18. Rune
Chapter 18
Rune
A unt Mairi is already awake and working on a crossword puzzle when I stumble my way into the kitchen a little after eight. I only had three drinks at the party—and one when we got home—but I feel like death. I guess my binge drinking days from college are well and truly gone. I was so wrapped up in my head that I didn’t even think to drink water. Or eat any of the food. Or sample the hot chocolate. I’m an idiot.
“Do we have plans today?” I ask Aunt Mairi, pouring myself a glass of water.
“I don’t think so. You girls can do whatever you want. Courtney and I will be heading out a little later this morning, but should be back tomorrow early afternoon.”
“You're going with her?”
“It's a bit of a drive. I figured I would keep her company and get some shopping done while she's at her event. There's plenty of food for you and Ella, and I've got extra wood stacked on the porch so you don't have to go outside at night to keep the fire going.”
That's Aunt Mairi for you: thoughtful and generous to a fault.
“Ok.” I clear my throat. “I was thinking maybe I would go out skiing this morning. I'm not sure if I'll be back before you leave.” I try to sound nonchalant, but it comes out like a question. For her or for me, I’m not quite sure.
She sets down her pen and looks at me more closely. “By yourself?”
“No, with Ella and Sam…and Finn.” I mentally curse the heat that rises up my face. She doesn’t appear at all surprised.
“Do you need money? If you’re going downhill skiing, the lift ticket and rentals can get a little pricey.” She makes as if to reach for her purse.
“No, of course not. I’ll be fine.”
“Maybe he’ll pay for you?” It’s as close to prying as she’ll get: a subtle question as to whether or not this is actually a date…and if I’m even interested in that sort of thing.
“We’ll see, I guess.” I shrug like it’s not that big of a deal. Like I haven’t been wondering the exact same thing.
“You’ll have fun either way.”
“Thanks, Auntie.” I lean down to give her a quick peck on the cheek.
A short text conversation with Finn later determines that he’ll pick Ella and I up around ten. Which means my work is cut out for me. I go upstairs to Ella's room and throw open the shades, revealing the utter mess of her room, full of empty dishes and clothes strewn over nearly every surface. I peel the blankets off her.
“Go away,” she moans.
“Get up. Your prince charming is waiting. Or will be.”
“My prince charming can go fuck himself.” She sits up and swipes at the tangled strands of hair before tucking them aggressively behind an ear. “Although I wouldn’t mind watching him attempt that. It sounds kinky.”
“That’s sick and twisted.”
“Oh, please. Someday when you’re an adult like me, you too can have a sexual thirst trap who makes you feel alive in a way that your private school upbringing never could.”
“My mother would drown you in holy water for that comment alone,” I say sternly. “If you’re not ready by the time Finn comes to pick us up, I’m leaving without you.”
“Is that really the thanks I get after letting you spend the night in my bed?”
I dodge the crumpled dress she throws at me.
Once I’m showered and dressed, I scroll obsessively through the few texts I’ve exchanged with Finn over the past week. It’s silly to analyze, but—I’m about ninety percent sure that he’s interested in me. That’s what this means, right? The question is how much and what does he intend to do about it? Perhaps more importantly: what do I intend to do about it?
I don’t know how to answer that question.
My head says to take it slow and just see what happens. My heart—or maybe it’s my neglected sex life—says to go all in and enjoy it while it lasts.
Too bad I don’t have a great track record when it comes to relationships. The whole Sebastian situation has been disheartening and humiliating. But Finn? I have a sneaking suspicion that if I were to ever date Finn and then lose him, I would be absolutely shattered over it. Maybe even ruined. I can’t imagine ever meeting anyone more perfect than him.
By the time Finn’s truck pulls into the driveway, Ella is just stumbling out of her room, hair still wet from her shower.
“You’re going to freeze like that.” Aunt Mairi looks askance at her daughter.
“I’ll sit in the chalet until it dries,” Ella promises, pulling on her coat.
“Have fun, girls.” Aunt Mairi gives a little wave. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Auntie.” I hurry out the door, black ski boots tied together and draped over my shoulder. The skis I’ve been using all week are leaning up against the garage, next to Ella’s. I hand both pairs to Finn, who puts them in the back of the truck.
“I want the back to myself so I can stretch out my legs,” Ella insists.
I don’t know if she’s telling the truth or just trying to get me to sit next to Finn in the front. Either way, I won’t complain.
“Cold?” Finn asks.
“Never,” I lie. Even the short walk from house to truck has me shivering. Thank goodness for the toasty warmth of the cab. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive a whole morning outside.
“Do you ski much?” He puts his arm across the seat back, twisting around to see better when backing out of the driveway.
I crinkle my nose. “Define much .”
That pulls a laugh out of him. “Let me rephrase: do you know what skiing is?”
“Asshole.” I rub my mittened hands together. “We’ve been cross country skiing almost every day this week.” It’s the truth, even if last week was the first time I ever remember putting skis on. Ella mumbles something from the back seat.
“So you don't want to spend some time practicing on the bunny slope? Or making laps across the yard?”
I scoff. “I wouldn’t ruin your ski day like that.”
“Ruin it? Rune, it would be delightful to see you master the bunny slope. You and the other toddlers.” He chuckles at my expression, then nods at the black matte travel mug in the cup holder nearest me. “That one’s yours, by the way, if you want it.”
“You’re incredible.”
“Why, thank you.”
“Where’s mine?” Ella asks.
Finn glances in the rear view mirror. “In the cup holder on the other side.”
“No it isn’t—oh. Yes, I see it. Thanks, Finny.”
He shakes his head good-humoredly. We drive in companionable silence for a while, the latest hits playing softly on the radio.
“Did you get some good sleep after the party last night?” I ask.
“I was awake a little after seven. Once the sun starts to rise, it’s hard for me to stay asleep.”
I nod. I’m the same way. I’ve tried everything from sound machines to blackout shades, but I always seem to be awake at the ass crack of dawn. The thick forest of snow-clad trees flash past the window as we drive down the highway, fresh and pristine against the pale blue of the winter sky.
“Are your parents early risers, too?”
“They are. Fortunately, they rented a place across the street from the Lounge and stayed there last night.”
“They didn’t want to come skiing today?”
“I didn’t ask. They know I usually need at least a day to recover from their parties, so they made other plans. I thought it might be a good opportunity to spend some time with a certain girl today.”
Bold. I glance over my shoulder, but Ella has her ear buds in, oblivious to our conversation.
“Am I coming along to be your wingman?”
“That is definitely not—” He turns his head with a frown. I can’t hold back my grin as he realizes I’m joking. “Good one, Rune. Proud of yourself?”
“Yeah, actually.” I don’t often get the upper hand in bantering sessions. I’ll take what I can get.
“Hope your aunt doesn’t mind that I’ve stolen you away.”
“She's heading out of town with Courtney for the night. And honestly, I don't think she minds having a little bit of quiet in the house. With all of us around this past week, there’s been a lot of activity.”
“Do you come up to visit often?”
I’m totally unprepared for the stab of guilt that accompanies that question. “No. I should, but this is the first real visit I’ve had in years.”
“They must be glad to have you.”
I shrug. “Either that or they’re counting down the days until I leave. In all fairness, I’d originally planned to go home yesterday. But Ella talked me into helping with the holiday fundraiser. So I figured I’d at least stay until then.”
“Are you telling me I have Ella to thank for your company this morning?” His voice is so dry that I giggle.
“I guess so.”
I’m shamelessly taking him in as he drives: the strong, high cheekbones, thick black lashes, and a five o’clock shadow that has me wanting to rub my fingers across his jaw. Pure eye candy is what I would call him from a distance, but there’s a softness, a thoughtfulness to his expressions that has me thinking all sorts of thoughts. Like white dresses and expensive bouquets. Normal shit.
And I’m not the only one. Finn turns the head of every female, from the parking lot to the front desk of the ski resort, where he and Ella both flash their season passes. Finn has his credit card out to purchase my day pass before I can even remember which pocket I put mine in.
“I can pay,” I insist, because it’s the polite thing to do. Even though my credit card balance has started giving me anxiety. He waves me off.
“Really, you’re doing me a favor. You’re saving me from spending a long day with two very hungover parents.”
“They seemed nice,” I offer, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. No matter how badly I want this to be an actual date, it’s a little uncomfortable watching him spend money on me.
“They are in public,” he smiles, tucking his wallet back into his coat pocket. “It’s the one-on-one time that can get…long.”
“Sam says he’s running late, I’m going to wait for him,” Ella announces, looking up from her phone. “You two go ahead.”
“We could all wait,” I suggest. It seems rude to leave her alone and run off with Finn.
“We’ll catch up,” she assures us. “My hair needs to finish drying, anyway.”
I look at Finn, who shrugs. “Sam’s always late. I don’t mind heading out right away. We could do a warmup loop and meet back up here to go on a longer trail together.”
Ella doesn’t look like she’s interested in much beyond increasing her caffeine intake by ordering a latte from the chalet coffee shop, so I go with Finn.
“We can start with the low trail. It’s easy but scenic,” he suggests once our skis are on.
“Lead the way.”
Finn takes off with a lithe grace that has me feeling all kinds of feelings. It’s like I can almost see those muscles rippling, even under his winter jacket. He shoots effortlessly through the forest, like some woodland god.
A god, that’s what Finn is.
I’m more like a troll. A bumbling, awkward troll. I can’t imagine how bad his parental visits must be if he thinks it’s better to spend a morning watching me struggle on the trails. The first time I fall, it’s terrifying: I’m picking up speed down a slope one moment and the next I’m hurtling face-first into the snow. Every time after—well, at least Finn finds it entertaining.
“You lean into it,” he tries to instruct me. “Keep your center of gravity low.”
“I am leaning,” I argue, “but my skis are so much faster than my body.”
“Impossible.” He taps his ski pole against his foot. “Your skis are attached to your body.”
“I don’t understand how you stay upright with a hill and a turn,” I huff, trying to brush the snow out of my jacket, where it’s currently freezing my neck.
“So when you said that you’ve been skiing everyday—?” He lifts his brows, waiting for my answer.
“We go on the flat lake like civilized people,” I grumble, finally getting my right foot free so that I can untangle myself and get to my feet.
He laughs. “But snow looks so good on you.”
I look up, preparing a haughty retort. The words fall away as I see the expression on his face. One of those half-smiling, I-know-what-I-want kind of looks. The kind that directly precedes a guy leaning in and doing something about the budding attraction between us…except that he merely glances down at our skis with an amused huff. My heart twinges with disappointment when he slides backwards instead to give me space to put my ski back on. I take off my mittens to tighten the laces on my boot.
“How much farther do you want—” Finn’s words fall away abruptly.
I look up curiously from my crouched position and see his face has turned unnaturally white.
“Finn, what is?—?”
“ Rune, don’t move . No, don’t turn your head. Stay still.” His voice is low, quiet, and laced with what I think might be fear. Which makes me start to freak out.
I tense, all senses on full alert as I do my best to imitate a statue. My knit winter hat muffles my hearing somewhat, but I catch the soft crunch of something walking in the snow behind me. It sounds slow…and big.
It can’t be a bear, right? Those hibernate in the winter.
What is it , I want to scream, but Finn’s finger is on his lips. His jaw is tight, his whole body tense as his eyes move from me to—whatever is behind me. Dear God, please don’t let him be contemplating whether he should just glide away and leave me here. I am fully helpless with just one ski on.
No, I’m sure he’s not thinking that, but—I already know I’m doomed. It will take a solid ten seconds before I can even get my boot connected to my ski again. Maybe it would be faster to just take the other one off? But then what? I can’t fucking run through the deep snow.
I’ve begun shaking from the cold that’s seeped into my bones just as the sound of the footsteps pauses. Since I’m going to either die of cold or from that Thing that I can’t see, I decide to risk turning my head. If I’m about to be eaten, I want to know what is going to eat me.
Standing no more than forty feet away, taking up the entire width of the trail, is a huge bull moose.
I might not live in northern Minnesota, but I’ve seen pictures of these things before. None of the pictures prepared me for the sheer size of a moose in real life. It’s far bigger than a horse; its shoulders must be taller than my head by two feet. And it’s staring at me. It knows damn well that I’m here.
I can barely breathe. If a moose attacks, I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to go hide behind a tree. But I won't be able to move with these skis. I'll just…die. Trampled to death by a moose. All because I wanted to go skiing with Finn. Fuck my life.
I guess the bright side is that Finn will likely survive. He can probably out-ski the animal, especially if I'm between them, acting as a distraction. The thought is strangely calming.
The moose turns its head, as if debating its next course of action. Then, after what could be a minute or an hour, it gives a low snort and trots away. It’s out of sight in seconds, lost behind a thick grove of spruce.
I’m still staring at the place where it disappeared when I hear the slide of Finn’s skis closing the short distance between us. Seconds later, his skis are off and he’s down on his knees, pulling me into his arms and pinning me tight to his chest.
“Fucking hell, Rune,” he mutters, before putting me at arm’s length. His wide eyes scan my body, as if looking for some injury even though I literally just crouched on the ground like a terrified mouse.
“I’m fine,” I assure him, my voice a little breathless. Maybe because of the freakiness of the giant moose or maybe because my face is inches from Finn’s.
“Thank God,” he breathes and then his lips are on mine.