Fraser Mountain - Living the snow life

Chapter Thirty Two

Main Street is completely deserted as Aaron drives me home. Not surprising, considering it’s almost 2am and snowing hard.

‘Poor Dan… I can’t believe he got gay-bashed. I thought that kind of thing went out with the ark…’ I say, wondering why Aaron is so quiet. Granted, the last few hours have been slightly fraught, but still… His face is grim, his mouth set in a firm line as he concentrates on the road ahead, the windscreen wipers moving quickly across the screen in front of us.

‘I can’t believe Dan’s gay…’ he mutters, almost to himself like he’s forgotten I’m sitting next to him. Since we left the hospital, he’s hardly spoken three words to me.

I raise an eyebrow and look over at him, my tone sharp. ‘Is that a problem for you?’

‘No!’ he immediately exclaims, looking back at me with a hurt expression. ‘It’s none of my business who he dates, but I don’t mind that he prefers dudes. What are you implying?’

‘Nothing… I didn’t mean it like that.’ I mutter.

‘I’m not some redneck homophobe… it’s not an issue for me.’

‘I’m sorry…’

‘Like I said, it’s fine.’

It’s definitely not fine. We’re silent for the rest of the journey as I gaze out of the window, wishing I could read his mind. He turns the truck on to my street, flicking the indicator on and deftly pulling alongside the pavement, coming to a slow stop outside the café. Before I get a chance to say anything, he’s opened the door outside in the snow, illuminated in the headlights as he jogs over to my side and yanks my door open.

‘Thanks for the ride home.’ I sigh, releasing my seatbelt and looking down at the floor. He obviously can’t wait to get as far away from me as possible. I wonder how we went from snogging like horny teenagers to sniping at each other in the space of a few hours.

I try to jump down from my seat but he doesn’t move out of the way, his body blocking my exit. He places both hands on the tops of my jeans, splaying his fingers out and pinning me gently to the seat. I raise my eyes slowly and look back up at him, my heart in my mouth.

‘I was having a really great time with you.’ He says. ‘It sucks that it’s ended like this.'

I smile weakly. ‘Are you sure about that?’

‘That I had a great time? For sure.’

‘But you think we’d be better off as friends.’ I add, anticipating the knock-back before it comes. ‘I get it. I understand. You don’t want things to get complicated.’

‘Look at me, Lexie.’ He lifts one of his hands and tilts my chin up so I can’t avoid his gaze. ‘Hey…’ he says, his expression gentle. ‘Are you going to be okay?’

‘Sure.’ I sniff. ‘Thanks for a nice evening.’

He smiles, his green eyes shining as looks at me intently. ‘You remember that day in the café, when you and Dan found it so funny that I thought you were dating? I guess I know why now.’ He pauses, letting go of my face. ‘The minute I snapped at Dan, telling him that I never dated season workers, I regretted it.’

‘It’s fine… I get it.’ I reply. ‘Lisa told me all about Chantelle. You don’t have to let me down gently.’

‘Listen…’ He says, looking awkward. ‘I don’t want to be friends with you.’

My expression must be priceless because he chuckles quietly and squeezes my leg. ‘What I mean is, I don’t want to be just your friend. I really like you. I think we might have something pretty special here.’