Holly head Slopes

Chapter twenty-three

Abi's POV

It had been days since I last heard from Mason. I was only a text away, and yet he was radio silent. But I couldn't dwell on his absence.

"I never thought I'd see the day you were waiting to hit the slopes." Jordan laughed as he joined me in the kitchen. I had been up for hours, at first studying, then reading and then panicking about the last few Christmas presents I needed to buy before next week.

"I have to get there early. The line for the rented boards is insane." I sighed.

Jordan furrowed his brows. "Weren't you borrowing one of Dugrays'?"

"The neon pink wasn't my thing. Plus, now his sister is in town, she will be using it."

"His sister?" He questioned with shock. "A female Mason? God help Holly head." He smirked. His grin soon shifted to the doorway when his springy girlfriend arrived ready for another skiing lesson. At least one of us had an instructor.

~~~

Snowboarding was significantly more boring when there wasn't anyone with you. My mind froze when I started. I see people use their time on the slopes to clear their heads and finally be free, but that's hard for me when everything about the mountain reminds me of Mason.

I lasted an hour before returning my rental board and starting my walk of defeat to the café. When I reached the counter, Myles graced me with his charming smile.

"You're getting better." He told me.

"Wow, that almost sounds true." I laughed as I removed my thick gloves to stop the horrible tingling sensation I still hadn't grown used to.

"You aren't quite pro-level, but you would probably qualify for the newcomer's category."

I almost choked at his statement. "Sure, sign me up." I sarcastically replied.

"Don't joke. I might do it."

"This is sounding less hypothetical."

He grinned as he warmed the milk I had become hooked on. "Hollyhead holds a tournament on New years Eve. It was an old tradition that Dugray brought back a few years ago. It's one of the few I enjoy. I was thinking of competing this year."

My eyes widened. "I'm sorry. You would compete? I didn't know you snowboarded.

"I've lived here my entire life, Abi. I know my way down these slopes better than most. Work and college take up most of my time, but I love a late-night board after my shifts when the mountain is quiet."

You learn something new every day. I couldn't imagine Myles competing. He didn't seem to have the same athletic edge as Mason or Clay.

"So, is it the usual routine?"

I furrowed my brows. He smirked at my confusion in a way I find frustrating. "Have your hot chocolate, read a book, go home and cook up a storm."

Annoyingly, he was accurate. That had been my routine. However, he was missing the last week of sneaking around with Mason.

"Actually, I need to finish my Christmas shopping. I lost track of time, and I need some stocking fillers."

I was ashamed of how distracted I had gotten. I was ordinarily done by November. Christmas was a special season for me. This year was far from ordinary; we hardly had room for our bags, let alone presents. My saving grace was the cute little shops in Hollyhead.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't done. I always leave it to Christmas Eve, but I finish early today. We could go together," he suggested. "Only if you want to. No pressure." He followed up nervously.