Chapter 14
Maya
A sudden bang jolts me awake. I hold my breath, coming to the realization of where I am.
“Maya?”
I blink my eyes at Eddie, who’s looking at me dumbfounded.
“You’re still here?”
His question confirms that I did, in fact, stay in his room while he was gone.
Eddie stands near the kitchenette, almost like he’s leery of me.
I sit up straighter on the couch. “Sorry, I know you wanted alone time. I only meant to stay for a little while, in case you changed your mind or needed anything. I must have dozed off.”
He sets his wallet and phone on the counter. Then, without looking up, says, “You’re free to go. I’m fine.” Immediately, he starts walking toward his bedroom. I hear him say, “I’m leaving. Tell your boss I’m sorry.”
I don’t move, but my stomach twists itself into a knot.
I’m trying to process the negative thirty-degree windchill he’s suddenly giving off.
But, if I’ve learned anything from Mountain Wilderness training (required high school course for students living in Winterbrook), it’s that the instinct of an injured animal is survival.
This means that they can react more defensively or aggressively than normal.
Eddie’s heart is wounded.
I tiptoe to his bedroom door, which he left open. Standing in the doorway, I see him throwing clothes into an open suitcase. “Can I help you pack?” I ask.
I don’t want Eddie to go. Not in the least, but more than anything, I want him to know he’s not alone.
He drops a pile of Mynt shirts with tags still attached onto the bed and looks up at me.
His expression softens. His brow furrows, like I’ve become accustomed to, but I realize it’s not in an angry way. His eyebrow movement is a sign that he’s thinking deeply, analyzing, trying to understand something.
He rubs the back of his neck with one hand. In a hushed tone he finally says, “You’re not…mad at me?”
I shake my head no. “Why would I be?”
He sighs. “Because I’m bailing, like a coward.”
I take a step closer to him. “You are not a coward.” I want to throw my arms around him and squeeze him until he knows how amazing he is, that he’s not to blame for the horrible accident that took his brother’s life.
But instead, I say, “I understand why you want to leave…I’m glad I got to meet you. ”
He stares intently into my eyes, like my words were suddenly spoken in a different language. After a moment, I force myself to turn, to walk away.
When I reach the door, I finally exhale. I scan the remnants of Eddie’s room.
Who would have thought I’d enjoy hosting him? A few days ago, I might have been relieved by his sudden departure. Today, I’m disappointed. Not because there might be career consequences, but because I feel like I’m losing a friend.
I learned a valuable lesson through Eddie.
That old saying of don’t judge a book by its cover is true.
People truly are fighting battles that we can’t see on the surface.
From now on, I want to be more resilient.
I won’t let people treat me poorly, but I also won’t judge someone on a single interaction or day.
Sighing, I take one last glance out the beautiful picture window in Eddie’s room and twist the door handle.
I wonder what Lauren and Mr. Mynt will say, but honestly, it doesn’t matter.
Eddie has his reasons, valid reasons for leaving.
It’s his decision. Some things are more important than sponsorship or money. I hope they can understand that.
I head toward the elevator and hit the lobby button. I feel sad, but also oddly calm, knowing I truly tried my best this week.
The elevator dings and the doors slide open. As I take a step in, I hear, “Maya!”
I turn and see Eddie jogging my way. I step back out and let the doors close.
When he reaches me, he grabs my hand. Warmth radiates up my arm at his touch.
“Maya…” I zero in on his eyes, trying to focus on his words instead of the gymnasts doing flips in my stomach. “I wanted to tell you thank you…for everything.”
I place my other hand on top of his. “You’re welcome.” I mean it, but an ache reverberates through my chest, knowing this is goodbye.
Eddie lets my hand down slowly. “I called Roger,” he says. “We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow,” I repeat. As I speak the words, an idea pops into my mind. “Can I show you something?”
“Right now?”
My question is a big shift in mood and tone, but I don’t want this to be how his trip to Mynt Peak ends.
“Meet me in the lobby at five.” That gives Eddie an hour, which is enough time for him to decompress, but not too much time to be stuck in his own thoughts.
“Lobby, got it.” He says like I’m giving orders instead of an invitation. He backs away slowly.
I push the elevator button again. “Dress warm.”
He squints at me before saying, “Okay.” Then, he turns and walks back to his room.
I watch him for a few moments, then I text Holly. I’ll need her connections to pull off my idea.