’d watch them hug and kiss. My heart broke as I snuck peeks of them. I ached to be in his arms. What a twist of fate.

  “Good, then give me a kiss,” he requested tugging my head downward. I took a quick glance up the slope then guiltily, touched my lips to his. His breath was cold and made me shudder as it blew into my lungs. His tongue touched my top lip then withdrew and he closed his lips and pushed me away. The kiss was different than last night. Better. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered. He seemed out of it. Loopy.

  Where was everybody? His eyes closed. I was wiping my bottom lip when finally, I saw them come out of the break. Two ski patrol, pulling their carrier. Relief washed over me. I patted Grant’s shoulder. “They’re here. You’re going to be OK.”

  Suddenly, behind ski patrol, Ryan took the corner followed by Zach then Brett…crap…then Connor. My face flushed. Why don’t we bring the whole crew? Now, if anyone else got hurt I would carry that burden too. Great. All five of them maneuvered toward us.

  The ski patrol pointed to the right. “Stay—right face,” he yelled back at them and all five stayed right of us and stopped parallel.

  “Em, you all right?” Zach hollered. I sat back on my bum, suddenly feeling weak.

  “Ma’am? You OK?”

  He confused me. Why was he asking me that?

  “Dude,” he shouted toward the guys. “Did they say what happened to her?”

  “What do you mean?” Ryan asked.

  The guy took my wrist and pressed his two fingers on the underside then spoke into his hand held radio. “Patrol—we have a betty respirations are slow, eyes darkened, lips blue, conscious.”

  Suddenly, Ryan was next to me unzipping and rummaging thru my pockets. He rested my head against his shoulder and puffed the inhaler in my mouth. “Breathe it in, Em.”

  “Asthma?” the ski patrol guy questioned.

  “Yep. She’ll be ok. Just give her a second.”

  The other ski patrol guy spoke into his hand held radio. “Patrol—we have a bro—down. We will be transporting. Looks like a broken wrist and possible concussion.”

  They unrolled a neck brace and wrapped Grant’s neck. As I felt oxygen make its way into my lungs, I wasn’t sure if it was relief that Grant was going to be okay or the inhaler.

  “What’s his name?” they asked.

  “Grant,” Ryan said.

  “One, two, three,” they said in unison lifting him to the carrier cage. “Transporting.” One guy spoke into his radio again. They weren’t wasting time which was definitely good.

  “You OK?” the ski patrol asked.

  I nodded.

  “You certainly look better,” he smiled and they took off with Grant in tow.

  I swiveled back to my five brothers who stared at me. “I don’t care that you can’t breathe right now, I’m pissed at you. You just couldn’t not do it, could you?” Ryan asked bitterly. He moved away from me, re-engaged his board and tossed my inhaler to me.

  “How many of us begged you not to take it? AND, I might add, you still did it,” He added.

  “Leave her alone, Ryan,” Brett said calmly.

  “Yeah Ry. Leave Runt alone,” Connor echoed. “Let’s hit it.”

  Ryan turned his board and took off. It was obvious Grant and I had cut the corner too short and ventured into a rougher terrain because where they boarded from, there was no problem. The guys followed Ryan except for Zach; he waited patiently for me. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t ask anything. We boarded down slowly in silence.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  My hands were frozen by the time we reached the Jeep. I couldn’t remember what happened to the gloves once I slid them beneath Grant’s head. The dizziness from forgetting to use my inhaler still hadn’t subsided. My thoughts were scattered as well and Zach still wasn’t speaking. He was angry—I think. He was something. I needed him to hold my hands, to help me get warm.


  The radio played inside the Jeep, thankfully filling the void. I guess it was for the best because, like usual, the mountain roads made me nauseous. Regardless, I didn’t like either feeling.

  He pulled in and parked by the entrance of the emergency room at the clinic and my eyes widened.

  “Why are we here?” I asked. Ryan’s truck was three stalls away.

  Zach stared out the windshield. “Tell me you don’t want to be here.”

  Couldn’t he have asked a different question? One that I could answer without hurting him. Of course I wanted to check on Grant. Make sure he was OK. I was, after all, the reason he was here!

  “I just want to make sure he’s OK.” I feared saying Grant’s name.

  He jerked the keys from the ignition and opened his door. I grabbed his arm and held on when his eyes met mine. “Are you angry?” I asked.

  “We’ll talk about it later.” His tone was flat.

  “Well, you’re something. I can tell.”

  He pulled his arm from my grasp. “We’ll talk about it later.”

  Feeling sicker than I did a few minutes ago on the curvy roads, I stepped out of the Jeep too.

  The ER was quiet and we were pointed in the direction of the waiting room where we found the crew. Zach slapped hands with a couple of the guys and I plopped down in a chair next to Ali.

  “Hey,” I said. “You mad at me too?”

  “Don’t be stupid,” she said. “I think Ryan’s kind of mad but not because of Grant. Because he asked you not to do it. How’s Zach?”

  “What do you mean?” She knew something.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. He was so upset when he got down the mountain. We were all waiting and hanging out.” She was whispering. “Then you and Grant weren’t down yet. Ryan kept telling him that he didn’t need to worry about you but you never came. And neither did Grant.”

  I glanced at Zach across the room, next to Ryan, and his head was back against the brick wall with closed eyes. The older girls sat down by the TV but Estelle’s legs were pulled up to her chest and she rested her chin on her knees. She looked worried. What was that about?