PJ Harlowe
The ride to Beech Mountain was going surprisingly well. PJ and Max sat in the back seat of the rented Range Rover™, while Latti drove and Carla rode shotgun. Since she always had to have her way on road trips, PJ decided on the playlist. Of course, she chose yacht rock, much to Latti’s dismay. Max, however, was her partner in crime, singing along to all the tunes.
About thirty minutes into the trip, PJ could tell that her best friend’s head was going to explode if they didn’t change the music. She gave him shit, but then surprised him by switching to 90s R&B.
“Latti, you know you want to sing along with us. Let me hear you say Rosanna, Rosanna!”
“PJ, if you don’t turn that shit off, I am going to run this jeep off the side of the mountain.”
“I wish you fuckin’ would. I would haunt you for eternity singing the same song over and over again.”
“Fuck you, PJ. Just turn the shit off.”
Laughing her ass off, PJ picked up her phone and changed the playlist. Soon the smooth voice of Usher crooning about leaving his lady love permeated the vehicle causing Lattimore to smile. He loved that song and didn’t miss a beat in singing along to the tune. Everyone else chimed in and just like that, the atmosphere changed in the car. Max and PJ chair danced to the rotation of songs between stealing kisses. Thankfully, Carla had decided to remain in a good mood so there was no tension.
The scene as they arrived at the Aston Family cabin was breathtaking, as always. PJ always viewed it as if seeing it for the first time. They called it a cabin, but the term more befitting was mini mansion. It was an eight-bedroom chalet set in the side of the mountain, constructed out of natural stone that was native to the area.
“Whoa, this is your house, Lattimore?” Max asked in astonishment.
“Well, I don’t own it. It’s a family home. My grandfather had it built and when he died it passed to my father. He gives the family free reign of it though. All we have to do is ask.”
“It must be nice to have such a legacy. I never knew my mom and my dad died when I was in college.”
“Really? That sucks. It sounds like PJ’s life, except in reverse. Her dad died when she was a baby and her mom right after undergrad.”
“Yea, man, you don’t know how lucky you are to still have both of your parents.”
“That remains to be seen,” Latti mumbled poorly causing PJ to shoot him a look.
PJ had been trying her best not to think about the impending confrontation with Mr. and Mrs. Aston when they arrived. She didn’t want to start her vacation off with bad vibes, so she grabbed her bag and tugged Max down the hall.
“Come on Max, let’s claim our room and get unpacked.”
“Sounds good to me, baby.”
“Before you all disappear into your room, let’s agree to meet in the living room in twenty minutes so we can head out to the slopes,” Latti instructed.
“Fuckin’ cock blocker!” PJ teased as she dodged the throw pillow that Latti flung at her head.
After getting settled, they all dressed and headed out to the local ski lodge to have fun in the snow. There was only one problem, PJ had no idea how to ski, nor did she have the desire to learn. All she wanted to do was sip cocktails and laugh at the people who wiped out on the slopes. Everyone else in the party enjoyed skiing and were pretty good at it. What was a girl to do?
“PJ come on let’s go!” Max was excited to hit the slopes.
“Sorry, dude but I don’t feel like breaking my neck today.”
“What? You don’t know how to ski?”
“Nope. I’ve never been interested in learning. I don’t do cold weather. It’s beautiful, but in my opinion, it should be observed from the comfort of a chaise while sitting next to a blazing fireplace with a hot drink in my hand.”
“Then why the hell did you say yes to going skiing?”
“Because you and Latti wanted to go. I don’t mind sitting and watching, but I’m not a snow bunny.”
“Oh, hell naw. You’re getting your ass up and we are going tubing. I promise you’ll have a great time. It is so much fun. If you don’t have fun, I’ll do whatever you want for the rest of the time we’re here.”
“Fine, but I warn you don’t get my hair wet. I will be pissed.”
“Just put on a hat and bring that fine ass on out here.”