“Still learning to snowboard.”
“You should see the other guy—I mean, the tree.”
Joke, deflect, move on. I had it down to a science by now. They nodded, laughed, didn’t ask questions. They never did.
But tonight was different. Tonight, every time I touched my throbbing cheek, I didn’t think about Peter. I thought about gentle hands adjusting my snowboard stance, about the way Chase’s eyes crinkled when he smiled, about how it felt to not flinch someone’s touch again.
And that was more dangerous than any slap could ever be.
Chapter Eight
Then, Sunday, December 15, 2023
CHASE [11:03PM]
Did you hear the news?
Your bestie is engaged to my brother.
Totally called it.
ELENA [11:56PM]
I’m working.
CHASE [11:57PM]
Right
Sorry
Talk to you tomorrow!
Then, Monday, December 16, 2023
CHASE [8:11AM]
How was work?
ELENA [8:14AM]
Fine?
CHASE [8:15AM]
Are you unsure?
ELENA [8:20AM]
What?
CHASE [8:20AM]
You asked it as a question…
ELENA [8:25AM]
I’m mostly unsure why you’re asking me. We’re not friends.
