Snowcrossed: Currently Under Construction

10. Friendly Competitions

Song:
"Pain" - Jimmy Eat World

I got it. I fucked up. Why Hadley felt the need to constantly reminded me, I didn't know.

The cold clung to every inch of my body as I stood up from my sled—my black and white Polaris idling beneath me.

I didn't like colours, aside from red, but Nate had claimed that sled this year. He pulled up next to me in a cloud of exhaust—his red and white FXR snowsuit a perfect match to his machine. "Should we go in?" he asked, pushing his voice through the matching helmet and over the winds.

No. But as I looked out over the trail, I decided maybe it was best. The light was dying, and the flurries had started.

I adjusted my gloves—contemplating my next move.

I had no intention of spending the evening with the Bell's. I was still pissed with Hadley for having to haul her out of the bar the night before after she kicked me out, but I wasn't about to be the idiot that got caught in a snowstorm, no matter how close to home I was. "Let's go."

The sounds of the sled's ripped through the mountain pass, along trails Paul and our closest neighbours carved through their properties, so we had more terrain to practice on.

I needed a day without all the pitying looks, so Nate agreed to come out. We packed our bags early this morning and took off for the cabin before anyone woke, but not without letting Linda know first, with a note we left on the island in the kitchen.

We came around a bend and leaned—pushing our weight to the right on muscle memory alone before straightening out, finding the clear path that led to the house.

Everything was a competition with the twins, including the last few bends we took on the way home.

Nate pinned it, gunning for the colour-coordinated lights flicking just beyond the trees in hopes he'd win, but he never did. Not with me.

The wind ripped through my helmet, searing the spots of flesh left unprotected by my goggles.

I lived for racing—for the adrenaline and the sheer joy that came with winning. I had devoted my entire life to it, but the news of my mother's death knocked me on my ass, and I lost focus.

I was angry. So fucking mad. At her. At myself. Not only had she bailed on us when I was twelve, but she'd also started a new life.

My heart pounded against my chest as we made the final stretch, and I willed my concentration.

I wouldn't be taken off guard again, not even with Nate. I spiralled after my accident, and I couldn't stop falling to save my life. Not till I finally smacked face-first into rock bottom when Hadley told me she was leaving.

All I had left was racing, and I'd be damned if I fucked that up too. Not after I'd been given a second chance.

The sled cut through fresh snow blanketing the track, sending a wave of white fury crashing into Nate's face as I passed him at the last possible moment.

We slowed to a stop in front of the garage's open door, and Nate ripped the helmet from his tawny head—furious. "You fucking cheated!"

I chuckled—clouds of breath fogging before my face. "How?" I asked, removing my own. "It's a straight stretch."

The cold hit my sweat-soaked hair, causing a chill to skitter down my spine.

Nate growled like a disgruntled dog, and I said, "You look like a Pomeranian."

He pointed a stern finger. "You—"

"Baker!"

My neck shot toward the sound of Luke's voice bellowing from the guest house, finding him standing before the door with hands stuffed in his pockets. "She's pissed!"

I didn't need him to elaborate. I knew which she he was referring to.

I smirked, addressing Nate with a gesture of my helmet as I walked away. "You got beat, bro. Let it go."

He glowered before restarting the sled, pulling into the garage.

Poor sport. "Let her out!"

Luke opened the door, and my dog couldn't flee fast enough.

I approached Wolf with an ear-to-ear smile as the dog who matched her name perfectly raced toward me.

I removed my gloves and crouched, giving her black-tipped fur a good stroke. "Hey girl," I greeted, itching behind her ears. "Did Luke feed you?" I asked, eyeing the injured racer as he made his way toward me.

He smirked, hazel eyes crinkling. "Janelle did."

For fuck sake. "If you used my house as a spot to hook up, I will kill you," I warned, speaking lowly so Nate wouldn't hear.

I wasn't sure who Janelle favoured, but after hearing Nate yammer on about her all day, I'd come to the conclusion that he liked her, which was strange because Nate never played for keeps. Ever.

Luke frowned. "I had to help mom with stuff for the fair, and I asked her to keep an eye."

I wasn't so sure. I caught the way he'd been looking at Janelle before Hadley kicked me out of the damn bar and the sweet nothings she whispered in his ear before they'd caught sight of me when I returned.

I wasn't sure if Janelle knew who was who, given her confusion when Nate sidled up next to her at the bar. In fact, I know she didn't know after she suggested they wear two different coloured hats.

I would have laughed at the look they gave her had Hadley not started bitching about who was there to pick them up. She could barely stand, and after what felt like hours of watching Alyssa and Janelle try to haul her out, I had enough and threw her over my shoulder.

My sled roared to life behind me, indicating Nate's close proximity. "I think he likes her," I confided, not picking sides, but I'd rather Luke know than accidentally break his brother's heart.

His brows twitched as if surprised, but as always, Luke feigned indifference, shrugging his shoulders as he glanced around the yard. "I'm not into her anyway."

It was a lie. Neither of them were too happy with me the night before last because I recommended Janelle keep an eye on Hadley after discarding the bitter Queen onto her royal bed like a sack of potatoes. I knew if I hadn't, Janelle might have made her way into one of their rooms, given the way she was talking to Hadley, and what a shame it would have been if she picked the wrong one and called the wrong name.

It wouldn't be the first time, I thought as another snagged my attention.

"What's up, number forty-four!"