Page 44 of The Proximity Effect

One With The Mountain

Liam

Ishould’ve gone into acting because keeping my face neutral when I mentioned Tessa to Archer? Oscar-worthy performance.

As I started down the slope, the memory of last night flashed through my mind—how I’d gone looking for Archer when he hadn’t returned to the cabin, only to hear Tessa calling out his name from his office. I’d walked away before I heard anything else, but the knowledge sat like a weight in my stomach.

Archer carved through the snow beside me, his technique surprisingly sharp for someone who claimed to be rusty. Show-off. He caught some air off a small jump, and I couldn’t help but match his move.

“Getting slow in your old age?” I shouted playfully, even though my chest was tight with conflicting emotions.

Here we were, acting like nothing had changed, like we were still those carefree college kids who’d torn up the slopes together. Meanwhile, I couldn’t stop thinking about the wayTessa had felt in my arms and how she’d trusted me enough to be vulnerable about her ex.

And now she was apparently hooking up with Archer in his office.

I hit another jump harder than necessary, twisting into a 360 that probably looked more aggressive than impressive. Landing smoothly, I caught a glimpse of Archer’s determined expression as he matched my pace.

“That the best you got?” he called out, his voice carrying a competitive edge. For a second, it was like the past decade melted away—back to when we’d raced down slopes until our muscles burned, trash-talking the whole way down while trying increasingly ridiculous stunts to one-up each other.

But those memories only made the present sting worse, knowing how much had changed between us since then. Because of a woman.

And now here we were again in the same predicament with a woman. I wanted to ask her out despite both Archer’s and Evan’s interest in her. I knew Evan had proposed we just go with it and keep whatever happened casual, but nothing felt casual about Tessa. Plus, we’d been distracted by ice cream and hadn’t discussed how sharing her attention would even work.

A sudden, vivid image of Tessa pressed between me and Archer flickered through my mind like a heatwave—her body warm and pliant, her breath hitching as my hands tangled in her hair while Archer’s strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. My pulse quickened at the thought, a mix of jealousy and something darker, more possessive, curling low in my gut.

I could almost feel her skin against mine and the way she might arch into us, torn between who to give in to first. The idea was maddening, intoxicating, and utterly impossible to shake.

I forced myself to focus back on the slope, carving through the snow with more aggression than finesse. But even as I pushed harder, the image was still there.

It was the worst possible time to be distracted by carnal images.

The edge of my board caught, and suddenly I was airborne in a way that had nothing to do with skill and everything to do with the images that had invaded my brain.

The impact knocked the wind out of me, snow spraying everywhere as I tumbled down the slope like a crash test dummy failing spectacularly at his job. When I finally stopped rolling, pain shot through my ankle, and not the good kind that meant you’d had an awesome workout. This was the ‘you really messed up’ variety that promised days of ice packs and regret.

“Shit!” Archer’s voice carried over to me as he skidded to a stop, showering me with more snow. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I tried to stand up to prove it, but my ankle had other ideas, sending sharp protests up my leg. “Just catching my breath.” And my dignity, if I could find where it landed during the wipeout.

“Right.” His skeptical tone matched his expression as he loomed over me like a disapproving parent. “Is that why you’re as white as the snow?”

Before I could argue, a ski patrol member was making their way over, their red jacket jarring against the pristine white slope. Great. Just what I needed—to be hauled down the mountain like some amateur who’d forgotten which end of the board was up. So much for my reputation as the resident daredevil.

“Sir, please don’t try to move.” The patroller knelt beside me. “Can you tell me where it hurts?”

“It’s nothing.” But even I heard the strain in my voice, making me sound like a kid trying to convince his mom he didn’t need a Band-Aid. “Just twisted my ankle a bit.”

Twenty minutes and one embarrassingly slow sled ride later, I was still trying to assure everyone that I didn’t need an X-ray while Archer helped me hobble into the resort’s lobby.

We’d gotten my boot and sock off, and my ankle was swollen but hadn’t started to bruise. I could put light pressure on it and could have probably walked by myself if necessary.

“Liam!” Tessa’s voice came from the direction of the restaurant, and suddenly she was there, her face etched with concern as she offered her support on my other side. “Oh my God, are you okay? Jenny said you wiped out pretty bad.” Geez, news sure did travel fast at the resort.

Archer’s jaw tightened, his fingers digging into my arm where he supported me. Well, well, well. Wasn’t that interesting?

“I’m fine. Tweaked my ankle a little.” I leaned into her a little more than necessary because, hey, if I had to suffer through this embarrassment, I might as well get something out of it. “I zigged when I should have zagged.”

“You should see a doctor.” She helped Archer lead me to a couch. “What if it’s broken?”

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