Early in the morning, on Sunday, when it was still dark outside, my dad came into my room and sat down on my bed. He put his hand on my back, gently shaking me awake, and said, “There’s someone here to see you. But I think you should shower first before I let them up.”
I groaned.
When I didn’t move, he said, “I’ll let them up anyway, but I’m pretty sure you’d rather be showered when I do. You’re not smelling so great these days.” He helped me out of bed. I grudgingly walked over to the bathroom and took a shower. Once again, I realized it felt really nice, and I wondered why I didn’t do it more often.
I returned to my room, throwing on leggings and a sweatshirt. After some time, my dad knocked on the door. “Are you decent? Can I let your guest in?”
“Yes,” I replied, sitting on my bed
He opened the door and Blake walked in. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest at the sight of him. I did a double take, not believing that not only was he in my house while my parents were home, but my father had also willingly brought him to my room.
He looked at me and said, “Glad to see you’re still alive.” I smiled. He came over and pulled me up. “Come on, I’m taking you on a trip.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“It’s my birthday, so you have to do whatever I want.” He smirked. “Well, okay, I won’t make you do what I really want, as tempting as it is. I’ll give you some time to heal before I really start pushing that agenda again. But, anyway, pack your bags. We’re going skiing.”
“It’s your birthday?” I frowned. “Now I feel bad, I didn’t get you a gift after you gave me such a thoughtful one on mine.”
“You have until midnight to get me a gift, so you still have time. For the record, I prefer the kind where you’re naked and on your knees.” He winked at me. “Now, come on, time is of the essence. Pack whatever you need for two days of skiing. And a bathing suit.”
“My parents are okay with me going on an overnight trip with you?” I asked. “How did you get them to approve of that?”
“Your father and I had a nice chat, and I let him know it will be a whole group of us. I do have other friends as well, in case you didn’t know. Also, I promised him you’d have your own bedroom.”
I was still shocked. It wasn’t like my parents to agree to something like this. I pulled a duffel bag out of my closet and began throwing different clothing into it while Blake sat on my bed, looking at his phone. When I was done, Blake took my bag and we went downstairs where my dad had already pulled out my skis and ski boots. Blake took the ski boots and my dad took the skis and ski poles, and they loaded everything into the trunk of Blake’s SUV. I threw on a winter coat and some snow boots and went outside where Blake had already opened the passenger door for me.
We drove about an hour to get to a house he had rented in Stowe, a ski resort town in Vermont. Blake grabbed both of our bags from the trunk and brought them inside. He took me up to a bedroom and dropped my bag inside it.
“Now get dressed to go skiing and I’ll introduce you to everyone that’s here.” He closed the door behind me, and I heard his steps disappear down the hall.
I quickly threw on some snow pants over my leggings and changed my sweatshirt for something lighter. I exited the bedroom looking around. It was a very cozy house, decorated in a wood and nature theme, with several bedrooms. I walked down the stairs where I found a bunch of people congregated.
Blake walked down right behind me and took my hand to bring me over to everyone. “You know Jack, and apparently you have a brother named Tyler?” He raised his eyebrow at me. “Every time I turn around, I learn something new about you.”
“To be fair, I didn’t know I had a brother either until a few days ago,” I replied.
He brought me over to a couple that I had seen around the pack before, but I didn’t know their names. “This is my friend Zach from school and his mate Kim.” They both waved at me. Zach was tall with curly brown hair and Kim was petite with dirty blonde hair. He then turned me to another couple that also looked familiar. “This is my friend Brooke from school, and her mate, Tim.”
I noted that Brooke was very beautiful, with olive skin, dark hair that fell over her back in ringlets, and green eyes. I suddenly wondered how close of friends they’d been. Her mate Tim was also very handsome, but not quite in the same league as Blake. They both put their hands out to shake mine. He then led me over to two other guys. “This is Charlie, and this is Pat.” He pointed them each out. “Both unmated.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Jasmine.” Charlie smiled at me, shaking my hand. He was a tall redhead. “Blake does it again. When’s he finally going to share his tempting conquests with us?”
“Pleasure, Jasmine,” Pat took my hand next. He was average height with sandy blond hair. “Don’t mind Charlie. He’s just jealous. He doesn’t have Blake’s game.” He laughed.
I looked between the two of them, feeling nervous.
“Be nice.” Blake looked at them and then pulled me away. We all piled into our cars to drive over to the mountain. Once we arrived, we put on our ski boots, bought tickets, and took a gondola to get over to the base of the mountain.
I spent the morning skiing with Blake and his friends. Blake stayed with me the whole time, staying close by me as we went down the mountain and sharing the chairlift with me. As we were sitting together, being lifted up one of the mountains, Blake leaned over and asked, “How are you feeling, Jasmine? I’ve been worried. You never responded to any of my texts.”
I looked down. “Sorry, I just didn’t have the energy to reply.”
“Well, you’re doing great skiing today.” He smiled. “Although not a big fan of those snow pants. The leggings were much better, definitely.”
We broke for lunch. Blake deposited me at a table with the other girls while he and the guys went up to buy lunch. Brooke moved closer to me and said, “You’re definitely quieter than the others.”
“The others?” I asked.