What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 7)

by Lexi Buchanan

  “Lori?” Casey’s face is expectant, and I realize she asked me something.

  “What?”

  “I asked if you wanted to join us for a girls’ dinner on Sunday. It’ll be Gretchen’s last night before she leaves.”

  Megan pipes in, “We’re thinking pizza.”

  “Sure. I work until seven though. Is that okay?”

  “Yeah, that’s fine. We’ll just be getting started,” says Casey. She speaks loudly to be heard over the roar of the chairlift. We sit on the chair as it slides under us. The sun is bright in the clear blue sky, and I lift my face to the heat.

  When we get to the top, Casey takes us to a trail with smaller bumps. The snow crunches under our skis, but it isn’t icy. Her green eyes command my attention. “You’ll pick this up quickly. You’ve been flying off cliffs in the bowl. I told you you’d be hanging with us by the end of the season.”

  Her words stroke my ego, and a smile forms on my face. “I’m trying.”

  Casey’s skis scratch as she slides down into the gully between two bumps. “We traverse the trail up and over bumps. With each bump, I want you to suck up the height of it with your legs as if they’re shock absorbers.” She crosses the trail, and I watch as her knees bounce up and down together.

  Megan goes next and does the same. I follow and concentrate to lift my knees up as I am on the top of a bump and push my legs down to fill the valley on the other side.

  “Nice,” says Casey. “Keep going and really work those legs. Push and pull them with your stomach muscles.”

  We move back across the trail, and it becomes easier to do.

  “Excellent,” she says. Now, let’s take a look at the bumps ahead and figure out how to get down them. We need to find the line, just like we do in regular skiing. But bumps make it complicated because you often—” She pauses. “Okay, probably never actually complete it. But we try to start off right, and it helps you learn to read as you go.”

  Megan chuckles. “That’s for sure. Lori, I swear Casey can actually ski a whole line she plans, but we mere bump mortals can’t.”

  Casey speaks. “Think of it this way. If you poured a bucket of water down your line, where would the edges of the water go? You try to ski the snow between the top of the bump and the valley between.” She pauses for it to sink in. “Megan, show her what I mean.”

  Megan nods. “Got it.” She goes down the trail, and I’m awestruck.

  I say, “She makes it look so easy.”

  Casey looks at me. “She’s been skiing them since she was a child. C’mon. Follow my line. I’ll ski an easy one for you. It’s time to put what I just showed you to use.”

  She starts down, and I follow. We go over a bump and then turn. As we move in the other direction, we suck up a bump and then turn again, which gives me plenty of time to recover between turns. Yet we still maintain a rhythm.

  We stop next to Megan. She taps my pole with hers. “So? What do you think?”

  “I think I like it, but how many years until I get good at this?” Megan and I chuckle.

  Casey smiles at us. “I’m still trying. I think that’s why I love them. They never get boring.” She says, “All right. Stop talking and start doing. We’ve got years of practice ahead.”

  Megan rolls her eyes, but Casey’s pole taps mine to indicate I should follow her, and she takes off. We bounce down the trail, riding over a bump between each turn until we’re almost at the bottom. The bumps are tiny here, and Casey makes a few quick turns. I manage to follow her line, and we stop at the end of them.

  “That last part was fun.” I pant with the effort but am pleased with myself.

  “Yup, that’s the goal. I want to see you—” Casey looks at Megan. “And you jumping into bumps every single time you find them. Okay?”

  I salute Casey. “Will do.”

  Megan salutes, too. “Aye, aye, captain.”

  We all giggle as we ski toward the chairlift.

  Another bump run finishes off our training session. Megan and Casey leave me at the Kids’ Castle and head off to adult lineup. Tired but exhilarated from my prework skiing, I welcome a class full of children and the sunny day ahead.

  Chapter Forty

  I touch my nose as I look in the mirror. I’m sunburned. Wow, this high-altitude sun is strong. I usually tan. Ouch. No wonder Casey’s so religious about sunscreen.

  I search for soothing cream on the countertop. One of the girls must have something here that works. Just in from teaching, I need to get ready for a three-hour shift checking weigh-room passes at the rec center, and then it’s dinner with the girls. I find something greasy and rub it gingerly on my sore face. I brush my hair into a sleek ponytail. I may not turn Kaleb’s head any longer, but I might as well feed my ego with attention from other men. Especially since I’m about to spend the next few hours watching them stream by my desk.

  I step out into the locker room and practically slam into Nate. His brown eyes widen in shock. I say, “Whoa, I’m sorry. I guess I pushed that door open a little too hard.”

  His face warms into a smile. “No worries.” He falls into step with me as we walk toward the lockers. “I saw you ski bumps earlier. You’re getting the hang of it.”

  “Thanks. They’re a lot of work. I’m not sure I’ll ever be good at them.”

  “Oh, I think you’d be surprised.” He tilts his head at me. “I could help you tomorrow morning if you want.”

  Oh my goodness, he’s flirting. Heat rushes to my cheeks—as if they could get any redder. “Ah, okay.” Heck, I might as well. I should try to get over Kaleb.

  His smile gets bigger than it should. “Awesome, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Uh-oh. I can almost see his inner fist pump.

  “Sure.” I turn down my aisle to grab my things.

  For a split second, I think about walking over to see Kaleb on my way out just like I used to. Reality slaps me in the face, and I let out a big sigh. I turn to see Casey’s concerned face.

  “What’s wrong?” Her helmet drops on the bench with a clunk.

  I shrug my shoulders. “Oh, you know. The usual.” A wry smile forms on my face.

  “Yeah, I do.” She touches my arm. “See you later?”

  “Yes. You will.” I put on a brave front and head toward the door.

  My truck splashes through the parking lot as I leave. Tiny rivers stream down the access road as snow melts off the mountain. While it’s still warm now, I know things will ice over tonight.

  The parking lot at the rec center is clear and dry. The black asphalt has baked in the sun over the past few days, sending winter moisture back to the clouds. I hear clumps of wet snow fall from the roof with a plop as icicles drip in staccato.

  The metal handle of the building’s door is warm under my fingers as I pull it open. “Hey, Tina. How was your day?” The woman behind the front desk has half glasses partway down her nose and a pencil in her hand.

  “Slow. I might finish the New York Times’ crossword for the first time since the millennium.” She smiles at me and tucks a gray strand of hair behind her ear.

  I punch my time card in the machine behind her desk and slip on my ID lanyard. “Wish me luck. I’m off to the testosterone pit.”

  She says, “Better you than me.” She waves a hand above her head at me as she studies the puzzle.

  Heavy metal plates clang as I approach my desk. It’s right next to the entrance, which makes it easy for me to check a card when someone walks in. Flashes of green catch my eye as my bright shirt reflects off the mirrored walls. White metal machines are backdrops for charcoal-black weights.

  A man on one of the machines grunts with each extension of his legs. He’s the only one here, but the room will fill up within the half hour. Skiers and boarders flood the center as they come off the mountain, which is why someone checks to make sure only paying members use the weight room. Apparently the scammers don’t come during the day. Although I have a feeling Tina notices everything anyway.

 
I’m allowed to use my tablet to connect to the Internet, and I plan to research phones today. It’s about time I joined the twenty-first century. I open up my browser and Google cell phone plans.

  As I scroll through, two guys walk in. I check their IDs and let them by. I return to the Internet and find I’ve only got one choice if I want reception. Happy the decision was so easy, I start to search for a cute case.

  I’m interrupted by the scent before the man. Kaleb. I look up into his blue eyes. My skin tingles, and my body sends a telepathic message to him as I say, “Hi.” He sets his pass down on the desk for me, but I don’t break my stare.

  His voice seems to caress me. “Hi.”

  I don’t want him to leave, so I quickly pick up my tablet. “I’m getting a phone tomorrow. Want to see what I’m ordering for a case?” I give myself an imaginary forehead slap. Seriously? Like he cares.

  He looks at the screen and points to the green one. “Is that it?”

  I crinkle my brow. “How’d you know?”

  He smiles and his dimples just about do me in. “It’s your favorite color.” He touches my sleeve with a finger and I swear my insides melt.

  “Oh, right.” I glance down at my green shirt. “Enjoy your workout.”

  His lips are parted as if he’s about to say something, and I kick myself for dismissing him so quickly. Kaleb walks off, and I realize he forgot his ID. I’m about to call to him when more guys arrive. I take his card and put it in my pocket to give to him later. I know the next half hour will be too busy for me to leave my desk.

  Nate and Seth come through the door a few minutes later. Nate smiles and leans his hands on the desk so he’s closer to me. “Hey, I didn’t know you worked here.” He’s so flirting with me.

  “I picked up a few extra shifts. I usually work the tramp or teach skating lessons.” Heat rises to my cheeks, but it’s not because I’m flustered. I hope Kaleb doesn’t see us. I try to cut our conversation short. “Enjoy your workout.” I flash a fake smile.

  He winks at me. “I’m sure I will.”

  Ugh. I should be flattered. He’s super cute, and I know most girls would have no problem with his flirting. Encouraging him seemed like such a good idea earlier, but now I’m uncomfortable.

  I’m grateful when another guy distracts me from my thoughts, and I’m kept busy as the rush happens. The roar of voices and music is punctuated by thuds and clangs as heavy weights are dropped to the ground.

  When things slow down, I look for Kaleb. I should give him his ID back before he leaves. I find him at the squat rack and walk over. His thighs bulge as he squats down with a bar of weights that rest on his shoulders. His hands are by his head to hold the bar, and veins are raised on his arms from the strain. I long to trace the outline of his powerful quads with my finger.

  I’m not the only girl in the room, but eyes are definitely on me as I approach Kaleb. I tell myself it’s the street clothes, but it seems like I’m a small fish in a shark tank.

  He’s finished his set and wipes his forehead with a towel. I detect his musk clearly through the pungent scent of collective human sweat. “Hey, you left this on the desk.” I hold out his card.

  “Thanks.” He reaches for the ID and his fingers brush mine. That familiar current runs through me. We both look up at each other. I know he feels something too when I see torment cloud his eyes.

  Tears sting as I drop my gaze.

  “Hey, man.” Seth punches Kaleb in the arm. “Congrats on the movie gig.”

  “Thanks. We’ll see if they use me, though. It’s just fill-in footage.”

  “Movie gig?” I ask. My heart flutters when Kaleb turns his attention to me.

  “Yeah. I’m going with Gretchen to Crested Butte. One of the guys blew out his knee, so she sent video of me to the producer. They asked me to come with her.” He’s a bit bashful, and it hurts to think he won’t brag to me like he used to.

  “That’s great. How exciting for you.” My smile is genuine. I’m tempted to taunt him with a comment about his body being too hot not to use, but I don’t. Not here. A breath catches in my throat as I think, not ever again.

  Back at my desk, I return to surfing the Internet. I can’t focus through the watery veil as I will tears not to fall. Damn it. Why’s this so hard? I open a mindless game instead.

  I hear Kaleb’s soft voice as he’s leaving. “Bye, Lori.” His eyes are sad even though he’s put on a brave face.

  “Have a great time. I’ll look for you on the big screen.”

  He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Thanks.”

  Seth and Nate are with him, and Nate says to me, “Bumps tomorrow morning, right?”

  My stomach lurches. “Right.” I glance at Kaleb and see him flinch a little. What’s he thinking? I’m not one of those girls who need to cause him pain because he broke up with me. A shameful blush flushes all the way up to my ears because I’m afraid that’s exactly what he’s thinking.

  Chapter Forty-One

  I am so not looking forward to this. Nate comes around the corner to see if I’m ready. “Hey, let’s go turn ’em,” he says.

  I plaster a polite smile on my face. “Sounds good.” Poor guy. He showered this morning, and his scent would make any girl take notice. I find my inner courage and try to focus on how cute he is. Maybe the rest will follow.

  He leads us up the steps to the snow. The air is crisp as the sun works to warm things up. Our boots crunch a few steps before we drop our skis.

  “It should be a bit firm up there. But you’re an East Coast skier, right?”

  That makes me smile. A bit firm translates to ice where I’m from, and I guess he’s from the East too. “I am, but I’ve got to admit I never skied bumps before this year.” Nobody’s in line, and we ski right to the loading ramp. The chair scoops us up, and we both pull the bar down.

  “We’ll make the best of it. I have a few tips I can show you for the ice.” He places his arm on the back of the chair behind me, and I struggle not to shift away from the weight of his touch. Instead I scoot forward to place my boots more firmly on the footrest.

  I don’t speak because I can’t think of what to say. I thought I knew how to flirt. He fills the silence. “New Hampshire, right?”

  “Right. But I used to ski at Killington.”

  “Great mountain. Did you ever ski Mad River Glen?” He moves his leg so it touches me. I force myself not to pull away.

  “No, but I’ve heard it’s a real skier’s mountain. I’m not sure I would enjoy it as much as someone like you.” I think he just puffed out his chest a little. Well, that wasn’t so hard.

  “I came here from Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. Now that’s a skier’s mountain. There’re lots of great trees to ski, and the terrain can be tricky even on a good day.” The chair bounces over the wheels of a stanchion, and our skis rattle against the metal footrest.

  “Sounds fun. Where else have you skied?” I ask.

  I continue with the questions and make him do the talking. To be fair, he shows me some great tricks for icy bumps, and it’s a great lesson. Unfortunately I spend the whole time comparing him to Kaleb. We get to the Kids’ Castle just in time for work.

  “Thanks, Nate. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.” My skis clap as I put them together and hoist them over my shoulder.

  “You’re welcome.” He touches my arm to stop me from leaving. “We can do this again tomorrow.”

  “Oh, thanks for the offer, but it’s my day off and I need to get a phone.” I glance at the kids gathering by signs. “I’d better hurry or I’ll be late.” I walk away with disappointment. While he’s a sweet guy, he’s no Kaleb. Will I ever find someone who can measure up?

  I imagine Kaleb in a car with Gretchen right now. I envision his strong, dark hands on the wheel while Gretchen drives him crazy, bouncing from song to song. I smile, thinking about him realizing a dream. He told me once that he had a secret wish to compete like Gretchen does. At least now he knows
he’s good enough to be in a snowboard movie.

  The intensity of children’s voices increases in volume as I get closer. A twinge of jealousy tweaks my heart. Snowboard girls everywhere will now know who Kaleb is. One of them is bound to win his heart. Yeah, I need to move on. He deserves someone without bags full of crazy.

  A few children already wait, and I notice one of my favorites. Emmy talks nonstop, and the funniest comments come out of her mouth. I know my day will be enjoyable, even if my heart refuses to stop aching.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  I stretch my arms over my head as I lie lazily in my bed and notice the sun is past the point of shining in my room. I’ve slept in to give my body a rest. I roll onto my back and follow a tiny crack in the ceiling.

  Today I get a cell phone, and the thought makes me grin. I’m sure it seems silly that a twenty-one-year-old is excited about a cell phone, but the truth is I’ve never had one other than the disposable, prepaid version I use to talk to my mom. Now that I have friends, I find I could use one. With the pay from my extra shifts and my thrifty ways, I plan to splurge on an iPhone. Casey seems to love hers as much as her boyfriend, and I can’t wait to use all the features.

  Raising my leg straight in the air, I pull my thigh to my face, and my hamstrings scream at me for not doing this every day. I’ll need headphones too. And music. Lots and lots of music I can listen to whenever I want.

  Excitement pulses through my body and forces me out of bed. I flip on the radio and dance my way to the shower. Maybe I’ll get one of those speaker things I can drop my phone into and blare music of my choosing through my apartment. I turn on the shower and strip off my pajamas. Soft flannel pools at my feet, and I pick it up, roll it into a ball, and throw it toward my bed.

  Testing the water with my hand, I determine it’s hot and step in. I sing loudly with Maroon Five and think about where I should take myself to lunch. It might be a Baked Bean day. I remember the squash soup and salivate. And then I remember how Kaleb shared dessert with me. Joy leaves my body and washes down the drain.