Chapter Eleven
MATT
The early morningchill bites at my skin as I make my way to the lodge. It's been ten days since I first arrived at Crystal Creek Retreat, each one a blur of work and emotion.
Eliza's been juggling her studies and helping at the lodge, like we agreed. She clocks in her hours, but our interactions have been more limited than I'd expected. Her brothers keep her busy with errands—supply runs to town, and today, picking up Finn from the airport. But it's more than that.
We still have dinner together every night, sharing a quiet meal before she buries herself in study guides. I love those moments, but they feel too brief, like we're scratching the surface of something deeper. By the time we've wrapped up the day and finished eating, she's back to her books, determined to stay ahead.
I get it—her exam is important, but it doesn't stop me from missing her. It feels like we're both running on fumes, circling around each other without connecting.
I hear the hum of the ATV long before I see it. Eliza's driving like she's competing in an off-road race, and sure enough, Finn's sitting in the back, clutching his pack like he's holding on fordear life. When they pull up in front of me, Finn jumps off, staggering a bit.
“Matt, it's good to see you.”
Before I can respond, he lunges at me, arms wide. I barely have time to react before he wraps me in a bear hug and lifts me clean off the ground.
“Finn, you oversized mountain goat!” I shout, laughing as I try to wriggle free. “Put me down before you break something!”
He tightens his grip, spinning us both in a circle. “What's the matter? Can't handle a little love?”
I twist in his arms, getting one foot on the ground, and use all the leverage I can muster to flip him. It works—sort of. He stumbles, but instead of going down gracefully, we both tumble into the snowbank, landing in a heap.
Eliza is full-on laughing, watching the two of us rolling around like kids. “This is better than TV,” she shouts, barely containing her giggles as Finn and I wrestle for dominance in the snow. “I'd stay, but I've only got one more night to cram.” She waves and disappears into her cabin.
I pin Finn down, panting. “See? Still got it!” I say, holding him there for a second before letting go.
Finn sits up, wiping snow from his face. “Alright, alright. I'll give you that one. But next time, I'm coming for you. I hear you and my sister are a thing. I don't know whether to beat your ass or feel sorry for you.”
I roll my eyes. “Dude, we've kissed once, that's all. Your brothers keep her too busy for anything else. I'm surprised they haven't boarded me up in my cabin.”
Finn laughs. “Oh, it was discussed, believe me. But honestly, your cheap skilled labor won out. We needed the extra manpower.”
“Glad to know I'm valued for something,” I reply dryly.
“Hey, in this family, that's high praise,” Finn says, clapping me on the shoulder. “But seriously, man. Eliza ... she's one of a kind. Treat her well, okay?”
“Always,” I promise, touched by the concern beneath his teasing.
As we reach the lodge, Finn looks satisfied. “Great. Now let's see if we can survive her exam stress without anyone getting injured.”
I laugh, grateful for the moment of light-heartedness. But as we enter the lodge, my thoughts return to Eliza and her test tomorrow. The day passes in a blur of physical labor and mental gymnastics. By the time evening rolls around, I'm exhausted, but still too wired to settle down. I check on Eliza to offer some encouragement before her big day.
As I approach her cabin, I spot her through the window, surrounded by a mountain of books and papers. Even from here, the tension in her shoulders is obvious, the deep furrow between her brows showing how much pressure she's putting on herself. I raise my hand to knock, but then I pause, Kane's words echoing in my mind. She needs to focus.
For a second, I consider turning back. Let her study. She doesn't need distractions right now. But then I take a breath and knock gently. When she calls out, “Come in,” I push the door open.
Her head pops up from her study guides, eyes softening a little when she sees me. “Hey. What's up?”
“I thought you could use a break and maybe food. I've got a can of soup in my room.”
“Thanks. I wolfed down a sandwich a little while ago.”
“Do you need any help with the studying?” I ask, though I already know her answer.
She shakes her head. “No, but thanks for offering.” She glances back at her papers, already half in study mode again. “I need to get through this last chapter.”
I hover for a second, then lean down and press a quick, gentle kiss to her lips. Not the kiss I want to give her—no fire, no passion—but something simple and supportive. “I'll leave you to it,” I whisper as I straighten.
