The Winter Boyfriend: A Stand-Alone YA Contemporary Romance Novel (The Boyfriend Series)

by Christina Benjamin

  Ethan pulled the corner of it over his legs and smiled. “I think you would've liked her. I know the rest of your family would have.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “My mother was crazy about Christmas, too.”

  Chloe laughed. “Then she’d probably fit in here better than I do.”

  Ethan offered her a half smile. “I think you fit in better than you think.”

  Chloe pulled the blanket up higher. “Tell me something else. What was her favorite thing about Christmas?”

  Ethan’s face lit up. “Christmas movies. Owen loves them, too.”

  “Just your mom and Owen?” she teased.

  “I'm afraid I like them, too. Or I used to. That's actually why I came down here tonight. I was going to watch, Miracle on 34th Street. It was her favorite movie. We used to watch it with her every Christmas Eve.”

  “I've never seen that one,” Chloe admitted.

  Ethan's eyebrows shot up. “You've never seen Miracle on 34th Street?”

  “No. Is it really that good?”

  “Wow, I can't believe I kissed a girl with such abysmal taste in movies.” Ethan reached for his laptop. “We’re going to have to rectify this immediately.” He started to queue up the movie. “How is it possible that you don't have every Christmas movie memorized living in this house?”

  Chloe rolled her eyes. “That's the problem. Christmas is year-round here. Sometimes I need a break. I usually read whenever my parents put on a movie.”

  “Is that where the cheesy romance novels come in?” he teased.

  “Hey, until you read one you can’t knock it.”

  “Are you forgetting I’ve read Pride and Prejudice? I know all about cheesy romance.”

  “I haven’t forgotten. But Jane Austen is hardly cheesy.”

  “Okay I'll make you a deal. For every Christmas movie you watch with me I'll read one of your books.”

  Chloe arched her eyebrow. “Seriously?”

  “Why not? I need a break from all the memories Christmas movies inspire and you need a break from unrealistic romance.”

  “Unrealistic romance?”

  Ethan gave her an amused look. “Don’t tell me you think real life can be wrapped up into happily ever afters?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “I’m just saying if you read more realist novels maybe you wouldn’t get your heart broken.”

  Chloe cut her eyes at Ethan. “Who said Brady broke my heart?”

  He shrugged. “I just figured if you're still hung up on him . . . But don't listen to me. I've never had a girlfriend.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Why?”

  “Have you looked in the mirror?”

  Ethan

  Ethan frowned. He hated that Chloe said that. His looks were his least favorite thing about himself. How could he like the way he looked when it wasn’t original?

  He was just a younger, sadder version of Owen. And if Chloe only liked Ethan for his looks then maybe she wasn’t the girl he thought she was. Although, she didn’t seem able to recognize her own simple beauty, so Ethan decided to let the comment go.

  “Looks aren't everything,” he said, pressing play on the movie.

  The theme song came on and his heart filled with bittersweet nostalgia. A tear slid down his cheek and he felt Chloe watching him. After he quickly wiped his eyes, Chloe did something unexpected. She scooted closer on the couch and slipped her hand into his, letting it rest on his lap as her head settled against his shoulder.

  That simple gesture made him feel so much less alone that he could’ve cried for the sheer joy of it. He’d never imagined following Owen on this strange holiday excursion would have ever brought him any comfort or joy, but then again Ethan had never imagined meeting someone like Chloe.

  Chloe

  Chloe held onto Ethan’s hand like a lifeline as they watched the sappy Christmas movie. She couldn’t stop thinking about all that he’d been through. Her heart broke for him and she wished there was more she could do, but she was glad she could at least be there for him now. From the way he squeezed her hand during the sentimental parts of the movie it was obvious he needed someone to share this with.

  Knowing what Ethan had been through made Chloe contemplate her own family and how terrible it would be if she lost them. Chloe felt like a total ingrate having complained about working at her family’s business in front of Ethan. He’d probably do anything to be part of a family like hers, no matter how crazy they were about Christmas.

  It certainly put things in perspective. Maybe this was why Margot had brought the Hall brothers to their home for Christmas. They were both in some need of healing, and nothing could heal like the magic of the holidays at Everett’s.

  21

  Chloe

  Dawn light bled in through the heavy wool curtains, the red and white Tartan pattern giving everything a rustic glow. At first Chloe forgot where she was, but as she awoke to the warmth of the muscled body next to hers, her mind snapped back into focus.

  She was nestled beneath a blanket on her living room couch, her body curled alongside Ethan’s in a way that suggested they’d been much more intimate than they had. Her head rested on his chest, his arm draped over her back. For a moment she couldn’t tear herself away. She drank in his delicious boy smell and sank into the comfortable rise and fall of his chest beneath her cheek.

  The feeling of contentment that washed over Chloe evaporated as soon as she heard the stairs creak. Her head snapped up, the sudden movement jerking Ethan awake.

  “What's wrong?” he asked.

  “We fell asleep,” she whisper-hissed as she untangled herself from him.

  Ethan sat up and stretched, his dark hair sticking out every which way. Sleep still clung to his eyes. His drowsiness only made him more adorable to Chloe but she couldn't think about that now. Any second her parents would be in the living room and she needed to come up with a good excuse for why she was sleeping on the couch with a half-dressed boy.

  They hadn't done anything wrong but it certainly didn't look that way with Ethan’s shirt on the floor and Chloe pulling on her bathrobe. They had the fire turned up so high during the movie that they'd had to shed some of their layers. Then they must've fallen asleep. The last thing Chloe remembered was holding Ethan's hand . . . and his mother!

  Everything he’d shared with her came crashing back, making Chloe halt her frantic hustling as Ethan’s heartbreaking story filled her with a heaviness she knew would never leave. How did he carry that around every day?

  She wanted to say something to him, tell him she was glad he’d opened up to her and that she’d be there for him, but the sound of a throat clearing made her pause.

  Margot’s cheery voice greeted them. “Well, good morning. What's going on here?”

  “Nothing,” Chloe said, snatching Ethan’s shirt from the floor and handing it to him.

  He gave her a wry smile and pulled the shirt on. It only made his sleep stiff hair wilder and somehow sexier.

  Owen stopped short when he came into the living room behind Margot. “Bro, nice bed head!”

  “Did you guys sleep out here?” Margot asked, suspicion heavy in her voice. “Together?”

  “We were just watching a movie,” Chloe said, defensively.

  Owen stiffened as his eyes met Ethan’s. Chloe noticed the look they shared. It was the same one from the dinner table the first night. Owen knew exactly what movie they’d been watching.

  So why hadn’t he been there watching it alongside his brother?

  A fierce protectiveness flared up in Chloe. Up until that moment she thought she liked Owen. He seemed like the kinder, more affectionate brother, but now that Chloe understood the situation she wasn’t so sure. How could Owen let his brother suffer alone?

  There was no way he didn’t know what Ethan was going through. They were brothers for God’s sake! If they were anything like Chloe and Margot they’d have to feel each other’
s pain. Chloe knew when Margot was upset just by walking into a room.

  Chloe had always known she and her sister had a close relationship. She often thought of them like bookends—one virtually useless without the other.

  That’s partly why the past few months had been so difficult for Chloe. Without her sister’s support she felt herself slipping into uncertainty. So how could Owen not know his brother needed him? And what about Owen? Surely the holidays were taking a toll on him as well?

  Chloe watched Margot who was watching the silent exchange between the brothers. Chloe suddenly wondered just how much Margot knew about her boyfriend’s past.

  Chloe glanced at the clock. It wasn’t even seven. “Why are you up so early?”

  “Snowmobiling, remember?”

  “Oh. Right.” She’d completely forgot.

  “I’m going to go put the coffee on,” Margot said, giving Chloe a wary look as she walked by.

  “Snowmobiling?” Ethan asked.

  “Yeah, Brady invited us,” Owen added as he followed Margot into the kitchen, leaving Ethan with his own guarded glance.

  When Chloe looked back at Ethan, he was staring at her. The intensity of his gaze made her self-conscious. She probably looked awful after a night on the couch, not to mention her breath didn’t smell like roses. She took a step back but Ethan didn’t seem to understand her hesitation. He reached for her, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. It had fallen out of her bun and was cascading down her back like a static-y, brown waterfall.

  Chloe had never really liked wearing her hair down. She didn’t take the time necessary to tame her unruly waves. But the way Ethan ran his fingers over the loose strands still in his hand made it seem like he was holding threads of magic.

  “Chloe,” he said, his voice still rough with sleep. “Last night . . .” he ran his hand down her arm, leaving shivers in its wake until he linked his fingers with hers. “Thank you.”

  Ethan rubbed his thumb ever so slightly over the back of Chloe’s hand erasing the words she’d been about to say. She couldn’t think. Not with the feel of his hand on hers or the warmth in his words. She’d never known two little words could hold so much hope, but she felt it blossom in her chest. ‘Thank you.’ She wanted to say it back to him. She wanted to say ‘Thank you for sharing your heart with me. I’ll protect it. I promise.’

  But before she could say anything the doorbell rang and Darcy came bolting down the stairs like a ferocious bolt of lightning.

  Brady! Dammit! He knew better than to ring the obnoxious, Jingle Bells, doorbell.

  “Coming!” Chloe called trying to grab Darcy, but Brady opened the door before she could catch the dog.

  Brady knew better than to do that, too. He’d been to Chloe’s house a million times. He knew not to open the door until the furry Houdini was leashed. In a flash, Darcy was past Brady, bounding through the snow.

  “Grab him!” Chloe shouted.

  Brady

  “Oh no!” Margot yelled, running to the door. “Darcy got out?”

  “What’s the problem?” Owen was asking.

  “He’ll run onto the road,” Chloe yelled tugging her boots on over her pajama pants. “Why did you open the door?” she muttered at Brady.

  “I thought you said, ‘come in’.”

  “I said, ‘coming’!”

  “Oh,” Brady frowned. “Well, don’t worry. I’ll get him, Clo.”

  “He won’t come to you,” she grumbled reaching for her coat.

  “Trust me,” he said, pulling the leash from her hands. “I’ve got this.” Then he planted a kiss on top of her wild hair and jogged back out the open door.

  Brady patted his pocket, making sure the bacon was still there. It was his secret weapon. His plan to win Chloe back was working perfectly. Brady knew she would be super impressed if he caught Darcy. That dog meant the world to her and they’d all spent many a night chasing the crazy furball through the woods. He might be tiny but he ran like he was powered by rocket fuel. No one had ever been able to catch him once he escaped. He ran until he had his fill and then he only came to Chloe. But Brady knew Darcy would do anything for bacon.

  He smiled to himself as he followed the little dog’s tracks. “Darcy,” he called. “Come here, buddy. I’ve got something for you.”

  In no time he’d return a hero and Chloe would be eating out of the palm of his hand, just like Darcy would be any minute.

  22

  Ethan

  Ethan watched Brady return victorious with the tiny Yorkie in his arms. The dog was furiously licking his fingers and anger began to unfurl in Ethan’s stomach. He didn’t like this guy one bit. And not just because he was Chloe’s ex.

  Okay, that had a lot to do with it, but something seemed shady about Brady.

  Ethan had been in college long enough to be able to spot a guy on his game. And this guy was tipping the douchebag meter off the charts.

  Brady waltzed into the house, placing the dog into Chloe’s waiting arms, making sure he got in on all the hugging, too. “I told you I’d get him,” he said with a cocky grin.

  “Brady to the rescue!” Margot exclaimed, snuggling the little dog.

  “Thank you,” Chloe said, gazing up at Brady with adoration.

  “Anything for you, Clo.”

  Ethan almost gagged aloud. Instead he cracked his knuckles, the sudden urge to punch something seizing him again. Tell me you can see through his BS, Chloe?

  “So, who's ready to go snowmobiling?” Brady asked.

  “Sorry," Chloe said. "We got a bit of a late start. We haven't had breakfast yet."

  "That's okay," Brady replied. "My mom packed breakfast for the four of us. I figured we could eat once we got up to Pine Ridge.”

  Brady

  Chloe's eyes darted to Owen’s moody brother standing by the stairs. Brady had asked around about Ethan last night. He hadn't liked the way the older boy’s eyes never left Chloe when they were at the lodge. And he liked the way Ethan was looking at her now even less. The guy was a total buzzkill. It was like he didn't know how to smile.

  But even with his stoic scowl, it was clear that he had it bad for Chloe. Brady couldn't blame him, but he didn't need any competition while he was trying to win her back.

  Luckily, he’d noticed Ethan was into Chloe last night and planned ahead. There was only room for four on the two snowmobiles. Sorry, Ethan. No room for broody fifth wheels.

  “There are five of us, Brady," Chloe said.

  Brady played dumb. “Five? Oh, hey man,” he said, striding toward Ethan. “Did you want to come, too? I’m Brady by the way, Chloe’s boyfriend.”

  Chloe cleared her throat and Brady pretended to be embarrassed. “Sorry. Old habit. I meant to say, I’m Chloe’s best friend. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Chloe

  Chloe resisted the urge to hold her breath as she waited for Ethan to shake Brady's hand. This wasn’t ideal—her ex-boyfriend meeting her new . . . her new what?

  Frustration overcame her. She hated that she and Ethan kept getting interrupted. Maybe if they had a minute to spend together without being disturbed she could figure out how she felt, but with her family and neighbors butting in Chloe couldn’t catch her breath.

  She sighed, already exhausted by this morning’s hectic start. And if Ethan didn’t shake Brady’s hand, things were only going to get worse.

  Relief swept through Chloe as Ethan finally extended his hand. She didn't miss the look of disapproval in Ethan's eyes though. Those eyes. They were so damn expressive. Chloe felt like she could read his thoughts just by looking at him. And right now he was thinking, ‘the feeling’s not mutual, Brady.’

  “I’m sorry, man,” Brady was saying. “I didn’t know you wanted to go. I only have two sleds. There’s not room for all of us.”

  “We can take one of ours,” Chloe said, interrupting whatever response Ethan had been about to give.

  The last thing she wanted was for Ethan to feel left out. Besid
es, she really wanted him to come. If Owen had never been snowmobiling then Ethan probably hadn’t either. It was really fun and Ethan needed joy in his life more than anyone. Plus, she couldn’t help feeling a bit giddy about the idea of having Ethan’s arms wrapped around her on a snowmobile.

  “Does our snowmobile still run?” Margot asked.

  “I’m sure it does,” Chloe replied.

  “But it’s so old.”

  That was true. Her father bought new snowmobiles for the lodge every few years but they still had one from the nineties for their personal use. “You know Dad. I’m sure he keeps it tuned up.”

  Chloe was about to ask Margot if she would go check it out with her. Chloe really wanted to talk to her sister about the things Ethan had revealed last night, but a look around the room of burly boys made Chloe think better of leaving them alone. The way Ethan and Brady were scowling at each other didn’t bode well. Instead, she grabbed Ethan’s hand. “Come with me. I’ll find you some warm clothes you can borrow.”

  23

  Ethan

  “You don’t have to do this,” Ethan said, standing next to Chloe as she tried revving the snowmobile.

  “I want to,” Chloe argued. “Now get on.”

  Ethan looked at the two sleek black snowmobiles Brady had brought. Owen and Margot were on one and a scowling Brady was on the other. They looked brand new, their engines purring as they revved them, while the ancient red snowmobile Chloe had dusted off smelled like a lawnmower and sounded like one, too.

  Ethan looked back at Chloe who was sitting on the old sled, looking like a pro. “Are you sure you don’t just want to go with them? I can stay here.”

  “I want to go with you,” she said confidently.

  Each word slammed into his heart with alarming precision. Please mean that, Chloe. I don’t think I can let go if I let you in any further.

  After talking to her last night, Ethan had the best night of sleep since . . . well, since he could remember. She was like a drug, tranquilizing all the pain and trauma he carried around with him. When he let himself just be with her, he felt the closest to happy he’d ever been. And he knew climbing onto that snowmobile and wrapping his arms around her would be like climbing into a life raft. Either they would survive the storm that lived inside him or he’d drown them both.