Chapter 8
BEN
I stand back, watching the spectacle unfold before me with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Jace and Tanner are practically circling each other now, tension rolling off them in waves.
Then I catch sight of Emily stomping off into the darkness, her expression set in a furious glare. I watch her for a second, my amusement fading into concern. She’s really pissed, and I can’t blame her. This whole scene is ridiculous. But damn, she’s fiery. I like that about her.
I hesitate, feeling the urge to follow her, to make sure she’s okay. But something in her posture, the way her shoulders are set, tells me she needs space.
So, I let her go, even though part of me is itching to run after her and make sure she’s safe.
I turn back to the guys, who are still at it. “Enough, you two,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady and calm. “Seriously, cut it out.”
Tanner’s glaring at Jace, his fists clenched like he’s ready to throw a punch. Jace isn’t backing down, his jaw tight and eyes flashing with anger. There’s something there that’s more than just a mere argument.
Does Jace like Emily? And does Axel? I’ve seen his gaze linger after Emily, and I remember how weird Jace was acting around Emily.
She’s Hailey’s best friend, so he must have known her for a long time.
I’ve never heard him mention her, though.
At first, I had assumed they were simply not close. Now I wonder if there’s more to it.
“I don’t get what your problem is, Jace!” Tanner snaps. “I’m just trying to have a good time, and you’re acting like a damn guard dog.”
Jace steps closer, his voice low and cold. “My problem is you treating Emily like she’s just another girl for you to fool around with.”
I knew it. They are both into her—hell, who wouldn’t be? Emily’s got this natural charm, that girl-next-door vibe mixed with a feisty spirit that makes her stand out. I definitely noticed some tension yesterday. But I didn’t expect it to blow up like this. Not so soon, anyway.
Jace, Tanner, and even Axel are all circling the same thing. They all want Emily but don’t know how to handle it. Hell, I want her too. She’s gorgeous and smart, and something about her pulls you in.
But I know my place. I’ve been down this road before, and I’ve learned the hard way that sometimes it’s better to just step back.
I’m not going to make a move on Emily, not with these guys already in some twisted competition over her.
It’s not worth it. And yet, knowing that doesn’t stop the frustration from building up inside me.
“Look, we’re all tired,” I say, keeping my voice as calm and logical as I can. “We’ve had a long day, and it’s late. Let’s just get back to the lodge before someone gets hurt.”
They both turn to look at me, still bristling with tension, but at least they’re listening now.
“If you keep acting like rabid animals, it’s not exactly going to endear yourselves to her,” I say, stepping closer.
“Where’s Emily?” Jace asks.
“She left, obviously,” I say.
“And you just let her go?” Axel says.
“Well, she was incredibly pissed, for one,” I say, frowning slightly. “I don’t think she needed me to make it worse.”
“Christ,” Jace says, raking his fingers through his hair. “What must she be thinking?”
“That you’re an ass,” Tanner quickly retorts.
“You’ve some nerve, man.”
“That’s enough, let’s go inside now. We need to apologize to her immediately,” Axel says.
“Fine,” Tanner replies, still scowling. “But for the record, you guys ruined our perfectly fine date.”
As we start to head back, I glance over my shoulder, hoping Emily’s made it to the lodge by now. She deserves better than to be caught up in all this drama. And maybe, if I’m being honest, I wish I was the kind of guy who could just go after her, like Tanner and Jace. But I’m not.
The four of us trudge back to the lodge, and none of us says a word. The truth is out in the open—even if they won’t admit it. They all want Emily, period, which is weird because none of us have ever gone for the same girl before.
As we reach the entrance, the warm lights of the lodge spill out onto the snow, casting long shadows.
I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when we step into the warmth. The lobby is mostly empty, save for Collie, who’s stationed at the reception desk, flipping through a stack of papers.
“Collie,” Axel calls out as we approach. “Did you see Emily come in?
Collie looks up, her brow furrowing in confusion. “Emily? No, I haven’t seen anyone come in since you boys left. Are you sure she’s not in her room?”
Jace’s face goes pale, and Tanner’s expression hardens, the bickering forgotten in an instant. They both look at each other, then back at Collie.
“She’s not back yet?” Jace asks, his voice tense. “She stormed off a while ago.”
Collie shakes her head, still looking puzzled. “I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen her. If she came in, I would’ve noticed.”
Axel turns to us, his voice urgent. “We need to find her. Now.”
Tanner nods, already moving toward the door. “She could be lost out there,” he mutters, his earlier bravado replaced with genuine concern.
Jace, however, looks like he’s on the verge of panicking. “Damn it,” he mutters under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “She shouldn’t have gone off like that. This is my fault.”
“It’s no one’s fault,” Axel says firmly, trying to keep us focused. “Let’s just split up and look for her. We’ll cover more ground that way.”
Collie looks worried now, her hand hovering over the phone. “Should I call for help? Maybe some of the staff can join the search?”
“Good idea,” Jace replies, his voice strained. “But we can’t waste any more time. Let’s go.”
I nod, heading back out into the cold night with the others.
We let Raffle take the lead, his nose to the ground, sniffing the air.
His ears are perked up, tail wagging with determination.
The snow is coming down harder now, swirling around us in thick, blinding sheets.
I can barely see a few feet in front of me, my flashlight cutting a narrow path through the dark, snowy night.
“Raffle, find Emily!” Jace shouts, his voice barely audible over the howling wind.
Raffle barks, then bolts off into the darkness, his form quickly disappearing into the storm. The rest of us spread out, moving in different directions, our flashlights bobbing as we search. My heart is racing, a tight knot of anxiety twisting in my chest.
I don’t understand this feeling. I haven’t had it in a while now.
I shine my light around, sweeping it across the snow-covered ground.
The wind stings my face, the cold biting through my jacket, but all I can think about is finding Emily. What if she’s hurt? What if she’s panicking, stumbling through the snow, trying to find her way back to the lodge?
The thought sends a surge of worry through me, and I push forward, scanning the ground for any sign of her. I can hear the others calling her name, their voices barely more than faint echoes against the wind.
“Emily!” I shout, my voice hoarse. “Emily, where are you?”
I think about the events that unfolded yesterday, how vulnerable and small she looked when Axel pulled her out of the car. We had gotten to her just in the nick of time.
Jace had mentioned bears. He has to be kidding, right?
The snow is so thick now that I can barely see the lodge lights in the distance. I have to stop and wipe the snow from my face every few steps.
“Come on, Emily,” I mutter under my breath. “Where are you?”
Raffle’s barking suddenly rings out from somewhere ahead, loud and insistent. My heart leaps, and I start running toward the sound, my boots crunching through the snow. I hear the others converging, their flashlights bobbing in the darkness as they sprint toward Raffle’s bark.
Please let her be okay.
As I run through the blizzard, the snowflakes stinging my face, and the wind howling in my ears, I start to recognize the shapes around me. The ski lift towers loom in the darkness, their metal frames stark against the swirling snow.
Fuck. What is she doing all the way up here?
The ski lift station comes into view, a hulking structure partially buried in snow. Its metal cables and seats are coated with a thick layer of snow.
My flashlight sweeps over the scene, catching the faint glimmer of Raffle’s eyes and the outline of the door. The other guys catch up, their faces drawn and tense, their flashlights cutting through the snow.
“Tanner, help me with the door,” I yell out. I don’t have to tell him twice. Tanner nods, rushing ahead.
Tanner and I work together, our combined strength prying at the heavy door. The cold metal protests, but we manage to crack it open just enough to squeeze through.
Inside, the lift station is dimly lit, the only source of light coming from a single flickering bulb overhead. The warmth starkly contrasts the biting cold outside, and it feels like a small, blessed relief.
I spot Emily huddled in a corner, her back against the wall.
She’s shivering uncontrollably, her teeth chattering. Her clothes are damp, and her hair is plastered to her face with snow.
“Emily!” I cry out.
I don’t hesitate—my jacket is off in an instant, and I’m draping it around her shoulders.
She looks up at me, her eyes glossy with tears and her lips trembling.
Without a word, she wraps her arms around me, pressing her cold body against mine.
My heart races, and a wave of heat spreads through me despite the freezing conditions.
Her innocent touch is electrifying, and I can’t ignore the immediate response in my body.
As she clings to me, her breath warm against my chest, I feel an involuntary reaction. It’s not just the physical closeness or the softness of her touch—it’s something more primal. I’m acutely aware of the way her body molds against mine.
Fuck me, I’m hard almost instantly.