Chapter 2
Nash
Caleb is sexy as hell.
I thought he was attractive when I first saw him in the lift line, though I don’t think he noticed me. Still, I took the chance to ask if he wanted to ride together since he seemed to be with his son, too.
As soon as we started talking, I didn’t want to stop. There’s this quiet, slightly shy energy about him, but I get the sense there’s more underneath it. It already feels like something I want to figure out.
Now that he’s free of his ski gear, I’ve confirmed I was right—he’s definitely attractive.
His cheeks are still flushed from the cold, and there’s a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.
He’s a few inches shorter than me, with short, messy, dirty-blond hair, and pale blue eyes with hazel flecks that catch the light when he looks up.
He’s glanced at me a couple of times, and I can’t tell if he’s feeling what I’m feeling or if I’m imagining it. There’s just something about him that’s pulling me in.
Dating has been a complete shit show since my ex-wife and I divorced four years ago—and by shit show, I mean it’s barely happened.
I’ve dated a couple of women and a few men since then, and every time, I’ve wanted to teleport myself home mid-conversation.
They were all fine. Kind, mostly. But I could tell they weren’t for me.
I’ve also stopped agreeing to blind dates.
Especially the ones where well-meaning friends tried to set me up with their “sweet gay coworker” once I told them I’m bi.
Just because someone’s also into men does not mean we’re a match made in queer heaven.
I don’t understand why straight people think that’s the only qualifier.
Like “Oh! You’re both attracted to men? And breathing?
It’s fate!” when it’s most definitely not.
Needless to say, I’ve stopped dating altogether.
It’s been easier to focus on Benji and Emma and work.
There’s far less disappointment that way.
But now Caleb is sitting across from me, talking to our sons, and I’m feeling a buzz in my chest that hasn’t been there in years.
I’m warm and curious and desperate for more time with him, and we haven’t even parted ways yet.
“Dad, I’m full,” Benji complains, pushing his tray away.
“Me too,” Sam echoes, and Caleb and I both laugh.
Without saying anything, we both start picking off the boys’ trays, finishing what they couldn’t as our lunch.
“Alright, ready to go back out?” I ask once we’ve cleared the table.
Everyone nods, and we hit the bathroom then layer back up with our coats, gloves, helmets, and goggles.
Outside, the snow’s falling steadier now, white flakes catching on our goggles and dusting our jackets as we grab our skis from the rack. The air has an extra layer of chill to it now with the wind, but there’s nothing better than skiing while the snow’s still falling.
Once we’ve all grabbed our skis from the rack, we make our way to the lift line.
We agree on one more run to start and then to see how everyone’s feeling afterward.
It’s only midday, but my legs are already tired, and I know I’m going to feel it tomorrow.
Still, I’m not quitting now, not in front of the kids, and definitely not in front of Caleb.
Not when this day feels worth holding onto.
Sam and Benji are talking a mile a minute now with their post-lunch high. They’re feeding off each other’s energy, talking about who’d win a fight between a bear and a moose, and getting louder by the sentence.
It’s hard not to smile watching Benji, clearly having a great day with his new friend.
Since the trip was a little last minute, none of his friends from school were free to come. I’d been worried it might be a lonely day for him, but now he’s beaming. Introducing myself to Caleb might’ve been the best decision I’ve made in a long time.
“Do you make it up to ski a lot?” I ask as we near the line.
He shrugs. “We try to come around ten days or so each season. I used to come more before Sam. Now it’s mostly short trips, whatever we can fit on weekends and school breaks.”
“Same,” I say. “Benji’s with me half the time, along with his sister, Emma. I always try to cram the good stuff into the time we get, but occasionally I’ll come up here without the two of them.”
He nods at me, and for a moment, we just look at each other. It feels like we both understand the responsibility of raising our kids. He hasn’t said anything about his relationship status or Sam’s mom, and the desire to know is clawing at me.
I want to ask. I want to know if he’s single, too, and if we have a chance.
But it’s far too soon for those kinds of thoughts, so I clamp my mouth shut as the chairlift swings around and scoops us up.
Once we’re settled, the boys are back at it like they never stopped.
“Benji,” Sam says, adjusting his goggles. “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”
Benji doesn’t even hesitate. “Teleportation. Then I could go anywhere I want, whenever I want and not have to sit in traffic or ask Dad.”
I snort. “Wow. Harsh.”
Caleb chuckles beside me. “I mean… he’s got a point. Denver traffic is brutal.”
“Traitor,” I mutter with a smirk and a wink because he’s not wrong.
Sam turns his little body to look at his dad on the other side of him next. “What about you guys? If you were a superhero?”
Caleb shrugs. “Flight, probably. Seems efficient.”
Benji looks at me next, expectantly. “What about you, Dad?”
“I’d want to be invisible. Maybe I’d get some peace and quiet, and get out of driving your butt around in traffic,” I say, smiling big at Benji.
That gets a laugh out of all of them, including Benji.
I wipe off the snow that’s piling up on his jacket as we’re riding up the lift. It’s coming down heavier now, and my mind immediately goes to Caleb.
“Feels like we’re about to get buried,” I say, turning toward him. “You think you’ll be able to get out tonight?”
He gives me a concerned look, as if we just shared the same thought. “I was just questioning my choices. I didn’t realize the snow was going to hit so early. I should’ve looked at the weather when we were in the lodge. This feels like poor planning on my part.”
“I can always see if the lodge we’re staying at has an open room when we get back down,” I say, secretly hoping they have the conjoining room next to mine open so we can keep hanging out.
He gives me a quick smile and the tension slightly eases from his face. “Probably not a bad idea, thanks for thinking of doing that.”
“Of course.” Even if part of it’s selfish, I still want them safe. Driving back to Denver in the snow is anything but.
When we hit the top of the run, the boys immediately start making their way back down.
Sam is yelling something about racing again, and just like earlier, we ski behind them.
Caleb is a good skier; he’s confident but not showy—not that I’d expect him to be, that doesn’t seem like his style, and it’s not like many people are show-offs at our age.
Instead, he keeps an eye on Sam, just like I do for Benji.
I’ve noticed the way he looks at his son with a mix of joy, exhaustion, and awe, and I know that feeling down to my bones.
By the time we hit the base, I’m sure I don’t want our time together to end, which, even as outgoing and extroverted as I am, is odd for me. I’m not typically the “let’s spend more time with strangers type,” but this doesn’t feel like that. It doesn’t feel like we’re strangers at all.
Lucky for me, the boys beg for a few more runs, and Caleb must not be that concerned about the weather, so we keep going in the fresh snow until we’re all completely worn out. Skiing in fresh powder always makes my legs extra tired, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun, so it’s worth it.
The snow has picked up even more by the time we unclip our skis, and I pull out my phone to check the time and the weather app. It’s worse than I was expecting as an alert flashes across the weather app on my home screen:
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL TOMORROW AT 11 A.M. TRAVEL STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
I turn my phone to show Caleb. “I’m gonna call the lodge now for you,” I tell him. Looking back, we probably should have done this five runs ago when we first talked about it, but we were having too much fun.
He exhales, a puff of white breath in the cold air. “Thank you. That’d be great. Shit, I should have done this at lunch.”
“I was just thinking the same thing. I’ll be right back,” I say as I step away to dial the number, waiting for the hotel to pick up.
“Summit Lodge, this is Ashley. How can I help you?”
“Hi, Ashley, do you have any rooms available tonight?” I check.
I hear her sigh like she’s about to give me bad news. “We’re completely booked for the night. The storm sold us out quickly. Sorry about that.”
Well, there goes the joint room dream.
I glance back at Caleb, who’s also checking his phone, all while Sam and Benji keep chatting without a care in the world. I could call other hotels to see if they have openings or offer to look on Airbnb for him, but I have another idea I like far better.
“No problem,” I say. “We’re all set, thanks.”
“Okay, goodbye, sir.”
“Bye.” I hang up and walk back over, already mentally rehearsing how to make what I’m about to say not sound weird.
Caleb looks up as I approach. “Any luck?”
“No.” I shake my head. “They’re totally sold out with the storm.”
He mutters something under his breath, rubbing a hand over his face, and the desire that comes over me to help ease his stress feels like instinct.
I want to help him in this situation, not only to spend more time with him but because I want to make his life better, easier.
I want to solve his problems; let him know he can lean on me.
And I’ve only known him for hours.
“But,” I add, “Our room has two queen beds. You and Sam are welcome to stay with us.”
His eyes lift to mine, and I can see the hesitation there, probably debating between not wanting to impose but not feeling safe driving home. He looks to Sam, who is nodding his head, and then back to me with a gulp.
“You’re sure?” he asks, already sounding like he wants to say yes, but needs the out if he’s overstepping. His hesitation is adorable in this moment, when all I really want is to pull him into me and tell him I’ve got him.
“Completely sure. There’s plenty of room, and Benji’ll be thrilled, won’t ya, bud?” I ask, and his smile grows even bigger.
“Yes, please stay!” he shouts. “Then we can ski again tomorrow! There’s going to be so much fresh snow!”
I laugh, but Caleb still looks unsure. “Come here for a second,” I say, tilting my head and stepping forward. He follows as we put a few feet between us and the boys.
“If you’re uncomfortable staying the night, I completely understand.
There’s no pressure, and I’m sorry I didn’t ask you away from the kids,” I say quietly.
“But if you’re only hesitant because you’re worried about being a burden, don’t be.
I’d really like you to stay, and I know Benji would too.
He was bummed that none of his friends from school could come up this weekend, and he and Sam seem to really be getting along well.
It’ll be great,” I promise, hoping I’ll be able to convince him that we should definitely spend more time together, because no part of me wants him to go home tonight.
Caleb huffs out a small laugh, the tension softening as he looks back over his shoulder at our kids.
“Yeah, okay. Sam already asked if we could ski with you guys again tomorrow when we weren’t even planning to come back tomorrow.
I think he’d like to stay, and besides, driving home in this snow would be a nightmare. ”
It’s laughable how happy that makes me—to know he agreed and that his son likes mine enough to want to spend more time together. I should probably play it cool since I have no idea if he’s single, or into men, but I’m grinning like an idiot at the opportunity for more time with him.
God, I really hope he’s single and into men.
And feeling even a fraction of what I’m feeling for him.
“Great,” I exclaim. “We’re staying at the Summit Lodge. We’ll head over, and you two can meet us there.”
“Thanks, Nash.”
“It’s no problem at all,” I say, going to turn away to help Benji and get out of my gear when I realize I don’t even have a way to contact him. “Actually, put your number in my phone. I’ll text you what room we’re in.”
He sends himself a message from my phone, and I feel like a teenager again, about to text my crush for the first time.