Page 60 of Ski You Later
The rest of the day flies by, from using all the air in my lungs to cheer for the guys, to heading home andmaking sure everything is ready for tomorrows race. The house was bustling as everyone prepares their lunches for the next day and gets their race skis ready.
It’s always right after the race when the six-bedroom house feels the smallest. All the showers being occupied, athletes running up and down the staircases, and the kitchen being stuffed with guys trying to figure out the mechanics of a sandwich.
As I squish between Aurora and Charles on the couch, I pat him on the knee and congratulate him on his top ten finish today. He gives me a big side hug and we then both face Roman at the front of the room.
It looks like instead of eating, he was one of the ones to use the shower before the rest of the team. His hair looks black when wet, some pieces dripping water while others dry with a slight curl. The darkness of his hair does nothing but accentuate his pale skin and the freckles dusting across his face. They’re clumped on the bridge of his nose, and then stretch out across his cheeks in the most adorable manner.
He starts to address the group, probably going over results for today and the plan for tomorrow, but I can’t seem to stop analyzing him. The distinct bump of his nose is looked at as a flaw to most, but I love the wayit shapes his face. As well as his broad shoulders, wide neck, and ears that are on the smaller size.
I realize I’ve been tuning everything out as he makes eye contact with me, and I notice the rest of the group doing the same.
His gaze turns from expectant to slightly confused and finally a smile graces his face as he realizes I have no idea what he said.
“Um, what sorry?” I ask the group as I look every which way.
I’ve never seen such a quiet man seem so damn smug as he stands in front of us all, crossing his strong arms over his chest with a huge smile on display.
Looking to my left for some support, I see Aurora doing her best to suppress a laugh building up. Charles looks similar to her, and I look around the rest of the group to find no support. “Alright, I wasn’t paying attention. What’s going on?” I confess and try my best to keep the defeat out of my tone.
Xander starts fully laughing now as he leans back in his chair and Landon decides to finally puts me out of my misery. “Roman got mad at us for not paying attention, then he was talking about how you looked like the only person that seemed invested in what he had tosay. Then, when he gestured to you, you were just drooling in his direction.”
I see Aurora’s arm cock back at that, followed by the pillow that smacks Landon directly in the face. “I was not drooling!” I immediately throw my own pillow at his face.
“Alright, settle down.” Roman puts his hands out, trying to stop the projectile pillows from breaking something.
“As I was saying, there’s a snow delay for tomorrow. They’re planning on starting the race at one, meaning we have the entire morning off.”
The energy in the rental switches like a light, everyone leaning forward as we all share the same idea. Roman tenses as he feels the energy shift as well, and once again throws his hands up to continue talking. “There will be no parties in this rental! We can’t lose our deposit and we can’t get a noise complaint.”
These are all terrible points to stop us from having a party. Considering we’ll clean the rental after and we’re surrounded by houses that are occupied by the other teams, who will be invited anyway.
“I want you to all look at me right now. You will not have a party,” he states this with authority and pointsto everyone in turn.I can’t help but feel bad for the guy when fourteen smiling athletes look back at him.
“Rhys?” His gaze travels to the lone figure leaning against the wall and his voice sounds pleading. Every head turns around to look at the relaxed man that starts to smile and shrug his shoulders.
With Rhys’ agreement, we all cheer and pull out our phones. It looks like the Polar team is throwing a party.
CHAPTER 23
I don’t like parties.
The party is in full swing at this point. I felt bad for Roman as everyone completely ignored his protests and invited people to the party. I would’ve had his back in this, but the Polar Bear’s didn’t host a single party last season, and no one forgot about that little detail. Also, because I packed the cutest party outfit and needed an excuse for Roman to see me in it.
As the living room is packed with racers from across the country, I find our team spread out among the masses. Some playing beer pong, multiple people heading outside, and others relaxing on the couches and mingling with the teams.
I grab another drink from one of the coolers and squeeze my way out of the packed kitchen. I spot our friend group all hanging outside, laughing hysterically with each other and I excitedly make my way towards them.
I don’t shy away as the one drink I’ve had courses through me, and I confidently walk to the sliding doors. Feeling bold from the colour I’m wearing, I relish in my deep red, long-sleeve body suit, with a tight fitted grey skirt and lighter grey stockings. Letting my hair down tonight, my bangs fall slightly into my eyes, but are offset by my dark red lipstick.
My mood is giddy as I struggle to open the sliding glass door, and then eventually give up and knock. Aurora sees me on the other side, laughing as she comes to open it for me. “Girl, how much have you had?” She questions as makes sure I don’t trip while exiting the building.
I can’t stop the giggle that erupts from my mouth and just shrug at my best friend. She rolls her eyes at me but drags me towards where everyone is hanging out. It warms my heart to see that Roman’s brothers have decided to hang out with my friends all on their own.
The group is all mingling with each other as smoke pours from everyone’s mouths. A couple athletes from the neighboring hill are mixed in with our giant group, and I don’t miss how Landon leans in close to the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen.
Her dark brown hair falls down to just under her breast, accentuating her heart shaped face and cupidsbow lips. But her skin’s absolutely breath taking as the moon light reflects the dark colour. She stands a couple inches taller than the guys around the circle, but that only gives her more power as she mingles with our group.
Landon doesn’t stand a chance with her, but that doesn’t stop him from whispering something in her ear and making her chuckle.
