The Hazards of Mistletoe Read online

  “That’s fine with me. Sharing a room with Laney isn’t exactly my favorite thing.”

  “Great, glad that’s settled.” Dad smiled. “And Savy, you and Laney will be fine. I bet it’s going to be a blast. No keeping everyone up with your giggling and girl talk.”

  I put my head in the palm of my hand. “I wouldn’t worry about that. We’re not twelve.”

  Dalton laughed. I got the sense he wasn’t laughing at me so it didn’t bother me.

  The drive from Denver to Vail was pretty typical. The roads were clear, and despite the extra holiday traffic it didn’t take more than two and a half hours. Even so, I had to go to the bathroom so bad by the time we reached our exit that I wasn’t sure I was going to make it.

  I couldn’t wait until we got up to our room. I ran into the lobby bathroom. Feeling much better, I took a minute to look at my reflection in the mirror. I ran my fingers through my hair to straighten it out, but there was nothing I could do about the dark circles under my eyes. A night of fitful sleep and a day of airports had left their mark.

  I walked out into the lobby where my Dad and Dalton were waiting. “Feeling better?” Dad smiled.

  “Much.” Lost baggage was one thing, but lost baggage and a bursting bladder was another.

  We walked into the elevator, and I tried to ignore the memories that flooded me. The last time I’d gone up in that elevator had been during that night with Glen. Stop I told myself. There is nothing good that could come from going down memory lane.

  We’d barely made it a few steps down the hall when a door flung open.

  “Dalton!” A girl with her long brown hair tied into a side ponytail ran out and hugged Dalton around the waist. “You’re finally here!”

  He laughed. “Hey, Laney.”

  “Hey, you must be Savannah.” She grinned and held out a hand. “I’m Laney.”

  “Hi Laney. Nice to meet you.”

  “Dalton?” A dark haired woman walked out into the hall. She grinned when she saw him and pulled him into a hug. Then she turned her attention to me. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Savannah.”

  I smiled politely and held out a hand. I knew better than to worry too much. I’d tried so hard with Mac, and he’d never warmed up to me. I figured Gina wouldn’t be any different. “Great to meet you.”

  We walked inside and Dad hugged Gina. Hadn’t they just seen each other hours before? I refused to dwell on it. If he was happy, who was I to get in the way?

  “How did the pick-up go?” Gina asked him.

  “Good, except for Savannah’s bag doing the disappearing act.”

  “Oh no. I hate when that happens.” Gina seemed legitimately distressed for me. “Did you fill out the form?”

  “Yeah, hopefully it just missed the Atlanta flight.”

  “If there’s anything you need while you wait I’m sure between Laney and me we’ll have you covered. And if it doesn’t show by tomorrow we’ll just have to shop.” She grinned. “Wouldn’t that be too bad?”

  “I brought so much more stuff than I actually need,” Laney added. “I’m sure my stuff will fit you.”

  “Thanks.” There were definitely some benefits to having other girls around.

  “Where’s Grandma and Grandpa?” I was surprised they hadn’t been waiting at the door.

  “They’re having dinner with the Maxtons tonight. They were going to wait, but then your flight was delayed.”

  The Maxtons. My stomach churned. That was Glen’s family. I grabbed the bag I did have and followed Laney into the room we’d be sharing. It was the smallest of the rooms, and it had two twin sized beds inside. “I took this one. Hope you don’t mind.” She sat down on the one closest to the window.

  “It’s totally fine.” I dropped my stuff and looked around.

  “You’ve been here a ton, right?”

  “Yeah. We’ve been coming here for years.”

  “Is there anything to do at night?”

  “Underage? Not much. We usually hang out in the hot tubs and in the lobby and stuff. There’s ice skating and restaurants downstairs, but it gets pretty crowded.”

  “Cool. Hopefully we’ll find some cute guys.”

  I smiled. “Maybe you will.”

  “Are you not into guys? Or do you a boyfriend?”

  “No boyfriend, but I’m definitely into guys. I’m just not looking for any here.”

  “Oh. Ok. I guess I look for guys everywhere. Maybe that changes in college.”

  I laughed. “It doesn’t really change. It’s just different.”

  “You’re a Delta Mu at Harrison, right?” She pointed at my sweatshirt. My sorority affiliation was a really popular topic of conversation.

  “Yup.”

  “If I get into Harrison that’s the house I want to pledge.”

  “Your brother said that. When do you find out?”

  “Any day now. Otherwise I’ll just have to wait until the regular decision window in the spring.”

  “I applied early decision too, but they let us know before Thanksgiving last year.”

  “Lucky.”

  I smiled. At the time I’d been waiting on pins and needles so I could definitely relate to how Laney felt. “I guess I was.”

  “Are you tired, or would you want to walk around? We just got here a few hours ago, and I haven’t done anything yet.”

  “Sure. Want to get some coffee or something? There’s a great café we can check out.”

  “That sounds great!” Laney was so enthusiastic about everything. I really hoped it rubbed off on me.

  Before we headed downstairs I quickly sent a text to Jade. Made it in one piece. Girlfriend’s kids are actually cool.

  Yay! Keep me posted!

  I pocketed my phone. It was time for my first peppermint latte of the season.

  Chapter Five

  Savannah

  After sleeping in the next morning, Laney, Dalton, and I headed out to the mountain. I’d slept surprisingly well, and I was once again glad I had a day’s worth of clothes even without my bag. We waited in line for the gondola. My board was heavy in my hands, but I couldn’t wait to get onto the slopes. Nothing would clear my head like the rush of the wind and the snow beneath me.

  “Excited yet?” Dalton asked from next to me. “Nothing like the first run is there?”

  “Can’t wait.” I was glad they knew how to snowboard too. Not that I would have minded going by myself or with my Dad, but hanging out with Dalton and Laney was more fun than I expected.

  We finally got close to boarding the gondola, and we moved under the covered area which helped cut the wind.

  Laney tugged on my sleeve. “Hot guy alert.”

  I laughed to myself. Did I ever sound like that? I glanced up. “Who?”

  “That one. His back is to us. In the blue jacket.”

  The only guy in my line of vision wearing blue was one of the people running the gondola. I waited for him to turn around, wondering if Laney and I had the same taste in men.

  “How many?” The guy turned to us.

  And my chest clenched.

  “Savy?” Glen’s voice cut through me. But what the heck was he doing working the gondola?

  I looked away. “Let’s squeeze onto that one.” I pointed to a crowded gondola.

  Dalton looked at me like I was crazy. “Or we can wait a minute more and not squish those people.”

  “I’ll see you guys up there.” I darted to the gondola car that was just about to cross the no loading zone. I secured my board and hopped on. Laney and Dalton followed.

  Dalton grabbed my sleeve as soon as he got on. “Do you know that guy?”

  I looked away, hoping he’d drop it since we were packed in with a family.

  “Savy? Can we talk?” Glen called out after us.

  I shook my head. “There’s nothing to talk about.” The door shut, and we started up the mountain.

  “Ok, what’s the story there?” Laney grinned. “And hot or not, I get
he’s off limits.”

  “He’s not off-limits.” I had no hold on Glen. Clearly I wasn’t what he wanted.

  Laney rolled her eyes. “Yeah….”

  I sat forward so I could look out the window at the snowy landscape. The gondola car was hot and stuffy, but I knew I was overheating for another reason. I’d been worried about running into Glen in the lobby, but not like that. Why was he working here?

  “You don’t have to tell me about it, but I’m here if you want to talk.” Laney unzipped her jacket slightly. The stuffy car must have been getting to her too.

  “Thanks.” I didn’t want to take my stress out on her.

  “But you do have to tell me.” Dalton crossed his arms.

  “Why?”

  “Because I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “I don’t need your help.” I looked back out the window.

  We reached the top of the mountain and our car moved inside. We got off. I pulled on my hat as we walked out from under the building.

  Dalton didn’t waste a second before jumping in again. “Come on. Who is that guy? Has he bothered you before?”

  “Bother isn’t the right word.” I ran my gloved hand over my board. “Let’s go.”

  “If he bothers you, you’ll tell me, right?” Dalton asked.

  “Your little sister is standing over there. Don’t confuse us.”

  “I can still worry about someone harassing you.”

  “He’s not harassing me.” I adjusted the strap of my bindings. “Let’s go.”

  Although I sometimes liked to challenge myself with a black diamond, I was more of a blue slope person. I wanted to be able to enjoy the ride without worrying every second of the way.

  My dad had been right about the weather. The sun was shining, and the wind was manageable. I enjoyed every second of my ride down the slope. The beautiful mountains were a change of pace from the palm trees of Charleston.

  We spent the rest of the morning snowboarding while using the chairlifts and avoiding the gondola at all costs. To his credit, Dalton hadn’t given me a hard time about it. Finally, a little after noon we went all the way back down to the base of the mountain.

  I grabbed my board and met up with the others. “Anyone hungry?”

  “Starving.” Laney put a hand on her stomach.

  “Let’s go over to Bart and Yeti’s. They’ve got really good sandwiches. Hopefully the wait isn’t too long.” I glanced over my shoulder and saw him. “On second thought why don’t we just eat back at the condo.”

  “Why?” Dalton followed my line of vision. He shook his head. “No. You are not allowed to let that guy dictate what you do.”

  “You guys enjoy lunch. We can meet up later.” My stomach churned as Glen came closer. He’d seen me, and he wasn’t turning around.

  “No.” Dalton put a hand on my shoulder. “Running from a problem never fixes it.”

  “You sound like my dad.”

  “And your dad’s a smart guy.”

  “Please, I’ll see you guys later.” I shrugged Dalton off.

  “Savy!” Glen called out as he got closer.

  Dalton gave me a look, and I sighed. I turned around and waited for Glen to catch up.

  He stood right in front of us. “Hey.”

  I swallowed hard. “Hi.”

  “How are you?” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You never said goodbye.”

  Was he serious? Was that how he was going to handle this? “You said it for both of us.” I fought the tears that wanted to spill.

  “Savy. Come on. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “Why? Your friends always call you Savy.”

  “Emphasis on friends.”

  Laney coughed.

  Glen finally looked at the others with me. “Can we please talk? I’ll buy you lunch.”

  “No thanks, I’ve got lunch plans.” At least I had an excuse.

  “We need to talk.” He reached out a hand to me.

  I stepped back. “There’s nothing to say.” Finally I decided to ask the burning question. “Since when do you work here?”

  “I’ll tell you over lunch.” He smiled. He was trying to slip back into his joking banter.

  Not going to happen. “I already told you I have plans.”

  “You haven’t introduced me to your friends.”

  “No I haven’t.” I looped my arms through Laney’s. “Let’s go.” I turned around.

  “Savy. Come on. Don’t be like this. It’s been a year,” he pleaded.

  I turned back. “Yes. It has been. It’s been a year since the most embarrassing night of my life, and I’d rather not remember it.” Too bad I remembered it constantly. I remembered the way his eyes looked me over as he rejected me.

  “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on here, but it’s obvious you’re making her uncomfortable, so I think you should back off.” Dalton put an arm around me.

  “You’re right. You don’t know what’s going on, and it’s none of your business.” Glen scowled.

  “Actually it is my business.” Wow, maybe this protective stuff wasn’t so bad.

  “Why? Are you with this guy, Savy? Because he’s too old for you.”

  I laughed dryly. “He’s younger than the guys I usually date.” I regretted the words the moment they left my mouth. Now I was going to have to explain that comment away before it got back to my dad.

  Glen’s expression hardened. “Is It really so easy for you to throw out ten years of friendship?”

  “You were the one who threw it away.”

  He gritted his teeth. “No I didn’t. I did the right thing.”

  “The right thing?”

  “Yeah. The right thing.” He lowered his voice.

  “I’ve got to go.” I turned again.

  “I’m not giving up on you. You’re here all week.”

  “You gave up on me a year ago,” I said in barely a whisper as I continued on through the village. I hoped Laney and Dalton would follow.

  ***

  “You’re going to have to tell me eventually.” Dalton watched me intently at lunch as I picked at my salad. After Laney assured me we’d leave if Glen came into the restaurant, I’d agreed to go out to eat. Still, I found myself looking over my shoulder at the entrance every so often.

  “Why should I? It’s none of your business.”

  “It is my business now.”

  “Just because my dad is dating your mom doesn’t mean you have some sort of right to intrude on my life.”

  “They’re not just dating.” Laney tied her straw wrapper into tiny knots. “They’re serious.”

  “Whatever. It still doesn’t mean he can butt into my life.” Clearly I knew that inviting the woman and her kids meant Dad was serious, but hearing her kids say it brought the point home.

  Dalton dipped a fry in ketchup. “It means I can care. What did the guy do to you?”

  “Just drop it, Dalton. She doesn’t want you butting in. I can relate.” Laney rolled her eyes.

  “Ok, then how about we move on. What did you mean when you said I was younger than most of the guys you date? I’m twenty-two. You’re nineteen.”

  “Yeah, so.” I ate another crouton. They were the best part of the Caesar salad.

  “Yeah, so… why are you dating guys older than twenty-two? You shouldn’t be dating guys out of college.”

  “Says who?” I set down my fork. Dalton was starting to get on my nerves. He barely knew me, and he had no right to question my dating choices.

  “Says anyone, including your dad. I guarantee he’s going to have a problem with it.”

  “He’s not going to know.” I gripped the table. My dad wasn’t going to take well to that news. He always told me to become friends with guys before I dated them. It’s not like I’d been sleeping around the city of Charleston, but after my Glen experience I made sure to date men I wouldn’t have to see again if I didn’t want to. That took all
college boys off the table.

  “It’s your choice. Either tell me about the guy or I tell your dad about your recent dating experiences.”

  “Are you serious?” I pushed my chair back. “Are you that much of an asshole?”

  Laney put her hands out toward each of us. “Whoa. Just calm down. Dalton, she’s right. You’re being an asshole. Savannah, I apologize for my brother.”

  Dalton glared at his sister. “I don’t understand how trying to help someone makes me the asshole.”

  “Because I don’t want your help. I don’t need it.” I was ready to hit the slopes again. At least no one bothered you as you went down the mountain.

  “Fine.” He sighed. “Forget it.”

  “Good.” I pushed my seat in. “Can’t we try to get along for a week?”

  “There’s a simple solution here. We ditch Dalton after lunch.” Laney smiled. “I swear I’m not going to annoy you or ask you questions that are none of my business.” She frowned at her brother.

  “You’re not ditching me. You think I’m okay with you hanging out with a girl with baggage and a history of dating older men?”

  “You have got to be kidding me.” I didn’t think. I acted on instinct. I tossed my entire glass of water in his face. I didn’t fully comprehend what I’d done until Laney started laughing uncontrollably. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay away from both of you.”

  The hostess looked at me like I had two heads as I stormed out of the restaurant. Whatever. I was tired of caring what people thought of me. I headed back to the condo, belatedly remembering my board. I’d have to go back for it later.

  “Savannah!” Laney yelled after me.

  I didn’t stop. The girl seemed nice, but she was related to Dalton, so who knew when she’d turn off the charm and show her true colors. “Savannah, wait up!”

  I stopped a few feet outside the restaurant. People were starting to stare. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Do what?” Laney caught up with me.

  “Try to make up excuses for your brother. He doesn’t like me. I get it.”

  “He doesn’t dislike you.”

  I laughed dryly. “He pretty much just called me a whore and a bad influence.”