I nod.
“You should take my sister’s jacket. You two are about the same size, and it will serve you better up there.” Henry steps out into the garage, where the boys are loading up their skis.
I follow him and rub my arms when the warmth of the cabin is taken from me. Baylor sees me shiver and shakes his head at me, and I throw a scowl in his direction.
Henry rifles through a storage bin and takes out a thick white jacket, a helmet, and some goggles. “What size shoe are you?”
“Seven. Why?”
“Her boots might be a little big, but they should fit you. That way, you don’t have to rent anything.”
“I brought boots though.”
“He means, snowboard boots.” Baylor raises his brow. “C’mon, Henry. She’s just going to hold us up. Leave her here.”
“Why don’t you go load the rest of your shit in the truck and leave her alone? If she says she’s good, she’s good.” Henry nods, handing me Clara’s jacket.
My stomach twists again at Henry’s misplaced trust. “Thanks,” I say, staring down at my feet.
I don’t like lying to him, but I can’t back out now—even if it is a death wish.
The sun begins to rise as we all load into the gondola lift, turning the sky into a beautiful lavender backdrop to a mountainous skyline.
I stare out the window just above Baylor’s head and take it all in as we head up the mountainside. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him smile—no doubt finding my awed expression hilarious.
Jesse nudges my thigh with his ski pole before I can make a smart remark. “Pretty great, isn’t it?”
My lips stretch into a giant grin. “I can’t imagine anything more beautiful.”
Baylor clears his throat before covering his face with his balaclava and goggles. I can’t see his eyes, but I still glare into the red-tinted reflection of myself just the same.
I adjust my helmet as we near our stop, gripping my board with my gloves. My stomach starts to turn again as skiers and snowboarders make their way down the hill in front of me, spraying up the fresh snow as they decrease in speed. I watch carefully, trying to learn as much as I can from their movements while trying not to puke.
Henry, Jesse, and Luke grab their skis while Baylor and I follow them out into the brisk mountain air with our snowboards. My boot catches on a mound of snow I don’t notice, and before I can get ready to eat snow, there’s a sudden, forceful tug on my hood.
I look back as soon as my feet are underneath me again and watch, wide-eyed, as Baylor slowly uncurls a fistful of my jacket with a huff.
“Watch where you’re going, will ya?”
I pinch my face as he stalks past me but still manage a small, “Thanks,” while he’s still in earshot.
“Aye, Pen!” Henry waves from up ahead. “Come check this out!”
I hurry to catch up, carefully watching where I’m walking this time. It’s not until I reach his side that I look up. Henry slides an arm over my shoulders, and I’m grateful for the extra stability he gives me with it because the view nearly knocks me over.
“And all my parents get is the lousy Eiffel Tower.” Henry laughs once, eyeing the sea of blanketed mountain peaks in front of us.
I’m speechless. I’ve never seen something that has literally taken my breath away, but it is like I’m frozen in time. A core memory, etching every detail, every color into a safe place in my mind. I feel small and insignificant but in the best way possible.
“Are you crying?”
And just like that, Baylor ruins a perfect moment.
Henry smiles and runs a gloved finger over the single tear before it can reach my chin. The rough texture of his glove only smears the wetness over more of my face, which the wind finds instantly.
Embarrassed and cold, I pull my scarf up higher and lower my goggles. The clear lens doesn’t hide my eyes but saves my face from the bitter wind whirling around us.
“Last one to the bottom buys drinks tonight!” Luke shouts, pushing off with his skis.
