CHAPTER THREE
“So you’re there? Right now?” Knox is way too alive for eight o’clock in the morning.
I fall down on one of the large overstuffed leather couches in the lodge’s main sitting area. “Yes, Knox, I’m here.”
“And you’ll stay until I see you for lunch?”
An exaggerated sigh escapes, but there’s no one around hear it. “Yes.”
I have no idea why he is being so needy all of a sudden.You’d think after spending most the night being groped by hot girls and probably taking at least one if not two back to his room, he’d be in a better mood.
At six o’clock this morning he stopped at both mine and Marley’s rooms, waking her and Remi up as well. He explained we had to eat breakfast together and then watch everyone practice.
Remi thinks he’s having empty nest syndrome since thisis the last gold-medal event we’ll be at together. Knox will continue to compete in regular events, and as long as his health holds out, he’ll participate in the trials for another Winter Games. But I think he knows Remi is done, even if he hasn’t accepted it yet.
So basically because my brother is retiring at the age of thirty-one, I had to wake up at a God-awful early hour this morning to eatcold scrambled eggs and bacon.
“Okay, I’ll see you for lunch. You better be there.”
“Yeah. I’ll be here. Bye.” I end the call, shoving the phone in between the couch cushions.
Sure I may sound like a pubescent teenager, but did I mention what time he woke me up this morning? It’s not natural.
I think Remi’s right. It’s finally hit Knox. This is his and Remi’s last big event together. It’smade him nostalgic. He made me promise no less than five times that I’d be here to watch him practice all day. For good luck, he said. I’m pretty sure he’s having a mental breakdown.
I’d go back to my room, wrap myself in the covers, and have a good cry. But I can’t because in my family we get up, we put a smile on our face, and support our family members as they get ready to compete. And Knox,whether I want him to be or not, is like a family member to the entire Jonsson clan. So even though I feel like my heart is breaking, I’m here ready to fake it for everyone else.
And the worst part? My heart is breaking, but not because I dumped my boyfriend last night. If I’m being honest, I knew deep down inside it was going to happen eventually. It’s the number one reason I moved to Texasrather than Vegas when I had the chance.
I’m upset because…. I don’t even know. I mean, I do know, but I don’t want to admit it.
It’s not what you think.
Really.
I’m envious.
Told you it wasn’t what you thought.
I love Marley like she’s my own sister. I can’t wait to have her be an actual member of our family when she marries Remi. But I want what she has. I mean, I don’t want to marry mybrother. But she and Remi are so happy. Sickeningly so at times. I want that. Someone I have such a deep connection with that it won’t matter if I’m a little cranky in the morning because they understand my need for a full night’s sleep or that I don’t like red wine only whites. Jake could never remember those small pieces of who I am. Isn’t shit like that integral to a long relationship? If I drinkcoffee I want him to remember I take two sugars not three. Is it too much to ask? I guess.
“Why do you look like someone pissed in your Cheerios?”
Great. Now I won’t be able to get the idea of Knox peeing in a cereal bowl out of my head all morning. And I’ve seen his penis, it’s not like I need to make one up. I’ll be able to visualize the real thing.
“Do you know what time it is?”
Marleysits on the other side the couch. Kicking her feet up, she rests one on top of the other on the coffee table in front of us. She lets a minute or two pass with both of us quietly staring out the large glass window as a group of brightly colored snowboarders stand together in a circle. The group slowly grows in size.
Later than I expected, but sooner than I want, she turns and gives me an all-knowingexpression. “Is that the only reason?”
“Where’s Remi?” It’s a cheap tactic and one she is not likely to fall for, but you can’t blame a girl for trying. With Remi’s one event completed, he won’t be practicing anymore. They like to leave the mountain trails available for athletes who have events. Which means big brother should be down here providing support to Knox even more than me.
She leansback on the couch getting comfortable. “He’s coming. Your mom decided now that he’s done competing he needed to eat more food. She’s making some poor soul find him a third helping of breakfast.”
Sounds like our mom.
“So the Cheerios thing? Don’t think I forgot about your bad cereal,” she presses like an annoying older sibling.
