The Slope Rules Read online

  I level my gaze at him. “I didn’t come to Colorado to ski ONE day. We’re doing this.”

  “Okay.” He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “But promise me you’ll speak up before you do serious damage.”

  For a moment I’m left speechless because I was thinking the same thing about him. Blake’s the perfect balance of cocky, sweet, funny, and hot, but worst of all, he lives a bazillion miles away from me so there’s no way this is going to end well.

  But there’s no point in him warning me. My heart’s already in this too deep—the damage is guaranteed.

  The edges of my skis cut through the snow and the scraping sound is like music to my ears. I shift my weight to my right leg and glide toward the tree line, then shift again and cut to the opposite side of the trail. Some people look at a snow-covered mountain and see nothing but frozen tundra—I see a blank canvas that’s waiting for me to make my mark. I glance over my shoulder at Blake, who’s boarding close enough that I can see the look of concentration on his face but not so close that we’ll crash into each other.

  He smiles when he sees me watching him and I crouch into a tuck to propel myself faster down the mountain. Tubing was fun, but nothing compares to flying down a hill with a couple pieces of fiberglass strapped to your feet. Or in Blake’s case, one giant piece of fiberglass.

  The swoosh of his board cutting through the snow gets louder, so I tuck my body even closer to my legs. Everything in my peripheral vision goes out of focus as I concentrate on the trail ahead of me—trees become a blur, there’s a flash of neon blue and red as we pass a much slower couple, then the green of Blake’s jacket as he passes me.

  “Hey!” He must be hauling ass to pass me. I’m not going my absolute fastest, but not even Hunter can pass me on a board.

  Blake banks hard and a spray of snow showers twenty feet past him as he comes to a stop. I lift my heels and twist my body so both skis slam hard into the side of the hill, covering the ground between us with snow.

  He flips his goggles on top of his helmet and nods at my fresh powder. “You missed.”

  I return his smile and remove my goggles as I glide next to him. “I meant to.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet.” He presses a gloved hand to his chest and pulls me to his side with the other. “How’s your knee?”

  I bend both knees and try to ignore the twinge that shoots up my leg. I clench my jaw. “Pretty good.”

  “Liar.”

  I turn my head so I’m looking into his eyes.

  “I saw that look on your face. It hurts.”

  “Okay, maybe a little, but it’s not like we’re doing anything crazy. I haven’t even tried to do a jump.”

  He pulls off a glove and touches his fingers to my cheek. The warmth is like a blast from the sun against my cold cheeks and my eyelids drift closed. Is he going to kiss me again? I feel his breath on my ear as he leans close. “I’m trying to spare you from another walk of shame.”

  My eyelids fly open. His smile is inches from my face but instead of kissing him, I push off his chest and turn my skis down the hill. “You’ll have to catch me before I get on that sled again!” I tuck into my racing stance—skis straight, elbows in—and don’t look back until I see the chairlift up ahead.

  Blake comes to a stop next to me, off to the side of the line, and shakes his head. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

  I don’t know what to say to that. Good? You must not get out much? Have you been hiding under a rock most of your life? Because I may be a good skier, but I’m not all that.

  He unhooks one foot and hop-slides over to me. He rests his hands on my shoulders and looks into my eyes. “I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow.”

  A lump catches in my throat. It’s silly to get so worked up over a guy I barely know. “Aren’t you going home tomorrow, too?”

  His eyes cloud for a millisecond. “Yeah, first thing in the morning.”

  “Maybe I’ll see you at the airport. We’re leaving pretty early because Dad’s worried about the time change and getting home too late, blah blah.”

  “Oh yeah, maybe we will.” Something in his voice sounds off again, and this time I swear it’s not my imagination.

  “Is something wrong?”

  He blinks and the sparkling blues are back in full force. “It sucks we don’t have more time together.”

  “I know.”

  Before I can add anything else, he pulls me to his chest and lowers his mouth to mine. His lips are cold but soft, and they move with a gentle insistence that makes my insides turn to jelly. I slide my arms around his waist and lean into him, and he pulls me even closer.

  A high-pitched squeal breaks the spell. “Ooooohhhh!”

  I pull away and glare at a girl who looks old enough to know better than to interrupt a kiss like that. She skis after her friends, laughing. “We seem to have an issue with privacy.”

  Blake kisses the tip of my nose. “Or I need to plan our next kiss better.”

  My stomach does a somersault. Oh yes! Give me more of that! But in the meantime... “I know I said I can’t do any tricks, but this plain-Jane riding straight down is getting a little...”

  “Boring?”

  I laugh and fall against his chest. “Yes.”

  “I have an idea.”

  “Will it snap my leg off?”

  “Not if we’re careful.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  Ten minutes later we’re standing at the top of the same hill as the last run. “How is this different?”

  “Patience, grasshopper. We’re not going that way.” He nods at a narrow trail that cuts beneath the orange rope marking the boundary of the trail. “We’re going there.”

  Excitement pulses through me. Trail skiing is no joke: there’s no path, the snow can get crazy deep, and there are trees everywhere. I push myself closer to the edge. “Is this legit?”

  “Yeah, they let people—I mean, I heard some guys say these trails are killer.” He touches my arm. “Not actually killer. But, you know—”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” I take a deep breath. “Lead the way.”

  He lifts the rope so I can duck underneath, then drops to his butt to strap into his board. Once his feet are secure, he hops to his feet and plants a kiss on my lips. “We’ll go slow at first.”

  A zing of electricity races through me. I know he’s talking about skiing, but for a split second, thoughts of what we could do if we DIDN’T go slow make me wish we weren’t on top of a mountain.

  He nods at the trail. “Ready?”

  What is it about this boy that makes my senses turn to mush? I laugh in an attempt to shrug off my momentary distraction. “You can’t go flinging kisses around and expect me to remember what you asked.”

  His dimple creases his cheek as his eyes drop to my lips. “Sorry?” His voice is teasing, but his breathing is shallow, revealing that he’s as affected by me as I am by him.

  His nervousness gives me courage and this time I press my lips to his. “I’d say don’t do it again, but I don’t really mean it.” Then before he can say anything else, I smack him on the ass. “Show me what you got.”

  He stares at me for a second, a soft smile dancing on his lips, then hops forward and with one push disappears over the edge.

  It’s now or never. I push forward with my poles until the tips of my skis are hovering over the edge. Blake is ten feet ahead, waiting for me to follow. With a quick nod, I lean forward, keeping my knees loose as the ground drops beneath me. Trail skiing is totally different from groomed skiing, and I feel a rush as I sink into powder halfway to my knees. I dig my poles into the ground and bend my legs and hop—kind of like a reverse squat—to move through the deep powder. My knee shouts in protest, but I’m going so slow that it’s probably fine.

  I continue the push
-hop to gain momentum, and we fall into a steady rhythm, moving through the trees as if in slow motion. Sunlight filters through the branches, sparkling on the untouched snow and deepening the shadows beneath the evergreens. I inhale deeply, the scent of pine heavy in the air, and wish I could stay in this moment forever.

  I shout to Blake. “Hold up.”

  He throws his arm around a tree branch to stop and looks up at me. “You okay?” He bends to unstrap from his board but I stop him from hiking to me.

  “Stay there.” I maneuver toward him, unable to suppress my smile. “This is so perfect.” When I reach his side, I take off my helmet and toss it on the ground, then pop out of my skis and fall into the snow.

  He tosses his helmet next to mine and flops next to me. We roll onto our backs, staring up into the trees and the blue sky high above.

  “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  His coat rustles as he moves closer and loops his arm through mine. It’s pretty much impossible to hold hands while wearing ski gloves, and I think I like this better because more of his body is pressed against mine. “Thank you for saying yes.”

  My stomach flip-flops, then tumbles into a knot. I won’t see him after today. He’s perfect, and this is all we’ll ever have. The quiet and beauty of where we are combined with what I’m feeling nearly overwhelms me. Tears fill my eyes, threatening to spill. I wipe at my face with my free hand.

  He clears his throat. “I gotta tell you, this vacation is way better than I expected.”

  I turn my head a fraction of an inch, just enough so I can see him without making him uncomfortable by looking right at him. “For the first time in my life I’m happy I missed a trick.”

  He turns his head and smiles his dimply smile. “Me too.” He shifts so he’s on his side and my heartbeat picks up speed. This boy-crazy side of myself is new territory, but I’m determined to go with it. I slide my hand over his side to his back, holding his gaze, ready for whatever’s going to happen.

  His teeth catch his bottom lip for a second, then he lowers his head until his mouth covers mine. The kiss starts out soft and timid like before, but one sigh from me and it’s like I flipped a switch. His lips part and he nibbles the edge of my lip before gently sucking it into his mouth. I pull him closer, meeting his tongue with mine, and we sink into the snow, bodies entwined, completely lost in each other.

  It takes a while, but the sensation of being half-frozen slowly works its way up my legs. “I think I’m turning into a Popcicle.”

  He tightens his grip on me and rolls so he’s on his back and I’m lying on top of him. “Better?”

  “Considering how many layers we’re wearing, I guess it’s the best I’m gonna get.” His eyes widen and I clamp my mouth shut. I can’t believe I said that! “I mean... umm...”

  He buries his face in my neck and laughs. His warm breath makes me forget all about being cold. “I know what you mean. And Cally?”

  I look into his eyes, amazed again at how blue they are. “Yes?”

  “I wish we weren’t wearing so many layers too.”

  I close my eyes and hide my face against his chest. “Oh my god. You like embarrassing me, don’t you?”

  “If it means you hold me closer, then yes.”

  I lift my head, surprised by how serious he sounds.

  “I meant what I said before. I didn’t think someone like you would ever look twice at me.”

  I snort. “Have you seen yourself?”

  He rolls his eyes. “I’m trying to tell you something.”

  “I’m too young to get married.”

  He shakes his head, smiling. “Too bad. I was going to ask you to run away with me.”

  My heart pounds in my chest. We’re obviously not running off anywhere, but just hearing him say that makes me happier than I ever imagined. “Or maybe we could just stay here forever.”

  His gaze flicks away from me and I can’t read the expression on his face. He rolls me back to my side, then brushes a kiss across my forehead, down my cheek, finally landing on my lips.

  A shadow falls over us and I open my eyes, expecting to see someone standing above us even though we’re in the middle of nowhere, but it’s just the sun ducking behind the clouds.

  I shiver.

  “You still frozen?”

  “It’s cold without the sun.”

  His arms tighten around me. He slips off his glove and trails his fingers down the side of my face, staring into my eyes for what feels like forever until he dips his head and buries his face in my neck.

  Tears threaten but I blink them away.

  He gently kisses my cheek.

  “So that’s a no on staying here?”

  “I think your dad might have a problem with that.”

  I shrug. I don’t particularly care what my dad wants right now. I want to stay here with Blake. I tuck my face into his neck and breathe in. He smells like soap and woods and everything I want in the world.

  We lay like that until he starts shivering, then pick ourselves up and make our way back to the lodge.

  “Are you sure you have to leave already?” I rest my head against Blake’s chest. We’re leaning against his car in the parking lot of the ski place, stalling.

  Blake sighs into my hair, his embrace tightening. “I wish I could, but my parents are really big on making sure we have enough family time.”

  My heart twinges at the mention of his parents. Plural. For a moment I wish I could meet his mom, to see what she’s like—and what he’s like with her—but it won’t fill the emptiness I feel without Mom. “This sucks.” The pressure that’s been burrowed in my chest crawls its way up my throat, making it hard to breathe. I press my face harder against him. “Any chance you’ll be visiting the East Coast?”

  His voice is a whisper. “Do you want me to lie?”

  I lift my face and look into his eyes, memorizing every detail. “Of course not.”

  His lips pull into a frown, but whatever he’s thinking, he doesn’t share. “Then no. I have your number. We can text and call...” he trails off. We both know this is where it ends.

  “Right.”

  He traces his fingers down the side of my face, then cups my cheek in his palm. “Maybe... someday...” He bites his lower lip, then leans forward until his lips brush my forehead. He kisses my eyes, my cheek, and finally lands on the corner of my mouth.

  I can’t take it anymore. I don’t care that we’re standing in the middle of the parking lot. I slide my hands through his hair and pull his head to mine. Our lips part immediately—there’s no time for gentleness—and we devour each other as if our lives depend on it. He turns me so my back is against the car and presses the length of his body against mine. A warmth spreads from my belly to other, less experienced parts, and I wish for the hundredth time that we were older, that we had more time, that we had someplace to go other than a parking lot.

  When we finally come up for air, my breathing is ragged. A darkness clouds his eyes, like he’s thinking the same thing I am about going somewhere more private.

  But there’s no time.

  He kisses me once more, this time more gently, then takes a step back.

  My gaze drops to the ground. I don’t want to cry in front of him—again—but if I look at him I don’t think I can stop it. The door creaks open and I slide inside.

  The ride is too short. I feel like it’s only been seconds when he stops in front of my condo.

  His seatbelt clicks and I turn to face him. I try to speak but the lump in my throat is making it impossible.

  “I guess this is it.” He tries to smile but it comes out lopsided.

  I unfasten my seatbelt and lean toward him. We meet in the middle, arms entwined, lips brushing over each other’s face as if trying to memorize every detail.

  He pulls away first. “I’l
l get your gear.”

  I meet him at the trunk and he props my gear against the side of the car.

  “Text me when you land?”

  I nod, still unable to find my words. I kiss him once more on the cheek. “Bye,” I whisper, then grab my skis and hurry up the sidewalk. I don’t want to look back, but I have to.

  He’s standing in the same spot, his gaze locked on mine.

  I force myself to turn away. To open the door. To go inside and close it. Then I run to my room, throw myself on the bed, and finally let the tears flow.

  ***

  The doors to the airplane seal shut with a soft whoosh, but it’s like a hammer to my chest. Even though we’ve been texting since last night, I’d secretly hoped Blake would be at the airport this morning, and when I didn’t see him in security I dreamed that maybe he’d track me down at the gate, flowers in hand. A small flicker of hope burned that he’d force his way onto the plane, unable to go another second without seeing me, and kiss me in front of Dad and all the half-asleep people already in their seats. But that’s not happening either.

  The passengers around us are already in another world, eyes closed, some with earbuds firmly in place. Dad leans his head against mine, his leather brewery notebook in his lap, the faint scent of coffee lingering on his breath. “What’s on your mind?”

  He knows I’m sad to leave Blake—there was no hiding my red, swollen face when he got back from whatever he was doing yesterday—but he doesn’t know that it feels like my heart’s been ripped out and left in shreds on the terminal floor.

  “Is it Blake?”

  Okay, so maybe he has a clue. I shrug.

  “Talk to me, Cally.”

  I take a deep breath and press my fingers to the corners of my eyes. It’s like I have a bottomless cup of tears, ready to spew without warning. “It’s not fair. I finally find a boy—a funny, beautiful, sweet boy—who sees me as more than just one of the guys, and he lives on the opposite end of the country.”

  “Do you have plans to talk to him after we get home?”

  “Yeah, but what’s the point? It’s not like I’m ever going to see him again.” With those words, another piece of my heart rips off and falls to the floor. At this rate I’m going to be dead before we land.