Chapter 13
Mia
I’m left sitting on the bed, hugging a pillow to my chest as the door closes behind Alexander. He didn’t say goodbye, just slipped out quietly, his jaw set, his eyes averted like I’m someone fragile to be handled gently and then left behind.
I can’t believe he’s treating me like a child.
One minute I’m everything he wants—his equal, his secret, his mess—and the next I’m a problem he can’t solve. It stings more than my knee, honestly.
I tell myself not to care. But I do.
I climb under the covers and force myself to nap, even though my mind keeps replaying the last hour—his mouth on my skin, his hands gripping my waist, the way I thought for a second that maybe this could mean something.
I wake up groggy, blinking at my phone buzzing on the nightstand. Sarah’s name flashes on the screen.
I answer, voice scratchy. “Hey.”
“Mia, hi! Oh my god, I’m so sorry about earlier. Jason feels so bad—he had no idea the snow would hurt you like that.”
Sure, I think. Because Jason’s just a kid who doesn’t understand consequences.
But I don’t say that. I just mumble, “It’s fine, Sarah. Really.”
She brightens immediately. “Listen, I have a surprise! Please come down—don’t say no. I promise you don’t have to skate. Just come.”
I’m about to give her some excuse—my knee, my pride, my headache—when the phone is abruptly snatched away from her.
“Mia,” Marcus’s voice booms through the line, cheerful and impossible to argue with. “You don’t even have to walk. We’ll come get you. Just be ready.”
I sigh, caught between rolling my eyes and actually smiling. “You guys are relentless.”
But I am a little curious. And thankfully, my knee isn’t stinging as much, the lingering ache of sex with Alexander almost healing, though I scowl at myself for even thinking it.
He left me like I was nothing.
Still, I tug on a clean sweater, smooth my hair, and limp toward the door, trying not to limp at all. Whatever’s downstairs, I want to see it for myself.
I step out into the hallway, adjusting the hem of my sweater, and find Tyler and Marcus waiting by the elevator. Tyler’s in his usual worn jacket and has a ridiculous, excited grin plastered across his face. Marcus stands beside him, arms crossed, more reserved but with a glint in his eyes.
“Look at you,” Tyler says, giving a low whistle. “Up and walking. That’s our girl.”
I can’t help but smile. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
Marcus presses the elevator button and when the doors open, they both usher me in, each taking a spot at my side.
The ride is short, but they fill it with light banter—Tyler teasing, Marcus quietly checking if my knee really feels okay.
I tell them it’s fine. I don’t tell them about the ache that isn’t just physical.
When we step outside, the cold bites my cheeks, but then I see it: parked in the snow, right in front of the lodge, is the biggest snowmobile I’ve ever seen. Glossy black and red, it looks like it could take on a mountain and win.
Tyler sweeps out his arm with a dramatic flourish. “Ta-da! Your ride awaits, your highness.”
I laugh for real this time. “You’re ridiculous.”
He grins, pure mischief. “Yeah, but you’re smiling.”
Before I can say anything else, Jason appears, hands stuffed in his pockets, eyes all soft regret and phony charm.
“Hey, Mia,” he says, voice too smooth. “I really am sorry about earlier. Didn’t think a snowball would do any damage. Hope you’re okay.”
His eyes flick up to mine, but I can see right through the act. I want to roll my eyes. Instead, I just nod, stare straight past him, and pretend he’s invisible.
Tyler steps closer, protective, then glances down at me with a wink. “C’mon, princess. Time for your royal transport.”
He bends and, without effort, sweeps me up into his arms. My breath catches—part surprise, part something hotter. I feel the strength in his grip, the rough warmth of his jacket against my legs, the smirk on his lips as he lifts me easily and sets me gently onto the snowmobile’s seat.
Marcus secures my helmet, hands steady and sure at my jaw. Tyler’s palm lingers at my thigh, thumb brushing my skin just beneath the edge of my sweater, as he leans in close enough for only me to hear. “Hold on tight. Or don’t—I wouldn’t mind an excuse to keep catching you.”
My heart thuds, heat curling low in my stomach.
I look at Marcus as Tyler settles onto the seat behind me. “What are we doing here, exactly?”
Marcus grins, swinging a leg over the snowmobile in front of me. “Just a ride. Sarah’s idea, actually.” He turns his head, voice low. “She chewed out Jason about what he did to you.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “She did?”
He nods. “Tore him a new one, apparently. Guess our plan’s working.”
That actually makes me feel lighter. Maybe Sarah isn’t as blind as I thought.
But then I spot Jason and Sarah climbing onto another snowmobile a few yards away. Sarah’s laughing, and Jason’s got his hand possessively on her hip. The engine revs, and they shoot off across the snow, Sarah’s laughter echoing behind them. So much for thinking she hates him.
“Well, he’s her fiancé, it will take more than just this to show her his true face,” Marcus says hopefully.
I brush invisible snow off my jacket. Suddenly I feel cold even though I’m wearing three layers. “Yeah.” I wonder how far he’ll take it before she sees the truth. “We can’t leave those two alone.”
Tyler’s hands settle at my waist. “God knows what he’s up to,” he mutters.
“You think he’d try to hurt her?” I ask, leaning forward to ask Marcus.
Marcus shrugs, face serious. “Well, if he’s already married, this whole wedding’s a sham. Maybe he’ll look for an excuse to get out of it—fast. He’s not stable.”
My stomach tightens. “I don’t want Sarah to get hurt.”
Just then, Alexander storms out of the lodge, scowl on his face. “Mia, what the hell is this? You’re still hurt. Why are you out here?”
I shoot him a look, cool and sassy. “I’m fine where I am, Alex. Or are you going to tell me I’m not allowed to have fun?”
He opens his mouth to argue, but Marcus immediately leans in front of me, blocking Alex’s path, while Tyler’s grip on my hips tightens. I’m sandwiched between them, a little breathless but defiant.
“I’m not a kid,” I add, refusing to back down. “You don’t get to decide for me.”
Marcus gives his brother a sheepish grin, trying to ease the tension, but I can feel Tyler behind me—solid and supportive, refusing to let Alex intimidate me.
For a second, Alex just looks at me. Then he sighs, the fight going out of his posture. He steps back, jaw tight.
Marcus winks at me, then revs the engine. “Ready?”
“Always,” I say, grinning, my heart pounding for all kinds of reasons as we tear off across the snow.
I hold on tight to Marcus as we lurch forward.
I’m completely wedged between the two of them, surrounded by muscle and heat.
I let out a little yelp before laughing, the thrill of speed taking over.
The wind whips at my face, but Tyler’s chest is warm against my back, his breath tickling my ear every time he leans in to shout something only I can hear.
I glance over my shoulder and see Alexander still standing in the snow, arms crossed, his scowl as clear as day. On a whim, I blow him a kiss. His eyes widen in shock and then narrow, but I can’t help grinning as his figure disappears behind a spray of powder.
The wind bites at my cheeks, the world cold and bright and dazzling.
The lodge grounds stretch around us—tall pines heavy with snow, wide lawns sparkling, little clusters of cabins dotting the hill.
Every rooftop is thick with snow, icicles glittering like glass.
The lake beyond is frozen over, sunlight glinting off its surface like diamonds.
Smoke curls from the lodge chimney, and laughter and music float faintly on the air as we zip past another group of bundled-up guests.
I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed just being here.
Sunlight flashes off icicles hanging from the eaves of the guest cabins. The whole resort looks like something out of a fairy tale—gleaming, crisp, every corner of it familiar to me from childhood summers and winters spent exploring every trail and secret nook.
By the time Marcus eases to a stop near the main lodge, Sarah comes bounding over, cheeks red, hair wild, still bubbling with energy. “You have to give us a tour—I want to see everything before dinner.”
“You’ve been here before,” I point out. “It used to be your favorite spot in the word.”
“But, Mia! You’re the only one who actually knows where everything is,” she announces, looping her arm through mine.
I catch Marcus’s eye—he just gives me an amused shrug and a thumbs-up.
So I lead Sarah and a handful of other guests around, pointing out the old library with its hidden reading nook, the game room where I once beat her dad at pool, the little sauna tucked behind the spa. We wind through sunlit halls, my voice growing stronger with each memory.
We peek into the old billiards room, then head down to the spa, everyone marveling at the steam rising from the windows.
Jason tries to butt in more than once—making dumb jokes, slipping in little digs, trying to get my attention—but I just keep going, barely giving him a glance. If he thinks he’s going to spoil this, he’s wrong. Not tonight.
Sarah, at least, is still wide-eyed and enthusiastic, asking about every painting and funny story she remembers from childhood.
By the time we get back outside, the sky’s grown darker, that deep blue twilight that makes the snow glow blue and silver under the tall streetlamps. Icicles on the lodge gutters catch the light, everything sparkling like the set of a movie.
Someone’s set out thermoses of hot cocoa on a little round table. I unscrew a lid, pour out thick, steaming chocolate into a cup, and wrap my hands around it, letting the heat sink in. The others cluster close, sipping and blowing on their drinks, steam curling into the crisp air.