5
Once they returned from the ice rink and ate dinner, the group made plans to meet down at the hot tubs. Brent got dressed in his swim trunks and a pullover sweatshirt and flip-flops before making his way down to the main floor. The hot tubs were just out back behind the lobby.
Despite the massive amount of snow that had come down in Wintervale, the town seemed to work together to clear roads and pathways, making it easier for people to get around, which had allowed them to get to the ice rink. Luckily, the snow had quit falling, so they didn’t have to play catch-up with the weather daily.
Brent pulled his sweatshirt off as he got closer to the hot tubs, intending to ditch it on a bench to keep it semi-dry. Candace and Jessica had just stepped out of the hot tub as he approached. They picked up their towels and passed him.
Brent turned to watch Candace walking back toward the building. He got a glimpse just before the towel covered her exquisite body. But then his foot caught the edge of a bench that he swore jumped right into his path. He grunted before stepping on a patch of ice and flying face first into a bank of snow.
The yelp of surprise at the cold snow lodged in his swim trunks was less than manly. But he was in survival mode. He scrambled out of the bank and jumped up and down to shake the snow off him.
A peel of laughter told him Candace saw the whole thing.
“Dude,” Travis said, barely able to say the word between gasps of air.
Jessica bit her lip and held a hand in front of her face, at least attempting to contain her amusement.
She’s a doll.
Candace did no such thing. She was bent at the waist, laughing hysterically.
“Walk much?” She gasped.
She’s not.
“I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.”
He discarded his snow-covered sweatshirt on the offensive bench before quickly stepping into the steaming hot tub, the hot water biting at his snow-covered skin. Candace’s laughter followed her into the building with Jessica.
“Where are they heading?” Brent asked. He partially hoped to see Candace tonight, if only to get on her nerves.
Travis still laughed, but could compose himself enough to answer. “Getting drinks. I told them to grab you a beer.”
Brent nodded and glanced toward the door. A brief surge of excitement coursed through him. Candace had always been a mystery to him. She had a bit of hostility in her he loved to provoke. And her obvious annoyance with him made her feel like a challenge. Although he did not know why she was hostile toward him, it was a challenge he gladly accepted.
“You told both of them to?”
“Well, I told Jessica. I doubt Candace would.”
“Probably not. So how does it feel to be married?” Brent asked.
Travis shrugged and leaned back against a jet. The hot tubs were surprisingly quiet tonight. The last few nights, there had been other people in with them, but they had this one to themselves. A few other hot tubs nearby also weren’t near capacity, like they normally would be.
“It feels the same as when we were dating. Only it’s more official now.”
“I’m happy you found her. She’s a good one,” Brent said. And he meant it too.
Ever since he had met Jessica, he had taken an instant liking to her. Not in any romantic sense, but he knew she was perfect for his little brother. The way they operated around each other was seamless. Jessica always knew what Travis wanted before he wanted it, and he could always finish her thoughts when she had trouble explaining something.
It wasn’t like how Brent was with Candace. They were oil and water—complete opposites. She always picked at him with her sassy attitude, trying to push his buttons every chance she got. But he ate it up because he could dish it right back until she stomped off.
“Thanks man. Now, when are you going to hook up with Candace?”
Brent laughed. “Candace?”
“Come on. I see the way you look at her.”
“We both know she hates me.”
