It sounded like a sane plan now that the snow was flying and my adrenaline raced because she hadn't returned. But before, it was only a jealous instinct crossed with mistrust over their intentions.
Aaron and I weren't friends. Not for a long time.
I grabbedthe radio and left my office, walking through the staff area of the lodge until I entered the lobby. A few guests milled through the area and warmed their hands by the fire.
Shouts and laughter erupted from the dining area, and I headed for it, hoping to see Sage sitting at the bar doing shots and laughing over the group photo they'd taken at the top of the mountain.
I scanned the groups of people, spotting Aaron and the two others at a table in the corner. A half-filled pitcher of beer sat in front of them, and they clinked glasses, then chugged back the brew.
“Did you see her face?” Blair said, mopping up a puddle of beer she’d drunkenly spilled with her napkin. “She really thought we wanted to hang out.”
My footsteps paused, hearing the ridicule in Blair’s voice, confirming my worst fears. I wrapped my hands around the back of her chair and squared my jaw.
“Where is Sage?”
Gretchen snickered, then hiccuped. “She’s probably still on the trail.”
I glared at Aaron. “You left her up there? The weather turned. It's dangerous. What were you thinking?”
“She’ll be fine, Leo. Chill. You always get so uptight over that girl. She's not like us.”
“I know.” I snapped. “That's a good thing. What trail did you take?”
Aaron rose from his seat and rounded the table. He hooked his thumbs into his belt buckles and smirked. “The Gauntlet.”
“A double black diamond? You're such a jerk, Aaron.”
He scoffed. “I'm the jerk? You think you're so much better than us. I’ll bet you still haven't told Sage what your father made you do.” He stepped closer, jutting his chin in my face, nostrils flaring. “How do you think she'd feel if she knew the truth about you and your family, and the lengths you’d go to hurt people?”
A red haze blurred my vision. “Get out. All of you.” I gritted my teeth and pointed toward the exit. “Get your bags and get off my mountain. If you're not gone by the time I get back, I won't need to call security. I'll throw you out myself.”
I left as Aaron sputtered, and the girls whined about finishing their drinks. I grabbed my gear and skis from the locker, spotting Valerie as she rushed into the patrol office.
“Good, you’re here,” she said, shrugging into her jacket and following me outside. “I think Sage is still somewhere on the mountain. We already closed the lifts and ski patrol is out clearing the trails, making sure everyone gets back safely.” Valerie chewed on her lip, worry in her eyes. “This storm came out of nowhere.”
“I know. I'm going to find her. She’s on The Gauntlet. I'll radio if I need help.”
“Be careful, Leo. That's a nasty trail. Especially in this weather.”
I nodded, but I didn't need the reminder. It was our toughest slope. Sage wouldn't have been ready for it on a sunny day, let alone in this mess.
My handsclenched around my ski poles, but I would have preferred they were clenched around Aaron's neck.
I skied toward the lift while the attendant got it running. The ride up was a method of torture; the chair juddering slowly through the wind-driven snow. I tensed with the sway of the lift, trying not to imagine every hazardous pitfall Sage might have encountered.
This was my fault. I manipulated her into helping me and then left her with those idiots, still obsessed with childish pranks. I knew better. Had witnessed how some people treated her when we were younger. She shouldn't have had to experience it then, and especially not now when I should have protected her.
Aaron was right about one thing, though. I wasn't some innocent bystander in our past, and if she found out what had happened years ago, she'd never speak to me again. After this, maybe she shouldn't.
I exited the lift and skied toward the trail, keeping low against the howling wind. Snow pummeled my goggles and made visibility a challenge. My heart rattled behind my rib cage and a sick feeling gnawed at my insides.
The trail they’d taken came into view, and I scanned the area, then slanted over the ledge, dropping onto the sheer face of the slope. My skis screeched across the ice before hitting loose powder, jarring my knees. The moguls were rough and barely visible, forcing me to expect the dips and brace against the impact.
A pair of skis appeared on the edge of the trail, and I swerved to a stop. They were rentals and looked like the pair Sage had worn.
“Good girl,” I murmured, making sure she wasn't waiting on the side of the trail. She'd taken off her skis instead of trying to battle the slope. Walking wouldn't be easy, but she'd have more control.
Leaving the skis behind, I continued down the trail. My eyes tracked back and forth, careful I didn't miss her. I squinted, spotting a bright-colored jacket against the wall of white. Sage was in the distance and she had looked back up the mountain.
