Chapter 11 Belle
Belle
I glanced over at Holden, whose gaze was focused ahead as we skated a slow loop around the rink.
I wanted to ask him questions about the people who mattered to him in his life, but I knew it was a touchy subject.
The little bit I’d gleaned from Alex and his mom about him and his childhood was enough to have me treading lightly.
“What about you?” I asked gently. “Is there anyone in your life you’re close with?”
Holden was quiet for a second. Not in a closed-off way, more like he was considering the question seriously.
“The closest thing I’ve got to a best friend is Zeke,” he said eventually. “We played on the same team for a while. He retired last season.”
“You still talk?”
“Yeah, here and there. He checks in. Tells me when I’m being dumb.” He smirked a little, and it softened something in me.
“What about your current teammates?”
“They’re fine. They’re good guys, and we get along. I’m probably the closest with Ryder, the team’s forward. But it’s not the same. Everyone’s got their own lives. Families. Stuff to get back to.”
He didn’t say it with bitterness, just matter-of-fact, like it was something he’d gotten used to.
I wanted to ask more, dig deeper, but the look on his face made me pause. There was a quiet there, something tender, and I didn’t want to push too hard and make him retreat.
So instead, I bumped my shoulder lightly into his. “Well, you’ve got me now. For skating, emotional support, and cheesy jokes.” I added a wink for good measure.
He raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Cheesy jokes, huh? That’s supposed to be a selling point?”
I grinned. “Absolutely. Want to hear one?”
“Hit me.”
“What do you call an elf who sings?” I asked.
He gave me a skeptical look. “I don’t know. What?”
“A wrapper.”
There was a beat of silence before he groaned, his eyes crinkling as he laughed. “That’s terrible.”
“I know,” I said proudly. “And I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”
And I’d keep them coming if I could keep him smiling and laughing like that.
He looked at me with a wry grin. “I think that joke was enough to last me for the rest of the day.”
“Suit yourself,” I sing-songed.
I was ridiculously happy in that moment.
Just the two of us, skating on an outdoor rink at the most beautiful resort.
And if that wasn’t perfect enough, I was with a guy who seemed to like me for me.
He watched me with an amused fascination I hadn’t experienced with anyone else before.
And him noticing the new scarf I’d bought yesterday, just to add some color to the drab wardrobe I’d packed and to feel more like myself again, meant more than he probably realized.
“Isabelle!”
I turned at the sound of my name being called across the rink.
Alex stood on the other side of the wall, waving. I should’ve been excited to see him. I should’ve felt relief that he’d finally made it back. But instead, disappointment washed over me like ice water.
It was more than enough evidence of what I already knew—I needed to break up with him.
Holden and I skated over, and even then, Alex barely looked up. He was already pulling out his phone, thumbs flying as he fired off a text or email. Like disappearing for almost two full days wasn’t enough.
“Thanks for keeping her company while I was gone, Prescott,” he said, giving Holden a tight smile. “But I can take it from here.”
Holden only nodded in response, jaw tight.
Alex finally looked at me, and I watched his expression shift as he took in my appearance. Seconds ago, I had been feeling confident in my skin, almost glowing from the laughter and connection between Holden and me. But as Alex’s eyes raked over me, that confidence slipped away, piece by piece.
He reached out and fingered my scarf, just like Holden had, but where Holden’s touch had been admiring, Alex’s was full of disdain.
“What is this?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “Were they handing out free scarves or something? Trying to get rid of them?”
My cheeks burned. Embarrassment flooded me, hot and immediate, especially with Holden still standing right there.
But before I could say anything, Alex waved a dismissive hand.
“You know what? Doesn’t matter,” he said.
“We both could use some freshening up. I’ve been on a plane all day and would kill for a shower.
” He checked his watch, barely pausing. “And you’ve got plenty of time to do something with your hair, finish your makeup, and get presentable for dinner tonight. ”
I saw Holden shift beside me, his jaw going even tighter, eyes narrowing on Alex like he was seconds away from saying something. Possibly even doing something. I wouldn’t put it past Holden to throw a punch. There was no love lost between them.
And for a moment, I wanted to let him, wanted someone to stand up for me, stand up for the part of me that had been shrinking ever since Alex showed up.
But I couldn’t let that happen. Holden was here for a charity event, and I didn’t want him getting any bad press.
I reached out and gently touched Holden’s arm, just enough to stop him.
“Thank you,” I said softly, my eyes holding his. “For spending the last couple days with me. You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you did.”
Something flickered in his expression, something I couldn’t quite name. But he gave me a small nod, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing.
I turned before I lost my nerve, skating away toward the exit to return my skates and head back inside with Alex even though everything in me wanted to stay.
Alex didn’t waste a second telling me in excruciating detail about how his meetings had gone, and I couldn’t find it in me to even pretend like I was listening.
I feigned that I was tired and was going to take a nap just so I could get away from him.
But instead of sleeping, I googled “how to break up with your boyfriend while on a trip with him.” I had found myself in a precarious situation, and who else could you turn to for sound advice if not Google?
I still had three more days here. Not that I couldn’t leave early, but—selfish and horrible as it sounded—I wasn’t quite ready to go home yet. I was hoping for more moments with Holden.
What was wrong with me? Googling how to break up with my boyfriend…while totally crushing on his cousin.
I wondered if Google had any suggestions for that fun little scenario.
I pulled the covers up around me, phone in hand, and began scrolling like I was cramming for a final exam. Article after article popped up, each promising the “right” way to break up with someone, though none of them addressed doing it at a luxury resort during peak Christmas vibes.
Finally I landed on an article that gave me bullet points, which is exactly what I had been looking for.
Number one: Pick the right moment.
Which sounded straightforward but was actually quite difficult when you were in the most beautiful Christmassy romantic resort.
During dinner with his parents tonight was not an option.
During the upcoming resort sleigh ride probably wouldn’t be the best time.
That was still two days away, and I wasn’t going to wait that long.
But was there ever a right moment when it was your boyfriend who had paid for you to come along on a trip with him?
Number two: Avoid public scenes.
Most of the time we would be together would be in public.
I’d need to find time to talk with him somewhere alone.
But I didn’t want to tell him in the hotel room since I had a feeling I’d want to be able to walk away as soon as possible, and the thought of having people close by was comforting.
Although breaking up with someone by the hot chocolate bar was probably frowned upon, with all the hot beverages around.
Number three: Be honest, but kind.
I didn’t plan to be rude. I’d keep things straightforward and to the point. No need to get into an argument. Plus, I was more worried I’d struggle to stand up for myself if I didn’t make it quick.
Number four: Have an exit strategy.
Yes. This was a must. It went with the whole ‘don’t break up with him in the hotel room’ idea I had.
But where was I going to go? I was fairly certain I couldn’t afford a room here, but maybe I could move into the resort’s gift shop?
No one would find me behind the display of stuffed moose wearing Santa hats.
Although choosing to stay at the same resort as the boyfriend you just dumped was probably just as crazy as the hiding-behind-moose idea.
Number five: Don’t let the location guilt you into staying.
Whoops. Too late.
Number six: Have support on standby.
Tapping out of the article, I pulled up the sibling group chat. This was one area I definitely had ready.
Belle
I have officially decided to break up with Alex. I might need emergency sibling support. Please stand by.
I sighed, locking my screen and letting it fall beside me on the bed. I hadn’t figured out the exact how yet, but I knew the what.
Things between me and Alex were over. Really, they’d been over for a long time.
But now it was time for me to make it official.