She also convinced me to unpack and not just live out of my suitcase. The room was cozy but still spacious with a bathroom I couldn’t wait to use.
“Can’t we just hang out here until dinner?”
“Absolutely not. We’re going to go for a walk.”
I groaned, but before I could flop back on the bed, she was hauling me out of the room and down the hall to the elevator. She promised me hot chocolate and that we could come back to the room if it proved to be too much.
“You swear?”
“Of course! If anyone causes us problems, we out,” she nudged my shoulder with hers. “I got you Aimes. You know that.”
I let out a quiet laugh. I did know that, even if I didn’t always believe it anymore.
“Besides, it’s been over a year—ifanyoneis still harping on what happened, then they’re sad, miserable little people who need to go touch grass. I pity them.”
I choked on a laugh this time—it was that or I choked back a sob. I understood the sentiment and the anger on my behalf, but her words hit just a little too close to home.
A mix of snow,gravel and salt crunched under our boots as we wandered around outside. The Lodge wasn’t especially large, but the grounds and facilities outside it were expansive. Tubing, skiing (all types), sledding, skating, snowboarding, and hiking trails were all within five minutes of The Lodge. It was kind of incredible that this place seemed so secluded, but it was apparently a prime destination for professional athletes to come practice and prepare.
“Apparently there is a skiing final right at the start of the year—an Olympic Qualifier,” Eloise said, reading a flier. “We’re still going to be here, it could be fun to watch.”
I made a non-committal noise. I wasn’t agreeing to anything.
“Apparently this happens often—a bunch of the downhill runs are perfect for racing.”
“How do you know all of this?”
“Annalise, who heard it from Orion, who is apparently beyond excited about it.”
I hummed.
Once upon a time, my brother had entertained the idea of skiing competitively and professionally—he was even on the Willow Creek University Ski Team. I remembered being pulled from practice early as we rushed to the hospital. He wiped out during practice and his landing had resulted in a shattered tibia and months of rehab. He still skied leisurely, but pursuing it professionally was no longer an option. He still enjoyedwatching any races, and he was still really close with some of the other guys who’d been on the team.
“I’m sure Annalise is thrilled,” I said.
Eloise snorted, and I let out a little chuckle.
I could imagine her reaction in my mind. I loved her, and I loved that she very clearly loved my brother. I’d never admit it to Orion, just because he’d be insufferable and his ego does not need to be fluffed, but he was lucky to have her.
“Ecstatic really,” Eloise said, and for a moment she held back her laughter. Then, it burst out. I couldn’t help but join her.
Orion and Annalise were that type of couple when you saw them, you just kind of wanted to hate them on principle.
Both were objectively gorgeous, and it was a little annoying.
Annalise’s dark brown hair literally always fell in glossy waves. Her light brown skin was always glowing—she stood out in a crowd. She had these gorgeous brown eyes rimmed with amber, her brows were perfectly full—the kind that people paid money to have. Her face was sort of oval shaped, with a jawline I wanted badly. Her lips were full and there always seemed to be a smile hiding in the corner. She had soft curves and had the boobs and butt—two things that I was sorely lacking.
Annalise was the polar opposite of me, and for a long time I was so jealous of her—I wanted to be her.
And I’m not blind to how women view my brother—he’s attractive. People sometimes thought we were twins, even though three years separated us. While I was naturally a strawberry blonde, he was more golden with paler highlights. He tended to keep it longer on top and shorter on the back and sides. His eyes were also a deep blue compared to my greenish hazel eyes, and whereas I was on the shorter, leaner side, he was built like a damn tree. Over six feet, with shoulders that would give a certain fictional shield wielding American Hero a run forhis money. In reality, he was a giant teddy bear, and honestly Annalise couldn’t have chosen better.
The only time I’d tell them that was probably on their wedding day.
Eloise had spentmanysleepovers waxing poetic about how attractive he was and how much she was in love with him. And then when Annalise entered the picture, she lamented, but ultimately ended up crushing on both of them.
Hard.
All three of them had been there for me after the accident—had put their lives on hold to just be there in whatever ways I needed or would let them….it meant more to me than I could admit. The guilt was still too much.
