Chapter 17
HANNAH
The next morning, after a sluggish start and oversleeping, I awoke to Maya pounding on my cabin door. I stand once again by the halfpipe, adjusting the lens to take photos of Cody. He performs a Double Cork, flawlessly, I might add.
I put the setting on burst and watch as he spins into his landing, his hands rising in the air, a couple of guests cheering.
Moving my camera around, I catch Coach Jones speaking with Henry, pointing to the halfpipe behind him.
I’m about to snap their interaction when something black covers my view.
Peeking over my lens, Noah stands with his snowboard against his chest. “Red.” He removes his goggles, an outline indented in his face.
Noah’s tawny skin shines in the winter sun, his dark mole lifting when he smiles, a set of pearly white teeth blinding me.
Hoping to ignore him, I turn around, but am met with his chest once again blocking my view. “I’m trying to work.”
“I know, that’s why I’m here. I’m ready for those pics you owe me.”
“I’ll pass.”
He mirrors my steps. “Don’t you think the captain of the team deserves to be included in the pictures?”
“Captain?” I scoff. “Gosh, why am I not surprised?”
‘Now, Red—”
Getting in his face by standing on tiptoes, I point a finger at him.
“Listen, I don’t care who you are or your title, as long as you keep your promise to save the resort and compete in the event, then I’ll snap a few photos of you and your adoring fans.
As for the portrait, you can shove it up your ass, and also, stop calling me Red. ”
“My, do you have a temper?” he teases.
I flex my fingers inside my gloves. “You’re doing this on purpose.”
“Pissing you off? I mean, it’s easy, but no, not on purpose.” He steps closer, removing his winter hat. Hair the color of onyx, curls thick and bouncing, is hard not to admire.
I shake my head. “I swear you have a monkey in your head banging symbols.”
“You want to get inside my head, Red?”
“And suffocate from your egotism? I’ll pass.”
He pushes his hair back, not moving but staring, like he’s trying to see inside my head.
My eye starts to twitch. “Then why can’t you leave me alone?”
He pauses and licks his bottom lip. “Because I can’t.”
I’m the first to move, stepping back to create space. I don’t want to be part of his little game; these back-and-forth mind tricks are just to humiliate me. “If it entertains you to mess with me, then you can go fuck yourself.”
I’m already turning away, not bothering to wait for his stupid reply. I need to get out of here, create more space between us. I’d never met someone who could so easily get under my skin.
Why the hell does it have to be Noah?
I catch sight of Maya and the twins sitting at a picnic table, talking and sipping from Styrofoam cups. They catch sight of my frown and don’t hesitate to ask what’s wrong.
“Noah Hart, that’s what,” I snap, taking an empty seat next to Maya.
“Yeah, he has that effect on people,” states Ella, taking a swig of her drink.
Elise adds, “For us, he’s like a big brother, so we’re used to his jokes.”
Except, I don’t think he’s joking with me. “Ever since he arrived, he’s done nothing but piss me off.”
“Probably thinks you're cute,” Elise theorizes, taking a bite of her cinnamon roll.
“Isn’t that kind of high school?” Seriously, we’re adults, picking on a girl because you think she’s cute is ridiculous.
“Well, considering we’re both in high school,” Elise says, smirking.
Both girls give each other looks and laugh. “That’s all we know,” adds Elise.
“Right.” I keep forgetting how much younger they are.
“They were also just finishing up telling me about the latest gossip of your least favorite person.” Maya wiggles her eyebrows. “And it is quite juicy.”
Do I really want to know more details about that unbearable man? A quick look over my shoulder, and I see the arrogant ass setting up at the top, waving at a group of fans at the bottom.
Yeah, maybe some inside gossip might help throw him off my back. “All right, spill it.”
Ella commands the floor. “Before the boys went on their tour, Noah was in a committed three-year relationship.”
Elise looks at her sister. “Guy was head over heels for her.”
“Just before tour, she ends up breaking it off, stating it was her, not him, and she needed to,” Ella pauses and uses air quotes for emphasis, “figure herself out.”
Elise rolls her eyes. “Now, Hannah, I know you didn’t think anything of it when we first arrived, but have you noticed only four male members were participating in the event?”
I shrug. “It never crossed my mind…why?” I’ve barely researched them, as it really wasn’t on my to-do list before their arrival.
“Sean ended up taking a medical leave. We think he had something to do with the breakup, but we just can’t prove it.” Ella finishes off her drink, tossing it in a nearby trash can.
“And how did you find this out?”
Sly smiles creep up on both their faces. “Our inside sources must stay a secret.” They both say in unison. Quite impressive.
“Now, this doesn’t excuse his behavior, but it does explain why he’s acting like a meanie.” Elise takes out her phone and types.
Perfect. Noah Hart gets dumped by the love of his life… might have caught his teammate screwing around with her… maybe. Not a hundred percent confirmed, just a theory in my head, but for some reason, I trust the girls’ sources. “Were they close? Noah and Sean?”
“They were like brothers,” Ella mumbles.
All our attention returns to Noah. He takes his position, goggles covering those intense eyes. On instinct, I get my camera ready and make my way over to the barrier, trying to get a clear shot of his routine.
He starts with similar moves from yesterday, except he adds in a new move, something I’m unfamiliar with, as he gains air, spinning not once or twice but three times. Using burst, I catch his move when he loses his hold.
Noah flails in the air, losing his board as he tumbles face-first into the side of the halfpipe, going still. My breath catches, taking a step forward, when Coach Jones and the others rush to his limp body. The blood rushes from my face, and I feel the presence of Maya, Elise, and Ella by my side.
I watch as Maya’s parents arrive next, ambulance sirens going off in the distance. Henry is running over, his coat barely zipped.
Everything happens so fast, by the time the EMTs arrive and put him on the stretcher, stating he’s breathing, reality finally sets in.
Noah almost got severely injured, and although he’s a thorn in my side, nobody deserves to get hurt doing a sport they love.