Page 11

Veronica

Frisky Fox

I t was another great day on the slopes. Another day to recharge what I felt like was missing in me, a sense of adventure and belonging in a place that makes me feel whole.

After dropping our ski gear off at the condo and changing, Lizzy and I head back to the village to meet the boys at the bar. I changed into some comfy leggings, decent boots for walking, a cowl knit sweater, and rebraided my hair before throwing on a beanie.

Lizzy is always on, as usual. She threw on some thick wool tights, but also put on a cute short black sweater dress. A perfect ski-lodge look.

Walking into the bar, I’m hit with all the memories of past nights spent here. We snag a high top right next to the bar on the first floor. At this time of day, the après crowd is rolling in and the place is electric.

A band is warming up on the stage in the corner, but they’re drowned out by everyone in the bar talking about their highlights of the beautiful day. The latecomers now are heading upstairs to the second floor bar overlooking us. I smile looking up there at the balcony, laughing at the life size stuffed moose hanging from the ceiling, pulling a sled.

If you came to the Frisky Fox without knowing the history of it, your first reaction would be that it was the result of a cliché attempt at making a Wyoming ski dive bar, a theme park caricature. Sure it gives off that vibe, with its wood paneled walls covered in taxidermied animals, old skis, antique tin signs, and other knick knacks.

Except for the fact that it’s the real genuine article, having been here since the sixties. Oddly enough, it started out as an admittedly unusual combination of an opera house, spaghetti restaurant, and saloon. These days it’s known for killer après ski food, steaks, and margaritas.

God those margs are dangerously good.

Collin and I have been coming here, more often than not with Tanner, since we turned twenty - one. It’s a staple for us anytime we’re in town, regardless of the time of year.

“Spicy margs, right? I’ve been told that’s the drink here,” Lizzy says practically shouting over the noise looking for confirmation, as if we haven’t been talking about this all week.

“Yep. That’s it. Grab me one too. I got next round. Thanks, girl.”

While Lizzy goes up to the bar, I look down at my phone to check the time. It’s 4:15 but I wanted to get here early and grab a table before it’s too crowded. Plus I can grab a drink with Lizzy before the boys show up.

Before I can even put my phone away, I feel it buzz in my hand. I swear if this is Jeff again today. Oh, that’s… weird. It’s not Jeff, but an email from Cindy at Earth SnaX, my main client contact there. She normally goes through Jeff, but does occasionally come straight to me for some things.

My anxiety starts to race.

Why is she reaching out directly? They’re based in Oregon, so it’s not that unusual for me to hear from them later in my work day with the three hour time difference. But it’s the Saturday after Christmas. What could she want?

Ok, my anxiety is going to get the better of me. If I don’t check this, I’m going to be consumed by wondering what she wants.

Hi Veronica!

First off, this is not urgent, so I hope you don’t see this messageuntil you’re back from your well earned vacation! Jealous you’re out skiing, I’m more of a Colorado girl, but I’ve heard Jackson Hole is amazing.

When you’re back, I’d like to set up time to get your input on some ideas, unrelated to the upcoming presentation. Looking forward to hearing all about the slopes and catching up!

Cindy

Cynthia Peters

SVP, Product Branding and Marketing

Earth SnaX

I exhale, realizing I was holding my breath. No idea what that’s about, but glad it’s nothing urgent though. Not that I’m going to let anything derail tonight. I’ve been waiting for a Spicy Fox Marg since I booked the flight out here.

When I look up from my phone, I’m surprised by someone standing at the table. And not a pleasant surprise.

“Hi there. Haven’t seen you around here before,” says the guy standing opposite me. “Name’s Dustin.”

Just what I needed. Some random guy trying to hit on me.

“Hi.” I say, wanting this conversation to end as soon as possible. Can Lizzy please get back here already?

He leans onto the table, clearly not sensing my lack of interest in a conversation with a stranger. “Can I get you a drink?”

This guy screams Tech Bro Chad . Perfectly clean cut. Way too put together for après ski drinks. I bet he didn’t even hit the slopes today. He’s probably the type to take a one hour ski lesson and call it a day.

“No thanks. Just waiting on my brother and friends.” I wish this guy would just take the hint and move on to wherever his gaggle of bros is.

While I roll my eyes as dramatically as I can to try and continue to show my disinterest, his eyes shift from me and grow wide with what looks like terror. Before I can turn to see what he’s looking at, I feel a hand run across my back and rest on my waist.

“There you are, babe. I’ve been looking for you.” That deep raspy voice. I calmly look down at the tattooed hand resting on my hip before looking back up to Tanner, smiling eagerly.

I’m 5’9” and Collin is tall at 6’1”. And right now, Tanner is towering over me. Last night I only really saw him sitting at the table. But standing next to him now, this close, jeez. What is he like 6’4” or something? I can see why Tech Bro Chad here is intimidated and I definitely don’t mind it.

“Hey sweetheart.” I bat my eyes and put a hand on his chest, playing along with his little show to drive off this bro. “Where are my brother and Lizzy?”

Tanner tilts his head towards the bar before pulling me in close to him. “They’re up at the bar grabbing drinks. They should be back soon.”

At that, Dustin finally tucks his tail and leaves our table.

“Thanks, Tanner. Appreciate that. You know you’re pretty good at playing big sexy boyfriend,” I say appreciatively.

His face goes an unmistakable shade of red at those words and there’s an awkward, yes definitely awkward, moment of silence lingering between us. His hand is still on my side and I’m still leaning against him, somehow in no rush to leave this spot.

He slowly levels a grin at me that stops just before it reaches those fierce green eyes, piercing into me and searching for something like last night.

Ok. Lizzy is right. I definitely wasn’t imagining that last night. But what’s up with him?

“Um hey guys. Here’s your drink, V. But-,” Lizzy startles both of us and Tanner quickly pulls his hand away. “But what’s going on here?”

She waggles her finger back and forth between us questioningly.

“Tanner was just saving me from some obnoxious tech bro.” Lizzy eyes me curiously before shrugging her shoulders. “Thanks again for the drink, Lizzy.”

Tanner finally takes off his jacket and hangs it on the hooks under the table. And. Oh. My.

I knew he had put on muscle after seeing him last night, but the long sleeve shirt hid a lot . He’s now wearing a black Jackson Hole t-shirt that’s straining at the seams to hold back his thick arms and broad chest. The once trim, lanky boy from years past is bigger, broader, and more rugged than I remembered. Certainly looks like he’s made from granite, cut from the mountains themselves.

And I can see the other tattoos, including one I’ve never seen before on his forearm. It’s a chef’s knife wrapped in roses on his forearm. There’s something I can’t quite make out reflecting back in the blade between the roses.

Yes, he’s definitely grown into a man. How on earth is he always single? He’s definitely a catch now, if he wasn’t before.

Lizzy moves to Tanner’s other side after handing me my drink. “Well, Chap ,” she says, popping her lips and batting her eyes. “If you’re done playing V’s fake boyfriend for the night, how about playing my real boy toy?”

I nearly spit out my drink and quickly cover my mouth to hide a laugh. Damn. Well I guess Lizzy is definitely shooting her shot.

I notice Tanner momentarily tensing before feigning a laugh and leaning against our high top table. “Very funny, Lizzy. I’m flattered. But I think my night is pretty booked with work after I leave here.”

Lizzy leans closer to him, running her finger over the salted rim of her margarita before bringing her finger to her lips. “Alright. Your loss.” She flicks her hair over her shoulder and turns back to me. “Oh and V. Collin said he was getting a twenty-one special or something at the bar, whatever that is.”

I groan and palm my face. “Oh no. Not again.” I mutter. “Why did you leave him unsupervised, Tanner?”

Tanner’s smile is back as he laughs at my reaction. “I figured it’d be fun. He rarely gets to let his hair down and let loose like he does here.”

“Fair enough. But you’re carrying him home if he gets too wild.” I point my finger at him. “I know I don’t have to remind you about that night .”

“Oh god. I hope he’s better behaved than that tonight,” Tanner says laughing, showing off his dimples and that perfect smile. He certainly is handsome.

And I’m clearly not the only one to notice. Lizzy has inched closer to Tanner, angling towards him.

“So, Chap. Nice moves out there on Tower Three today.” Lizzy’s words bring us back from the memory of our wild nights here before. “Have you skied that line like that before?”

I watch as Lizzy eyes Tanner a bit more mischievously than last night. Clearly she wants to take her shot at him after our earlier conversation on the lift.

Tanner has a bewildered look on his face. Or maybe it’s more mild irritation? I watch, almost giggling as he seems to struggle to answer Lizzy’s question.

“Oh. Tower Three. Yeah. I’ve done that before.” he says, putting on a less than enthusiastic smile.

I can see she’s intrigued by this hunk of a man in front of us. Oh, Lizzy. I thought she was only looking for a cowboy to have a fling with right now? Tanner isn’t her cowboy, but maybe he’s rugged enough for her after all.

But Tanner isn’t having any of it. She keeps trying to get his attention back, batting her long lashes, hunting for a topic he’s interested in. But he keeps changing the topic or checking in on me with that deep, lingering stare from the night before, as he politely shows just enough interest in Lizzy’s conversation.

Hmm. What’s up with that?

Better dive back into the fray and save Lizzy from herself.

“So yeah, uhhh, first chair tomorrow, right?” I try to diffuse the brewing tension, looking at Tanner and then Lizzy, already knowing the answer.

Where is Collin? He’s left me alone with these two way too long.

“We know you wouldn’t have it any other way, Ronni. So 8:30 AM outside the tram center?” Tanner looks at Lizzy briefly before returning back to me.

“Sure, Tanner. That’ll work,” I say.

As we talk more about the plan for first chair tomorrow, Collin has reappeared bearing gifts. I groan when I see what he’s holding.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to reintroduce you to our old friends or maybe frenemies, tequila shots. Let’s fucking go!” Collin passes them around the table. We each grab our glass and raise them for a toast.

“To old friends in new places and to new friends in old places!” Collin is always a great toast maker.

We all down our shots, grimacing over the cheap tequila. Oh yeah, the memories of prior nights here are coming back now.

“Oh and I forgot, they brought friends!” Collin reveals a tray with another round of shots on the table behind him. He’s on a roll. It’s good to see him this happy and back with his best friend though.

I love seeing Collin in his element like this. He’s always been a social butterfly. Actually, more like a social chameleon, able to blend in with different groups and mingle as if he belonged anywhere and everywhere at once. He was a great high school athlete and was good friends with a lot of the jocks back then, laughing at teenage boy jokes like they were the greatest thing ever. But at the same time, he’d come hang with my girlfriends and me after getting home from practice, sitting down and instantly entering our debate over who Blair is going to end up with after the latest episode of Gossip Girl. Here though in Wyoming, with us, it feels like the real honest Collin. No blending in, just authentic, relaxed Collin.

This routine of shots and margs goes on for another hour and a half. Lizzy is surprisingly holding her own with Collin, maybe even outdoing him. Collin is a mess as usual. Lizzy and him are on the other side of the table now, gossiping away about some nonsense they saw on social media, scrolling through their phones, comparing feeds. I’m thrilled, yet somehow equally terrified, that they’re becoming fast friends. I’m not sure I can handle that much snark and sass in my life.

I check in on Tanner. He’s still been uncharacteristically quiet compared to the brash boy from my childhood. And last night everyone was so tired and hungry, we still didn’t get the chance to talk much.

“So what else is new, Tanner? No girlfriend, as usual. Still hitting big lines when you aren’t taking care of rich people’s houses I see.”

“Well, Ronni,” he’s entirely focused on me now. “Looks like you can see right through me as always. Single, yes. Big lines, sure if you say so.”

When he doesn’t add any more, I move to a friendlier topic.

“So, making any special knives right now?”

“Actually yeah. I made some here and there for the Eclectic Elk and some of my grandparent’s friends and I’m working on a few more. But I’ve got one I’ve been working on for a while. Something special for the owner of a property I manage.” A dreamy smile takes over his face. I can tell he really loves working on these knives.

“Oh really? What’s special about it? I used the set you gave us for the condo last night. Still the best knives I’ve ever used by the way, even if my finger got caught up in some friendly fire.” I hold up my bandaged finger tip to show him the damage.

“Ouch. Sorry about that,” he says, wincing as if he’s responsible for the cut from the other night. “Well, the new one is a classic K-Tip chef’s knife but with a type of Damascus steel I haven’t tried before. Honestly can’t say much else about it, haven’t decided exactly where I want to go with it yet and not sure if it’ll work out.”

He shrugs and breaks eye contact. “We’ll see where it goes. But I think it just might end up being my favorite when I’m done with it, if I get it to work out anyways.”

He takes a drink of his water before bringing his eyes back to mine. “What about you? Still single and still at the cubicle farm back home?”

I can’t hide my reaction, I stare in disbelief, my mouth open. Did he really just say that? I mean he’s not wrong but that still stings.

“Looks like you can see right through me too, I guess,” I say. I turn to talk to Lizzy and Collin, when I feel a strong hand grab my wrist stopping me.

“Hey. I’m sorry, Ronni. Didn’t mean it that way.” His eyes are remorseful, looking like his words pained him as much as they did me, even if they are true. “I’m glad you’re here though. It’s good to see you guys together at the same time. Even though I live here, this place just feels more like home when both of you are around.”

His hand is still lingering on my wrist, his thumb gently running over the back of my hand. The feeling of his touch is electric, like his skin is on fire. I don’t know if it’s the margs, his deep voice, or the feeling of his hand on my wrist, but suddenly I’m not irritated with him anymore.

“Don’t sweat it. You're right though, it does feel good to be back. This place is home, even if we aren’t always here.” He nods in agreement before letting go of my wrist.

“So what else is new?” I ask, my mind still thinking about that electric touch as I touch the place his thumb was just rubbing. “Your grandparents still live upstairs from us, I know. Still driving that minty clean old truck?”

An unexpected smile and look of excitement takes over his face, the remorse in his eyes gone and replaced with a boyish sparkle.

“Actually yes, I still have mom’s old truck but it’s mostly just for plow work at this point. Still though, I keep it just how she loved it. I finally bit the bullet and got a sweet Sprinter van and decked it out for early morning ski days. It’s pretty slick. Cozy bed for Rex and me, plenty of room for gear, little stove for making breakfast. Probably take it down to Salt Lake and Park City some time to visit Clay and Grace. If you lived out here, I’d totally see you owning one.”

“You don’t have to sell me. Sounds amazing. All of it.” Damn. What I’d give to live in this fairy tale of a place like him. I wish I could just let go like that, live completely in the moment, embrace the ski bum life and take off to go where I want when I want.

“Yeah. It sure is. You know, I missed this. It’s good to have you guys back.”

We look at each other, both exhaling, enjoying the moment of calm thinking about the magic of this place.

The town, the mountain, the village, the times shared with loved ones. As I take it all in, I realize this might be exactly what I needed to recharge myself from my life back home and the office, or as Tanner would now say, the cubicle farm. My brother, old friends, even older friends. My favorite places. My favorite flavors and comfort foods.

I realize Tanner has the same contented look on his face.

I break the silence. “Want another drink, Tanner? I’m buying.” I noticed he hasn’t had any from the last couple of rounds.

“Nah, I’m good. I gotta drive home tonight. Forecast is looking like a big snow day. Gotta wake up early and plow a couple driveways in the morning before I can meet you at the slopes. Want me to bring a coffee for you? Iced honey badger, oat milk, extra shot, right?”

My jaw hangs open as a quiet stunned look engulfs my face.

How the hell did he remember that?

The pizza last night was one thing. We’ve been ordering that since we were teens. But I don’t think I’ve had a coffee with this guy in four or five years and somehow he knows my favorite drink from the local coffee shop in town. I guess he has a good memory? How ‘bout that. My face still scrunched in disbelief that Tanner remembers my old coffee order.

“Um yeah actually, that’s exactly it. Thank you. On another note, I think we might want to think about cashing out and heading home.” I shift my eyes over to Collin and Lizzy. Collin is sitting down now, elbow on the table, head resting on his hand. Shit he might be about to pass out.

“Yep. There’s our boy. Geez, some things never change.” He notices Collin too apparently. But it’s never been truer as we erupt in laughter.

I mean really, Tanner is right. Here we are over a decade later and we’re going to have to carry Collin home just like our twenty-first birthday all over again. I’m still an anxious mess, now with the added stress of trying to salvage my stalled career. Tanner is… well Tanner, I guess. Maybe a smidge more mature but who knows what’s really going on in that head under that hat.

Can things really stay the same like this forever with the three of us?

“You’re right about that. It’s our twenty-first birthday at the Fox all over again. Will Collin ever be able to handle more than a round of drinks?”

“Doubt it Ronni. I think he’s actually getting worse at this. Didn’t even think that was possible.”