Chapter 13 #2
“Oh, nonsense,” she yelled back at me. “I finally want to ski something challenging.”
“Stop right now!” I demanded. Maria paused briefly and glanced back over her shoulder at me.
“Why?” asked the lady in full makeup and earrings as heavy as stones.
“Why? Because it’s closed!” Damn it. What had I done to deserve this?
“There’s no reason to close it!” She skied off again.
“Of course there’s a reason. Avalanche danger, slope preparation, no supervision, the descent into the valley is no longer possible. The reasons are endless.”
Maria snorted. “There are no avalanches here. You just don’t want to teach me because you don’t trust yourself.” With that, she let her board run and swung wide down the slope.
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Stop!” I had to make a decision in a matter of seconds.
This wasn’t an avalanche warning. I should let the stupid ass ride alone.
Not only was she rude, but she had disobeyed every one of my instructions.
I also couldn’t put myself in danger because a student was acting recklessly.
But if that bitch got run over by a snowcat, it would still fall back on me.
Cursing loudly, I skied after her.
With every turn, it became clear what the problem behind the barrier was. In fact, there wasn’t enough snow for the downhill run. Worn grass poked out from between the snow, and the closer we got to the end, the more brown hills protruded from the slope.
Maria was struggling to keep up with me.
The bare patches slowed down even the best skiers, and for an inexperienced skier like her, it couldn’t end well.
I kept my eyes peeled for snow cannons that might have been put in place, or ski patrol workers who, unaware that a wild upper-class heiress was sliding down the mountain, were going about their work.
When this was over, I would wring her neck.
Above us, the last gondolas were heading down into the valley. The people sitting in them probably thought we were out of our minds, and someone called the mountain rescue service. Rightly so.
The mountain sloped down one last time at an unusually steep angle, and Maria slid straight ahead without any support on her board.
I was struggling to get down safely myself. Finally, the slope leveled out and my student slowed down. And slowed down. Until she finally fell forward and screamed loudly.
If I had been observing the situation as an outsider, I would have laughed at the absurdity of it all. Now I kept cursing to myself.
“My wrist. My wrist,” Maria whined.
A spark of malice deep inside me noted with absolute satisfaction that I was glad she had hurt herself. This reckless, selfish, spoiled . . .
I checked her hand. She could move the joint freely. Without x-ray vision, it was impossible to diagnose. But I could swear that nothing was broken. This specimen was too lucky for that.
“Come on. Unbuckle the board. We’re leaving.”
“How am I supposed to do that? With my hand?” she protested loudly.
And to top off this disaster, I found myself at Maria’s feet, freeing her boots from the snowboard. Of course, I also had to carry it back to the resort. Her wrist hurt too much.
Next to me, she ranted and raved about my incompetence.
All it would take was one more grain of sand, and my patience would be at an end. I concentrated on each step I took. She wasn’t worth it. And I would be able to sort things out with Adriel, no matter what the lady was babbling about.
When we got to the boot room, I put her board in front of her locker. Without saying goodbye, I went to the shop, where I saw Anton still bent over a pair of skis.
“Can you check my board or lend me the keys after you finish work? I need to get it repaired after this trip.”
Anton turned to me in surprise. “What did you do?”
I shook my head. I wanted to forget this day as quickly as possible. “Hopefully just needs some wax.”
“Put it down. I’ll take a quick look at it.” Anton had turned his attention back to the skis in front of him.
When I returned to the equipment room, Maria was standing there, glaring at me angrily. “You won’t get away with this easily. I’m going to complain.”
“You’re complaining?” My jaw dropped. “If anything, I have reason to complain.”
She blushed and turned abruptly. “There will be consequences.”
I thought for a moment and then followed her down the guest corridor into the lobby. The sooner we sorted this out, the better.
When we reached the lobby, Maria rushed toward a man.
“Oh, darling, I’m glad you’re here.”
I widened my eyes. Standing next to Darling was Ruben, who watched the whole spectacle with pursed lips.
While Maria ranted, I shrugged and Ruben raised his eyebrows.
“Darling, I’ll take care of it right away. Let me say goodbye to Ruben first. You’ll be happy to hear that I was able to book him for Roger’s birthday.”
Maria looked warmly at Ruben. “At least one competent person here.”
Ruben inhaled sharply. “I’m sure, Shane . . . ”
Whatever Ruben wanted to say was drowned out by the concierge, who rushed over to our little group, clearly startled by the commotion in his lobby. “Ladies and gentlemen. May I ask you to come with me? I will do everything in my power to resolve whatever problem you may have.”
“Yes. We’ll do that. Ruben, we’ll be in touch.” Maria’s Darling shook Ruben’s hand. Before turning away, he silently mouthed “Sorry” and glanced at me with pity.
That hit me in the gut. This situation was exactly what had been bothering me since Ruben had left.
While he made small talk with the top 5 percent and worked with them, I was nagged and disrespected by them.
I didn’t care about that kind of thing. But with Ruben as a witness?
And the proof in words that we weren’t compatible?
That I was the type of guy who would spend his whole life lounging on the beach while Ruben pursued a career.
It wasn’t self-pity about the situation itself. It was disappointment that we were so different. Apparently, Ruben was right after all.
When I turned back to the complaining group, Adriel had already joined us.
“Ma’am, let’s continue this conversation in my office.”
Adriel took over the conversation and left no doubt that he was behind me one hundred percent. He phrased it in such a way that Maria wanted to book another hour with me.
“I think you should try out a few different instructors, Maria. What do you think? Are you up to hit the slopes with me tomorrow?” Adriel didn’t bat an eye when he suggested this.
I couldn’t understand how he could be this relaxed. But I was incredibly grateful to him for solving this as elegantly as he did. I hurried away as quickly as I could and headed for my cabin.
I simply wanted some peace and quiet.
When I walked through the door, Ruben was obviously waiting for me. He jumped up immediately. “Well? What else happened?”
Shaking my head, I threw my clothes onto a chair. My jacket slipped to the floor. I didn’t care. Exhausted, I let myself fall onto my mattress.
“Adriel took care of everything. She wore me out today.”
“I’m sorry.” Ruben’s regret was evident in every word. “Is there anything I can do?”
Suddenly utter exhaustion took hold of me. With a tentative smile, I shook my head. “No. I only need some peace and quiet.”
“Don’t you want to come out to dinner? You’ve been out all day,” Ruben pressed.
But I shook my head again. “No. I . . . ” My phone vibrated. I picked it up and held it out to Ruben. “Sorry. It’s my brother. Let me take this.”
As I answered the call, Ruben got dressed and left the cabin. Guilt washed over me because he was leaving his temporary home because of me. But maybe he wanted to go eat, too.
“Hey, bro,” I greeted Nash. My tone was annoyed because my nerves were on edge.
“What’s wrong with you?” Nash snapped.
“Is it that obvious?”
My brother sighed. “Come on. What’s gotten into you?”
I groaned as I lay down more comfortably. “Crazy student.”
“Come on! That doesn’t usually bother you.”
Nash was right. I didn’t let people’s moods affect me in my lessons. Never. But that wasn’t the problem. Not really. It was the trigger for an unpleasant realization.
My brother pressed on impatiently. “Or did the snobs get to you? Such a fancy hotel must have its downsides. I was surprised that you went there. It’s not your style, is it?”
“Nah. Not really.” Why had that bitch’s outburst thrown me off so much? “Tell me, Nash.”
“What is it? You sound strange.”
“Somehow, that student made me think today. Have Mom and Dad ever said anything about me being on the beach or being a snowboard instructor or because I didn’t go to college?”
“Shane! What jerk put that nonsense in your head? You know that neither Mom nor Dad has any problems with how you live your life.”
“Yeah. I know,” I mumble.
“Do you, though?” Nash insisted. “You’re the best brother I could ask for. Mom and Dad are happy you’re around, and what they always told us still applies. We have to do what makes us happy. As long as you’re happy with your life, they won’t say anything.”
“And you? Don’t you think it’s weird?”
“Shane, stop it! What’s this actually about? Because of the student today, or did Dick III show up at your resort and start talking shit again? I swear to God, you’re such a chill guy. What is it about this guy that you let him get to you every time?”
“Hmm,” I grunted noncommittally.
Nash sighed. “First loves can mess you up.”
“First love,” I grumbled. “I wouldn’t take it that far.”
“I’m serious. Even if you claim there was nothing more than a few blowjobs between the two of you, he hurt you with what he said to you and about you.”
And that was exactly what I didn’t want to admit. How pathetic was it to let a loser like him get me down?
“This isn’t about Dick III. But . . . I met someone.”
“At the resort?” Nash asked.
I glanced at the door because I wanted to make sure Ruben wasn’t suddenly standing there. “No. I mean, kind of, yes.”