Chapter 22 Frost
Frost
I yank up my guitar as I place the strap over my shoulder, having had enough.
My bandmates look up, surprised. They’re just setting up the stage as we’ll be performing live music for the festivities, but all this Yuletide bullshit is making me sick.
They have alcohol here, after all. Mulled wine tastes like crap, but anything to help take the edge off.
“Frost? Where are you going?”
That was Kevin, the drummer, but I need to get away.
Unfortunately, the stage has a perfect view of the grotto… where I just saw my other brother kissing Noelle.
Hence, the need for a drink.
“Finish without me. I need a break.”
Since I’m technically the boss here, they oblige, going back to tuning their instruments. My brother is paying for their time here, so they don’t argue.
Good. Because there is a storm raging inside me as I go up to one of the stalls serving mulled wine. The warm, fruity liquid goes straight to my head, and I even ask for another.
This sucks. My brothers are already five steps ahead of me. Of course, I want Noelle back, but it’s just complicated.
Out of the three of us, I treated her the worst. Shepard may have been the first to deliver the news that we no longer wanted to pursue her, but I made sure to really hammer that nail in.
I was an ass. A hormonal, teenage ass who needed a good kick in the balls.
“Wow… save some wine for the guests, Frost.”
I look around, finding Noelle regarding me with that familiar disdain. That expression hasn’t left her face since I found her stranded on the highway.
Of course, it vanishes whenever she isn’t within my vicinity. Like when she is kissing my brothers, for example.
“What do you want?” I ask, sipping more wine.
She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. Another sure sign that she doesn’t want me anywhere near her.
But Gods, does she try. I have to hand it to her; I’m unbearable.
“So, did you get the stage set up?” she inquires, making small talk.
I shrug. “I guess.”
She blinks, ignoring my half-hearted reply. “Well, I look forward to hearing you play, Frost.”
I scoff. “Why? It’s not like you’re my girlfriend or anything.”
The girl in the stall widens her eyes, and then she pretends to look busy as she stacks some cups together.
Noelle gasps. “What the hell is your problem?”
I sigh. “I don’t know… Perhaps I’m just feeling a little left out.” I gaze at her face. “Your lipstick is smudged, by the way.”
The Omega’s eyes enlarge. Then she wipes her mouth, muttering “shit." Now she yanks me by the arm, dragging me away so we’re no longer in earshot of the girl in the stall.
Once again, she folds her arms. “So, that’s what this is about? You’re jealous?”
I run my fingers through my hair as I start walking off down the sparkly path. “Don’t flatter yourself, Noelle.”
There I go again, giving her mixed signals.
Noelle yells after me as I stalk off. “Screw you, Frost Wynter. If there’s anyone who’s going to mess this up, then it’s you. Tread carefully… I am offering you my heart. Don’t break it again.”
I throw her a glance over my shoulder. She looks so beautiful beneath the sparkling lights as the sun sets over the horizon, and in that moment, I want to write a song about her.
But I move off again, continuing up the path.
“Coward!” she shouts after me, stomping back to Santa’s Grotto where she joins Shepard again.
I don’t bother meeting my brother’s gaze as I know he will be angry with me.
Now, I return to my own cabin away from all the festive fun. I’ve had enough of Christmas for the time being, thank you.