AllFreeNovel
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“Wait, damn it, Ace,” he says, grabbing my arm and turning me around, so I slam right into his chest. “Why didn’t you say anything about who your family is?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a famous snowboarder?”
“Damn it, we can do this dance all night, babe. Why didn’t you tell me?” he bellows.
“Because of this.” I gesture around the tall pine trees towering around us.
“What do you mean?” he asks with an incredulous look on his face.
“Because of that look on your face, the one you’re giving me right now.”
“What look?” he asks, and I know what he’s doing. He’s trying to get me to talk, but I can’t.
“Like everything came easy in my life,” I scream.
“What the fuck? I would never think that for even a second. Everyone has their own struggles, babe,” he says, taking a step away from me. “Me, you, my brother, we are all living through our own shit. You’re not special in that regard,” he softly drawls.
“I can’t do this. I need to go,” I mutter, turning around and walking in the direction of the house.
“No, not so fast. I’m not going to let you run away again.” He grabs my hand and doesn’t let go. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I couldn’t,” I stammer.
“Why?”
“Because…” I try to wiggle free.
“Because why?” He sounds hurt, but doesn’t let me go.
“I left this life behind. This was all I ever knew, and I couldn’t anymore. I loved it, but this fucking snow,” I yell, stomping my foot against a pile of white powder. “This took everything from me.”
“Your brother,” he whispers, recognition dawning on his face. “Your brother was Ronnie… Kurton.”
“Yeah, my goddamn stupid brother.” I choke on my words.
Jesse tries to hug me, but I push him away. “No, don’t. I don’t deserve it,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Ace,” he says again, hugging me tight.
I bury my face in his shirt and let my tears run free. “Please, I can’t do this right now. I can’t ruin your night,” I whisper.
He pushes my chin up with his index finger, making me lock eyes with him. “I don’t give a shit about that. You wanna get out of here, so we can really talk?” he asks, his eyes blazing with determination.
“Take me anywhere,” I whisper, choking on the last words.
“Let’s go, then,” he says, brushing away my tears. Holding his hand, I follow him up the stairs and back into the house.
“I need to let Gibb know. I was his ride out of here. Be right back, okay? Don’t you dare run,” he tells me, leaving me alone near the makeshift bar.
I walk to the front door and wait there for him. “Hey, you’re leaving?” my brother asks. “You doing okay, sis?”
“Why did you do that?” I know I’m being an asshole, but I can’t help myself.
“Do what?” he asks, crossing his arms. People are dancing all around us, and I’m glad the music is pounding so nobody can overhear our conversation.
“You didn’t tell him who you were?” Layne asks, incredulous.
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t, and before you jump on your high horse, I know I screwed up, Layne, okay?”
