Annalise smacked Eloise who yelled in shock, and a slow smile spread across Orion’s face and yep, Eloise was dead. She’d better sleep with both eyes open because I was so going to get her back for this.
“I have to go,” I said, my voice thick and I was pretty sure the lump was vomit.
“Oh no you don’t. You have to tell me about this kiss.”
“Kisses,” Eloise corrected. “He kissed her more than once.”
“Eloise,” I barked.
She looked up at me like she didn’t realize what she’d said. Maybe she was still drunk, it was the only explanation.
I pushed back my chair and stood up.
Orion was grinning, Annalise was staring at her cup of coffee like it could solve all her problems, Eloise was definitely still drunk, and my parents were trying to pretend like they were anywhere else.
The dining room around us bustled quietly—it was late enough that most had already come and gone out to hit the slopes. Morning light filtered in through the large windows lining the room, a fire crackled in the hearth on the far side. White walls covered in photos of the scenery and wooden beams made the space feel fresh but cozy. Rugs of various colors, textures, and sizes covered the wooden floor and softened my footsteps out of the room. I needed a bathroom, a pot—anything. Because last night’s drink-a-thon was making a reappearance.
I slammed face first into a body, and before I could stagger backwards and undoubtedly land on my ass, hands caught my arms and kept me on my feet. But I was done and vomit spewed out of me, down the front of a sweater, snow pants and ski boots. Ice cold embarrassment filled me and I squeezed my eyes shutand hoped when I opened them, this would all be a dream. I took a breath, and when I looked, I still wanted to die.
“I feel like I probably deserved that.”
My cheeks heated and tears of embarrassment pricked at my eyes as my gaze jerkily moved up to come face to face with Lukas. Because of course it was him, and I just threw up on him.
I was a mess, and alcohol sucks, and I was never going to drink again, and he probably hates me now, and probably regrets the kiss and inviting me to go skiing. The tears burned and slipped from the corners of my eyes.
One of The Lodge staff came over, grimacing. Although, they plastered a friendly smile on their face., I think they assured Lukas that they’d have my mess cleaned up in no time. They offered him a towel and a bag—he cleaned up the best he could, but it was futile. Last night’s party and the meager bits I had for breakfast adorned the entire front of him.
I think I saw him give a small wave to my family—I wasn’t sure. But he took my hand in his and led me away from the dining hall. Before we got far, a bottle of ginger ale was pressed into my free hand. I was on autopilot. My mind racing through every possible scenario that could happen.
“Come on. I have to go get changed, and you look like you might vomit again,” he said chuckling.
How he could find this funny was beyond me, but I was beyond embarrassed and didn’t know how to react—I had no words, no retorts, no fire. I focused on breathing, because I think Lukas was right—I definitely felt the need to vomit again, and keeping my mouth shut and just breathing was my only function.
It didn’t take long to reach his rooms. The door clicked open with a little automated beep, and I shoved past him and into the bathroom. Whatever contents were left in my stomach emptied, and I felt his hands gather up my hair, keeping it out of the way.Once he had it gathered, a hand moved to rub my back as I dry heaved into the bowl.
“I’m never drinking again,” I mumbled, feeling so many different kinds of awful.
“Probably a good idea,” he said, chuckling.
CHAPTER 21
lukas
Aimee was holdingon to the toilet bowl for what appeared to be dear life.
“I threw up on you,” she said, her voice filled with warbly tears and embarrassment.
I rubbed her back and let her hair fall over her shoulder—away from the open toilet. I reached up and grabbed the hand towel, wetting it.
“I threw up on you, and now you’ll never want to kiss me again,” she moaned.
I smirked.
Little did this girl know justhow muchI wanted to kiss her, and her throwing up on me after a night of her drinking to a dead guy’s shit memory, literally did not rank as a reason tonotkiss her.
“That’s not true,” I said.
I took the wet towel and pressed it against her forehead, and when she sat up, I used it to wipe her mouth. She looked like shit, but drinking all night will do that to a person. Good thing getting out on the slopes with fresh pine mountain air was a pretty solid cure for a hangover. The adrenaline and cold shocked the sobriety right up and left you feeling wide awake.Though, looking at Aimee, I wasn’t exactly sure it would work on her.
