He stares at me a beat, without speaking, and I realize I’ve just suggested the two of us hang out. “I meant you should ask Felix to do it with you. Fair warning, he’ll get bored ten minutes into the walk.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” His gaze drops to my book and then back up. “What about you?”
“What about me?” I squirm a little under his scrutiny.
“Which is your favorite winter activity? After reading, of course.”
“I like snowshoeing. It’s the only winter sport I don’t feel like a complete klutz.”
“You’re not klutzy.”
“Compared to Stella and Felix, I am.”
“I heard my name,” Felix says, plopping down into a chair next to Teddy. “Are you telling her how I kicked your ass on the slopes?”
“You got me,” Teddy says with a chuckle.
Stella, Lucas, and Emmett are behind Felix, and they gather around in a circle, drinking and warming up. The snow stopped and the sun is shining. It’s the type of winter weather that makes you feel like you should get out and do something, instead of sit inside (well, not me, but other people) and as soon as the guys finish their drinks, I can tell they’re antsy to get back out there.
“You ready to fall down some more?” Felix nudges Teddy.
“I’m almost dry.”
“Come on, Radford.” Felix stands. “You can’t give up yet.”
Stella jumps up, ready to go too.
“Good luck,” I say and wiggle my fingers at a reluctant looking Teddy.
“I’m gonna need it.” He slowly gets to his feet and groans, looking around the room like maybe he’s appreciating it in here like I do, then his gaze stops on me. “Staying in here looks a whole lot better.”
The guys start drinking as soon as we get back from the resort, and by the time eight o’clock rolls around, they’re ready to kick it up a notch. The liquor bottles come down and more people fill the already-cramped living area.
I’m sitting with Teddy and one of his and Felix’s teammates, Garrison, who lives nearby and drove up for the night, watching them play something on the Xbox. The rest of the guys have set up beer pong on the dining room table. The other couch is taken by a group of girls the guys met the first night—Tricia and Anna, and a couple more I haven’t been introduced to yet, and in the kitchen are more people I don’t know.
Stella is hiding in the bedroom talking to Beau, so I’m doing my best to blend in until she’s done.
“Do you need another drink?” Teddy asks as he gets up from the couch. Tonight, he’s wearing a white Valley U football hat and his dark blond hair curls around his ears.
The hard seltzer in my hand is nearly full, but I say, “Sure. Thanks.”
Anna rushes to take his spot. Her hair is long and blonde, and she smells like cotton candy. “Is he your boyfriend?”
“Teddy?” I ask, watching his back move to the fridge.
She quickly nods her head up and down like a bobblehead.
“No,” I say, and immediately regret it because her eyes gleam with excitement.
“I didn’t think so, but I wanted to be sure. Thank you!” She hurries back to her friends and tells them the good news.
I feel a prick of irritation and unease because I really don’t want to be stuck in the same house as my crush while he hooks up with another girl, but when Teddy comes back and hands me a cold can and falls into the seat next to me, I push away my annoyance and move an inch closer to him.
“Same game?” Teddy asks Garrison.
“I think I’m out. I need to move around.” Slowly, he moves his booted foot from the coffee table and grimaces.
Teddy leans back on the couch. “What’s the latest word from the doctor?”