“Hey, man. Liam, right?” Vox asks, smoothly gliding his snowboard forward as we become next in line.
After having already met him once, I don’t feel the same level of pressure I did the first time we met. So, thankfully, my words come easily.
“Hey, Vox! Yeah, that’s right.”
He fist bumps me. “Mind if I share your chair?”
“Not at all, my dude.”
We push off to the line and wait for the chair to scoop us up.
Vox lowers the bar and props his board on the foot pegs.
“How’s your day been?” he asks. He’s just being friendly, making small talk, but I burst into laughter anyway.
When he looks at me like I’ve lost my marbles, I tone it down.
“Sorry, man. Let me tell you about my day.”
I recount everything that’s happened since he kissed me at Meltdown last night.
“Oh, fuck, man. I don’t know whether I should sayI’msorryoryou’re welcome. I was just having a little fun with a guy of my own. I didn’t mean to cause you and yours any trouble.”
I shrug. “Looking back, it’s been building for a while. You did us a favor. But, like, can I ask you something?”
“Go for it,” Vox says, adjusting something on his helmet as we slowly make our way toward the summit.
“How do you date a guy?”
His eyes find mine, and it’s his turn to laugh. “Same way you date a girl, I reckon. We’re all just human, you know? Some like to be wined and dined; others like a rough fuck in the woods. What’s your guy like?”
I smile, picturing Damon.
“He’s uptight, a total control freak, a computer nerd, smart as hell, not a risk taker, and hates heights, but loves the view and the feeling of accomplishment he gets when he faces his fears.”
“Sounds like you know him pretty well.”
“Most days,” I admit.
“Okay, so trust your gut. Give him a safe adventure that he doesn’t have to plan, but knows the details of, so he isn’t, like, riddled with anxiety. If you need a suggestion, there’s a restaurant up here called Summit.” He looks at me with a flat look in his eyes. “Original, right? Anyway, at night, it’s accessedby a heated gondola. It’s by reservation only, and they’re usually pretty full, so I’d check before you head down if you’re interested. They’ve got a helluva view, and a killer menu.”
“That soundsperfect,” I admit. And then, in an attempt not to be a selfish prick, I ask, “How’d it go with your guy last night?”
“Exactly like I thought it would,” he says.
“Meaning?”
“He got up and stormed out a few minutes after I kissed you,” Vox says, leaving me staring at him with a puzzled look on my face. The lift house is coming into view, so I know our time is limited.
“And that’s what you wanted to happen?”
“Yep.”
“Sounds kind of cruel,” I point out. I mean, yeah, I kissed Vox in front of Damon, but I was trying to be supportive, not shove it in his face.
“Nah, I was just making a point.”
“Which was?” I ask, oddly invested in his relationship…ornotrelationship, I guess.
