by A. K. Evans
Preview of Break the Ice
Prologue
It was rare for me to find myself feeling surprised these days.
In the last few years, there’d been little that truly captivated me or captured my attention in a way that felt meaningful.
I didn’t exactly know where it stemmed from; maybe I’d simply become jaded.
But right now, as I stared out at the view before me through the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, I was in complete awe.
The beauty before me was absolutely breathtaking, and it blew my mind to think that this place had been here all these years. I never knew it existed.
Actually, that isn’t entirely true.
I knew about this place; I just didn’t know that it was like this. I didn’t know it was this beautiful.
Only a few minutes ago, I’d walked through the door and into this gorgeous home at the peak of the mountain. My friends and I had planned a snowboarding and skiing trip at Hidden Lake Ski Resort, a resort in the Wasatch Mountain range about four hours north of where we all lived in Lily Canyon, Utah.
Every year, for as long as I could remember, my friends and I always made the effort to have regular gatherings. When the discussion of it came up over the summer when we’d all spent a long weekend at Lake Powell, it was decided that we’d take a longer vacation together and take two weeks to snowboard and ski at one of the best resorts in all of Utah.
Clearly, we’d made a good choice.
Not only was the view spectacular, an indication that we’d be in for a real treat when we were out on the mountain, but the accommodations were also incredible.
There were eight of us: Faye, Dakota, Bethany, Easton, Ben, Ryder, Mack, and myself. We’d managed to make reservations at a private ski-in/ski-out home that could sleep ten people. I’d yet to explore the rest of the home because I had been too mesmerized by the scenery outside the windows.
As I stood there, I was merely grateful for the fact that I’d left home when I did. There was a single road into the resort, and it was a treacherous road under the best of circumstances. It was steep—a fifteen percent grade—and had numerous switchbacks over the nearly twelve-mile stretch of road. The storm we were expected to get had already started, and I was barely able to drive ten miles per hour up to the house.
But I’d made it.
And now I was watching the snow fall, blanketing more of the terrain my friends and I would be exploring over the next two weeks. I couldn’t wait.
I was pulled from my thoughts of the fun I’d have when my phone rang in my purse—the only bag I’d carried into the house so far.
Turning away from the window, I took a few steps back toward the coffee table that was set in the front corner of the house and surrounded by a couch and two chairs where I dropped my purse when I arrived a few minutes ago.
I looked at the display, saw it was Bethany calling, and answered, “Hey. Are you guys almost here?”
The last I knew, Beth, Faye, and Easton were driving up together.
“No. Well, yes, but Marley, we’re stuck.”
Crap.
Bad weather. But they knew what was required to navigate the roads here.
“Whose car are you driving?” I asked.
“We’re in Easton’s SUV,” she answered.
“And you got stuck?” I questioned her. That made no sense because Easton was very particular about his vehicle. There was no doubt he had put snow tires on and probably even chains.
“No. We’re not physically stuck in the snow, but the highway is shut down. From what we’re hearing, there’s a massive pile-up a couple miles ahead, and we’re at a standstill,” Beth explained.
Well, that was going to suck.
“So, you have no idea how long you’re going to be there,” I surmised.
“We haven’t moved for the last hour.”
“That’s horrible,” I replied. “I just got here a little while ago, and let me tell you, the place is incredible. If nothing else, I can promise you the wait is going to be worth it.”
I listened while Beth relayed my words to Faye and Easton. Then she said, “Let’s hope we get moving soon. I can’t wait for this vacation. After the way work has been for the last month, I’ve been dying for this trip.”
I let out a laugh. “I’ll keep the place warm for you. Have you talked to anyone else?”
I did my best to keep my voice neutral and indifferent, but Beth knew where I was going with it.
“I talked to Dakota a few minutes ago to let her know our status, but she said that she and Ben hadn’t left yet. They’ll probably be late, as usual.”
Dakota and Ben were the two in our group who were dating one another. For years, they’d just been friends like the rest of us, but about a year ago, they took things to the next level. Ever since, they never showed up anywhere on time. We had all sort of figured out the reason for that had everything to do with their newfound physical relationship.
Following a brief pause, Beth continued, “Faye reached out to Ryder when I was on with Dakota. He said he was about two hours into his journey. He hasn’t gotten quite as far as us, so he’s going to try to find another route.”
“Right. And he and Mack are traveling together, right?” I confirmed.
“As far as I know,” she returned. “He didn’t say they weren’t, and that had been the plan all along.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
At least Ryder would be here if the rest of the crew didn’t show up first.
That was probably the only surprising thing in my life lately. I had a group of friends that I saw regularly, and yet, there was one I only managed to be around simply because we had the same group of friends.
But he and I weren’t friends.
Not anymore.
Mack Slater.
The man who used to be my friend until he betrayed me in the worst way imaginable.
For a long time after I learned the truth about what he’d done to me, I stayed away. I didn’t talk to him about it; he didn’t deserve my time.
I didn’t share it with anyone else, either. They asked, but I couldn’t do it. Maybe that was because I was embarrassed by it. Maybe it was because it hurt too much to know a friend could do what he did. Or maybe it was something else entirely.
Maybe it was that I’d fallen in love with him all those years ago, and just when I built up the courage to share my feelings with him, I realized I’d fallen for a man who would never love me back.
Everything about our friendship had been a fraud.
Our mutual friends knew that there was something awkward and tense between us. They’d asked me about it, the girls wondering how they could help and the guys clearly seeking answers for Mack.
I didn’t know why he played stupid. He knew what he did.
That was probably why I eventually found a way to not stay away. Everyone else in the crew was my friend. I wasn’t going to let Mack be the reason I didn’t see them any longer. He might have been successful in destroying the friendship I thought we had, but he wasn’t going to take away the rest of my friends.
So, I put up with him being present when we were all together. I didn’t speak to him, and he eventually realized it was best to steer clear of me.
It wouldn’t exactly be easy with just Ryder here with us—assuming they arrived before everyone else—but it was infinitely better than being alone with Mack. That was something that hadn’t happened since we were in high school.
“Alright, well, I guess I’m going to go check out the rest of the place, attempt to drag my suitcase in, and wait for all of you to arrive,” I said. “Keep me posted on your progress.”
“I will. Hope to see you soon,” Beth replied.
I disconnected the call with her, dropped my phone back into my purse, and went about exploring the rest of the house.
The place we were staying wasn’t the typical house. From the exterior, it could only be described as a contemporary cabin. That look c
ontinued on the inside of the home. It had knotty pine tongue and groove ceilings, and any wall that wasn’t a window also had that same finish. The floors were stained concrete, and the floorplan on the main level could only be described as open concept. There was a fireplace on one wall with cozy couches surrounding it. A wooden table with a wooden bench on one side, three seats on the other, and a chair at either end fit in the open space just off to the left-hand side of the kitchen that had more counter space than I would ever know what to do with. I was immediately in love with it.
Rounding out the main living space was a cozy corner that seemed slightly separated from the rest of the area and had several bean bag chairs on the floor, a television hung on the wall, and a bunch of board games on the shelving unit beneath the television.
With the exception of the half bathroom I’d passed when I walked through the front door, the only additional space on the main level was the covered deck with the gas firepit. It looked like the perfect place to cozy up after a long day on the mountain.
Having finished my perusal of the main floor, I took the steps downstairs to the bedrooms. It only made sense to put the bedrooms on the bottom floor. The views from the main floor were just too impressive.
Of course, that didn’t mean there weren’t any windows on the lower level. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the first of the bedrooms to find an impressive wall of picture windows. The lower level consisted of two bedrooms with king-sized beds and full bathrooms. The third and fourth bedrooms had twin bunks and full bathrooms as well.
I was sure that Dakota and Ben would end up in one of the king beds, so it would just be a matter of figuring out where everyone else would sleep once the rest of the crew arrived. As I walked down the hall to check out the second king bedroom, I stopped in my tracks.
A suitcase was there.
It wasn’t a suitcase that had been tucked to the side or in a closet.
This suitcase indicated that someone was here.
Either that, or someone had checked out of the place and left a suitcase behind. But I knew that didn’t make sense. The place had been cleaned. There was no way they would have left someone else’s belongings here.
Just then, I heard the front door open above me.
Shit.
Did I come to the wrong house?
I didn’t want to think I’d walked up to the wrong one—there were several luxury homes at the summit of Hidden Lake, so it was entirely possible I’d made a mistake. But that didn’t make sense either. This home had keyless entry. I’d entered the code to get in.
Worried that something was wrong, I quickly moved back to the stairs and climbed them. Nothing could have prepared me for what, or better yet who, I saw when I reached the top.
Mack was standing in the kitchen. His eyes came to mine, and the two of us stood there in silence simply staring at one another.
How was he even here? Where was Ryder?
I tore my attention away from Mack, walked toward the front door, and looked out. Maybe Ryder was coming behind him.
In the back of my mind, there was that voice telling me it was wishful thinking. Beth had just shared that Ryder hadn’t gotten as far as they had. There was no way he’d made it here yet.
This made no sense, and I started to panic.
I didn’t know how he knew what I was up to, but the next three words that came out of Mack’s mouth were absolutely not what I wanted to hear.
“It’s just me.”
Those were the first words Mack had spoken directly to me in years. I hated each and every one of them.
Get Break the Ice here.
Preview of Fragile
Prologue
Demi
“It’s never going to change with you, is it, Martin?”
“Oh, fuck, Brenda. Won’t you ever just shut up?”
The yelling never stopped.
I felt sick to my stomach.
It was Thursday, this was the third time this week, and they were still at it. How did they not lose their voices yet? I was exhausted just listening to them for the few minutes that I did. I didn’t even know what they were arguing about anymore. I just knew I couldn’t take the yelling much longer.
I closed my bedroom door as quietly as I could. Considering how loud they were yelling, I don’t know why I was being so careful not to make any noise.
Moving across the room to my desk, I picked up my headphones, put them on, and turned on my music. Anything to drown out the noise and help me focus.
I sat down at my desk, listened to one song, and tried to get lost in the words, hoping they’d erase all the garbage in my mind. When the song ended and another started, I was at least able to concentrate enough on my homework.
I was a freshman in high school, a place I hated almost as much as being at home. School was tough, and it wasn’t the work that was the problem, either. I was an average student and did well enough.
My issue was with trying to find a place where I fit. I wasn’t one of the jocks. Though I loved music, I didn’t play any instruments, so the band was out. I wasn’t one of the nerds. I didn’t join the drama club. I was just… me. And who I was didn’t seem to fit anywhere.
I’d gotten through nearly all of my homework when a hand gently touched my shoulder, and I practically jumped out of my seat.
Spinning around, I saw my mom standing there. She was wearing her scrubs, which meant that she’d be leaving for work. It seemed that it was the only time there was ever any peace in the house. Mom was a nurse who worked the night shift at the hospital. She worked twelve-hour shifts that started at seven in the evening. Given that the hospital was only a ten-minute drive from our house, my mom would get home during the school week just as I was leaving for school.
I pulled my headphones off my ears and said, “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to come in and say goodbye before I left for you,” she started. “Are you getting your work done?”
I’m trying to, I thought.
“Yeah, I’m almost finished with it,” I told her.
She smiled at me. “Good. Listen, I was thinking that since I’m off this weekend that you and I could do something special together. Maybe some shopping followed by dinner and a movie. What do you think?”
“That sounds great, Mom,” I answered. And it did. Not because I was overly interested in shopping but because it meant that we’d be out of the house, and I wouldn’t need to listen to them yelling at each other. “I can’t wait.”
“Okay. I know you didn’t each much at dinner, so I’ve put some leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry,” she said.
She hadn’t been making that up. I didn’t eat much at dinner because I didn’t feel well. Then again, it was rare that I didn’t have an upset stomach all the time these days. Most days, I managed to power through and eat. Today, I just couldn’t.
“Thanks,” I replied.
My mom bent down and kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning before you leave for school,” she stated as she brought her body upright. “Bye, Demi.”
“Later, Mom.”
With that, she turned and walked out of the room. I watched as she walked out. Then I waited and listened to her leaving the house.
Knowing there’d be no more fighting, I turned off the music, set my headphones down, and finished up my work. Thirty minutes later, I had completed it.
I thought I should try to eat something even though my stomach still felt a bit unsettled. I figured that the uneasiness would subside now that my parents wouldn’t be fighting for the rest of the night.
Walking into the kitchen, I found my father sitting on a stool at the island drinking a beer.
“Hey, Demi girl,” he said. “Hungry?”
I wanted to scream. Both of my parents acted like everything was fine. They’d talk to me like I hadn’t just listened to the two of them arguing about everything and nothing.
I shrugged. “I don’t feel grea
t, but I thought it might be because I haven’t had anything to eat.”
“Your mother left food in the fridge if you want to heat that up,” he remarked.
My mother. Like she wasn’t also his wife.
God, they were both just as bad as each other. Mom barely mentioned my dad to me, and he never referred to her as anything other than my mother.
“Yeah, I think I’ll do that,” I replied.
As quickly as I could, I pulled the food out and popped it in the microwave to heat it up. Ten minutes later, I wasn’t feeling any better.
When I pushed the plate away and sat up, my father’s eyes came to me. “What’s going on?”
“I think I’m just going to go to bed early tonight,” I told him. “Maybe it’ll help to sleep it off.”
He assessed me a moment, and something moved through his face. “Okay. Goodnight, Demi.”
“Goodnight, Dad.”
At that, I put my plate in the sink and made my way back to my room. It was still a bit earlier than I’d normally go to bed, but I didn’t care. I felt horrible.
Minutes after I climbed under the blanket I was asleep.
My eyes shot open.
I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. It was just before ten o’clock at night. I hadn’t even been asleep a full two hours. In the thirty seconds my eyes had been open, I realized that my stomach issues weren’t related to my parents arguing with each other earlier.
I was going to be sick.
Throwing the blanket from my body, I hopped out of bed and dashed into the bathroom. I just barely made it in time to empty the contents of my stomach into the toilet.
Ugh.
I was sick.
Legitimately sick.
Once I was sure that I’d finished vomiting, I stood up straight, looked in the mirror, and brushed my teeth.
I wanted to tell my dad that I’d just throw up, so I walked out of the bathroom and ambled down the hall to my parents’ bedroom. With each step I took, I felt worse and worse.
Freezing.
I was freezing.