I clip my boot into my binding. “If you assholes are done gossiping, I’m ready to shred these slopes. Are you coming, or are you going to lie about on the snow, sunning yourselves like a couple of ski bunnies?”
I push off down the slope to the sound of their laughter as they try to quickly catch up to me.
Chapter 11
Madison
Bestmorningyet,evenwith a hangover. I’m having so much fun boarding with the girls. To say I’m glad the boys, including Jarrod, went off somewhere else would be an understatement.
It was hard to hide my relief in the car on the drive down when Jasmine declared that the guys are way too fast and that we girls would rather take a more leisurely approach. Although Jas is an excellent snowboarder who is more than capable of keeping up with the guys, she is happy to stick with Bec and me, who are less experienced. Bec is not a novice like me, but she agreed it would be nice to have a break from Blake’s pace.
All the trails have been relatively easy through towering trees under the blue sky and white fluffy clouds. The white snow sparkling in the sunshine as we carve out new tracks. Every so often, we stop, waiting for each other, but also to breathe in a lungful of crisp mountain air before we continue down the slope. There has been plenty of time to take in the beauty of the day and the fresh powder snow that coated everything overnight. We even stopped at a cute little mountain café midmorning for the most delicious hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, grated chocolate, and marshmallows.
But now it’s time for lunch, and we’ve made our way back to the sundeck, where we agreed to meet the guys. It’s not long before we see them cutting a path through the lunchtime groups all jostling to get to the counter to order food. With Blake being six foot five and Jarrod and Scott not much less, they are easier to spot than us. But Jasmine has that covered as she waves her arms enthusiastically above her head. You’d have to have your eyes closed to not notice her funny antics, and soon, the guys are heading our way.
I brace myself for another meeting with Jarrod. The butterflies in my stomach are already taking flight, and I can’t even see his dark head and handsome face yet.
Blake swoops in on Bec as he reaches us, and Jasmine nearly strangles Scott in her hug, while Jarrod and I stand by awkwardly.
Why did I have to throw myself at him last night after too many drinks? Everything had been going so well chatting in the hot tub. I should have left it like that … just friends. No, instead I had to kiss him and drag him unwillingly into my room like a lecherous, clingy, desperate woman.
As the amorous hellos of our friends continue, Jarrod steps closer to me. “Did you enjoy your morning?”
It’s an olive branch of friendship, and I grasp on to it. Anything has to be better than this tiptoeing around each other. Avoidance, I’ve come to realize, is impossible given we keep being thrown together as our friends go about theircoupleythings.
I dare to look up at him. “Yes, it was a lot of fun. And you?” I can’t believe my voice even sounds normal, not needy like I felt after kissing him last night. Kisses that I’m sure he returned before snatching them away and walking out of my room.
“Yes, great,” he replies before our friends turn back to us and we can grab a table for lunch. Good, as all the exercise this morning has given me an appetite. Or maybe it’s the last vestiges of the hangover that have made me hungry.
We pull a couple of free tables together and soon fill it with our discarded helmets, goggles, and gloves. Next to come off are our jackets, which are placed over the backs of chairs, and finally, we are ready to order. It’s simple burgers and waters for everyone, and even better, the guys offer to do the ordering.
Bec sighs, relaxing back into her seat, her eyes tracking the guys as they make their way over to the counter to order. “This is so nice, being waited on by the men.”
With a wide grin, I agree. “I’m certainly not used to this kind of service back home.”
Bec turns to look at me. “Hey, I heard you broke up with your boyfriend a few months back. How are you doing?”
I pick up one of the cardboard drink coasters on the table and begin to flip it between my fingers. “It’s all good. As I was telling Jarrod last night, it was all very amicable. We kind of lost the passion, but we’re still friends.” Greeted by silence, I look up. Bec and Jas are staring at me, open-mouthed.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, baffled.
Jas speaks first. “You and Jarrod seem to be getting very friendly.” I feel a flush instantly heat my cheeks. Shit. What was I thinking mentioning my conversation with Jarrod last night?
“Umm … we just happened to be at the hot tub at the same time … and we were talking.” I intend for my comment to defuse the situation, but yet again, me and my big mouth. I guess mentioning that Jarrod and I were in the hot tub together has just given them more reason to question me.
Bec lifts one dark perfectly shaped brow and smiles in a way that has me worried. “Interesting … you and Jarrod together in the hot tub last night … It sounds romantic.” I shake my head furiously.
“Hey, it’s not like that. We just talked and drank whiskey.” Oops, my hand flies to my lips, clamping them shut. Jasmine and Bec laugh so loudly that people passing by start to stare. They’re enjoying my discomfort way too much.
I spot Blake and Scott coming toward us carrying trays of burgers, Jarrod behind them with an armful of bottled water.
“Shhhh … the guys are coming,” I plead desperately, and thankfully they pull themselves together as best they can in the seconds they have before Blake is placing the tray of food on the table.
I feel Jarrod’s eyes drilling into the top of my head, but I refuse to look up. He knows something is going on and probably has even figured out that it involved him. I quickly look away, wishing at this point for some of the cold mountain air outside to cool my embarrassingly flushed face.
By the time the burgers and waters are distributed, I’m nearly recovered, but still, I keep my head down, taking more care than necessary to slowly unwrap my burger. My stomach rumbles as a waft of the delicious burger hits my senses. I take a big bite and moan softly. Damn, nothing beats a good burger. With a quick glance up, I’m immediately caught in the crosshairs of Jarrod’s heated gaze from across the table. He is staring at my mouth in a way that has me grabbing at a napkin to wipe it.
What is going on with him? Last night, he didn’t want me, but now he looks like he wants to devour me whole. I’m so confused. And I do the only thing I can being surrounded by our friends. I look back down at my food, hiding behind a curtain of my hair.
