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Besides, I need to concentrate on the trail,I tell myself. I really don’t, it’s flattening out, but I leave the claw attachmentson my boots until I get back into town. The hotel is only a few minutes away from the trailhead.
“Welcome to…”
Mira’s voice trails off when she sees it’s me. I give a little wave then quickly hurry up the stairs away from her. I don’t look back, but I can see her in my mind.
Is she looking at me? Does she take a few steps in my direction? Are her eyes flashing with hurt, anger, or, worst of all, indifference?
Probably the last,I tell myself. It was fun. I mean, it was more than fun, it was amazing. Probably the best night of my life. But she didn’t seem particularly eager for a serious relationship that first night I met her when I was laying on the flirtation pretty thick, so I don’t think she’s going to miss me much.
She has no idea what a fated mate is, much less the fact that I’m hers, and I think we’re both better off ignoring that fact. We both don’t want more than this, as far as I can tell. I should have taken her rejection the very first day and saved myself, and her, all this trouble.
My comm beeps, and I know before I look at it who it is.
“Hello, Mother,” I say wearily as I unlock my room.
“Where are you?”
“Still in town.”
“Still at that.” She pauses, probably to infuse her voice with the maximum amount of disdain. “Hotel?”
“The very one.”
I look longingly at the bed, but I’m disgusting. The snow is starting to melt off my boots and clothing. A dirty sludge is dripping off me. I need to stay in the tiled entryway and get this stuff off. I sit down on the bench provided just for that purpose.
“The next competition is at Alavand.”
“I know.”
“That's a significantly higher elevation.”
“I know.”
I wince as the words leave my mouth. I’m unable to keep the aggravation out of my voice. And my mother, to no surprise, explodes.
“You are not taking this seriously enough. How do you expect to win if you don’t acclimate properly? I’m trying to help you, you know.”
“I do. Thanks.” The last word actually makes my chest tighten up. “Mother, I’m sorry, I just got back. I did the icefall seven times. I appreciate your concern, but I know what I’m doing.”
“How were your times?”
“I kept getting faster.”
“Well, of course you did. Once you’re familiar with it, it’s faster.”
“You’re right. I need to go, though. I need to… pack for Alavand.”
What I need is a shower and food.
“Good. Was that so hard?”
“No. Good night.”
I wait for her to say goodbye before hanging up. Hanging up would be very satisfying, but she’d just call back. Or worse yet, come over here.
Maybe I should leave for Alavand,I think. That’s far enough away where I shouldn’t have to worry about her showing up unannounced. I strip all of my clothes off and leave them in a pile, which is the height of stupidity. There’s no one here to clean them up except me.
I start the water in the shower and go back to fix my mess. I hang everything up, taking the used tissues and snack wrappers out of my pocket to throw them away. I even dry off all the gear with a towel before heading back into the bathroom.
