Melt My Heart Page 10

  “Here you go, gorgeous.” He hands over a paper cup before reaching for his own. “So, we have less than fifteen minutes until curfew. What should we do?”

  I glance around the almost empty room. There are five students in the corner playing cards, but besides that, we’re alone. “Wanna talk?”

  He huffs a laugh. “Your favorite thing to do.”

  “How else are you supposed to get to know someone?” I ask and take a seat in the chair right in front of the blazing fire. My fingers are still numb from the chill outside and coming off Hudson during the car ride.

  “I can think of a dozen different ways,” he mumbles into his cup as he sits. “So, we covered hobbies and college. Christmas plans and our group of friends. What else do you want to know?”

  “Um…” I roll my bottom lip between my teeth, searching my brain for a topic, any topic. Coming up with talking points has always been a strong suit of mine so I don’t know why I’m coming up blank. “What’s your…favorite band?”

  “Don’t have one.” He rests his feet on the coffee table and crosses them at the ankles. “What else you got?”

  “Favorite movie?” Okay, I’m on a roll, but I need to switch off favorites soon because there are only so many of those.

  “Harold and Kumar.”

  “Which one?”

  “All of them.”

  I’ve never seen them, but I tutored a guy who quoted them constantly. When I asked what the heck he was talking about, he explained and then almost combusted when I told him I’d never seen more than a clip online.

  “Anything else, detective? We have eight minutes.”

  “What’s your perfect day?” Now I’m treading on cheesy territory, but my mind blanked out again.

  “Going on a date with you no matter how short and ending with a kiss.” He sets his cup down, leaning across the few inches separating our chairs and faces. “Think you can make a guy’s dream come true?”

  My mouth dries up. My brain shorts out. I must nod because he smiles and leans in closer, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip.

  His breath fans over my mouth, sending prickles of excitement, or perhaps nerves, through my body. My eyes flutter closed when he goes out of focus. Everything slows down. Seconds tick by. Either he’s changed his mind, or he’s the biggest tease on the planet because we should already be well acquainted with each other’s lips at this point.

  I blink my eyes open to find Hudson has moved back a few inches. But he’s not staring at me. His focus is on something behind me with a cocky smirk on his face.

  My mouth opens, but before any sound comes out, he’s ripped out of the chair and tumbles to the ground. Someone leaps on top of him, coiled and ready to strike. I’m out of my seat in an instant because I’d recognize those wild curls anywhere.

  Cole growls and reels backward, clenching his hand into a white-knuckled fist. I managed to snake an arm around his and pull before he does something stupid that gets him arrested or expelled. He tenses under my touch and spins around, his face a mask of anger until he sees it’s me.

  “Stop,” I whisper-yell, which only seems to anger him again.

  Cole pushes off Hudson and glares down at me, his harsh breaths forcing his chest into mine. “Really?”

  “R-really, what?” At this point, I’m channeling all my anxiety into pure adrenaline. It’s the only thing keeping me standing and forcing words out of my mouth.

  “You’re going to kiss him after I told you he was a bad guy?” Cole runs a shaky hand through his hair and tugs when he gets to the ends.

  “You’re crazy, man,” Hudson says from behind Cole as he stands, straightening his shirt.

  As if remembering Hudson is still there, Cole spins around and shoves a finger in his face. “I’ll kill you if you touch her again.”

  The kids hanging out in here are gathered around us, watching the drama unfold. Both boys are making enough noise to wake the dead. It won’t be long until a staff member, or worse a teacher, shows up.

  “Cole, calm down.” I place a hand on his shoulder, but he shrugs it off and shoots me a dirty look.

  “I’m an idiot.” With a shake of the head, he pulls my scarf out of his back pocket, pressing it to my chest. “You forgot this.” With those last words, he leaves, shoulder-checking Hudson on the way out.

  I stand there in the aftermath, aware of the groans of disappointment behind me from the bloodthirsty onlookers, and the way Hudson is eyeing me with caution.

  If tonight wasn’t already a disaster, it is now. “I’m so sorry. I—”

  “You don’t need to apologize. I would probably react the same way if I saw another guy about to kiss you.”

  “No. It’s not that.” I run a trembling hand down my face. “He has a hard time during the holidays and he’s taking it out on you.” I clamp my mouth shut a little too late. What the hell is wrong with me that I’m spilling Cole’s secrets? He’s never talked about his mom leaving with anyone besides Eva and me. “I should go see if he’s okay.”

  Hudson catches my arm as I pass. “Can we try again? Tomorrow night? It’s your last night here, right?”

  My first instinct is to say no. Our batting average is zero, but even against my better judgment, I nod. I’m determined to salvage this crappy weekend.

  “Meet me in the lobby at six.” He presses a soft kiss to my knuckles then walks away, heading toward the lobby and front door.

  With my scarf clenched in a fist, I march toward the elevators. Whatever is going on with Cole needs to end because this is straight-up insane. He’s never yelled at someone, let tried to fight them.

  When I reach our floor, it’s clear right away where tonight’s party is being held. The music is low, so they don’t draw attention, but bodies are streaming in and out of the room. Cole’s room.

  I march right up to the door. Party or no party, we’re having words. The moment my foot hits the threshold, Ian appears and uses his body in my personal space to force me out into the hall, closing the door behind him. I swear it’s almost as if he was expecting me.

  “Sorry, we’re full for the night.” His words are hollow. For the first time, there is no mischievous glint to his eyes or cocky smirk.

  “I need to talk to Cole.” I’m seconds away from barging in even if it means an embarrassing public fight.

  “He’s busy.” He braces an arm on the doorframe somehow reading my thoughts.

  “Well, go get him.” I cross my arms over my chest, blocking the hallway when two girls try to squeeze by. If I’m not getting in, they aren’t either.

  Ian sighs and runs a palm over his jaw. “You crushed the guy. Can’t you just give him the night to cool down?”

  I crushed him? How the heck did I do that? For crying out loud, I stopped him from doing something stupid. He should be thanking me not mad at me.

  “Please—”

  Ian pushes off the door, leaning forward to squeeze my shoulder. “Talk to him tomorrow.”

  I don’t know if it’s the fact that Ian is touching me or how it seems like he’s being sweet for once, but I nod. Rolling my upper lip between my teeth, I step aside so the two girls can enter the room.

  Right on the other side of the door is one of my best friends. He’s hurting, and for once, I’m not the person he’s running to. I can’t even unpack that if I wanted to.

  How did this trip turn into such a mess? What I wanted to do was sit by the fire and read. Now, Cole is hurt. Hudson no doubt thinks I’m crazy. And maybe I am. Maybe I don’t deserve either of these guys because I can’t even think straight anymore.

  I’m the one who put up a wall between Cole and me to protect my heart. No wonder he’s running to one of his douchebag friends. I should be able to be there for him and not let my feelings come in the way of our friendship.

  I also shouldn’t be leading another guy on when my heart isn’t in it.

  All I can hope is that a good night’s sleep gives me the courage to face both of the
things I’ve been avoiding. Hudson deserves better. Cole deserves the truth.

  Even if it ends our friendship.

  Well, I didn’t get the good night’s sleep I hoped for. And this time, it had nothing to do with Lucy and her cheer friends taking over the room. Okay, maybe it had a little to do with how they never came back, which means they were partying with Cole.

  I laid there all night, staring out the window at the beautiful view, wishing I was a stronger person. If I was, I never would have screwed up so badly. Cole would be standing in as ski instructor. We’d watch movies until our eyes couldn’t stay open. He wouldn’t be hanging around a group of girls who only want to be with him so they can share in the popularity. And I wouldn’t be awake dreading the conversation with Hudson that awaits me.

  I still can’t understand why I led him on for so long. Sure, we had a spark the first day, but the second I saw Cole’s face the spark fizzled. I should have known no relationship stands a chance until I confess my feelings. Until Cole says we’ll never happen—until I hear the words loud and clear from his mouth.

  So, now I’m pacing in the small space between the two unmade beds, trying to muster up the courage to text Hudson and let him off the hook. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. He’s going to be relieved. What guy wouldn’t be? Now he won’t need to watch his back wondering if my best friend might jump out and tackle him for no reason.

  Don’t be a chicken. Just do it.

  Nope. I need coffee first.

  Shaking out my limbs, I step out into the deserted hallway. It’s early, and for that, I’m thankful. A gallon of coffee should help me survive the day. Well, coffee and, fingers crossed, a smaller audience. I’m counting on everyone being so tired from partying that we’ll get privacy.

  In the lobby, my confidence soars for three seconds then crashes and burns. Hard. Today is the last day here. Tomorrow we leave in the morning. Everyone will want to soak up as much time as possible on the slopes even with a hangover. So, I have little time. The thought is enough to make me want to run back upstairs and take the coward’s way out. Telling someone through text you can’t see them anymore can’t be that bad…right?

  I’m still talking myself into a face-to-face conversation when I round the reception desk and hear voices. Hudson’s humor-filled voice, to be exact.

  Guess my fate is sealed.

  I throw my shoulders back about to reveal myself when his words stop me in my tracks.

  “Trust me. Tonight is the night.”

  “Admit it. You have no game,” says someone else—a guy. “This win is in the bag. No way you’ll pull this off. She’s too uptight.”

  “Oh, I’ve got plenty of game and would’ve already sealed the deal if her psycho friend hadn’t interrupted us,” Hudson says on a laugh. “You should have seen his face. I can’t wait to tell him I took his favorite shiny toy.”

  “Is that what we’re calling it these days?” asks someone else.

  “Call it whatever you want. I call it a victory. Easiest bet ever. This chick is so desperate for attention she’ll be begging by the end of the night.”

  Every one of my limbs tremble as I step out from behind the wall. My anger only intensifies when I see Hudson surrounded by Mac and Dan. If I had any doubts about who they were talking about, it vanishes when Mac’s eyes widen as he nudges Hudson.

  In almost comical slow motion, Hudson turns around and all traces of laughter vanishes from his posture and voice. “Sammy. Hey. You’re up early.”

  “Am I? I guess I was so desperate I couldn’t sleep.”

  Hudson balks and his two friends try to hide their laughter between a cup of coffee and a fist.

  “Desperate? What are you talking about?”

  It’s clear he’s trying to backtrack. Judging by the way his expression doesn’t quite match the calm tone of his voice, he knows he’s caught.

  “Don’t,” I say, and march toward him, letting anger fuel me. “You may think I’m desperate, but I’m not deaf. I overheard every word you said.” My eyes narrow on his two friends when they try to escape around the corner. “So, what was the bet?”

  “Bet?” Hudson asks, but this time, unease laces his voice.

  “Come on. You’ve lost. No point in lying now.” I glance at Hudson before returning my gaze to Mac. “What do you win, Mac?”

  For a second, it seems as if he might run away. He’s fidgeting and can’t keep eye contact with me. After a few uncomfortable minutes where it’s clear I’m not leaving without an answer, he clears his throat and looks up.

  “Hudson bet he could sleep with you before you left. If he won, he got to drive my car for a month. If he lost, I got his Xbox.”

  “Nice,” I scoff and turn to leave. Before I’ve taken two steps, a hand wraps around my arm. I swear I spin around so fast I get dizzy. “If you ever touch me again,” I growl in Hudson’s face, “I will break every one of your fingers.”

  He instantly lets go and steps backward, putting a couple of feet between us. “You’re not worth the trouble, anyway. Your roommate had a great time the other night, though.”

  Of course, he went after a cheerleader.

  How utterly unimaginative.

  I roll my eyes and leave the three jackholes to be the misogynistic pigs they are. This is what my gut has been trying to tell me the past few days. Cole even tried to warn me, but I was so hell-bent on striking up something I didn’t listen to him or the dead butterflies.

  My mom always says to listen to my gut.

  Guess she’s right.

  Without overthinking it and with little conscious intention, my feet take me upstairs and walk me all the way to Cole’s room. It’s only when I’m standing in front of it, staring at the gold number plate I realize I have zero clue what I’m supposed to say.

  He may have gone about it all wrong, but he’s been trying to protect me this whole time. No doubt, Ian saw Hudson hook up with Lucy and told Cole. Being the nice guy he is, he didn’t want to come right out and tell me, knowing I would reject the idea. I’m stubborn. What can I say? So, he went about it the best way he could and tried to warn me, hoping I would catch on. When that didn’t work, he resulted in violence.

  I want to bang my head into the wall with how stupid I was being. All I had to do was open my eyes and see what was right in front of me. The signs were all there now that I think about it. His hot and cold behavior. The way he tensed up when I mentioned us hanging out after this trip. Hell, even the way he seemed to gloat and try to rub his time with me in Cole’s face.

  I’m so lost in my thoughts I don’t realize the door has opened. Ian steps out of the room, the smile falling right off his face when he sees me there.

  “What do you want?”

  Well, at least this time, I understand the hostility. “Is Cole here?”

  One of his eyes twitches as his hand tightens on the door handle, tugging it closed to a crack. “He’s not here.”

  I let out a long breath, already regretting what I’m about to say. “Ian, please. I need to talk to him…please?” Ugh, yup, that left a gross taste in my mouth. Never in a million years did I think I would beg Ian for anything.

  At first, he says nothing. Not even as he steps all the way out into the hall and closes the door. It’s only when I open my mouth again, ready to beg some more, he sighs.

  “He’s on the slopes.”

  “What?” He might as well be on Mars. There’s no way I’m going up there because I’ll never make it back down. “When did he leave?”

  “The second they were open.”

  “Did he say—”

  “Listen,” Ian says, cutting me off and backstepping toward the elevator. “He’s not in the mood to talk. He’s mad at you. He’s mad at that D-bag. He’s mad at himself. Just leave him alone.”

  “But—”

  “Sammy, come on. You had to know what parading that guy around in front of him would do. Don’t play dumb.”

  My mouth falls open. All I
can do is stand there and blink. Did he just call me something other than Sam? And did he just imply that Cole was jealous?

  No way.

  I need a hearing test or something.

  “Cole was jealous?” The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them. I’m not even sure can handle the answer.

  Ian reaches up to scratch the scuff on his neck. “I can’t talk to you about this. You can talk to him. When he’s ready.”

  “Yeah. Sure.” I stand there with an almost numb feeling spreading through my limbs. If Cole is jealous, does that mean he feels the same way I do?

  “I mean it, Sam. Don’t make this worse.”

  I suppress a growl when he uses the name I hate. Good ole Ian can’t be good for too long. “Fine. I’ll give him space.”

  Not really, though.

  I stand in the middle of the hall watching Ian walk away. The whole time I’m debating on how I should go about finding Cole on the mountain. I don’t even know what he’s wearing or where he’s at. Or if I’ll even make it down without breaking my neck.

  The only thing I know for sure is I’m not waiting for him to seek me out. Call it selfishness or stubbornness or whatever, but if what Ian implied is true, I can’t wait around anymore.

  Even if he rejects me, this stint in heartache limbo ends today.

  Twenty kids have passed me as I stand here, staring at the chairlifts of doom. People are looking at me like I’m insane, but I can’t make my feet work.

  One foot and….go!

  Nothing.

  Zero response from my body.

  In theory, it should be easy. Hop on. Arrive at the top. Hop off. But my brain isn’t having any of it because once I reach my destination, there’s only one way down—in an ambulance. Or those snowmobile things that drag people on boards. Not the epic end to this scenario I built up in my mind. I wave another group by me as I chew on my lower lip, and once again, shield my eyes as I stare up at the jagged edges of the mountain. All that sparkling snow can’t fool me. It’s a deathtrap plain and simple.

  Why anyone thinks this is fun is beyond me. Then again, today isn’t about fun. I’m coming up here to find my stubborn friend and force him to admit if we’re on the same page or if I’m crazy. And yes, I’m aware that I could wait until he finishes for the day, but by then, I’ll have spent a considerable amount of time overthinking this and end up chickening out.