Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“Oh my goodness, Vivian, dear. It’s so good to see you,” Mrs. West says, suddenly standing directly in front of me. Most of my parents’ friends, I call aunt and uncle or by their patched names, but for some reason I can’t with the Wests. Maybe it’s the way I feel about Simon. If I treat them like family then Simon becomes family and unavailable to me and that would be awkward.
“Hello. I had no idea you’d be coming,” I answer with my teeth clenched tightly together, doing my best to not scream at the way they’ve all invaded my peace. How he has invaded my peace. I can’t escape the man who doesn’t want me while he continues to crush my poor, fragile heart.
“Wrench told me about the trip, and I thought it would be a great way to spend a holiday with the family,” Mrs. West says, smiling so sweetly that I can’t be as upset as I want to be.
“That’s sweet.” Simon doesn’t even approach. He continues speaking to the woman at the desk as if I’m nothing. I do my best not to be destroyed by it. Then, Mr. West turns his head after catching my attention. “Oh, they messed up our rooms. He’s getting it settled.”
“I’m sure.” I smile, pretending to be unbothered. “It’s good to see you all, but I’m supposed to join my group.” I nod and excuse myself, walking away from them without acknowledging Simon, who is slowly moving in our direction.
“Trouble,” he mutters, but I refuse to give him more than a passing nod. It’s all he deserves. I’ve been struggling with my feelings for that man for so long. Years. I’ve been madly in love with him, and he’s pushed me away for the last damn time. We aren’t a million years apart in age, and yet, he acts like it’s a crime. It’s not, so it’s obvious he doesn’t like me and I’ve been wasting my damn time.
Seeing him openly flirting with another woman just confirms all the fears I had while he was in school. I’ve never heard or seen him with other girls in town, so this hits in a way I can’t even explain. Pushing those emotions away, I head out to the ski area just off the resort to begin our first run. Thankfully I’ve gone skiing before, because my head isn’t in the game. My heart isn’t in it, either.
“Hey, pretty girl. How are you doing?” I’m so distracted I almost didn’t see my classmate Richie. Luckily I stopped myself from slamming right into him.
“Hey, Richie,” I say, smiling at him as best as I can. I can’t truly flirt with anyone. I never could because my heart and soul have always belonged to that bastard Simon, and I’m not even sure why. He’s a no-good, philandering piece of crap. I can’t believe he’d be so cruel as to flirt right in front of me. He’s known forever that I’ve been obsessed with him, and then he does that.
It’s like he wants me to stop this fascination. If that’s what he wants, well, that’s what he’ll get. From here on out, I’m not the damn doormat schoolgirl with a crush on the hunky mechanic. God, it’s not like I haven’t been warned by him several times to go home and grow up. Well, now I’m done being the pathetic little simpering Vivian who wears her heart on her sleeve.
“Things are going better now that you’re here.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Do you want to be my partner for the day?” he asks.
“Sure, I’d like that,” I say, smiling at him while walking toward the ski instructor. I see Simon’s nosy brothers nearby and roll my eyes. If I could get away with it, I’d kick them in their shins, but then I wouldn’t doubt that they’d accidentally trip me in the snow. Unfortunately, we’ve grown up way too close to each other, and it’s like having extra brothers.
“Come on, Richie. Let’s go over here.” I move him away from the twins so I don’t have to deal with their pestering. Over the past two years, I’ve gotten used to their big-brother antics, but they aren’t my big brothers, so they can quit it.
“So, are you seeing anyone?” he asks, his intent clear.
“Yeah,” twin one asks, stepping around me. Where the hell did he come from? How did I not hear him crunch through the snow?
The other pops his head over Richie’s shoulder and says, “Yes, she’s seeing a therapist because she’s in love with my brother and she doesn’t understand that she’s jailbait.”
Number one rests his arm on my shoulder and shakes his head. “One more month and she’s fair game for Simon, but she’s too damn impatient. Girls,” he sighs.
“I think you boys are full of shit because she’s clearly here with me,” Richie tells them. I smirk.