Page 103 of Teach Me How

“I’ll go back if you come with me.”

She hesitates, peering at the slopes. Turning back, she squares her shoulders. “Deal.”

That was easier than expected. A flicker of guilt stokes in my stomach. “I’m kidding. Let the guys know where I went.”

“Mitch and I came up here two times last week. I don’t mind taking a break.”

The guilt is extinguished, replaced by jealousy. They swear nothing is going on between them. I think I believe them, but it doesn’t change the fact that Mitch gets to spend time with Reese while I’m out in Nebraska chilling with mom and dad.

I turn my skis in and we start towards the gondola. I’m thinking about Jonah’s song, wondering whose decision it was to split ways. Jonah’s or Reese’s? I’m trying to think of a polite way to ask and I’m coming up short.

She beats me to the punch with a question of her own. “Tell me about your new woman.”

My thoughts come to a screeching halt. Reese walks ahead of me, stepping into the gondola before I can reply.

We’re alone in a tiny glass box and it’s like there isn’t enough air. “I don’t have a new woman.”

“Lies.”

My eyes tighten. “I’m not lying. It was a work thing. I told you that already.”

“But you took her home to meet your folks. That’s kind of a big deal.”

“No, it’s not.”

She tilts her head. “You’ve taken other women home?”

I pull my cap off and grip it in my hand. “She’s just a co-worker.”

“You weren’t dating?”

I hesitate. “Once.”

“Aha!”

“No, not aha!”

“A-ha!”

“Real mature.”

She glowers at me. “We can’t all be as mature as you, Skyler. Some of us have lives to live.”

“What’s that even mean?”

“It means those rules you live by are more important to you than anything or anyone.”

“Are we still talking about Terry?”

“No. Yes.” She frowns, looking away. The mountain spans below us as the gondola crawls towards the resort. After what seems like forever, she sighs. “I didn’t expect you to move on so quickly.”

The admission is so sudden, so vulnerable, that I can’t quite keep up.

She’s frowning at me again. “You know it’s all bullshit, right?”

“What is?”

“This duty to your family. Nobody is asking you to throw yourself on the pyre, but you do it anyway.”

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