Page 19 of SnowBound

Fire rushed through my blood at the expression in his eyes. Nope. Not giving in. Still, I loved the adrenaline rush his dare shot through me. “Nah, of course. I mean, yes, of course, I am doing it…I think.” I sucked in a breath and stood on the chair behind me.

“Oh Abby, didn’t I say the departure lounge?”

I winced. “But there are people there.”

He raised a single eyebrow as if to say So what?

The ass. Huh, okay.

I wheeled his chair, all the while hoping he would change his mind and come up with another challenge. Or choose a nice ballad I could sway to if he went on with it. Or maybe a Christmas carol that would get people to join me and sing along, so I’d feel less awkward about being up there. But the look in his eyes and the way he was grinning like a maniac told me that I was in for the most embarrassing episode of my life.

Oh Abby, where have you landed? You were playing with fire. Weren’t you aware you could get burned?

I cursed at myself. I chose the absolute worst player to partake in this dare game with.

Without my realizing it, Andy had twisted the rules—my rules—to his advantage using his charming ways. I bet he knew how to get his own way in his everyday life. I was screwed. But some sick part of me reveled in his attention. And felt proud he’d agreed to this silly challenge with me. And cared enough to include me in whatever we were doing tonight.

In life, I usually played it safe.

For once, I wished this side of me would express itself, the one that needed to take the lead and say Screw it to the consequences. Once I arrived at my parents’ to spend my winter break, I’d need to hold my own, keep my chin up, and not let them berate me for giving voice to my feelings, as obedience was rather what they expected of me. I hated fights. And agreeing to my parents’ rules had always felt easier than going against their will. Damn loyalty. It was both my most enticing quality and my worst fault. And it was about time I stood up for myself. In every area of my life.

My insides tightened as we neared the lounge, as I had no idea what to expect.

Andy sank back into the chair and laced his fingers over his nape, his folded arms stretched wide as I pushed him forward. “Ready?” he asked after a beat.

The word “Sure” passed my quivering lips, and even I wasn’t convinced by the weight of it.

He turned his head to stare at me over his shoulder. Something passed between us, but I couldn’t name it. Warmth spread through me. “You’ll do great. I have faith in you.” His lips tilted up, and I nodded.

“We’ll see.”

One of Andy’s hands enveloped mine. “Believe in yourself.”

With a roll of my shoulders, I nodded. “Okay. I can do this.”

“I know you can.”

Minutes later, we reached the lounge that was packed with people who had been left stranded, away from their families, looking frustrated and tired. Some were spread over multiple seats or on the carpeted floor, using backpacks and folded jackets as pillows, while others busied themselves scrolling on their phones. A young mother was pacing the room, rocking a fussy baby in her arms. Three teenagers about my age were playing cards, sitting on the floor. A faint scent of pizza lingered in the air. Empty go-to coffee and soda cups and other food wrappers were discarded on low tables. These people looked bored as hell. And not very entertainable, if it was even a word.

Ohmygod. I just realized they’d be my audience. For a second, I had forgotten about the challenge, too busy taking the scene in.

“We can find something else,” I offered. “Or someplace else.”

Andy smirked when our gazes met. “Nope. Here is perfect. These people need a distraction. Something to take their minds off the predicament they’re in.”

“Oh, okay.” I fisted my hands, trying to shoot some courage through me. And wondered what song Andy would come up with. When I had suggested this game tonight, I hadn’t anticipated I’d be a participant. My only goal was to get him out of whatever funk he was drowning in.

A shiver worked along my spine as I waited, and I pinched my lips together to hide their tremors. A million reasons to flee the scene passed through my mind. My heart lodged in my throat. I couldn’t do this. All these people. Watching me. Analyzing me. Judging me. What if I fell and made a fool of myself? Air got stuck midway through my lungs, and I choked on my own breath.

I could feel each knot tying my stomach as they formed inside me.

My feet weighed tons. And my head spun.

“Abby, get ready.” Andy’s voice brought me out of my mental breakdown.

“W-wait… I need a few minutes. To get in the right state of mind. I’m not ready ready yet.”

He smiled, his gaze softening and his eyes conveying reassurance. “Take your time. Nobody is going anywhere. I need to put some things in motion first. Relax. You’ll be fine.”