AllFreeNovel
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“It’s amazing, but I hate lying to them. All they want to do is skate or ski and I love both of those things. Which reminds me, we need to hit up a nail salon.”
“Why? Not that I’m complaining. My paws and claws need to be tamed.”
“I kind of told them we were doing that today when they tried to get me to go skiing with them.” I avoid looking at her, not wanting to see her what the fuck face.
“But you love skiing. Hell, next to skating, it’s your favorite thing. Your dad and I joked one time about how you’d be the first person in history to win a medal in two vastly different sports.”
I keep skimming through the clothes, avoiding all eye contact and keeping my mouth shut. She’s right, I do love skiing, but I didn’t have the energy to fake it today.
“Ginny, real talk here. Why are you pretending to hate all things winter and not just tell these guys who you are? What’s the big secret between you all? Do any of y’all know anything about the other person other than they’re a good fuck?” She stares at me, and when I refuse to look at her, she takes hold of my body, spinning me around so I have no choice but to face her.
“I don’t know. It’s nice that they don’t know who I am, not that I’m a household name or anything. It’s just the anonymity is nice. It’s not like I’m ever going to see them again,” I confide in her.
“Just be careful. I’d hate for you to get attached and bitch, you’re doing that now. How much longer are you going to carry on with them? Just a little news flash here, but this was supposed to be our vacation and you haven’t even been spending it with me. And if I’m truthful, knowing that you’re only here today to avoid being with them kind of hurts.”
Her eyes water as she speaks, and it hits me how horrible of a best friend I’ve been. Melina has been with me through thick and thin, even my mother’s death, and here I've been ignoring her on what was supposed to be our girl’s trip.
“I’m a suck ass friend. Can you forgive me, Melina?”
“I should make you suffer, but yes, I can. But, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you’re mine. You can tell those boys of yours you have plans. But seriously, you need to decide what you’re doing before you fall for one or all of them.” I can hear the seriousness of her words, and I do need to think about it.
“Okay, so we need to find the perfect outfits to wear on New Year’s Eve, and I need to get a gift,” I tell her as we continue to look through the clothes.
“Fuck yeah, now you’re talking. My suggestion is the sluttier, the better. I got my eye on this silver fox and I know just where he’s going to be and it’s the hottest party of the year.” She gives me a wink, and I know she’s going to get us in trouble.
“You know there’s a law against stalking. He might not be into the crazy, possessive type of woman.”
“Bitch, please. I’m every man’s type. Have you seen how good my tits and ass look lately?”
“They’re amazing. Now let’s get the shopping done, eat, and get pampered.”
We both collapse into each other, a giggling mess, and I don’t have to look up to know all the people in this shop are looking at us like we’re crazy.
The day’s been amazing, but I know Melina isn’t finished questioning me. We’ve just got home and sat down on the couch after having our nails done, and decided to watch a Christmas movie. Who doesn’t love The Santa Clause?
I sit my soda on the coffee table when I feel someone’s eyes burning a hole through me.
“Just say whatever it is you want, Melina.”
She’s my best friend, but right now I hate her. Not because I think she’s wrong, but because I know she’s right. I can’t just do no commitment, I get feelings. No matter how many times I try to convince myself I won’t, I know I will. She’s right, I should just end it now. But I don’t want to.
“Just promise me you’ll really think about what you’re doing. I know you feel trapped with what your dad and Antony want, and you took this holiday as an opportunity to rebel and act out. But please make the right choice for you. I’ll be here for you no matter what. I just hate seeing you get hurt.”
God, I love her.
“I know, and I love that about you. Competing used to be fun, but now it’s like it’s all I am. I’m no longer Geneva Lein, a person, but Geneva and Antony, world champions. I’m just burned out, but no one seems to get it, and they keep wanting to push me forward for their own personal gain.”
“So you have a choice; stand up to your father and choose the guys, or cut your ties with them. But whatever you do, you need to come clean with those guys. And them with you too. You can’t keep on like this. Someone isn’t coming out a winner either way. But one of those choices has to lead to you being happy and living with yourself. So just think about what I’ve said...”
“I know. It’s hard, Melina, because they’re so sweet and I genuinely like them. Not to mention, there’s no jealousy at all between them.”
“I’m sure they are and I bet since they’re hot, it makes it even less of a hardship. But just make sure to decide what you want to do. Now let’s watch the movie.”
She picks up the remote and hits play. For the next hour, I absentmindedly watch the television, but never truly pay attention. Picking up my phone, I thumb through my messages and see some from the guys in a group chat we created this morning to keep us all on the same page.
The first was a picture of them on the slopes and I regret not going with them. Would it really be so bad if I told them who I was and what I did? To find out more about them? As it was, the only information we gave each other was our first names and non-specific information about ourselves, confined to our favorite movie, color, snack—things like that.
Carter: We wish you were here with us, Ginny.
