Chapter 5 Hot and Cold
five
Hot and Cold
Skiing. I’m going skiing.
It’s the only thing that gets me out of bed when the alarm rings. It was probably two o'clock. before I fell asleep. I can’t think of any brilliant ideas to help Matt propose to Kendra. I can't stop being annoyed at him for trying to set me up with Michael.
It's going to be a beautiful day on the slopes—sunny with new powder. My mood brightens. I should check my email, but I need to get going if I’m going to beat the bathroom rush.
I wrap up in my robe and hurry to the bathroom. Too late. Someone is already there. Matt, the king of long showers, somehow beat me to the bathroom. I pound on the door. “Save some hot water for the rest of us!”
I stop and listen. There's no answer, but someone is singing, actually singing in the shower. Singing well. It can’t be Matt or Tyler. It has to be... I lean against the door and recognize the voice.
I forgot about Michael.
I don’t want to stick around until Michael gets out of the shower. It’s bad enough that I just yelled at him. I detour to the bathroom in my parent's room, but stop short when I hear the shower running there too. Matt must have had the same idea I did.
Back to my bedroom. At least now I have time to check my email.
I’m dying to see if Jacob got my package or if he liked anything I sent.
I’m thinking about that, so I don’t notice Michael coming out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel, until I run into him.
I look up, and come face to chest. I look away quickly—not quickly enough not to be impressed. Not as much bulk as Jacob—but not bad.
“Sorry, Jess.” He’s blushing too, or maybe it’s just his fair skin and the hot water. His entire chest and face are red. “I guess I’ve gotten used to living with guys.”
“It’s okay,” I’m still averting my eyes. “I’ve only ever lived with guys. I mean my brothers. My roommates are all girls. I mean, I guess I’m used to it too.” If I was blushing before now my face is on fire.
He steps aside and gestures to the door. “The shower is all yours. I even left you a little hot water.”
“That’s okay.” I’m looking down, not at his face. It’s not a very long towel. He has nice legs too. “Matt’s probably finishing it off right now.”
“What am I finishing off?” Matt comes up the stairs, chewing on a piece of bacon, already dressed.
“The hot water,” Michael answers. I wonder how long he’s going to stand there wearing nothing but a towel. I wonder if he or Matt would notice if I took another quick peek in his direction.
“Not me.” Matt leans against the wall. “I showered an hour ago. I’ve been up since five. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Who’s in Mom’s shower then?”
“I think it's Tyler.” A grin spreads across Matt’s face.
“Tyler?” I shake my head. “Since when is he into being clean, especially before snowboarding?”
Matt’s grin spreads to his cheeks. “It’s possible our little brother is bringing a girl to the hill.”
“A date? With a girl? Wow. I guess he really has turned into a teenage boy.” I look at Michael again, forgetting he's not dressed.
“So Jess, did you come up with any brilliant ideas for today?” Apparently, it doesn’t bother Matt that Michael is practically naked.
It bothers me. “Can we discuss this later? When we’re all dressed.”
“Sure.” He smiles at me wickedly. “I’d hate for Dad to come up and catch the two of you leaving the shower together.”
“Matthew!” My face is blazing.
Michael takes this as his exit cue. I catch the look in his eye when he leaves. He thinks this is funny.
As I climb into the shower, I mentally move Matthew to the top of my hit list. Michael isn’t far behind, even if none of this is his fault. Maybe I won’t help Matt today. Maybe I’ll ditch them all and ski by myself. The idea sounds nice. The water goes cold. Tyler hits number three on the list.
I hurry to get dressed. Since I didn’t have time to wash my hair before the hot water ran out, I braid it back. I sit in front of my computer, but Matt calls me.
“Jess, are you ready? We need to make plans, and we're picking Kendra up in less than a half-hour.”
The boys are devouring stacks of blueberry pancakes and bacon. Mom isn't a morning person. I’m surprised she got up early and put in that much effort. It must be for Michael’s benefit.
Matthew and Michael are talking as fast as they’re eating. “Hey Jess,” Matt says when I sit down to eat. “You’re fired.”
“Fired from what?” I’m not in the mood for pancakes, so I get an orange and a piece of bacon.
“From being my romantic consultant,” Matthew says between mouthfuls.
I pour myself a glass of milk. “Who’s taking my place?”
“Michael,” Matthew answers. “He has some great ideas for today.”
Michael stands up, spreading his arms like a director selling a shot.
“Picture this—the top of the ski hill, breathtaking views, a little grove of pine trees, lights in the lower branches, music in the background, a table, chairs, candlelight, champagne chilling in the snow, feathery snowflakes falling softly.”
“Sounds complicated,” I say thoughtfully. “But cool. Where exactly are we going to set this up?”
“I know every inch of that hill,” Matthew says. “I know just the spot. It’s out of bounds, but I think we can get away with it.”
“How are we going to do the lights?” I ask.
“I have some battery-powered ones left over from the Christmas decorations,” Mom is in on the plot now.
“The music?”
“Easy, iPod and speaker,” Matthew replies.
“What about the table and chairs?”
“Leave that to me,” Michael says. “I’m sure someone at the resort let us take some up.”
“Michael can be very persuasive,” Matthew says, looking at me. “He’s used to giving orders and getting what he wants.”
“Okay,” I turn toward Michael, issuing a challenge. “Where are you going to get the ‘feathery snowflakes falling softly?’”
Michael grins confidently. “That one is really up to the Big Guy Upstairs, but I’ve already put in my request.”
“What do you think, Jess?” Matthew’s face is beaming. It’s hard to stay mad at him when he looks so eager.
“Unless you have a better idea,” Michael says graciously.
“No, I think we should go with Michael’s plan; it’s brilliant,” I admit. Michael does a poor job of looking modest. "You're still paying for my lift ticket."
"Of course. We need someone to ski with Kendra while we set things up." Matt is glowing. I've never seen him this excited about anything in his life. It makes it hard to stay irritated with him.