A Very Addicted Christmas

1. The Vail Lodge

ONE

THE VAIL LODGE

DECEMBER 2030

6 YEARS & 8 MONTHS BEFORE DAMAGED LIKE US

We listened to "Tomorrow" by Miner while writing this scene.

Character List:

Ryke Meadows - 41

Loren Hale - 40

Lily Calloway - 39

Daisy Calloway - 34

Maximoff Hale - 15

Sullivan Meadows - 12

Winona Meadows - 6

Bodyguards:

Declan - Epsilon Lead (Current Client: Maximoff Hale)

Greer - 20’s Epsilon (Current Client: Sullivan Meadows)

MAXIMOFF HALE

“YOU FUCKING SURE?” SULLI ASKS as she yanks the laces of her snowboarding boots. My younger cousin is twelve and almost as tall as me. Her biceps are pretty cut from swimming, and I lost 4 out of 10 arm-wrestling matches on the flight to Vail.

“Yeah.” I nod. “I’m sure.” My breath smokes the cold air, both of us outside the ski resort’s gear rental shop. “I’m going to sit this one out.” I zip up my gray snow jacket as a gust blows through.

And I glance toward the edge of the lodge. Near the parking lot, a new round of paparazzi climb out of their vans. Gathering their camera equipment.

I bet they flew in a couple hours ago once our location leaked.

It’s expected, and it’s my every day back in Philly. I don’t really give a fuck about paparazzi. As long as they keep their distance and maintain the mutual respect we’ve built.

Our bodyguards, Declan and Greer, are looming close and will make sure no doomsdays occur. Both are already eagle-eyeing the van.

Sulli follows my gaze and sighs deeply. “Fuck.” She was hoping they’d all stay back in Philly.

I lick my chapped lips that start to crack. Great.

I’m more worried about the fact that I’m in dire need of chapstick than the fact that a swarm of paparazzi are about to descend upon us.

She looks back at me, and I say strongly, “Don’t worry about them, Sul. They’re not going to bother you.”

I don’t mention how the paparazzi are here to film me and her dad.

Whenever I’m in proximity to Uncle Ryke, it’s media catnip. It’s not a headache unless I make it one, and I’m not going to.

I don’t care about those rumors. You know the ones. Where tabloids say Ryke Meadows is my biological dad even though I have paternity tests that prove otherwise.

Drama free—that’s what these three days are supposed to be. Sulli, Uncle Ryke, and I are spending a few days in Vail before heading to the Smoky Mountains. We’re meeting up with everyone else at the lake house for our winter break vacation. Filled with Christmas traditions and family.

Sulli tugs her knit beanie over her reddened ears. Snow flurries stick to her dark brown hair that drapes on her broad swimmer’s shoulders. “Mof, you know I’m not even doing the black diamond.”

I smile. Yeah, I didn’t think Sulli would run a black diamond. Not because she wouldn’t want to. She’s just deep in swim training at the moment. I’m also in training, but she’s ten times more competitive. And she’s not about to risk injury on a dangerous route.

Sulli has spent most of her time at the lodge’s indoor pool. Her dad has had to practically rip her away. Reminding her that they came for fun and something other than swimming.

She can get into her head a lot. Too focused on one goal.

“It’ll be a scenic run,” she tells me, finished lacing her boots. “You sure you want to miss out on that?”

I crack a knuckle or two. Thinking about this for a second. Before Ryke and Sulli invited me on their three-day trip, I told myself that I’d give them some one-on-one time. I don’t ever really feel like a third-wheel, but I also don’t want to take away anything from anybody. This morning just feels like the perfect opportunity to bow out.

“We still have tomorrow,” I say. “And I’ll catch back up with you later today.”

Sulli looks a bit bummed. Her shoulders drop.

I nudge her arm. “What if I meet you at the pool later?”

Those magic words light up her green eyes. “Fuck it, let’s skip the hills and just go to the pool now.”

“No, no fucking it,” her dad proclaims, hearing what she said. The door to the gear rental shop bangs closed as he exits. Carrying a snowboard, he nears us. His boots are already on and his brown eyes darken on his daughter. “At least one run today, Sulli.”

She picks up her snowboard. “Will you race me?”

His brows knot. “I thought you wanted to take it fucking easy.”

“No black diamond or anything,” Sulli explains. “That’d be good, right?”

He gives her a hard paternal look. “That’s up to you, sweetie. You want to do the black diamond, we can fucking do that.”

Sulli figures out what she wants pretty quickly. “Just an easier route, but not the bunny slope.”

“Alright.”

“And you’ll race me?”

He rests a hand on her head. “Deal.”

She looks up at him with a smile before her phone buzzes. She digs in her jacket pocket. “Right on fucking time.”

Uncle Ryke and I are both next to Sulli, so as she clicks into the Face-Time call, we’re all in the screen.

Aunt Daisy appears, a washcloth on her forehead. She’s lying long-ways on a leather couch at the lake house.

Concern cinches Ryke’s brows. “You look like shit, Calloway.”

Aunt Daisy smiles weakly. “Like hot shit?” She wags her brows.

He shakes his head. “Dais, do you still have a fever?”

She squeezes her fingers together. “I also have the best cuddle buddy.” She angles the camera to show six-year-old Winona who sleeps against her side and chest, hugging a stuffed frog.

My aunt was supposed to be here with Winona, but Winona and Audrey got a bug from school and passed it to their moms.

Janie texted me about how her mom is pretending she doesn’t have a 102 degree fever. Apparently Aunt Rose keeps trying to wrap Christmas presents, and Uncle Connor is supposedly distracting her so she doesn’t infect everyone.

The darkness in Ryke’s eyes lightens when he sees his wife and daughter.

“Peanut butter cupcake,” Daisy smiles at Sulli. “You’re snowboarding today? I thought for sure you’d already be at the pool.”

“Later,” Sulli says. “I have to beat Dad on a slope first.”

Her smile brightens. “Take lots of videos so I can see it in action.” She looks more at me. “Are you competing too, Moffy?”

“Not this morning,” I say. “I hope you feel better.”

Her smile softens, and before she can reply, Winona wakes up and sticks her head into the frame. “Sulli, are you there?” Her nose sounds stuffed up as she talks. “You have to hear what my teacher told Chelsea Narwhal before winter break. Big drama.”

Sulli smiles. “Squirt, how big is first-grade drama, really?”

“BIG.” Winona extends her arms wide and lets out a long yawn.

At this, I leave Sulli so she can talk more with her little sister, and before I go, I whisper to Ryke, “I’m going to head in.” I’m either going to do some laps in the pool or warm up in the hot tub.

Ryke frowns deeply, his brows pulling together. “You sure?”

“Yeah.” I nod, and I start the short trek towards the ski lodge.

“Wait, Moffy.” Ryke jogs near and stops at my side. He puts a hand to my shoulder. My dad does that sometimes too. “I fucking understand needing some space alone, but if you need to talk?—”

“No, I’m good.” I rub my hands together, cold.

Uncertainty tightens in his eyes. Still not sure if I am alright.

I think they invited me here in the first place because lately I’ve been a bit more withdrawn and quiet. Really, I’ve been stuck in my head, and I haven’t told anyone why or what’s happening.

I think Janie knows.

I think she’s known for a while, but I can’t even tell her before the rest of my family. It feels like I should do it all at once.

I’ve spent the past two years really processing. Trying to figure out how to express this to so many people. Building a Batmobile from scratch sounds easier. Christ, if this were easy, I probably would’ve said something at thirteen.

I can’t tell you why it’s this hard, but I’m fifteen and I’m fucking nervous. I don’t think there’ll be a time where I’m not, and so I decided on this Christmas. I’d tell everyone then.

But just family first.

The world comes later. You come later.

So I stare at my uncle and his questioning. His concern. And I’m thinking about how I can’t tell him first. I can’t tell anyone first because that means someone will be told second. I don’t want anyone to think they’re less important to me.

I hold it in.

I’m attracted to girls and guys.

I’m bisexual.

No one knows, and I’ve been overthinking how I’m going to tell them. What I’m going to do. I’m not really worried about my parent’s reactions.

I’m so goddamn lucky to have the most loving, open parents, and my cousins, uncles and aunts are the same.

My little cousin Tom is five years younger than me. I remember how he didn’t really formally come out to our families. It was just something so normal and accepted, and maybe if I had figured this shit out earlier, it would’ve been the same for me.

But I’ve only ever outwardly expressed interest in girls. So I’m going to have to actually say something or do something in order for my family to know.

My biggest fear is that the world finds out before my family. I don’t know how that would happen, but that will fuck up my life in too many complicated ways.

Whatever or however I choose to tell my family—I know I’ll replay the moment in my head for years and years. I don’t want to mess that up either.

So yeah, give me a second or five-million.

“I’m alright,” I assure Uncle Ryke.

His hand falls off my shoulder and drops to his side. “Call your dad. He fucking misses you.” He adjusts the snowboard and glances back at Sulli. She laughs at the phone, still speaking to her sister.

“I talked to my dad last night.” I unzip my jacket, hot all of a sudden.

My parents are dealing with an eleven-year-old daughter, a soon-to-be eight-year-old son, and a six-year-old daughter back at the lake house.

I want to give them some slack here. My parents don’t need to worry about me, and I’m not about to blow up his phone for what?

I can handle anything.

Ryke rubs his unshaven jaw. “You change your mind at all and you fucking call me. Alright?”

“Yeah, alright.” We hug, and he approaches my bodyguard, saying a few words to Declan. The usual. Stay close to Moffy. Protect Moffy. All of that. I kind of tune it out.

I call out to Sulli and wave goodbye. She waves back, and then I aim for the hotel-lodge again. Walking on a stone path. Passing a few fire pits, pubs, a giant Christmas tree and other festive decorations. Garland strung and wreaths hung.

Declan sprints until he’s several feet ahead of me, but he hangs sort of off to the side like a shadow.

A second rental store is attached to the actual hotel-lodge, and I notice a college-aged guy restacking snowboards. His longish blonde hair sticks out of a beanie, and he hoists three snowboards above his head, fitting them in place.

He looks like a young Thor.

He’s hot.

Really ho?—

My foot catches something hard, and I almost face-plant on the stone and light layer of snow. But I stumble forward and keep enough balance to stay on two damn feet.

I glance back and realize what went wrong.

I tripped over a short wooden bench.

Greaaat.

Turning back to the rental boards, Young Thor is staring right at me with a load of fucking confusion. I can’t be certain if it’s because he’s wondering why this kid just tripped over a bench or if it’s because he’s beginning to recognize who I am.

Maximoff Hale.

Famous.

He’s jogging over. Fucking Christ.

I’m more aware that paparazzi are in perfect distance for money-shots from the parking lot. I don’t care if they take photos of me.

I care if they sell these to the media who’ll print headlines that say: Maximoff Hale Caught Checking Out Hot Young Thor! He Likes Dudes!

Just let me tell my family first.

Please God.

I mortar nothingness in my features. Stoic. But friendly. I’m approachable, which is why Young Thor comes up to me.

I wish Janie were here, but she’s probably warming her feet near a fire at the lake house.

The only person at my side is Declan who stays quiet and observant of the incoming guy. Young Thor closes in at about ten feet, and Declan steps forward, just to gain a better angle to protect me in case something happens.

He knows that I let fans approach.

“Hey!” Young Thor stops in front of me and holds up his phone, his cheeks reddened from the cold. “Can I get a selfie? My girlfriend is going to die when she sees I met you. She’s obsessed with your family—in a good way. She loves you guys.”

I almost breathe a sigh of relief. Glad that he didn’t think I was checking him out. Glad that he can’t sell that fun fact to a tabloid.

The realization that he has a girlfriend doesn’t really hit me in any sort of way. I’ve never really thought about being in a relationship. I know I won’t ever be in one.

“Yeah, no problem,” I tell Young Thor and I lean in a bit and smile at his camera. He snaps the photo and then nods in thanks before leaving.

Once I’m in the lodge, I decide to use the stairs instead of the elevators. My room is on the third floor anyway.

Declan walks ahead of me, and I tell him my plan.

I’m going to put on my swimsuit and then head to the indoor pool.

Once I exit the stairwell and enter the carpeted hallway, Declan is guiding me down the long hall. An elevator dings as we pass, and a few beats later, the silence tenses the air.

When people come off an elevator, they usually make some kind of noise.

Hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

My pulse skips.

I check over my shoulder.

It happens fast.

Two guys in ski masks and goggles. One is two strides up on me and he’s about to cold-cock me with his board. He begins to swing...

I duck, and Declan suddenly appears like an Avenger. He forcefully throws them backwards, and they stumble and drop their boards. They don’t pick them up.

They glance at each other. Maybe realizing that this guy is with me and he’s a lot stronger than a fifteen-year-old.

And they’re not going to get away with whatever they planned.

As I rise, my blood red-hot, I reach into my pocket and grip my switchblade. I don’t take it out, but my pulse hammers hard in anger.

I wish I were afraid.

But I’m not.

I don’t know what that says about me. That I’m not scared to die. Maybe.

“You’re crazy!” one yells at Declan and pulls off his ski mask. “We weren’t doing anything!”

The second guy lifts up his goggles and glares at me. “You can’t fucking sick your bodyguard on anyone who shares the same air as you!”

I glower, my muscles burning.

Declan is speaking quickly into his mic. Probably for back-up.

They’re acting like they didn’t just try to jump me. Just so they can save their asses. Maybe they wanted my wallet. Maybe it was something else. I won’t ever know. Because they’re never going to admit to it.

I stare unblinkingly.

This was supposed to be a drama-free trip, and this’ll change everything. If hotel security is involved, this will hit the press. If we involve police, this will hit the press.

I’m in one piece.

They’re a neutralized threat.

“Just let them go,” I say to Declan.

He ignores me.

I’m fifteen, but I feel so much older. I can’t leave to my room because my bodyguard hasn’t checked inside yet. And he’s already fucking told me not to go there.

I’m left to wait.

Do nothing.

I swallow a rock in my throat. Part of me aches to scream out all of this amassed frustration, but I stay still and release my grip on my switchblade. I cross my arms.

Waiting.

More of my family’s security arrives, and they talk to the two guys. I whisper to Declan about not wanting to press charges.

“It’s up to your parents,” Declan whispers back.

Fuck.

I don’t want my parents to worry about me. I really don’t want them to know what’s happened either. “Let me tell them,” I say to him. Knowing it’s better if I explain what went on.

He reminds me that if they ask him questions, he has to answer. I’m a minor and all of that. I know.

I know.

But I’m taking control of my own life in any way that I still can, and after he checks my room—no one broke inside—he leaves me alone and stands guard in the hallway.

I sink onto the edge of the bed, and I dial my mom and put the phone to my ear. Chances are, she’s with my dad, so I’ll be able to tell them together.

The line clicks after two rings.

“Moffy!” She sounds happy to hear me, but then she pauses. “Wait, is everything okay? Shouldn’t you be on the slopes?”

“I’m okay. Is Dad with you?”

“Yeah, bud. I'm here.”

My shoulders are still squared. Like I’m preparing for another doomsday. I crack my stiff neck. “So uh, there were these two idiots in the hallway of the hotel—I’m alright,” I say quickly, hearing my mom suck in a breath. “They just tried to scare me.”

“Did they touch you?” my dad asks, voice so sharp-edged it could slice the air.

“No. They weren’t even close.” My knee is bouncing. I need to swim. Christ, I crave to dive into the water and release these pent-up feelings that I can’t even reach.

“You’re okay?” my mom asks again.

“I’m okay.” I shut my eyes. I’m okay.

“I’m flying out there?—”

“No, Mom.” I lick my lips, so cracked now that I taste blood. “I promise I’m alright. By the time you get here, I’ll already be on a flight to the lake house.”

“How old were they?” my dad asks.

“I don’t know.” They were wearing ski masks. “Maybe in their twenties?” They sounded younger more than older. “I don’t want to press charges or anything. It’s not that big of a deal, and I don’t want to turn it into one.”

“Let me call security first, bud,” my dad starts, but I interject fast.

“This is my life, Dad. I don’t want this to hit the front page. Nothing happened, and they’ll spin a narrative that says something did.”

They are the media.

They are people on the internet.

They are you.

I get it. Theories are fun and wild things. But I’m real. And those theories have serious impacts on my day to day. If I can minimize that, I’m taking it.

It’s not that easy to convince my parents. They love me. They want to protect me, but thankfully they understand where I’m coming from. After about an hour, they agree not to involve any police and to just let these guys go.

Our private security team will keep an eye on them so they don’t return. During our phone call, more security already booked flights to Vail within the next hour.

“We love you,” my mom says over and over.

“I love you too.” We hang up, and I change into my swimsuit. I grab a complimentary pool towel off the shelf, and I exit my hotel room.

Declan is here, and a few other security are with him. But the mayhem is gone with the two guys. Everything is taken care of.

“Thanks,” I tell Declan, genuinely grateful that he was here. I know my parents are too, and I’m betting Uncle Ryke will be attached to my side like he’s my second bodyguard for the rest of the trip.

Declan nods.

“I’m going to the pool,” I remind him.

“Whenever you’re ready.”

I don’t linger.

On my way there, I’m thinking about how I won’t scare my siblings with this story. I think about how some of my family will never know this happened, but I’m positive all of security will.

The indoor pool is empty. Everyone must be at the slopes or eating breakfast. I toss my towel on a lounge chair, and I walk onto the diving board.

I roll out my shoulders and stretch my arms. Inhaling.

Exhaling.

And I dive in an arc and cut into the warm water.