Page 35 of Stuck on the Slopes

Juniper’s eyes widened in the slightest. If we weren’t walking shoulder-to-shoulder, I wouldn’t have noticed. “Shit.”

“My parents saw what was happening without me saying anything. They started inviting me to dinner more and my mom would get me little things she knew I needed without me asking. I think they wanted to help but didn’t want me to feel embarrassed. They’re the sweetest. But that job was soul-sucking. Yeah, I got the raise and the management position, but at what cost, you know? It was still barely enough to get by without living paycheck to paycheck.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here now,” Juniper said. “No one should be stuck in an environment like that.”

“You know, the only reason they stopped texting me on Shabbat was that I had to file an HR complaint after asking them not to ten times.”

“Fuck that.” After a brief pause, he said, “And if there’s anything I can do for you for the religious holidays, let me know. My family’s some Christian denomination, I don’t remember. We’re not close. I never paid attention as a kid, and I don’t really follow it beyond decorating for Christmas. All that to say, I don’t really know much about all the Jewish holidays, either.”

Today was full of surprises, it would seem.

“I appreciate that. There are a lot of them. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Please do. And not just in a taking the day off kind of way, either. You need anything, let me know.”

“That’s very kind of you. You’ve already given me enough as it is.”

“It’s nothing.” With multiple X-Games medals, a few US Open and World Cup titles, and an Olympic medal under his belt, I was sure his annual salary was at least six figures when accounting for endorsements and brand deals—but potentially more. “Rick tried to make everything as fun as he could for all of us. But being a pro athlete is not as glamorous as people think. So, while I obviously never had to worry about the financial stability aspect of it, I can get what you went through to a degree. It’s the last thing I want for you or for anyone else who works here in the future. Unfortunately, after minimal contact with people for the last four or five years, that’s been tougher than expected.”

“For what it’s worth, I can tell you’re trying. That’s more than I can say for my last boss.”

“So I can expect a World’s Best Boss mug for the holidays is what you’re telling me?”

I laughed and nearly snorted. “Be careful what you wish for.”

“Did you…?”

“Don’t even!”

Juniper shook his head. “It’s fine. Do you often snort when you laugh?”

“Oh, you’re not gonna let me hear the end of it, are you?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not.” The trees grew thicker around us, their path narrowing before we reached the end of the trail. “Say, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”

“I was planning to spend it here, if that’s okay?”

“Yeah, of course, that’s okay. Did you, uh, want to spend it together? I’ve spent it alone the last few years. Well, with Sasquatch, anyway. You’re more than welcome to join us. We can cook in my suite and hang out, keep it low-key.”

It was yet another olive branch I was happy to accept. “Sure! I’d like that.”

Juniper said nothing after that. He smiled, the kind where he didn’t flash his teeth, but for once, it reached his eyes.

After we’d spent the last thirty minutes walking, we reached the top. We’d barely inclined, but the view from here was breathtaking. The village was barely visible from below, and we spotted some of the city skylines in the distance. The sun’s rays highlighted the mountaintops, giving them an ethereal hue from where we stood.

“Beautiful view from here, huh?”

I looked at Juniper, who was already looking at me expectantly. He wanted to know if I liked it.

If I was reading this right, he cared about my opinion.

“I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Juniper smirked, pleased with himself. “Well, welcome to Colorado, Rachel. There’s a lot more where this came from.”

Ever since I’d gotten sick, I’d been waking up earlier. So with some time to kill in the morning, I switched my evening workout to a post-breakfast session.

What I wasn’t expecting to find in the typically empty gym was Juniper, already a few minutes into his own workout. He wore a plain T-shirt and baggy black sweatpants, causing me to realize I’d never seen his arms without full sleeves before. With the way he was training his shoulders, it was impossible to miss how muscular he was despite his lean frame.

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