Page 52 of I Blame the Alcohol

“I know. But I had to be there for you too.” Mo sighs, “I didn’t mean to keep it from him, but I never expected us to grow that close. And once that happened, there was just never a right time to bring it up.”

“Cody’s got a way of sneaking under your skin, huh?”

Mo chuckles, “You’ve got no idea.”

Oh, but I think I do.

“Anyways, I better let you get back to Lou. See you later.” He pushes off the wall and gently closes my door behind him.

“Does this mean you’re going to be on the lookout for hot tubs tomorrow?” Lou’s voice crackles through my phone the second I press unmute.

“Considering I’ve avoided the man all week, no, probably not.”

“Could be a good way to reunite?”

“It’s a nice thought but my brother will be there. Plus, I tend to get a little competitive when it comes to skiing.”

Disbelief fills Lou’s expression, “A little?”

“Okay, a lot.” I grin, adrenalin already filling my veins at the thought of the O’Brien sibling annual ski race. It has been years since I’ve lost one, and I’m not about to let the varsity captain steal my title of defending champion.

“Poor Cody. He has no idea what he’s signed up for, does he?”

“Absolutely not. And I plan to keep it that way.”

Chapter 16

Cody

We pull up to the ski resort just as the cracks of dawn start to appear.

Streaks of red and gold illuminate the sky, a fresh layer of snow glistening along the majestic peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connects the mountains two-thirds of the way up, giving skiers and snowboarders a greater collection of terrain. Compared to Castle Mountain, the small hill just outside of Lethbridge I grew up snowboarding on, Whistler is a whole different level.

One I am not entirely sure I am ready for.

Stella squeals with excitement as Mo puts the car in park. Even though the chairlifts don’t open for another hour, the parking lot is already half full. Long johns of every colour imaginable peek out from car doors as families and groups of friends begin the tedious process of putting on ski gear.

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to the mountains.” I voice the thought out loud and Stella shoots her brother a concerned glance.

She shifts in her seat to face me, “You can snowboard, right?”

I nod, deadpan, “There’s never been a run I’m not comfortable sitting down on.”

“Oh my god. You’re a butt dragger?” Stella’s horrified expression is almost enough to break my straight face.

“You know what they say, low and slow is the way to go.”

Mo chuckles from the driver’s seat and receives a glare strong enough to melt the snow crystals outside.

“This isn’t funny.”

“It’s a little funny.”

Stella huffs, flopping herself back against the leather seat, which thankfully did not get pushed back all the way this morning.

“I hate you both.”

Mo grins at me in the review mirror and a flicker of excitement kindles inside of me.

---