“Is that near the place we’re staying at?”
Erin shook her head. “We’re going a bit further north. Near Carnelian Bay,” she said. “I think Jax’s uncle owns the resort we’re staying at.”
“Oh.” At the mention of Jax’s name, I instinctively turned my head over my shoulder to look at him. He was sitting at the back of the bus with Brent, Carter, and Aiden from the football team.
As soon as my gaze landed on him, his eyes snapped up to meet mine. His brows lifted, and his lips curved in a knowing smirk.
My cheeks instantly flushed hot, and I spun back around in my seat. We’d been on this bus for two hours and I’d found myself turning to look at Jax eight times already. This was the second time he’d caught me.
It was early afternoon by the time we drew close to the Lake Tahoe area. The pines growing on the edge of the road started showing up in denser clusters, and the vacation homes went from small cabins to enormous two-story houses with wraparound decks. A ski resort flew past us on the right, its slopes dotted with flecks of white.
“You were right,” I said, whipping my head around to look at Erin. “There’s already snow up here.”
She leaned past me and looked out the window with a smug expression on her face. “Well, I hate to say I told you so, but…”
I jokingly elbowed her. “You love saying it.”
“Yeah, I do.” She grinned and sat up straight. “Hey, there’s the sign for Tahoe City. We’re getting close.”
Twenty minutes later, the bus turned into a winding road that stretched deep into the pines. We passed a handful of wooden outbuildings and hulking boathouses that hugged the lakeshore. The road made a sharp turn to the left and headed up a slope, and the guest chalets began to appear in front of us; two-story stone and timber buildings with snowcapped roofs, double-height glass windows, and enormous pine trunks serving as pillars.
Once we were all off the bus, we made our way to our assigned chalets. I was sharing with Erin and four girls from the school orchestra—Jessica, Prue, Simi, and Tracey. They were all nice, and none of them had bullied me in the past. They never stood up for me, either, but I couldn’t blame them for that. They were all afraid of becoming the next target, so they remained silent and turned a blind eye to everything that went on. An age-old story.
Inside, our chalet was spacious and warm with an electric fireplace, rustic antler chandeliers, and a fully-stocked kitchen. Through the glass doors at the back lay an enormous wooden deck with a hot tub.
After I found my room and unpacked a few things, I returned to the living room downstairs and helped Erin figure out how to turn the fire on. The other girls busied themselves fetching drinks and bowls from the kitchen for all the candy we’d brought with us.
When the fire was roaring in the hearth, I let out a satisfied groan and reclined on the nearest couch. “This is perfect,” I said. “All I need now is a good book and I’ll be set for the rest of the day.”
Erin peered through the window next to us. “You know, if it snows again tonight, there might be enough for us to go skiing tomorrow.”
“I just checked the local ski app,” Jessica said from the couch opposite us. “There’s already enough.”
While the girls chatted about skiing and snowboarding, I found an e-book on my phone and lost myself in the first chapter. My reverie was disturbed by a text from Jax fifteen minutes later.
Jax:Hey, didn’t get a chance to talk to you on the bus. How’s your cabin?
Me:You call these things cabins?? Haha it’s bigger than my old house! Loving the fire and the hot tub though. So cool.
Jax:Maybe chalet is a better word. Anyways, we’re having a party at ours tonight. Are you going to come? We’re in the building up the hill with the bear statue out the front.
Me:Thanks for the invite, but I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll curl up in front of this fire and read all night. The dream :)
Jax:Just go and have a nap for a few hours. Party doesn’t start till 9.
“Um, since when do you smile at texts?” Erin asked, gently kicking at my leg from her side of the couch. “Who are you talking to?”
I ignored the rising heat in my cheeks and shrugged noncommittally. “It’s just Jax. He’s having a party tonight.”
Prue’s head shot up. “Jax is having a party?” she said through a mouthful of candy. “Are we invited?”
“I’ll ask him,” Erin said in a mischievous tone, snatching my phone away from me.
“Hey!” I protested, swatting at her hands.
She returned the phone to me a few seconds later, cheeks reddening. “I swear he’s psychic or something,” she said.
I glanced down at my screen. Jax had sent another message.I know Erin is probably reading this over your shoulder. So yes, Erin, you’re invited too ;) Everyone is.