“Oh, come on. Youdoknow,” I pester him.
“It means nothing, Talon.” He’s back to his usual closed-off self, and I hate that I’ve lost him so quickly.
He places the mug on the host stand, and I immediately reach for it.
“Let me get you a refill.”
I’m gone before he can protest.
I leave the liquor out this time because I’m not trying to get him drunk so he spills his secrets, but I can’t help but wish he’d open up to me.
When I take Zeke’s mug back outside, I see him chatting with another resort employee, and I stand in the shadows for a minute to watch the interaction. Zeke seems just as distant as ever, with his arms wrapped around his body and not even a hint of a smile.
At least he doesn’t close me off likethat.
I wait for the interaction to end before approaching and handing him the refreshed mug.
“No liquor this time,” I tell him. “Didn’t want you to think I was trying to get you drunk.”
He rolls his eyes and sighs. “Oh, please. You getting me liquored up and trying to take advantage of me would be the highlight of my year.” As soon as the words are in the air, his eyes widen in mortification, and he slaps a gloved hand over his mouth. “Ohmygod, I don’t know why I said that. I’m so sorry.”
His nerves are endearing, and I chuckle to put him at ease.
“No need to apologize, Zeke. I’ll take that as the compliment it was intended to be.”
It’s impossible to tell if Zeke is blushing or if his cheeks are just pink from being battered by the wind and cold temperatures all day. It amazes me that his glasses don’t fog from being out here in the brutal weather, but I assume he uses the same kind of anti-fogging spray that I put on my ski mask.
We stand outside in near-silence for another half an hour. Although we aren’t saying much, I’m grateful he doesn’t ask me to leave. After finding out that his boyfriend has left him on his own for Christmas, I don’t want him to spend tonight alone, too.
When there’s a lull in people arriving, I take a step closer to Zeke and look over his shoulder at the iPad where a green bar sits at the top that saysCheck-In Complete, indicating that everyone who sent in their RSVP has arrived for the party.
“Looks like everyone’s here. Why don’t we go inside and get warm?”
He turns, looking behind us through the windows. Inside, people are laughing, mingling, eating, and drinking. It’s a very merry sight. One that makes my heart sing because my employees seem happy and well cared for.
All except this one.
“You go on ahead. I’ll be in shortly,” Zeke says,almostmaking me believe he wants to be left alone.
“I’m not going in without you,” I declare, surprising myself with the statement. There are people from all different areas of the resort inside. I literally cannot think of a better place to mingle and learn about the employees I haven’t met yet.
But I meant it.
I’m not going in until Zeke does.
“Why are you so nice to me?” he asks, suddenly angry.
“I’m nice to everyone,” I argue. “Why do you allow people to treat you poorly?” I fire back, thinking about what that ski patroller had said. “Why do you allowDerekto treat you poorly?”
Zeke’s eyes flash to mine. His shame is evident in his quivering lip, and fuck what’s appropriate, I pull him to me in a hug. I’m about four inches taller than he is, so my arms wrap around his shoulders and upper back easily.
He pushes against me at first, but I don’t let go, and after a minute, Zeke gives in, resting his forehead against my collarbone. His arms snake around my waist, and I feel the shudder of his sobs against my chest as he grips me tightly. It’s as though he doesn’t want to, but can’t help himself. Resting my cheek on the top of his head, I turn slightly, using my body to block him from the view of the windows.
“Come on, let’s go in. We can hide out downstairs,” I tell him, grabbing his hand and leading him around the side of the building to the employee entrance.
As we reach the door, we’re almost run over by the ski patroller from earlier as he storms out, followed by one of the guys who was with him when he checked in. Neither of them says a word, so Zeke and I stay quiet as well, catching the door before it closes.
The lights are off down here, silently telling the employees that the party is meant to stay upstairs. I’m not sure what those guys were doing, but nothing looks out of place, so I let it go. Besides, nothing is more important than being present for Zeke right now.
