Thealmostgrin melts off my face as I realize he’s not moving. “What do you want?”
“It’s good to see you on the mountain,” Blake says.
“That’s all you have to say?”
“What else do you want me to say?”
I’m sorry I kept my life a secret. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for Chase.The things I’d been hoping to hear one day rattle around my head like the little silver marble in a pinball machine, yet Blake’s mouth is shut, his eyes laced with a mixture of confusion and concern.
A quick glance at Hayden, whose goggles are on his helmet instead of covering his eyes, and I realize his expression matches Blake’s.Fuck this. Blake should know what I want to hear, and Hayden shouldn’t care since we’ll probably go back to hating each other after this.
“You know what, forget it.” I shake my head and sneer, storming off to the locker room without a backward glance at either of them.
Chapter twelve
Hayden
One minute, Ryder’s ever-present stoic mask looks like it’s about to crack into a smile. The next, he’s nowhere in sight, and I’m face-to-face with some random guy wearing the same confused expression I’m pretty sure is on my face.What the hell just happened?
“I’m just…” I point awkwardly in the direction Ryder took. “Uh, bye.”
I feel the stranger’s eyes on me as I scramble toward the safe space of my office, assuming that’s where Ryder retreated to. But instead of him being sprawled out on the couch in the lobby as I expect, I find him in the locker room, yanking off his snow gear with such force I’m surprised it’s not ripped by the time it hits the floor.
Feeling torn, I watch him as I try to decide what to do. I can’t deny that since learning of the circumstances behind his prickly demeanor, I’ve got a little more patience for him. And that was before our lesson today, when he almost looked like he was having fun at the end. Or at least tolerating things. Those are the kind of moments that make me want to try to reach him, though the way he’s flinging his gear has me second-guessing whether that’s wise.
Ultimately, my humane side wins out.
“Obviously, I’m going to move slower than you since I just used muscles I didn’t know I had, but seriously, how did you have energy left over to sprint back here?”That sounded wittier in my head.Even my cringe-worthy humor doesn’t appear to penetrate the wall he’s got back up.
“I’m taller. I’ll always walk faster.” He shoves his gloves in a bag.
Two inches, big whoop. Okay, new tactic.“Aren’t you supposed to tell me how I did?”
“What, like give you a grade?” He yanks off his snow pants, revealing a pair of soft gray sweats underneath.Of course, he wears the male equivalent of lingerie out in the open. Does he not realize they’re the universal invitation to unholy thoughts and bad decisions?“Max didn’t ask for agood jobsticker and he’s like, eight.”
“Excuse me for wanting to know if I’m a lost cause or not.” Damn, he’s prickly, although if I were the reason for that I’m sure he’d be addressing me with one of my colorful nicknames. I wonder what that guy did that has Ryder even more pissed at him than he is me.
“You’re still walking, Frosty, I’d say that means you didn’t suck.”
So much for that theory.
“Wow, I didn’t suck. Thanks for the resounding vote of confidence.”
“That was a compliment.” He shoves his boots onto the boot heater with more force than necessary. “And here you thought I wouldn’t be a good teacher.”
“I said you couldn’t teach unless you were sober, not that you didn’t know what you’re doing. And are you really trying to take credit for menot sucking?” I make little quotes with my fingers.
“Pretty sure you’d still be on your first run if I didn’t help youdancedown the mountain.” He mimics my gesture before strippingoff his shirt, which makes it impossible not to notice how low those sweatpants hang on his lean hips.He should not be out in public in those.
“Good thing Carter only insisted on one lessonpartner.” I put my hands on his chest and attempt to shove him back, an action I regret immediately for two reasons. One—his sculpted chest is warm and smooth under my palms, which sends an unwanted shiver along my spine. And two—he doesn’t budge, which the muscles in my back aren’t expecting.When did I even use those?I roll my shoulders as I drop my arms.
“What’s that face for?” he balks.
“What face?”
“The one you’re wearing. Did you really think I’d miss that wince?” He taps the corner of his eye with a finger. “Twenty, twenty.”
“Hallelujah, you can see.” I throw my arms up in the air and promptly cringe again.
