Release: New Adult Sport Romance (Fire and Ice) (25 page)

The intensity of children’s voices increases in volume as I get closer. A twinge of jealousy tweaks my heart. Snowboard girls everywhere will now know who Kaleb is. One of them is bound to win his heart. Yeah, I need to move on. He deserves someone without bags full of crazy.

A few children already wait, and I notice one of my favorites. Emmy talks nonstop, and the funniest comments come out of her mouth. I know my day will be enjoyable, even if my heart refuses to stop aching.

Chapter 42

I stretch my arms over my head as I lie lazily in my bed and notice the sun is past the point of shining in my room. I’ve slept in to give my body a rest. I roll onto my back and follow a tiny crack in the ceiling.

Today I get a cell phone, and the thought makes me grin. I’m sure it seems silly that a twenty-one-year-old is excited about a cell phone, but the truth is I’ve never had one other than the disposable, prepaid version I use to talk to my mom. Now that I have friends, I find I could use one. With the pay from my extra shifts and my thrifty ways, I plan to splurge on an iPhone. Casey seems to love hers as much as her boyfriend, and I can’t wait to use all the features.

Raising my leg straight in the air, I pull my thigh to my face, and my hamstrings scream at me for not doing this every day. I’ll need headphones too. And music. Lots and lots of music I can listen to whenever I want.

Excitement pulses through my body and forces me out of bed. I flip on the radio and dance my way to the shower. Maybe I’ll get one of those speaker things I can drop my phone into and blare music of my choosing through my apartment. I turn on the shower and strip off my pajamas. Soft flannel pools at my feet, and I pick it up, roll it into a ball, and throw it toward my bed.

Testing the water with my hand, I determine it’s hot and step in. I sing loudly with Maroon Five and think about where I should take myself to lunch. It might be a Baked Bean day. I remember the squash soup and salivate. And then I remember how Kaleb shared dessert with me. Joy leaves my body and washes down the drain.

I sigh and step out into the steamy bathroom. Squirting lotion into my hand, I massage it on my arms. I imagine Kaleb’s hand instead. Another dollop of lotion and I rub my legs. As I get to my thighs, I remember the sensation of Kaleb’s mouth on my tender flesh. Moving my hand up, I drag a finger across my sensitive slit. A shudder runs through me. I slide a finger in and search for the spot Kaleb’s fingers knew so well.

Eyes closed, I flick and rub as I remember Kaleb’s tongue doing the same. I envision a night from our past and bring myself to the edge. I will my body to remember how he filled me. With a small cry I feel my release. It brings tears to my eyes. I let them roll down my face and watch the steam evaporate off the mirror. I wash my hand and reach for my comb to untangle my hair.

* * *

A few hundred dollars and a cute green case later, I’m the proud owner of a new iPhone. I was too embarrassed to tell the sales clerk I didn’t know how to use it, and I kick myself now as I sit in my truck and try to figure out what to do. Sweat beads on my forehead as the cab heats up in the sun. I roll down the window. Cool wind dries the moisture and lends me relief. I’ll bet Casey could give me a crash course. If only I had her number.

A glance at the clock on my dash tells me she’ll be done with work in a half hour. Oh wait. I look at my phone and realize the time is right there. I smile to myself. I’m entering a whole new world. I turn the key in the ignition and roll my window up, leaving only a crack. Spring air blows my hair as I drive toward the mountain.

I pick my way through slush and puddles. My fashionable boots are not working out so well for me right now, and I hold my phone with a tight grip. I enter the locker room, relieved to walk on level ground. Heather greets me as she walks down the aisle to her office.

“Cute boots. Have a good day off?” The freckles on her face are vibrant from the sun.

“Thanks. Yes, it was nice to give my body a rest.” I hold up my phone. “I’m off to find Casey for a crash course in iPhone.”

“Oh fun. I think I saw her come in. She should be here.”

“Great, thanks.” I continue on toward my locker. When I turn down the aisle, I see Jason first.

“Hey, you look clean and well-rested. I’m jealous,” he says. Hair is stuck to his forehead with sweat.

I guess he had beginners on the lower mountain. Adult beginners require you to hike up the hill in your skis numerous times. On a day like today, it’s really hot when you wear a helmet.

“I am.” I point my phone at Casey. “I need your expertise.” I face the phone toward her and tilt it back and forth with my wrist. “Lookie what I got.”

“Sweet. You’ll love it so much you’ll want to take it to bed with you.” She grins.

“Yeah, well you’d better teach me how to love it. Right now it’s a fancy watch.”

“Sit.” She pats the bench near us. She pulls her phone out of her coat pocket. “What’s your number?”

I give it to her, and she explains what she’s doing. “Push the phone icon and then the little contacts one on the bottom. Then you just type in the information.” She hands me the phone, and I peck out numbers and letters.

“Text me. I’ve never texted before.” I hunch my shoulders up in anticipation. She chuckles and sends me a text. I let out a little squeal when my phone dings. “This is fun.”

Jason jokes. “Just wait. It’ll take over your life.” He winks and nods his head toward Casey, who is focused on texting.

She looks up and shakes her head. “You have no idea the amazing things a phone can do.” She turns her sun-kissed face toward me. I just sent you my info and you can copy it into your contacts easily. Let me show you.”

Casey proceeds to teach me numerous things about my phone. As I add Megan’s info, a pang of longing makes me wish I had Kaleb’s to add too. I shake the thought from my mind.

“Thanks for the help. I’m off to work and will Google all things iPhone. Then tonight I plan to download a ridiculous amount of music.” I stand and put my phone in my back pocket so I don’t drop it as I maneuver my way back through the parking lot.

I have to get to the rec center for testosterone duty. If only it meant I would see Kaleb too. I sigh and touch the phone in my back pocket. I have something fun to distract me, and I won’t let my broken heart ruin it.

Chapter 43

The scent of mint tickles my nose as I sip my hot drink. On my couch with a book and a pot of tea, I revel in a work-free night. My phone chimes, and I get up to see who’s texted me.

“It’s Gretchen, back from Crested Butte.

I’ve got news for you.”

My fingers fumble a text back. “What?”

“Kaleb’s an idiot. He thinks he failed you because he didn’t save you from Lucas. That’s why he broke up with you. He thinks you deserve better and would have figured it out once the shock of what happened was over.”

What? Oh, my gosh. “That’s crazy.”

“I know. He’s at work with me now ;)”

No way. He broke up with me because he thinks he’s the problem? That I would think he isn’t worthy of me? I can’t explain why, but anger surges through my veins. I grab my coat and throw it on over my hoodie. Annoyed, I yank the bulky hood out of my jacket and pull back my hair. Static crackles as I slide it through my loosely gripped hand.

At the door I remember my phone and return to the coffee table to retrieve it. I jog out the door. When I run down the steps, the beat of my feet against the wood feeds my anger. Once in my truck, I slam the door hard, and the cab shakes from the force. Okay, this isn’t time for a display of road rage. Relax, Lori.

I hold the wheel and let the cool plastic calm my nerves. When my heart rate settles to a normal pace, I start the engine. It roars to life, and I calmly drive to town.

Street parking looks full, but I manage to find a spot about a block away from The Bike Shop. Lighting is dim as the day fades, and the pavement sparkles when headlights approach and light up the frozen moisture left behind by melting snow. I step gingerly out of my truck to avoid a fall on the ice-covered road.

The sidewalk is dry, and my feet stomp on the concrete as I let my anger return. I can’t believe I’ve spent the last few months with a broken heart because he thinks he’s not good enough. Is he really such a throwback that he thinks he’s supposed to take care of little weakling Lori? I’ll show him weak.

I push open The Bike Shop door with force. The poor bell jangles as if it hangs on for dear life. Gretchen spots me and just nods her head toward the back. As I walk by her, she whispers, “Go get ’em, girlfriend.”

Kaleb tunes a ski, and I move over to where I’m in his line of vision. He sees me and stops. I stand with my hands on my hips because I mean business. His eyes open wide in surprise, and he flips off the machine. The poster behind him reminds me of something. The thought leaves my head once he removes his earplugs.

“Kaleb Wakefield, you’d better listen to me. I don’t know where you got the idea you failed me. You’re the reason we’re both alive right now.” I point my finger at him and revel in the release of a little of my suffering from the last two months. “You taught me how to be strong and fearless. Just before I kneed Lucas in the crotch, it was your voice in my head telling me to visualize what I was about to do. You showed me how to focus and work past fear. The old Lori would have cowered in the corner, helpless to save herself or you.”

Heat has rushed to my cheeks and my body shakes. “Being able to save you from Lucas made me love you so much more. Don’t you get it? You’re the reason Lucas is in jail and I’m free.”

I take a deep breath and he doesn’t speak. I jump back in to my speech. “There’s more. I don’t for one minute believe your sisters would be impressed with you thinking you’re supposed to be my savior. In a relationship, it’s a two-way street. If we aren’t equal, then we’re nothing.” I inhale deeply and my anger dissipates a little.

“And one more thing.” I point behind him. “Is that poster of you?” It’s a reenactment of Gretchen’s poster; only it’s Kaleb in baggy board pants that hang low on his hips. He’s shirtless and looks damn fine. Little girls replace the boys on the blurry porch.

He blushes. “Ah, it’s a proof.”

“So it’ll be a poster for Burton?” Poor guy. He looks afraid of me.

“Yes.”

“I need one of those.” I turn and walk out.

Gretchen whispers at me as I walk by. “Fuck yeah.”

I continue out the door for the drama, but as soon as I’m outside, I don’t know what to do. I return to my truck and text Gretchen.

“Now what?”

“He’s pacing and running his hands through his hair. You shook him up. Nice job, cupcake.”

She didn’t answer my question. I guess I wait to see what he does? I hear the faint noise of another text from Gretchen come in.

“Go home, and I’ll give him your number later. That way if he wants to see you tonight he can text to make sure it’s ok.”

“Thanks. Do I owe u 1 if we get back together?” I laugh at myself and wait for her response.

“Naw, just call me a sucker for love

And cupcakes :)”

Now that I’ve put myself out there, I feel naked. What if that’s only what he said to Gretchen? What if there’s more? What if he is too proud to admit he thinks I’m too messed up? Damn it. By the time I get home, I regret the whole thing.

It’s dark when I pull into my driveway. The snow has melted off the pavement, and my wheels drive over it quietly. I walk slowly from my truck and wonder what Kaleb will do. The stars twinkle in the blackness of the sky. I look toward the mountains and see their faint outline.

As much as I hope he’ll come see me tonight, I don’t count on it. If the only reason he broke up with me is because he couldn’t save me, then I laid a big thing on him tonight. He might need time to process it. Or maybe I just made a total fool of myself.

The bolt slides into the door with a single clunk. I sigh and set my phone down on the kitchen counter. When I hang up my jacket, I notice my tea. I pick up the pot with the intention of heating it up in the microwave. My phone chimes on my way, and I quickly grab it.