by Sue Brown
On principle he should have ignored it, but water would be so good. He sat up, groaned because there was no one to hear it, popped a couple of the Tylenol into his mouth, uncapped the water, and drained it dry. It was so good.
He lay back down, wishing he had another bottle. From another room he could hear the muted chatter of people, but he felt no desire to join them. All he wanted was to go back to sleep, but instead fresh tears spilled over, stinging his sore cheeks. Hadn’t he cried enough? He’d woken up that morning so happy, thinking of his impending proposal. He’d spent weeks working out what he wanted to say, intending to take a snowy walk with Adam and propose to him among the trees. Now his happiness lay in ruins in a parking lot back home.
Noel huffed out an impatient breath. He needed to get over himself, so he rolled out of bed, stripped off his clothes, and found his sleep shorts and a T-shirt in his bag. Then he grabbed his shower gel and headed into the shower, hoping the hot water would help to soothe his tattered psyche and burgeoning hangover. It stung his cheeks at first, but after a few minutes under the pounding water, he started to feel better… not recovered but better.
As he dried his hair, he heard someone—presumably Angel—come into the room, but he didn’t call out, and a moment later, he heard the door close. Perhaps he was just seeing if Noel was awake for dinner. Noel couldn’t face anyone at the moment and certainly not a table full of strangers.
He poked his head into the bedroom. It was empty except for the tray on his nightstand. Noel shook his head at the sight. Angel was determined to feed him whether Noel wanted it or not. There was a towering sandwich of ham and cheese, with chips and a large slice of chocolate cake. Even an apple. Plus another bottle of water. Noel noticed the empty one had disappeared.
Noel sat down on his bed and eyed the food. He wasn’t hungry until his stomach rumbled. “Traitor,” he muttered.
He ate a few chips. They were salty, so he took a drink of water. Then he took a large bite of the sandwich, and that was gone in minutes. Noel had barely eaten at lunchtime because his stomach was churning with stress. But he didn’t want the cake. He eyed it thoughtfully and took a swipe of the frosting. But it would be a shame to waste it, so he ate the cake and then the apple.
By the time the tray was empty and the water drunk, Noel was stronger. He didn’t have the urge to cry again, but he still couldn’t face talking to anyone. Maybe he’d feel better going for a walk. He peered out and saw that the storm that was meant to arrive hadn’t started yet.
Decision made, Noel got dressed in the clothes he’d worn during the day, picked up the tray, and headed in what he hoped was the direction of the kitchen. He hadn’t paid much attention when they were discussing the layout of the chalet. He got lucky and found the kitchen first time. It was empty, so Noel deposited the tray and then went in search of his coat and boots.
He was lacing them up when he heard “Are you going for a walk?”
He looked up to see Angel smiling at him.
“Yeah. I think I could do with fresh air.”
“Would you mind if I came with? I could do with the same. It’s been a long and stressful day.” Noel’s reluctance must have shown, because Angel said, “It’s okay. I can go alone.”
“If you guys are going out together, then do it soon.” Charlie appeared from somewhere. “The storm’s going to reach us by nine. I don’t want anyone out then or we’ll be calling Search and Rescue.”
Noel ran his hand through his hair and forced a smile. “We’d better go, then.”
Angel nodded, and five minutes later. they were crunching down the path. The sky was still clear, the stars bright. and the moon cast an icy glow.
Angel looked up. “No sign of the storm yet. Charlie said storms tend to hit the resort quickly and go just as fast.”
“Have you been here before?” Noel asked politely. Look at me, making an effort.
“No, this is my first time here. I usually go to Aspen, but I let it go too late to book, and this was the only place I could get.” Angel pulled a face. “Not even that. When I reached the bus and they realized they’d double-booked an entire chalet, you should have seen the panic on their faces.”
“What happened then?”
“We had to drive around everywhere, looking for spaces. I was the only single guest. The other guests were families with small kids, so they dealt with them first. I got left until last. You know what time we reached the resort. We were looking for beds the whole time. If it hadn’t been for you, I’d have been sleeping on a sofa somewhere. They’ve promised us rooms tomorrow.”
Noel shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down at the path. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“For you not having a room. For trying to turn you away.”
Angel stopped him with a gloved hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Noel. I understand what you’re going through.”
“Yeah, but I don’t have to be a dick to everyone.”
Angel’s lips twitched, and Noel knew he was trying to hide a smile. “That’s true.”
“Thanks for the water, the meds, and the food. That was you, wasn’t it?”
“You’re welcome. Charlie was ready to send Don in to drag you to dinner. He’s scary when he gets worked up. I thought you might prefer my option.”
Noel grunted in agreement. He imagined Don would have ignored his protests and put him over his burly shoulder.
“Let’s walk,” Angel suggested.
They trudged through the snow for a few minutes, Angel pointing out a path Charlie had suggested, and which led to a good viewpoint during the day. Noel was content to follow his lead. He didn’t feel much like talking, and it seemed Angel was happy to walk in silence.
The viewpoint was pretty spectacular at night too, with the valley stretched like a diamond necklace, all sparkling lights from the villages below. Noel realized how high up they were compared to the rest of the resort. He sucked in a deep breath, coughed from the cold, and then gave a reluctant chuckle.
Angel turned to smile at him. “It’s good to hear you laugh.”
“I haven’t felt much like laughing today,” Noel admitted. “I’m not normally like this.”
“I’d have been curled up in a ball in the corner if I’d had the day you had.”
Noel pinked under Angel’s careful regard, and he was thankful for the darkness. He sought for something to say.
“It’s not like yours was any easier,” he finally managed. “You must be tired too.”
“I am,” Angel said.
“You didn’t need to come out with me. I just needed some fresh air and exercise or I’ll be awake all night.”
There was a long silence, an odd silence. And Noel didn’t understand it until he turned to see Angel staring out across the valley, carefully not meeting his gaze.
“Angel? Am I missing something?”
“I was… worried.”
“About me?” Noel was confused.
“Yes.”
“I don’t get it. Why were you… oh.” Noel stared at him in horror. “Did you think I was going to do something stupid?”
The first snowflakes started to fall, gently, softly.
Angel shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed. “I’m an EMT, training to be a paramedic.”
“Okay.”
“I’ve seen people do stupid things when they’re upset.”
“But—”
Angel ignored his interruption. “Sensible, rational people who wouldn’t dream of behaving like that under normal circumstances.”
“I’m not suicidal,” Noel said hotly, anger rising in him.
“I thought there was a chance you would walk out into the storm and not come back.” Angel gave him a steady look. “I wasn’t prepared to take that chance.”
Noel stared back, shocked and confused. “I’m not that sort of person.”
“But I didn’t know that, and I thought I’d come with you just to make sure.”
>
“I….” Noel wasn’t sure what to say.
Angel was equally mute. Meanwhile the wind picked up and blew flurries of snow around them.
“We ought to get back before we lose the trail,” Noel suggested.
It would be ironic if they had to call for rescue just because they’d hesitated too long after this talk.
Angel nodded, and they turned back the way they’d come. Neither of them spoke as they made their way along the path. Noel veered between anger and astonishment and a touch of gratitude that a stranger cared enough to check on his well-being.
The way back was not as pleasant as their initial journey. The soft flurries had changed to an icy blast in Noel’s face, and it was difficult to breathe. He had to admit, he might have struggled to find his way back to the chalet on his own. As it was, they helped each other along. As they got to the path that led to the chalet, they met Don, even bigger in his puffed jacket and hat and gloves.
“We were starting to get worried,” he yelled above the noise of the wind.
“The weather changed real quickly,” Noel said.
“It’s like that around here.” Don herded them back to the chalet like an enormous sheepdog.
Inside was a shock—all warm and quiet after the howling wind and snow. Noel stood for a moment in a kind of trance.
“Noel?” Angel said.
He blinked and looked at Angel. “Huh?”
“You were frozen.”
“It was the change in noise. It was a shock.” Noel unzipped his coat and pulled off his gloves.
Don nodded as he stripped off his jacket. “You’ll hear when the storm is at its full force. First time I thought it was going to carry the chalet down the mountain.”
Charlie hurried out, a relieved smile on his face. “Thank goodness Don found you.”
“They were almost here,” Don said, and Noel was glad he hadn’t leaped in to protest.
“Hot chocolate with marshmallows is almost ready. Go in the great room.”
Noel flinched, and he knew Angel and Don caught it.
Apparently so had Charlie, because he said, “Everyone has gone to their rooms. You’ll be on your own.”
Noel pressed his lips together and nodded. “Hot chocolate sounds lovely.”
“I’ll take mine to bed,” Don said, although from the way his eyes were on Charlie, he wasn’t talking about a beverage. Charlie flushed, which was all kinds of adorable.
Angel nudged Noel to a couch and plopped down next to him with a happy sigh. Noel thought about giving him the side-eye. There were many empty chairs in the room, so why did Angel need to sit next to him?
Then Charlie brought the mugs out. Noel inhaled the lovely aroma of chocolate, and any thought of complaining went out the window.
Chapter 3—Day 1
evening
NOEL STARED down into the bottom of the cup. The hot chocolate had warmed him through and he wished there was another one… or whiskey. Liquor would be good… or maybe not. He’d probably fall into a miserable decline.
“Are you thinking about Adam?” Angel asked.
He turned to see Angel staring at him. The young man had turned in his seat to look at him fully, one foot tucked under him.
“No,” he admitted. “I was thinking about more chocolate.”
Angel raised an eyebrow. “That makes you frown?”
“Or whiskey. I couldn’t decide which I wanted more.”
“I think you should lay off the liquor. You had one hangover. You don’t need another.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Angel must have heard the edge in Noel’s voice, because he said, “I’m sorry, you don’t need me to nag you.”
Noel huffed, but he smiled at Angel to soothe the sting. “You’re right. I’d drink myself into another stupor, and that would be no good for anyone.”
“Charlie said there’s more chocolate in a pan in the kitchen.”
“There is?” Noel brightened.
Angel stood and held out his hand for Noel’s mug. “Wait here.”
Where was Noel expected to go? He stared into the fire, and inevitably his thoughts returned to Adam. He had so many unanswered questions. Why had Adam chosen that moment to dump him? Did he suspect Noel was planning to propose to him? Noel hadn’t discussed it at all, but he had bought the ring. Had Adam found it hidden in his sock drawer in the closet? Noel had stashed it there, thinking it was the last place Adam would look, as Adam didn’t do laundry. Noel felt the tears welling again, and he hastily blinked them back.
“Oh, Noel, I’m so sorry he hurt you.” Angel sat next to Noel and put his arm around Noel’s shoulders.
Noel gave up trying to hold back the tears and buried his face in Angel’s soft cashmere sweater. Today he’d mourn his broken relationship in the arms of a stranger. Tomorrow he’d get the fuck on with life.
The tears didn’t last long. His eyes were too sore for that. Noel sat up, wincing as he knuckled his eyes, and took the proffered mug.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Nothing to be sorry for,” Angel assured him, his expression so gentle Noel nearly broke down again.
He ran his hand through his hair, still damp from the snow. “I know, but I don’t need to bring down your vacation.”
Angel ignored that comment and sipped his chocolate. “Getting a bed is a plus. The fact you’re my roommate makes it even better. I wasn’t looking forward to sharing with a stranger.”
Noel sipped at his own drink and tried not to blush. The hot beverage plus the warmth from the fire was making him sleepy. He yawned, and Angel yawned in response.
“I think we need to go to bed,” Angel suggested.
Noel blinked at the ‘we,’ and he noticed Angel’s flush. He raised an eyebrow.
“You know what I mean,” Angel scolded, but he gave a chuckle.
“I do, and I think you’re right. Give me your mug, and I’ll clean it up.” He swapped the room key for the mug.
“Charlie said to leave the pan on the stove and put everything else in the dishwasher.”
“Okay.”
Noel wandered into the kitchen. When they arrived he hadn’t taken much notice in the rest of the chalet. But now he looked around with interest. He’d expected old-fashioned cabinets and a pine table. Instead it was full of stainless-steel appliances straight out of a restaurant. It took him a moment to work out which was the dishwasher. His mom would have serious kitchen envy when he told her about this place. She was always complaining about her dated kitchen.
He dimmed the lights and headed back to his room. The rest of the chalet was silent, and when he checked his phone, it was after eleven. Still no message from Adam. Noel had no idea it was that late, but he had slept for a long while, which accounted for why he hadn’t been tired. Now the day was catching up with him and he thought he could sleep all night.
As he entered the bedroom, he saw Angel sitting on his bed, an odd look on his face.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Don forgot to bring the cot.” Angel waved at the other side of the room, which was lacking the promised extra bed.
“Oh.”
Angel bit his lip. “I’ll go sleep on the couch in the great room.” He looked dejected and miserable as he stood up and walked over to his bag.
Noel hesitated. He liked Angel but the thought of sharing a bed with him after what he’d planned for Adam was like a knife to the gut. But he’d promised Angel a bed for the night. He couldn’t send him to the couch.
“It’s a big bed,” he managed.
Angel looked at him. “It is, but it’s okay. The sofas are comfortable.”
“Just get into bed,” Noel said, suddenly too exhausted to argue. “We’ll deal with it in the morning.”
Silence stretched between them as they stared at each other. Angel offered to use the bathroom first so he could leave it free for Noel. Noel sat on the bed, trying to recover his composure. He could hear Angel moving ar
ound in the bathroom, singing something Noel thought he recognized but couldn’t put a name to. Noel listened intently for a moment and finally placed the song as something Adam liked. Noel’s tastes veered more toward rock than pop.
With a degree of relief, he stripped off his clothes and climbed back into his sleep shorts and T-shirt. It was chilly in the room, and he dove under the covers to wait for use of the bathroom. The noise of the wind from the storm was obvious now, and Noel was glad he was warm in bed and glad that Angel had a bed too. He must have fallen asleep instead, because he roused to discover the light in the room dimmed to a glow from the lamp on the nightstand and Angel climbing into bed.
“Sorry to disturb you,” Angel said.
“You didn’t,” Noel assured him.
He climbed out of bed, used the bathroom briefly to brush his teeth and take a leak, and returned to bed.
Angel was on the far side, giving Noel plenty of space. He gave Noel an anxious smile. “I… uh… might talk in my sleep.”
“No worries,” Noel said. “I snore, so we’re even.” At Angel’s worried smile, he said, “Just go to sleep. I’m sure you won’t disturb me.”
Angel nodded, snapped off the light, and settled against one of the pillows. The rest had been discarded on the floor. Noel noticed the sliver of light from the porch falling across the covers from the gap in the curtains. He contemplated getting up to shut the curtains properly, but he was too warm and cozy.
He was almost asleep when Angel suddenly said, “Thanks for taking me in. I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow.”
“Thanks for taking care of me,” Noel murmured. “You made a shitty day less shitty.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Night,” Noel said. If Angel responded, Noel didn’t hear it. He was out like a light.