“What? Why? That was amazing.” Owen beams.
“I kinda like my bones not shattered.” I laugh.
“Fine, suit yourself.” He shrugs. “I’m gonna go grab the sled.”
“Okay.” I smile, watching him leap through the deep snow and make his way to the tree line.
Spinning around, I search the top of the hill for Hardy, but I don’t see him. Did he leave us here? Is he still mad about what I said this morning? I mean, doesn’t he have a right to be? I pretty much told him that he tricked me into our threesome and that I regretted being with him. My shoulders slump as I let out a long sigh, why did I say that?
Why did I lie?
“Ready to climb back up there? It’s a lot harder going up than coming down.” Owen stops at my side, the sled coming to a standstill behind him.
“Ugh, yeah. I don’t think we really thought this through.” I groan, tilting my head back to look up to the top.
“Ahh, it’s not so bad. At least the company is good.” He grins and his dimples shine through.
He’s got that right.
The snow crunches under our boots as we climb back up next to the track we jet-setted down. My legs feel heavy and my heart starts beating harder as I try to keep up with Owen. He’s so tall, his steps are easily two of mine. But that’s not the only thing, he’s in such great shape, he just bounds up toward the top like he’s a bottomless pit of energy.
I’d like to help him burn off some of that.
The thought surprises me for a second. I try to tell myself that it’s just a silly, stray thought left over from last night. It doesn’t mean anything, right? But I know different.
I’m starting to overheat and it’s not just from this little cardio session in the snow. I unbutton my canary-yellow jacket and let it fall down my arms until I’m free from it. I gather it over my forearm and relish in the cool breeze swirling over my body. We’re almost there. Just a few more steps to the top and I still don’t see Hardy anywhere.
Splat!
An explosion of cold smacks the side of my body. It takes me a full second to realize that a snowball just hit me.
“Hey!” I yell out, scanning the hilltop until I spot Hardy. He’s got a huge pile of snowballs at his feet. He leans over, grabbing two more and gets Owen right in the face. Another one is lobbed at me and smashes against my thigh.
“Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be, huh?” Owen yells out and grabs a big mound of snow, packing it tight between his hands. “Let’s do this!” He flings the snowball, and it smacks Hardy right in the chest.
“Snowball fight!” Hardy bellows and all gloves are off. Owen and I scoop snow up quickly making as many balls as we can. I can’t hit the broad side of a barn, so I hand mine off to Owen who attacks Hardy with precision.
Owen lifts the sled, turning it lengthwise across our bodies, like a shield as I make snowballs and hand them off to him as quick as possible. Hardy has the advantage though, he’s stockpiled a bunch of snowballs and only has to pluck them from his feet and take aim. Owen leads us closer, using the toboggan to protect us as we close in on Hardy. I can’t help but laugh.
I can’t remember the last time I had a good old-fashioned snowball fight like this. We close the distance between us and him and Hardy isn’t willing to back off. He doesn’t want to just abandon of the pre-made snowballs, so he stands strong against them pelting him. Most of the ones Hardy throws hit our sled although a few do explode over our bodies and another one smacks Owen right in the face.
“Arrr!” Owen yells and we charge Hardy. Our shield is abandoned, dropping at my feet in the snow as Owen dives at Hardy’s feet and knocks him over. I run to what’s left of Hardy’s pile and start pelting them with the snowballs.
“Hey, no fair.” Owen laughs. “You and I are supposed to be on the same team.”
“All’s fair in love and war,” I answer, raining snowballs down on them.
“Is that so?” Hardy smirks and then lunges up, grabbing my arms, he pulls me down with them.
At first, I struggle to get back to my feet, but all I manage to do is wiggle back and forth between them until I’m locked between their strong arms again.
“Well, lookie here, I think I’ve captured a prisoner of war,” Hardy murmurs. “What do you think we should do with her, Owen?” He glances past me to his friend.
“Hmm, I mean, I would’ve said to let her go until she double-crossed me.” Owen’s voice drops and a shiver runs through me. But I’m not the least bit cold. “Now I think we might need to teach her a lesson.” He runs his hands down to the curve of my waist and shamelessly grinds against my ass.