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“It’s really hard to hear you, Norah. Where are you?”

“On the chairlift,” I say, a little louder this time, sniffling.

“You okay?”

“No” is all I can muster.

“Do you need me to meet you somewhere?” he asks, his voice laced with concern.

I nod into the phone, realizing a moment too late that he can’t hear the gesture.

“I’ll be at the bottom of the platform,” he adds, and I hang up, clutching my phone to my chest for the rest of the ride.

Trevor meets me at the lift, sweeping me into a tender hug. “Let’s get you warmed up,” he says, leading me into the main lobby.

He parks me in the same chair he found me in earlier, disappearing for a moment. Hannah is texting me incessantly with questions.

Hannah

Are you serious??

Did you really just go down the mountain, you absolute bitch????

I put my phone face down in my lap as Trevor comes back with two to-go cups, steam pouring out of the lids.

“I thought you might need some tea.”

I accept the heavy plastic cup, letting it warm my fingers.

“What’s going on?” he asks finally.

I let out a helpless sniffle. “Did I ruin your Christmas Eve?”

“Not at all,” he laughs. “Cooper went ice-skating with that Pauline girl, so I was just hanging out.”

“Okay, good,” I say.

“Is there anything else I can do?” Trevor asks, his puppy-dog eyes wide and hopeful.

“Can I go back to Laketon with you?” This wasn’t my plan when I pulled up his number, but suddenly it seems so clear—this is my way out.

“Of course,” he says.

I nod, finally lifting the tea up to take a sip. The peppermint hits my sinuses as I bring the cup to my lips, scorching the tip of my tongue as the liquid hits me. I don’t really like anything minty, but the warmth is the only thing bringing my whirring thoughts back down to this planet.

“Is there any chance I could convince you to leave tonight?”

Chapter 15

Half an hour later, after I’ve gathered my stuff from the cabin and changed out of those ridiculous pajamas, Trevor and I are loaded up in his truck. Convincing him to leave now and drive through the night was almost too easy. He didn’t even hesitate. He just said goodbye to his friend, and then we were on our way.

I wait until we’re on the road to text Hannah back, telling her that Trevor Hayes is taking me home, and then refusing to respond to the immediate call that pops up.

After declining a second call from my sister, Trevor’s phone lights up in its holster attached to the air vents. Of course it’s Henry. Trevor’s hand moves toward the phone.

“If you answer that, I swear to God I will cannonball myself right out of this moving vehicle.”

Trevor doesn’t ask me too many questions after that. He just gives me that hundred-watt grin of his, and we drive into the night. He plays the radio softly, tuned to some country station I don’t really care for, but it’s easier than unpacking how I’m feeling.