Chapter 10 #2
“Who wants to go snowshoeing?” Connor asks as a gust of wind blows snow around us and a dark cloud blankets out the sun. He tips his head up and frowns menacingly at the sky.
I shiver and wrap my arms around myself. “Uh, I’m probably heading in.” My pants are wet, there’s snow in my boots, and I’m pretty sure I have ice inside my shirt.
“Might be better to save that for tomorrow if the weather looks more promising.” Dred pats his chest.
“I thought the snow was coming later,” Connor grumbles.
“It is later.” Quinn holds out his phone. “It’s almost four, the sun is setting soon.”
We tromp back to the lodge as fat flakes make everything harder to see.
“Hot tub might be a good idea,” Quinn suggests.
“Yes!” Hammer agrees.
“I’m in,” Flip adds.
I say nothing. I’m not sure I can handle Flip in a bathing suit after what happened in the snow, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity either.
I hang my jacket on the heated drying rack in the mudroom, along with my gloves, toque, and scarf—all of which are soaked. Everyone who wasn’t outside building a snowman heads to the kitchen for drinks, while the rest of us climb the stairs.
“See you in a bit,” Quinn calls over his shoulder.
I disappear into my room, peeling off layers of wet clothes. I was right about the ice down my back. I cross to the dresser and grab my bikini, but I don’t make a move to go downstairs yet.
The hot tub would feel nice, but there’s new tension with Flip.
A blanket by the fire might be the better option.
Or I could just go talk to him. I pull on a pair of thermal leggings and an extra sweater, grab the book and step into the hall.
I stop outside his door and summon my courage to knock.
Bringing him a new book is a good icebreaker.
I raise my hand, but before I can knock, I find myself being tossed over a broad shoulder.
I shriek and drop the book on the floor. “What are you doing?” My cheek bounces twice against Quinn’s freckled back.
“It’s hot tub time!” Quinn shouts.
Flip pokes his head into the hall and frowns.
I give him a help me look.
“Romero! Hold up!” Flip shouts.
“Race you to the hot tub!” Quinn calls over his shoulder.
“My bathing suit is on my bed!”
Quinn darts into my room, grabs my bikini, and hustles back into the hall, Flip on our heels.
“Do not run down those stairs with Tally on your shoulder, Romero!” Flip snaps.
Quinn stops ten feet from the top of the stairs and gently sets my feet back on the ground. I’m lightheaded from being upside down, so when Flip moves in I brace my hand on his shoulder for balance.
“You okay, kitten?” His hand settles on my hip.
“I’m fine.” I don’t know if that’s entirely true. The whole vibe so far is wonky, and I’m pretty sure it’s all because I can’t get over my stupid mouth.
“Ease up, man. We’re just having some fun.” Quinn winks and heads for the stairs. “Let’s get some drinks!”
I smile at Flip—I’m sure it’s slightly manic—and keep my eyes on his chin so I don’t accidentally ogle his bare chest. “Seriously, I’m good.” I give him the thumbs-up. If Cammie could see me now.
By the time Flip and I make it to the kitchen, Quinn already has a cooler.
“Tally likes cider and margaritas,” Flip says.
“Got them right here.” Quinn holds up one of each.
“Thanks.” I didn’t realize Quinn paid attention to that kind of stuff, but then we do have fajita night a lot at Rix and Tristan’s.
The three of us head down the hall to the pool and hot tub. “Is Kellan coming?” I ask.
“Yeah, he just had to make a phone call, he’ll be down in a bit,” Quinn confirms.
I duck into the change room to put on my bikini, which is when I realize I packed the wrong bottoms. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” I stare at the pale blue thong, trying to manifest more fabric.
Obviously I fail. “Just cover up with a towel. It’ll be fine.
” I grab one of the huge blue towels, wrap it around my body, and leave the safety of the change room.
Quinn and Flip are sitting on opposite sides of the hot tub. Both heads turn my way. Oh Charles and Arya, if only you could see me now. I’m literally living their fantasy.
“You can hang your towel right there.” Quinn helpfully points to the nearby hooks.
“Cool, thanks.” I try to angle my body so my entire ass, which Flip has already seen, isn’t facing them as I unwrap the terry and drape it over the hook. I quick-walk to the hot tub and step in. “Oh, this feels nice.”
“Sure does,” Quinn replies, eyes moving over me briefly before shifting away.
I glance at Flip, who doesn’t look particularly happy. I wish the vibe wasn’t so tense. Or maybe it’s me making it that way. I position myself between Quinn and Flip.
Quinn pours me a margarita, then sinks back into the water and stretches his arms along the back of the hot tub.
Flip mirrors the movement. I’m slightly closer to him, so his left hand is near my shoulder blade.
They’re big guys, they need space, and draping their arms over the cool tile would keep them from overheating.
“How’s that friend of yours out in Pearl Lake? The one you brought to Dred and Connor’s wedding? She’s fair, like our Tally.” His fingers brush my shoulder.
I perk up at the our Tally reference. His tone isn’t possessive. It doesn’t hold warning. There is no vibe. It’s all in my head.
Quinn glances at me, then looks back to Flip. “You mean Lovey?”
“That’s the one. Yeah. You’ve been friends a long time.” Flip takes a swig of his beer.
“Our whole lives, yeah. She’s doing great. She’s running a charity hockey event this weekend.”
“That’s too bad.”
Does Flip want Lovey here for personal reasons? Why is my brain spinning all these scenarios that now include a Flip-Lovey-Quinn sandwich?
“Yeah, she would have loved it here.”
“I’m sure.” Flip drains his beer.
“I can get you another one!” I offer. I just want the tension to ease up. I set my drink on the edge of the tub and start to pull myself out of the water, then realize I’m about to flash Flip my ass again.
Water sloshes behind me and Flip’s hand is suddenly on my hip, squeezing gently. “I got it, kitten. You stay right where you are.”
I freeze, halfway out of the water. His warm, slightly calloused palm is touching my bare skin. Quinn’s gaze locks on Flip’s hand. He squeezes briefly before reaching around me, his chest brushing my arm as he grabs a fresh beer from the cooler.
Kellan appears, also carrying a cooler. “This place is awesome.”
“Right?” Quinn agrees.
Kellan’s gaze darts between Quinn and Flip as he joins us. “Everything cool here?”
“Yeah, everything’s great.” Flip shifts closer to me.
“So awesome!” I chirp.
Hammer and Hollis appear next, followed by Everly and Victor.
“Hammer! Everly! Yay!” I wave both hands manically in the air. “Come join us! The water feels great!” I sound like I’m channeling a Muppet.
Everly jumps right in next to me, and Hammer takes the other side. Hollis squeezes in beside Hammer and wraps his arm around her.
Flip’s arm drops into the water.
Hammer leans into me and whispers, “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great.” I sip my margarita.
“You sure?” She wrinkles her nose. “There’s a vibe.”
I round my eyes.
She rounds hers back.
“There isn’t,” I whisper.
“There is,” she refutes. “Like omegaverse alpha energy vibes.”
So it’s not all in my head.
And what does that mean for me and Flip, if anything?
The addition of our friends seems to be the magic we need. Although Flip is quiet. Eventually the guys’ stomachs start rumbling, though. Flip is first out of the tub and he brings my towel to me, holding it open and wrapping me up like a burrito. Probably so I don’t flash everyone my ass.
I shower off the chlorine and check my messages before I head down to help with dinner. Ties is out with his robotics friends, and Fenna is having a sleepover with her best friend at our house.
I call Fenna to check in.
“How’s it going?” I ask as I pull on a pair of leggings.
“Great! Abby and I played cello for a while. We’re helping Mom make spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and cheese because it’s our favorite, and we have cake for dessert. We’re watching movies after dinner and making extra buttery popcorn.”
I smile. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”
“Yeah. Will you be here tomorrow to make oliebollen?” she asks, sounding a little distracted. It’s been a long-standing tradition that we get together on New Year’s Day and make the Dutch treat as a family. I can’t say I’m sorry to be missing it this time.
“I can’t make it tomorrow. I’m in Huntsville, remember?”
“Right. I forgot. We’ll save you some. Do you want to talk to Mom?”
“It’s okay, I have to help make dinner. I’ll message later.”
“Okay, bye, Tallulah.”
“Bye, Fenna.” I end the call, relieved she’s having fun and that my absence tomorrow won’t ruin her day.
I message Ties.
Tally
Be safe tonight.
He sends me a picture of a wrestling ring with fighting robots.
Ties
Take your mom hat off for the night, sis.
Tally
Have the best time!
Ties
You too!
I move to the message from my dad.
Dad
Hope you’re having fun with your friends. Stay safe.
I heart it but struggle to come up with a response that isn’t steeped in anger or frustration. I finally type out a generic reply.
Tally
Having a great time!
I’m sure he’s sitting in front of the TV with a stack of paperwork and a hockey game playing in the background, which is depressing. But I didn’t make his choices for him.
I switch to my Tilton U chat. Enid had to work tonight, so she couldn’t join Fee and Cammie and the hockey guys.
Cammie
How’s the lodge?
Fee
We miss you!
I smile as a picture of Fee and Cammie appears, heads together, fake tears splashing out of their eyes.
Tally
Aw. I miss you too! The lodge is so cool.
We built a snow peen!
I send photos of me posing on the balls and hugging the shaft. I leave the weird vibe alone. I can fill them in when we see each other.
Cammie
Fee
That is epic.
Tally
Right?! How is the tournament?
Cammie