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Hiking is exhausting. I don’t know how Wesley and Spencer go on a trail every week. They’re the most active ones in our friend group. Me, Luke, Callum, and Milo are less exercise-inclined, but we enjoy the yearly hike to the mountain peak. It’s an excuse to hang out with my best friends, get drunk in the student cabins on the far side of the mountain, and take a break from busy college life.
We all study different things, but I major in Biology while Wesley is nose-deep in Politics and Economics. He’s one of those guys with big plans to change the world, and I have no doubt in my mind that he can do it.
After our final exams last year, we were lying on the floor of his dorm, drinking a few beers and chatting about everything and nothing. His roommate, Alex, was out for the night so we had the space all to ourselves.
In the dim light, Wesley’s eyes glittered and he told me about his plans to climb the political ladder until he has enough pull to make the world a better place.
He’d looked so passionate, his lips red and glistening from biting them too hard, a soft alcohol flush on his cheeks, and I remember believing he could do it. He’s the perfect guy for the job.
“Weather looks fine to me,” Wesley calls from ahead of me. “I mean, it’s a bit choppy but that’s to be expected.”
“Maybe the clerk got it wrong?” I’m taking my time, alternating between staring at the pretty scenery and stopping to collect interesting things dotted around the trees on either side of the trail. “It’s getting late, Wes. I’m exhausted.”
My legs are starting to ache, and my hands are so cold it's a wonder they haven’t turned blue.
Wesley hurries to my side, lifting his hiking goggles. His gaze seems to pierce through me.
“We can route to the cabin for the night,” he suggests.
I kind of regret bringing it up at all at the reminder about the cabin. The key with the iron heart feels like it's burning a hole in my hiking pants. But I’m tired, so tired I could be persuaded to sleep on the floor if it was inside and away from the snow.
Pushing the feeling away, I lift my goggles so I can give him my best puppy-dog eyes. “Can we, please?”
His eyes crinkle, the smile showing off those damn dimples. “You complain almost as much as Callum.”
“I take offense to that. All Callum does is complain, especially about Milo.”
Wesley begins walking again, this time matching my pace so he’s in line with me. “That’s because Callum’s obsessed with him.”
I let out an incredulous laugh. “What?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed he’s practically glued to Milo’s side every waking moment.”
I think back to Milo and Callum’s interactions. They’d always seemed like good friends, nothing obsessive about it.
“No, he’s not,” I say, shaking my head. “Milo’s never been interested in dating, right?"
At least, that’s what he’s always told us.
Wesley’s lips tilt up. “Too busy ‘studying’ with the guys he takes back to his room.”
“See? Our Milo cares a lot about his studies,” I say, smiling triumphantly up at him. “I bet he’s never had his first kiss before.”
Wesley makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like ‘Jesus’.
“What?” I say.
“You’ll understand when you’re older,” he replies drily. Then, he slants a look at me that’s indecipherable behind his ski goggles. “Have you had your first kiss?”
“Of course I have, I’m not a total loser.” I roll my eyes. “I barely remember it and I’ve had better kisses since then.”
For a moment, Wesley is silent, chewing on his bottom lip as his eyes dart over the snowy landscape. Finally, his gaze settles on mine. My breath catches in my throat.
“Just kisses?” he asks.
I shrug. “I mean, I used to do… other stuff with my ex. But I’ve never— I haven’t gone the full way.”
