It was such a relief when Christmas break finally arrived. My English final went pretty well, and I was glad all the studying I’d put in paid off. Once it was over and the bell rang to signal the end of the day, a huge cheer filled the room. We could hear similar celebrations from the classroom next door, and even Mr. Brenner seemed happy school was over for the semester.
I officially finished off my week by submitting the business management assignment I’d been working on with Noah. I was glad we’d been able to polish it off without meeting in the library again. I’d been doing my best to avoid him for fear Wes’s concerns might return.
As soon as I’d handed it in, my thoughts went to the mountains. I was so excited about the ski trip and even more excited to get back to Rapid Bay after that. My mom had been so busy with the café over the last few weeks, and she always sounded so tired when we spoke on the phone. I had to wonder if she was still staying up late stressing about finances. She needed a break. And after weeks of studying for finals, fretting about college applications, and, of course, the ongoing tension between me, Wes, and Noah, I was more than ready for a break myself.
We flew out to Aspen on the Montfort family jet first thing the following morning. I thought I might eventually get used to seeing expensive homes after spending time at my father’s properties and even Luther’s family villa in Weybridge, but when we arrived at the Montforts’ ski chalet, I was speechless. I hadn’t heard much about the place, but Wes and Sawyer had spoken about it like we were headed to some quaint cabin in the woods. We might have been surrounded by trees, but this was no cabin.
The house was at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac lined with other massive homes, but none were as big as the Montfort’. They were all made of silvery stone and dark wood with huge glass windows that overlooked the towering snowy mountains. As we got out of the car, I was struck by the freshness of the cool winter breeze, and I gaped up at the tall peaks. I was still coming to terms with how beautiful this part of the country was. I loved the tall pine trees dusted in snow and the soft white blanket that covered everything in sight. The sky seemed so much bluer here, and the air tasted so much cleaner.
Most of all, I loved the rocky peaks that surrounded us and the way they jutted into the sky. I’d always thought of myself as a beach girl, but I was being easily charmed by the mountains. The only thing that might take some getting used to was the cold. I was wrapped up in my warmest jacket, but I could still feel the nip in the air.
“Gosh, I love it here,” Cress said as she jumped out of the car beside me. There was a wide smile on her face, and her eyes sparkled as she looked out at the view. The house was up a gradual slope and had a gorgeous outlook across the resort.
“Me too,” Anna said, coming around the back of the car to join us. “We have to put up with Sawyer, but it’s totally worth it.”
“I heard that,” Sawyer shouted from the other side of the vehicle.
Wes got out of the driver’s seat and came to place an arm over my shoulders. Maybe I would be able to put up with the cold if he kept close to me this way.
“You want to see the house?” he asked.
“I’m still trying to get over the view,” I said, making him grin.
“Well, it’s just as good from inside. And it’s warm too.”
“You probably should have led with that.” I laughed. “Let’s get inside.”
Wes insisted he and Sawyer could grab the luggage, so I followed Anna and Cress into the house. The entrance opened onto a large kitchen living area, and all of us stopped as we saw the huge windows that stretched across the entire back wall of the room. Beyond lay a view unlike any other I’d ever seen before.
The house was elevated, so it felt like we were hovering above the trees with the whole valley stretched out beneath us. We could see the town, which was currently in the shadow of the mountains that stood behind it. Just off the living area on the other side of the window was a large deck that was basked in sunshine. If the weather stayed like this, I could easily picture myself sitting on the long comfy sofas out there, snuggled under a blanket, with a hot chocolate as I admired the view.
“Can you see why we like it here so much?” Anna asked.
“Uh, yeah.” I gasped. “This place is incredible.”
“So beautiful,” Cress agreed. “I could stay out here forever.”
When the twins entered the house, Sawyer was muttering curses under his breath while he attempted to drag Anna’s bag inside.
“I thought you were the strong twin, Sawyer,” Anna joked. “Perhaps I should have asked Wes to get my bag.”
Sawyer’s face only grew darker. Wes chuckled and shot Anna a wink before gesturing for me to follow him. He led us up a set of stairs, lugging my duffel bag with him, and showed me to my room. We each had our own bedroom, which I thought Cress would be particularly pleased about seeing as I was always up at the crack of dawn while she loved to sleep in. No matter how quiet I was, I often woke her up while I was getting ready for my morning runs.
My bedroom was gorgeous. It had a huge fluffy white bed, and a door in the corner led to an en suite bathroom. I looked through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, and the view was even better now we were higher.
Wes left me to get settled while he went to help with the rest of our group’s luggage. I spent a few minutes unpacking before there was a knock at the door. I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, a smile on his lips as he watched me. “Do you like the room?” he asked.
“I love it,” I said. “And the view…” There were no words.
“I thought you’d like that,” he said. “And you’re right next door to me.”
His cheeks flushed slightly as he glanced away. The thought of Wes sleeping in the next room had me a little flustered as well. We’d joked a few times about getting caught in each other’s rooms after curfew, but there were no teachers clamping down on the rules here.
“So, you’re saying you’ll easily be able to hear me snore then?” I asked.
He laughed, and the awkward tension that had briefly appeared between us dissolved. “I’m sure you don’t snore,” he said, stepping into the room. “And even if you did, I’m sure it would be adorable.”
“You don’t know that. I could sound like a freight train.”
“I have always liked trains.”
I laughed as he gathered me in his arms and looked into my eyes. “I can’t wait to spend these next few days together,” he said. “It’s going to be great finally having time for just the two of us.”
“We’ll have to ditch the others,” I reminded him.
“I’m sure we’ll find a way…” He lowered his head and closed in on my lips, but a shout from downstairs caused us to pause.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Anna’s voice echoed from the living area.
Wes let out a sigh and pulled away from me. “I wonder what that’s about?”
“She’s probably just discovered she forgot her favorite hair straightener,” I suggested.
Wes didn’t seem so sure though. “I better go check she hasn’t broken my mom’s precious china or something. Sawyer can’t be trusted to keep an eye on things.”
When we got downstairs, Cress and Sawyer had also just arrived in the living area. Anna was peering out the window by the front door, looking at the driveway.
“Anna, what’s wrong?” Cress asked as she went to join her.
“You’ll never believe who just arrived at the house next door.” Anna pulled away from the window and turned to us. The surprise on her face became an uncomfortable grimace when her eyes fell on me and Wes.
Cress leaned past Anna, peered out the window, and squealed. “Oh my gosh!” She was far more excited than Anna, and she immediately opened the front door and rushed outside.
Wes and Sawyer hurried to the front door while I followed just behind, dragging my feet. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see who was out there.
“Hey there, neighbors.”
My worst fear was realized as I stepped outside to be greeted by Luther’s gleeful voice. Anna groaned, and my stomach flipped as I looked across the driveway to see Kaden and Luther standing in front of large black truck parked outside the house next door. Luther was waving at us, and Kaden was grinning as Cress ran toward him. When she reached him, she threw her arms around him, and he lifted her off the ground.
“We’re neighbors?” Kaden asked her through shocked laughter.
“What are you even doing here?” she asked at the same time. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming.”
“We decided to come just yesterday,” Kaden said. He looked a little nervous as though he hadn’t been sure what Cress’s reaction would be. “Luther organized it,” he continued. “I thought it might be fun to surprise you. But I didn’t know we’d be right next door. I hope this is okay?”
“Of course, it is,” Cress replied. She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.
I wasn’t sure anyone else felt that way. Anna was standing with arms folded, glaring at Luther. Sawyer had a confused expression on his face, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at Wes. I knew what he’d be thinking because I was thinking it too. If Luther and Kaden were here, then surely Noah was too.
As if he’d been summoned by the thought alone, Noah appeared from behind the truck. His eyes widened when he saw us, betraying his surprise, and he leaned in to whisper something to Luther, but his friend just smirked at him. Noah looked just as shocked to see us as we were to see him, but when his eyes met mine, I was convinced I saw the hint of a smile touching the corner of his lips.
Wes’s arm fell across my shoulders as Luther approached us. Noah, Kaden, and Cress hovered slightly behind him.
“What a pleasant surprise this is,” Luther gushed, shaking his head for dramatic affect. “I didn’t know you had a chalet on this street.” His comment was directed at Wes, who was still looking far from impressed.
“I didn’t know you had a chalet here at all,” Wes replied.
“I don’t.” Luther shrugged. “It belongs to a friend, of a friend, of a friend. I heard it was free this week, so I thought why not.”
“Yes, I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact we were all going to be here this week,” Anna said, her voice thick with sarcasm.
“Nothing at all,” Luther replied. “It’s a big town. How could I have known our place would be right next door to yours? I guess it was just meant to be.”
Luther looked very pleased with himself. Clearly, he had known exactly what he was doing when he organized the trip. It wasn’t clear how much Kaden and Noah knew though. Kaden was still looking a little sheepish now he had realized just how surprised we all were, and even Noah seemed a little taken aback by Luther’s stunt.
I could feel Wes’s arm tightening around my shoulders as we all stood in the driveway, unsure what to do next. This was not how I’d imagined our trip would begin.
“Well, this is a little too awkward even for me,” Anna said. “I’m going inside to unpack.”
“Good idea,” Sawyer said, quickly following her.
“Me too,” Luther added. “You guys should come over later. Our place has a great hot tub on the terrace.”
“So does ours,” Wes replied. He was usually so friendly and easygoing with everyone at school, but it wasn’t hard to miss the hostility in his voice as he shot down Luther’s invitation.
Luther simply shrugged again. “Well, the offer’s always there. See you later, neighbors.” He turned and made his way back across the driveway to the chalet next door.
Cress gave Kaden a kiss and skipped back toward us, but Noah hesitated. He caught my eye, an almost apologetic look on his face. He looked like he might say something, but then he seemed to decide against it and turned to follow Luther and Kaden to their house. Cress was still glowing with happiness as she made her way over to us, but her enthusiasm dimmed slightly when she saw the way Wes was still scowling at Noah.
When we all got back inside, Sawyer and Anna were waiting in the living area. “Seriously,” Sawyer said. “What are the chances they’d end up at the place next door to ours?”
“Don’t be an idiot, Sawyer,” Anna scoffed. “The chances are zero. Luther did this on purpose.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s Luther, and he does whatever he wants.”
Anna was right, but I felt like Luther wasn’t just doing this to please himself. And I think she knew that too. It was obvious this wasn’t a coincidence, and in the pit of my stomach I worried it had something to do with me and Noah. Kaden’s and Noah’s surprise was strange though. Surely Luther hadn’t tricked them too.
“Let’s just forget about them,” Anna said, clapping her hands together. “We’ve got a holiday to get started, and I think we should begin by raiding the Montfort wine cellar.”
She bounded over to Cress and me, grabbed us by the hands, and pulled us down the hallway that led deeper into the house. I was somewhat glad to escape the tension filling the living area, most of it radiating from Wes. He hadn’t spoken in a few minutes now and was obviously struggling to accept the arrival of our new neighbors. It was understandable. He wasn’t the only one who still needed to wrap their mind around it.
“I’m really sorry the guys are here,” Cress said once we were out of the twins’ earshot. “I promise I had no idea what they were planning, but it feels like it’s my fault.”
“Uh, how could this be your fault?” Anna asked.
“Because Kaden wanted to surprise me.”
“That’s not your fault, Cress,” I said. “It’s sweet that he wanted to see you. But I’m pretty sure this was all Luther’s idea.”
“Yeah, he was definitely the only one of those boys who wasn’t surprised,” Anna agreed.
“You promise you’re not mad?” Cress asked. “Because I feel terrible.”
“I’m not mad,” I said. “Not with you, at least. I kind of want to have a few words with Luther though.”
“Yeah, me too,” Anna agreed. “I can understand them coming to Aspen, but renting out the place next door to us just so he can try and get you and Noah back together is not cool.”
I winced and turned to Anna. “You really think that’s what this is about?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “But what else would it be about?”
I preferred the theory that Luther had engineered the trip to help Kaden surprise Cress, but Anna had voiced the fear that was churning deep in my gut. Luther had always seemed convinced Noah and I would end up together, and he’d been going out of his way to set us up since the first day I met him.
Whether or not Anna was right, it didn’t matter. Noah staying in the house next door wasn’t going to affect me, and I had every intention of avoiding all three of those boys as much as possible while we were all here. But the problem wasn’t my feelings; it was Wes’s, and I worried that Noah’s presence might just drive a wedge into the cracks that already seemed to be forming between us. This vacation was supposed to help us fix them, not make them worse.
I tried to push my concerns away and smiled up at my friends. “I thought we were going to forget about the boys,” I said. “Anna, weren’t you saying something about a wine cellar?”
She grinned and nodded. “Come on, I’ll lead the way.”
