Snowbound

by CJ Martín

  “Yep.” She gets to her feet and throws her cup into the same trash bin. “Let’s do this.”

  “Bundle up, baby, you’re in for a treat.” I smirk at her as I hold open the door.

  This is going to be fun.

  My nose is bright red and I can’t feel my fingers, but I don’t mind. It was so much fun on the slopes. More fun that I could’ve imagined. Being out on those mountains this morning I finally got it. I finally understood why people bundled themselves up in numerous layers and weighed themselves down with all the equipment, because the truth is, it was breathtaking. Pure white, pristine snow as far as the eye could see. Not a car in sight. Peaceful. A simple beauty in the quiet stillness.

  When Anders took us up Dead Man’s Chute I felt like I was on top of the world. I still can’t wrap my brain around how he boards these trails. Descending the slope I silently prayed that the snowmobile wouldn’t topple over—it felt like we were at a ninety-degree angle.

  This morning I tried to play it cool. It was awkward wrapping my arms around Anders. I tried to leave an acceptable distance between us, ensuring that he wouldn’t get the wrong idea. I made sure that my legs didn’t encircle his. But all politeness and etiquette went out the window when I realized how steep the chutes actually were. I gripped Anders closely, pressing myself against him, my legs squeezing him like a vice. If he noticed, he didn’t mind. In fact we barely spoke at all. He simply revved the engine faster, taking us hurtling down the mountain. It was like he was chasing a high.

  Once to safety at the bottom of the mountain he killed the engine. I thought that this would be the end of our—date? excursion?—but he reached for me and helped me straighten out, which to be honest was more difficult than I imagined because I had clenched my leg muscles the entire time. My legs wobbled like jelly when I took a step. Note to self, no more lame excuses when Maria badgers me to attend aforementioned Pilates classes.

  “Come on, Gigs.” He gestures to the back of the lodge. “Let’s warm you up.”

  He leads me through a back door labeled “No Entrance.” He walks tall and assured, exuding confidence as if he owns the place. I follow close behind, allowing him to lead me since I’ve no clue where we’re going. He stops abruptly and I smack right into his back.

  I bounce back and would’ve fallen if he didn’t reach out to steady me. “Sorry.”

  “You have a habit of falling,” He laughs. “Clumsy much?”

  The heat in my cheeks rises at the insult. “I’m really not.” I look down. “It’s awkward with this bandage on my ankle, and I really wasn’t paying attention.”

  His brows pinch together. “Shit. I forgot about the ankle. You okay?”

  “Fine.” I wave my hands, dismissing his concerns. “Besides, if you didn’t suddenly stop right in front of me—”

  “Relax. I was just joking.” He takes my hand. “Come on.”

  His strong hand curls around mine and even through my gloves I can feel his heat. My heart beats loudly in my chest and I mentally have to remind myself that this is not a date.

  We continue to the end of the hallway and stop at an empty elevator. When I make no attempt to enter he says, “Figured the stairs were out.”

  My steps are slow, hesitant, as I get into the elevator. He releases my hand and pushes a button for the “Sky Lounge.” The corners of my mouth drop when he doesn’t reach back for my hand, but I quickly scold myself. This isn’t a date; it’s simply two people hanging out together. Friends.

  I don’t know much about the Sky Lounge, but I do know that Maria looked up the menu online our first night here and it’s super expensive. I hope Anders doesn’t plan to eat there. No way I’m willing to pay thirty dollars for a hamburger.

  We ride the elevator in silence and after several moments the doors ding open. I step out of the elevator quickly (side note—am I the only one who is petrified of getting squished in between the elevator doors?)

  My gaze sweeps over the room. It’s beautiful. About fifty tables are spread throughout, all set with white linen tablecloths, silverware, and glass stemware.

  The entire front wall of the restaurant is comprised of glass windows providing a panoramic, one hundred eighty degree view of the slopes below. The view is truly breathtaking.

  I meander through the tables toward the front wall of the restaurant and stand in front of the windows. “Wow,” I whisper to myself.

  Anders comes to stand beside me. “It’s like being out there”—he gestures to the slopes—“without the cold.”

  I smile to myself because that is exactly what I was thinking.

  He turns to face me. “I thought you would like it.”

  “I do. Thank you for bringing me here. It was very…”

  “Sexy of me?” He fills in my sentence.

  I laugh. “I was going to say thoughtful of you.”

  He deflects the compliment with a shrug. “I think I like sexy better.”

  “God,” I say, swatting his arm playfully. “You’re such a guy.”

  “One hundred percent, baby.” He smiles at me, and I know I’m not mistaking the look of invitation in his eyes.

  An awkward silence settles between us. It doesn’t seem to bother Anders. Me, however? I feel the temperature rise and I’m acutely aware that we’re alone. Does he expect something of me? Obviously he’s used to a certain type of girl. My brain searches for topics to steer this conversation back on track. I take a deliberate step back. “Are we allowed to be up here?”

  “Probably not.”

  “What? Oh my God, Anders!” My voice rises. “We’d better go before we get in trouble.”

  He bursts out laughing. “Jesus, Gigs, calm down. It’s fine. It’s not like we broke into the White House. It’s a fucking restaurant.” Heat burns my face, and my panic must show, because Anders’s laugh fades to a smile. “Besides, I know the chef. Let me see if he’s in the kitchen. I can grab us some snacks.”

  “Wait. What? Don’t leave me!” I whisper-scream at his retreating back.

  “Relax. If we get in trouble I’ll say it was all your idea.” He winks as he walks away and I’m left alone.

  Gigs has been sending me mixed messages all fucking day. Gripping on to my chest, gasping in my ear, and the way she looked at me just now in front of the windows? Oh yeah, she was definitely sending “fuck me” vibes. So imagine my surprise when just as I was going to make a move, she quickly changed the subject.

  Her whole “sweet and innocent” act is adorable, but I’m starting to believe it isn’t an act. If that’s the case, I might as well stop all my efforts now. Girls like her—girls with morals, self-respect, and class—aren’t down to hook up for a night, no matter how charming I am. In a way I find it refreshing. No girl has made me work for it in a long time. If ever.

  She genuinely looked worried that we could get in trouble. As if that would ever happen. JJ is family, and we have an unspoken agreement that I can do what I want as long as I commit to some free publicity for his dad’s resort.

  I enter the kitchen and shout over the hum of the machinery, “Hey, Fat Louie.” I have no idea why everyone calls him “Fat Louie.” In actuality he is a bit of scrawny guy, but that’s the way he was introduced to me years ago. So… yeah, Fat Louie it is.

  “Vik, my man. What you doing up here? Trying to impress some snow bunny?”

  I bite back my annoyance at how accurate his assumption is. Yes, I have brought other girls up here before, but I don’t like Gigs grouped with all the other girls I’ve met. She’s different.

  Ultimately I do want to impress her, but I did think she would like it. She had the most awestruck expression on her face when I took her up Dead Man’s Chute. She looked at peace, but she also looked… cold. Hence the trip to the Lounge.

  “Something like that.” I shrug.

  “Damn, man. You get more ass than a toilet seat. Where’s she at? Maybe spare some for your boy.”

  My body goes rigid at the suggestion. Share
Gigs? With him? I don’t fucking think so. She’s all mine. Wait. Where the fuck did that come from?

  “Sorry, man,” I say with a cocky smile. “Maybe next time.”

  “How come you gonna do me like that?”

  I ignore his question. “Just give me some of your famous crab dip… I think Gigs will like that.”

  “Gigs?” He scrunches up his nose.

  Fuck. I don’t feel like explaining her nickname. Nor do I want anyone else calling her that. “Her name’s Elena. Bread. Dip.” I gesture around the kitchen impatiently.

  “What kind of shit you into?” He chuckles. “Every damn day it’s a different chick. Hope you’re wearing a raincoat.”

  “Thanks for the tip, asshole.” I smirk. “I’m sure you could loan me some rubbers since you’ve no use for them.”

  “Fuck you.”

  I walk over to the cooler and help myself to two bottles of water. Wine would be a nice touch but a tad bit too presumptuous.

  “Here.” The platter scrapes against the counter as he pushes it my way. I sweep my eyes over it. There is a ceramic bowl in the center surrounded by fresh, crusty bread. The presentation is beautiful, almost too beautiful to eat.

  “Take this and don’t leave a mess out there. Last time you left fucking crumbs and dirty plates everywhere. Cindy went ballistic.”

  Cindy. The uptight, trollish manager who’s still pissed at me because I refused to sleep with her last year at the New Year’s Eve Party. When she propositioned me I told her I was drunk, but not that drunk. In hindsight I guess that might not have been the nicest letdown.

  “Thanks.”

  “You owe me man. When you’re done with Gigs send her my way,” he says, as he resumes chopping vegetables.

  I tuck the bottles of water under my arm and grab the plate before heading for the door. “Not a chance.”

  “Greedy bastard,” Fat Louie calls after me.

  I open my mouth to call back a smart remark but the sound dies on my lips. My mouth snaps shut and I shake my head in confusion as I process what I was going to say: I don’t think I’ll ever be done with her.

  That night at dinner I don’t say much about my snowmobiling trip with Anders. It isn’t because I’m a shy person but because I honestly don’t know how to feel about it. Sometimes I felt like he was truly trying to be my friend and other times… well, it felt like he was just trying to get in my pants.

  “Earth to Elena.” Maria waves her hands in front of my face.

  I jump back in my seat, startled. “What?” I square my shoulders to face her.

  Her brows knit together as she studies my face, but I don’t give her a chance to question me.

  “Sorry. Long day.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal. Internally I criticize myself. Long day? What am I, one hundred?

  “Mmmhmmm,” she murmurs, but her bright eyes let me know she’s onto me.

  “Later,” is all she says.

  Charles nudges my shoulder as he plops down next to me on the sofa. “Pool?”

  “Nah.” I shake my head. “I’m pretty tired.”

  “Seriously? It’s our second to last night and you’re tired?” Charles’s mouth gapes open.

  I guess this is what separates me from the average college student. I’m not a night owl; when I’m tired I go to bed. End of story.

  “Sorry.” I offer him a sweet smile. “Don’t miss me too much.”

  “I think we’ll manage, El.” He bumps me on the arm.

  The three of us stand. I look to Maria. “You’re swimming, right?”

  “Duh.” She makes a face at me. “I’ll head up with you so I can change.”

  “Okay. Night, Charles.”

  “Nightie-Night.” He shoos us away. “Meet you in ten?” he asks Maria.

  “Sounds good.”

  I’m surprised that Maria makes it all the way to our room before she lays into me.

  “So, your date with Vik. Go.” Her tone is no nonsense.

  “It wasn’t a date.” My voice lacks conviction. It wasn’t a date, was it?

  “I have”—she glances at her phone to check the time—“eight minutes.”

  “Maria,” I say to her back as she brushes past me into the bathroom with her bathing suit. I move closer to the door so I don’t have to shout. “We went snowmobiling.” When she doesn’t respond, I continue. “Then we had lunch at Skye Lounge.”

  “What?” She shouts at me as she throws open the door. “He took you to Skye Lounge? Wasn’t that place like über-expensive?”

  I can’t help my smile. “Well, it’s not like he paid. But it was… nice.”

  “Wait, what? Do I even want to know?”

  “It’s not a big deal. He knows the chef or something. Food was good.”

  “You go on a date with Anders Vik and all you can say is, ‘Food was good’?” She rolls her eyes.

  “Again.” I bite out. “It wasn’t a date.”

  “Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Her voice singsongs. I narrow my eyes at her, but she’s like a dog with a bone. “So, you guys didn’t hook up?”

  I shake my head.

  “Kiss?”

  “Nope.”

  “Anything?” She opens her arms wide. “Give me something!”

  “Sorry to disappoint.” I shake my head. “I told you, it wasn’t a date. He wants to be friends.” I tell myself that I was most definitely imagining the heat in his eyes in front of the window.

  “Maybe,” she says in defeat. “Friends, huh.”

  “Aren’t you going to be late?”

  She glances at her phone again. “Yeah, I better go. You sure you don’t want any company? I could stay.” Her eyes drift to the door.

  “I’m sure. I’m going to go to bed. To be honest, I have a bit of headache.”

  “Okay, I won’t be too long.” She hugs me.

  “Okay.” I smile as I release our embrace. We both know she won’t be back for hours. Maria loves to party.

  I wash up and change into my pajamas. The last image in my mind is Anders’s smiling face before I fall into a quiet sleep.

  The next morning at breakfast the pit in my stomach makes it impossible to eat. I read that email fifty times but I’m still unable to process its meaning. Internship. Terminated. Inadequate funds. Paragraphs of words all amounting to one simple fact.

  I am screwed.

  By nature I’m quiet, but this morning even more so. I’m embarrassed. I’m angry. I’m scared. What the hell am I going to do? I needed that internship to finish my degree. Even if I get this issue straightened out, I’ll never be able to get a placement this close to the start of the new semester.

  Our group is seated at the café eating our breakfast, or in my case attempting to eat, when Anders and JJ walk in. To be fair, everyone notices them. Dressed in steel gray boarding pants and his signature black jacket, I’ve come to realize this look is classic Anders. His hair lies flat against his head in messy curls like he just removed his hat and can’t be bothered to fix it. His light blue eyes reflect the morning sun and appear almost gray.

  He catches my stare and a slow smirk forms on his lips. Shit. I turn my attention back to Maria, hoping to jump into her conversation even though I’ve no idea what she and Chels are discussing. My mind is a million miles away and I don’t need Anders distracting me on top of everything else.

  “Hey Gigs.” Both Anders and JJ stand before me but my eyes draw only to Anders. Despite myself, I smile. It’s my first real smile of the day.

  “Hey,” I say, but my voice lacks its normal enthusiasm.

  He must notice my sour mood. “Everything okay?” His voice has an edge to it as his eyes find Rob. His jaw tightens and I think he might even clench his fists.

  “Yeah.” I drop my head, averting my gaze.

  Maria jumps in. “Yeah, you’ve been kinda quiet all morning.”

  “Yeah,” I say again, trying to make my voice sound more convincing.

  “Cheer up you two.” Chels
chimes in. “We have two more days of break before our last semester. Can you believe it? We’re almost graduated!” Everyone cheers.

  And that’s when I lose it. I won’t be graduating. I’ll have to move back home. Get a low-end job. Re-apply to community college. I should’ve known better than to rely on my dad. Stupid girl.

  Tears form in my eyes and threaten to overflow. Rather than have a complete meltdown in front of everyone, I jump from my seat and rush out the door as quickly as my injured foot will allow. I don’t dare glance back, even when I hear both Maria and Anders calling my name.

  Gigs’s friend, Maria I think her name is, runs after her. I know it’s for the best. I mean, who am I to comfort her? I barely even know the girl. But the absolute most shocking thing is I wanted to go after her. I wanted to be the one to wrap my arms around her and take all of her troubles away. What the fuck?

  This had better not have anything to do with that loser Rob.

  JJ and I are already sitting down when Gigs and Maria re-enter the café. Maria has her arm around Gigs as they walk toward us. Gigs’s face is flushed and the edges of her hair look wet as if she’s splashed cool water on her face. Her eyes are puffy and her skin is a little splotchy. I’ve an uncontrollable urge to stroke her cheeks. To feel her warm skin, and to wipe her tears away.

  As they get nearer, my heart beats quicker. I’m ready to stand, already leaning forward, but they turn in the direction of their own table. My heart plummets as I sink back down and JJ gives me a strange look.

  “What was that about?” He quirks a brow.

  I play it off as best I can. “What was what about?”

  He gives me a look that says “you have got to be kidding.”

  I scowl in return.

  “Nothing.” He chuckles and shakes his head.

  I continue to eat my bagel, but my eyes keep drifting back to Gigs. The people she is with keep touching her and smiling. I wonder what’s going on.

  After ten minutes or so she excuses herself from the table. I drop my attention back to my bagel and realize that I’ve torn it to pieces.