I head back to the bar after inhaling my martini. I'm paying for my next damn drink.
Kade walks over to the door and grabs his discarded ski stuff that is hanging up on the hooks. He glances over his shoulder at me, but I could care less about seeing the pity in his eyes. I'm no one's charity case. I never should have been.
"So, are you two... friends or enemies?" a smooth voice asks from my side.
I turn to see Courtney's brother grinning at me. He's sexy but not really wetting my appetite. He's not a substitute for Kade by any means.
"Me and Kade?" I ask, playing coy.
He smirks and nods as he looks over toward his sister and my... roommate.
"Yes. You and Kade."
"Just friends. He thinks I'm helpless, but I'm not. I can manage a night by myself. You guys have a good time. I think I'm going to chill here instead of going back to the house."
"Here?" he asks, seeming all the more amused. "Why not just come with us? I could help you."
I chuckle and shake my head. "Had you seen me earlier, you'd rescind that offer. I truly am the worst skier ever. I think skiing needs to stay a rich sport, and girls like me need to stay away."
His eyebrow cocks up as a deeper grin forms.
"Not from money? I could have sworn you were the richest girl here. After all, you risked freezing just to stay fashionably dressed."
He appraises me, shamelessly running his eyes over me.
"I'm inside a lodge, not outside in a cave. It's not like I was risking frostbite. Right now, I just want to get a few drinks, maybe enjoy a game of pool, and then I'll head back. It was nice meeting you, Lyle."
His grin never falters. "Ah. I'm being dismissed. I see. Well, Raya, it was lovely meeting you. I plan to see you again... real soon."
Kade doesn't say anything as he ducks out of the lodge. I ignore that. It hurts, but I knew this day would come. I kept expecting to find some random girl in the house, or see him walking out to head off on a date, but it never happened. I should have known this rich setting would take him back to his roots. He's been slumming it for too long.
Lyle turns around and offers me a warm smile before leaving with the rest of them. Tag seems preoccupied with the blonds at the table, and Wren and Erica seem excited to get back out on the slopes. I felt like I fit in when we got here. Now I couldn't feel more like an outsider.
Mr. and Mrs. Colton left shortly after I got back. I didn't bother telling Margaret how wrong she had been about Kade and me. Instead, I settled onto the couch and made it my bitch for a solo movie night.
Just as the sun starts to set, there's a knock at the door. Crap. Someone is here to visit the Colton family, and I'm the only one in the house.
The windows are stretched across the front, offering nothing but ridiculously perfect views, so when I round the corner, I see the mystery guest.
Lyle.
He's smiling and leaning against the railing of the porch as I near the door. When I open it, I offer him my best, cordial grin.
"Lyle. Are you here to see Margaret and Paul?"
"Nope. I'm here to take you out. Come on. There's a bar just down the road that I think you'll like better than the stuffy lodge. It has the best nightlife."
I tilt my head. "You want to take me to a bar?" I ask incredulously.
"I'd love to take you to the bar. Now grab your coat and boots."
I sigh, but I'd rather go out than sit here looking like a pathetic loser when Kade gets back with Courtney. Maybe he'll stay at her place instead of making me endure whatever they decide to do for the night.
"Okay," I murmur while slipping back into my boots and jacket. I shiver against the cold when I walk out, but I refuse to look like a marshmallow. Especially now that I've seen how incredible Courtney looks despite the fluffy layers.
After I lock up, Lyle puts his hand on the small of my back as he leads me down the stairs. We make idle conversation about the different aspects of Aspen. He does well to not mention Kade or Courtney to me. Smart guy.
He holds the door open for me to climb into his Audi SUV. It takes him a few seconds before he joins me.