The Slope Rules Read online

  Luke throws his arm around my shoulder. “No worries. I’m not so bad that I can’t wait until later.” Blake snorts and Luke smiles. “But we’re leaving soon, right?”

  I burst out laughing, and it’s like months of tension and stress fade away. Hanging out with the Snow Bunnies is okay but I can never relax. But these guys—Blake and his friends—they’re like my friends back home. No pretense, no worrying about what anyone else thinks, they’re just being themselves.

  Blake nudges my side with his elbow. “That looks good on you.”

  I tilt my head in question.

  “Your smile.”

  Ian jumps on Luke and puts him in a headlock. “I don’t think we’re needed here.”

  Luke’s voice is muffled through Ian’s sleeve. “See ya, Cally! Thanks for the party!”

  They stumble around the corner to the front of the house, leaving us alone. My nerves come back in full force. Is he gonna kiss me? He hasn’t finished explaining but he looks so good and he’s so close and—

  “I should probably get going.”

  The butterflies come to a screeching halt, slamming into my chest. “Does he really need to smoke that bad?”

  He looks at the corner of the house. Sounds of them wrestling in the front yard drift toward us. “Nah, but there’s another party they want to go to.” He pauses. “I made them come here first.”

  I drift closer to him. “I’m glad you did.”

  He clears his throat and his voice is suddenly hoarse. “Me too.” He takes another step closer and I’m in his arms, my face buried against his chest.

  This feels so right. Why have we waited so long?

  Oh right. Because he’s ignored me since I’ve been here.

  As much as I hate to, I pull away.

  “See you tomorrow?”

  Did I miss him asking me out? “Uhh...”

  “You’re going to Eldora, right?”

  “Oh, right. Yeah.” I’m supposed to be riding with the Bunnies, but I’m guessing that’s not happening.

  His mouth opens as if he’s going to say something, but then he closes it.

  “I usually meet up with Amber at the terrain park after a couple runs.”

  “Cool. Maybe I’ll see you there.” Not exactly the profession of love I was hoping for, but it’s better than where we were twelve hours ago. He pulls me against his chest and holds me for a moment before brushing his lips against my cheek. “Bye, Cally.”

  I’m still standing in the dark long after he’s gone, arms wrapped tightly around myself.

  When I go back inside, almost everyone is gone. “How long were we out there?” I mutter to myself. The few kids left in the living room stand when I enter. “Thanks for coming, guys.” Before long the house is empty and I’m still reeling from my conversation with Blake. This is what I wanted but I’d begun to think it was never going to happen.

  I bend over to pick up trash off the floor and my bladder screams at me. “I can do this later.” I head to the bathroom but pause in the hallway. The door to Dad’s study is open a crack. “I thought he was in the basement.” I stick my head inside.

  He’s not there.

  I whip around toward the living room, but nothing has changed from two seconds ago.

  Who was in here?

  I step inside and look around. Nothing looks different—notebooks balance on one corner of the desk, magazines on the other, and an old hoodie hangs from the back of the chair—but I never pay enough attention to notice if anything’s out of place. His leather-bound notebook with all his beer recipes is the only thing that’s always with him and—

  My stomach drops to the floor.

  It’s not on his desk.

  I scan the bookshelves, the floor, the stack of boxes in the corner, but it’s not there. Sweat beads on my upper lip. It’s got to be here. But it’s not.

  Maybe he brought it downstairs.

  I close the door firmly behind me and gallop down the basement stairs.

  Dad’s stretched out on the beat-up leather sofa watching a movie. “Miss me already?”

  I take a deep breath. “Do you have your notebook?”

  He twists into a sitting position and rests his feet on the floor, face serious. “No.”

  My skin goes clammy. “Are you sure?”

  “What’s going on?”

  “The door to your office was open a crack and when I went to say hi you weren’t there and I didn’t see your notebook.”

  He stands and rests a hand on my arm. “I’m sure it’s fine. I put it in a drawer before your friends got here.”

  I’m halfway up the stairs before I hear him behind me. I race down the hall, fling open the door, and yank open the top drawer. Then the next. Then the drawers on the other side.

  No notebook.

  Dad moves next to me, his hand hovering over the open drawer. “It was here.” The color drains from his face and his mouth sets in a firm line.

  My heart beats erratically. I run my hands through my hair, scanning the room for the hundredth time.

  “How well do you know the kids who were here tonight?”

  “I’ve been here a month.”

  “Who would want to take my notebook? How would they even know what it is?”

  My breath catches. “Brianna.”

  “Who?”

  “Her dad owns Mischief.”

  His hands go to his hair, gripping like it’s the only thing keeping him under control. “And you’re friends with her?”

  A horrible, sinking feeling makes me sway on my feet.

  Social calendar my ass.

  My voice is a whisper. “The party was her idea.”

  Did she take it?

  She’s the only person with a reason.

  It’s after midnight—two A. M. Sophia’s time—but there’s no way I could sleep without talking to her. I pace my room, mind scrambling for an explanation other than Brianna, but nothing else makes sense. Yes, she’s a royal bitch, but I didn’t figure her for a thief.

  Do you think her dad put her up to it?

  No way she did it on her own.

  That’s messed up.

  I can’t imagine Dad ever asking me to do something like that. Half the time he feels guilty that I spend as much time in a brewery as I do—there’s no way he’d recruit me to be his spy.

  I flop facedown on my bed. He didn’t lose the recipe since he’s already brewed the first batch, but what if Mischief somehow comes out with it first? A fresh wave of panic rolls through me. How many other brewery secrets are in there?

  Yawn.

  Sorry. I’ll let you go.

  Wait! What about Mr. B man?

  Blake. I’d almost forgotten about him. Anger at Brianna bubbles hotter for ruining my good mood.

  He came. We talked. He hugged me. Twice.

  Sounds hot.

  I remember how cold it was outside and giggle. Totally G-rated.

  Next time?

  Fingers crossed. He said why he lied but I feel like there’s more he’s not telling me.

  But at least you talked...

  Yeah.

  And he’s still smoking hot?

  If I close my eyes I can almost feel his arms around me. Mm-hmm.

  Colorado is good for your game.

  I snort. We’ll see.

  Passing out. Keep me posted.

  Night.

  xoxo.

  ***

  The next morning I’m a jumble of nerves. Dad’s waiting for me in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand, the lack of a notebook by his side like a missing limb.

  I hang my head. “Morning.”

  He takes in my long underwear and moisture-wicking shirt. “Are those girls still picking you up?” The distaste in his voic
e when he says ‘those girls’ makes me cringe.

  “Doubtful.”

  “I could bring you.”

  “Dad, you’re not driving me halfway across Colorado.” I sit in the chair across from him.

  “It’s half an hour away.”

  “Still. I’m sure I can get a ride from someone else.” I scroll through my phone, but my list of Colorado friends is sadly lacking. I hesitate over Evan’s name. I don’t want to encourage him, but he lives right around the corner...

  I fire off a text before I change my mind. Got room for one more this morning?

  He writes back almost immediately. For you, anything.

  So much for not encouraging him.

  Dad takes a sip of coffee. “I don’t like you being friends with girls like that.”

  I smile weakly. “If it helps, I don’t think we’re friends anymore.”

  “This could have serious consequences for Calliope. I’m planning the opening around this new beer and if our debut looks like a rip-off of the local competition, no one will take us seriously.” He levels his gaze at me. “We have a lot invested here and I don’t want to have to go back to Vermont with my tail between my legs.”

  Go back to Vermont? A thousand thoughts leap to mind. I could go home. To Sophia and my friends and the ski team and our house and—

  But the expression on his face tells me to swallow all that. “Is that really a possibility?”

  “Nothing in business is ever guaranteed. Henry and I felt like the time was right but negative press can undo even the best laid plans.”

  “Well, shit.”

  “You said it.”

  I stare at my hands, sorting through my thoughts. As much as I’d love to go back to my old life, it feels like that’s already in the past. Of course Sophia will always be my best friend, but the rest of it... I’m not so sure. I may not have things figured out here but Boulder is my world now. Amber is cool, and if I keep working on Mike I bet I could convince her to break away from the Snow Bunnies and things would be almost okay.

  One final thought bumps against my heart.

  Blake.

  Moving back to Vermont now that we’re finally talking could shatter my heart even worse.

  Dad opens a drawer and pulls out a pen and notepad and sets them in front of me. “Can you write down the names of the kids who were here last night?”

  “Like a suspect list?”

  He shrugs. “I’m not going to call any parents—yet—but Google should help me narrow down who could have taken it.”

  As much as I’d love for it to be someone random, in my heart I know it’s Brianna.

  I write her name at the top of the list.

  ***

  An hour later I’m crammed in the backseat of Evan’s SUV. I figured I wouldn’t hear from Brianna, so I was surprised when Mike texted me to give me a heads up.

  He catches my eye in the rearview mirror. “You sure you’re okay back there?”

  “Just perfect.” Reece is in the front passenger seat, so I’m wedged between Austin and Evan’s younger brother Andy.

  Evan tried to make Andy ride bitch, but I convinced him that since I have the shortest legs it made more sense for me to be in the middle. Over the years I’ve gotten so good at avoiding riding on the left side of the car that people don’t even realize I’m doing it.

  Andy was happy to keep his seat and I was a little embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even know Evan had a brother, although I recognize him from school. And he, apparently, has noticed me. Every time we hit a bump he not-so-accidentally brushes his arm against me. He’s managed to hit my boob three times and as I lock eyes with Evan I decide that if Andy does it again he’s gonna accidentally get my elbow in his nose.

  “Andy, lay off my girl.”

  His girl?

  Andy tucks his arm closer to his side and gives me a crooked grin. They’re only a year apart but I get the feeling Andy’s going to pass Evan in the charm department. As soon as he learns to control his elbows.

  Reece turns around to face me. “I told you the middle is the best place to be.”

  I roll my eyes and nudge Andy. “So I hear you’re going to be an uncle.”

  Andy looks at me in surprise, then realization dawns on his face. “Ha, Dolly. That dog almost gets more action than I do.” He nudges me on purpose this time. “Almost.”

  I roll my eyes.

  When we arrive at Eldora, only the first few rows of the parking lot are full.

  Andy groans as he opens the door. “I told you it’s too early for this.”

  Evan glares at him in the rearview mirror. “You wanted to come.”

  Andy rolls his eyes and hops out.

  I follow him and shut the door, coming face-to-face with Evan, who’s smiling down at me. “Sorry about him. He thinks he’s a ladies’ man.”

  “You’re just jealous!” Andy shouts from the back of the SUV.

  Color touches Evan’s cheeks.

  Is he actually blushing?

  “Anyway, are you gonna stick with us today?”

  I shrug. “Sure.” Amber texted that she’s running late and while I don’t mind skiing by myself, I miss showing off with guys.

  He touches a finger to my chin. “Don’t sound so excited.”

  I force an overly cheesy smile and punch him lightly in the arm. “I’m super-duper excited!”

  He laughs, and before I know what’s happening he’s pulling me against his chest and squeezing.

  Two things make me push him away: the memory of Mike’s sad face from last night and the fricking gorgeous specimen that is Blake. Evan’s cute, but just the thought of Blake gets my heart thrumming. I need to keep Evan strictly in the friend zone. “We gonna stand here all day or hit the slopes?”

  The guys are already halfway to the lodge, but Evan pauses as we pass Brianna’s car and gives me a mischievous smile. “You wanna leave her a love note? I really have to piss. I could...” he trails off, hand on his zipper.

  I swat at his arm. “No! God no. Just—just keep it in your pants.” I instantly blush, and I shove him forward to cover my embarrassment. He half-stumbles, laughing. We’re almost to the lodge before I ask what’s been in the back of my mind. “Isn’t she, like, your leader or something? That’s the second time in two days you’ve made a comment like that.”

  “Bri’s a bitch and we all know it.”

  “So why do you hang out with her?”

  He shrugs, and I suddenly realize I’ve ventured into Mike territory.

  “Never mind, forget it.”

  “Nah, it’s cool. Austin has an on-again, off-again thing with her, plus our parents are all friends. You know how it works.” His assumption that because I’m a quote-unquote rich kid I automatically understand the intricacies of extreme wealth makes me feel a little dirty. We may have money, but I’m not one of them.

  “Sure, I get it.” I adjust my skis on my shoulder and spit the rest out before I can change my mind. “But isn’t it... isn’t it weird hanging around Mike?”

  His head swivels toward me, surprise on his face, but he recovers quickly. “She told you?”

  “Yeah.” We’re already at the lodge but it’s now or never. “And I gotta tell you, as the new girl, I’m not big on getting in the middle of whatever was or is going on there.”

  He rests his gear against the racks and holds the door open for me. I set mine next to his and head inside. Austin, Reece, and Andy already have their street shoes off and tossed in a cubby. “You gonna talk all day or what?” Reece shouts over the heads of people putting on their gear. I grab an open spot on a bench and quickly change into my ski boots and set my everyday boots near the guys’ and follow them outside.

  The sun’s still making its way through the crisp morning sky. The air is still, and I know I’
ll be sweating after a couple runs.

  Evan maneuvers so we’re on the chairlift together but doesn’t answer me until we’re fifty feet in the air. “I didn’t know you knew about us.”

  Us. “She told me a couple weeks ago.” I slide my gloved hands back and forth across the safety rail. “You’re a really cool guy and all but—”

  “You that worried about what Bri would say?”

  “Brianna? No. She actually encouraged me to—” I shake my head. “Never mind. I’m worried about Mike. She’s my only friend at school and I don’t want to jeopardize that since—” I stop. He doesn’t know Mike still likes him and while I’d love to play cupid, it’s not my place to butt in.

  “Since what?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Is this about Blake?”

  My head whips to face him and I blurt “What?!” before I catch myself.

  He smiles, eyes not meeting mine. “Just curious.”

  Heat goes beyond my cheeks and runs straight to the tips of my toes.

  “Blake’s a good guy. I mean, he’s not me, but you could do worse.”

  Never in a million years did I imagine I’d be on a chairlift with Evan talking about Blake. Isn’t there a rule about your crushes—or past crush and love-of-your-life—not knowing about each other? Or at least not openly acknowledging the whole feelings thing?

  “Brianna warned me away from him my first day of school.”

  He snorts. “Figures.”

  I cock my head.

  “She had the hots for him back in middle school but he blew her off. I never knew exactly what happened but one minute she was following him around like a lost puppy and the next he was at the top of her shit list.”

  “Huh.” So maybe Blake’s wrong about the whole money thing. Maybe Brianna’s just holding onto the world’s longest grudge.

  “I don’t let her dictate who I’m friends with.” He shrugs, then finally faces me. “And you shouldn’t either.”

  “Did you just give me your blessing?”

  A huge smile spreads across his face and he rests his hand over mine. “I must be delirious. Forget what I said. Go out with me tonight.”

  I laugh. A few lazy butterflies kick around in my belly, but they quickly settle down. “Save it, Romeo.” Being friends with Evan will be so much easier without the uncertainty of what might happen between us.