Holly head Slopes

Chapter Twenty

LILAH'S POV

"I was enjoying our friendship, but right now, I'm having a hard time not pushing you down this mountain," Ruby told me with a dramatic pout as we stood side by side at the slopes we had been avoiding.

"You knew the risk of the bet." I sighed. "It's not my fault Jordan decided to play to win."

"He's your cousin." She exclaimed. "The more stubborn person on earth, of course, he'll try harder. And his teammate is a literal Olympian."

When she put it like that, we were stupid to agree. What was the bet, you ask?

If Ruby and I won, Dugray and Jordan were our servants for the rest of the winter break.

Our loss was skiing or snowboarding. They were our teachers, and we had to hit the slopes daily until we admitted we enjoyed it.

Unfortunately for us, we were standing waiting for our smug teachers to return with our equipment.

We stood blocking the sun with our cold hands, wishing there was a way to escape. However, the sight of the guys approaching squashed that hope.

"You ready, Abigail?" Dugray asked me as he tried his best to hold back his gloating.

"Do I look ready?" I rhetorically questioned. "I'm the definition of all the gear and no idea." I gestured to my perfecting slope outfit. My Grandma pulled out all her old mountain things when she heard about my misfortune. I was lucky that her retro fashion had come back in style.

"Not quite all the gear." He said as he handed me a pink snowboard. I cringed at the neon colour. "Relax, it's my sister's board. I'll get you your own soon." I blushed at his words. He was getting good at reading my reactions. And I didn't hate the thought of having my own board. "You'll be the best on this mountain in no time." He told me as he pulled me against him by my waist. "You quite literally have the best teacher you can get, so it's guaranteed." I admired his optimism, which is why I was bold enough to peck his tempting lips. "I need a clear head if I'm training the next world champion. So, no illegal behaviour." He instructed like a strict instructor. It seemed he forgot he was the one who was still holding me.

I felt like a fool as he clipped my boots onto the board and pulled me up like a toddler. I soon learned balance wasn't my greatest strength. It's not that I'm not a fan of gripping onto Dugray, but the sudden inability to stand up straight was very humbling. Ruby's struggle made me feel slightly better. Jordan decided to teach her to ski, which looked less stressful. However, Dugray wasn't letting me give up.

"You're overthinking this way too much, Abi." He told me. The shock of him using my preferred name pulled me from his grip.

"Aren't teachers supposed to be using inspirational language instead of patronising them?"

"You make a good point." He nodded. "Well, at least you've been standing for the last thirty seconds and not falling."

I looked down at the snow that I was not lying flat on with a smile. Until my feet started sliding. Dugray caught me with a chuckle. "I think you're ready for a small run."

I had so many excuses ready, but I felt pathetic as I watched the kids learning on the baby slope. I was in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. People would kill to have a lesson with Mason Dugray, and I was kicking and screaming to escape. So, I put on my brave face and beat him off the ski lift. I will admit, his impressed reaction made my stomach flip.

Mason bent down to clip both of us to our boards. He returned to me and held my hands firmly, making me feel safe.

"I've got you. It's going to be scary, but to be blunt, three-year-olds nail this."

I rolled my eyes behind my goggles; although it lost its effect, I knew he knew what I had done.

I took a deep breath before bending my knees and making my first attempt down the kid's slope. My heart pounded during the few seconds I was snowboarding. I made it safely down, but my landing was far from smooth; I landed on my hands and knees.

"Not bad, Hughes. The finish was a bit rough." Dugray somewhat praised me as he stood above me, hands out, waiting to pull me up.

"That's because you dragged me down." I snarked as I unclipped my boot and stood. "I've got this." I insisted as I headed over to the ski lift. This time, solo!

I mentally gave myself a pep talk. This wasn't the top of the mountain; it was barely a quarter. I wish the ride were longer, but it was barely thirty seconds. It took me longer to clip my boots.

I balanced myself on the fresh white snow, ignored Mason's piercing eyes, and set off. His advice guided me, and I managed to stay steady, stopping right at my teacher's feet. The adrenaline rushed through my veins more than I had ever experienced before. Mason wrapped his arms around me and spun me around. I giggled in his ear at his reaction. A small achievement was praised like I was a real athlete.

"I was holding you back," He admitted, although it wasn't true. I wouldn't be anywhere near the slopes without him. "I'm very proud of you." He gleamed.

I'll be the first to admit I am a praise whore, so I lapped that up like I was starving.

"My teacher isn't all bad." I laughed. "Are we going higher?" I questioned, looking back at the increasingly busy mountain.

The hesitation brought me back to reality. "Let's end today on a high. Winter break has barely begun. We've got plenty of time to board. And I think you deserve a hot chocolate with extra cream and marshmallows."

***

I now fully understand why people rush to the café after a slope session. And I relate to the desperate need for a warm beverage. I found myself sighing at the long queue. Yesterday I would have slapped the present me.

"Come on," Mason said, holding his hand for me to grab as he stepped out of the line. I furrowed my brows at him. "People won't mind if I push ahead."

I roll my eyes at his entitlement. "No way. It's chaotic enough. It'll make it worse if Myles has to deal with grumpy skiers because Mr Gold Medal pushed in."

"Mr Gold Medal?" He questioned. "You're full of dirty talk, aren't you, Abigail?"

I sighed and pulled him back. "Just wait like a humble human being."

Mason fidgeted as we waited for the line to disperse. It was clear he wasn't one for pushing his status aside. He suggested going back to his place multiple times. However, the mischievous side of me found his impatience amusing. After a morning of me sticking to my side of the bet, the least he can do is wait ten minutes.

Jordan and Ruby had tapped into their Golden Retriever energy because they were up and down the mountain every two seconds. Ruby managed to make it down without falling... once. But at least our forfeits weren't too awful.

"You would have made a nice slave," I randomly told Mason as he sipped his decaf coffee.

"Oh yeah?" He questioned, wiping the foam from his tempting lip. "And what would my first duty be?"

My breath hitched as I computed his words; this was no longer sweet, post-board coffee. "What you do best," I smirked. "Me."

"Finish up quick then, baby; I'm ready for duty." He said, taking the last sip of his scolding hot drink. I finished mine with a giggle at his enthusiasm.

He tutted at me as I cleared our table, putting our cups on the tray and collecting a few on the way.

"What?" I shrugged as he glared at me. "Their boss doesn't pay them enough." I winked. Leaving him horny and stunned in the most perfect way.