Page 32 of Ski You Later (Alpine Glow #1)

I wonder if it’s too late to get a new team.

Arms wrap around my waist, hugging me close as I feel my feet lift off the ground. I’m in the most insane bear hug ever as I’m swung in a couple of circles and then placed back down.

“Rhodes got top ten! Rhodes got top ten!” A sing-song voice says in my ear as I’m shaken around by a guy with very familiar voice.

“Dude, you are going to break her,” Landon says from beside me.

“Nah, it takes more than a hug to break a woman like her,” Xander says with joy.

As soon as Xander lets me out of his crushing embrace, he grabs my shoulders and puts me at an arms distance. “You crushed that run, Rhodes! Now pop me out so I can congratulate your best friend.”

I can’t stop the quick laugh that comes out of me, and I’m released from his hold only so I can pop him out of his skis. Turning around, I see Aurora heading our way as she raises her eyebrow at us.

“Hello Princess, I can’t help but notice you won the whole damn race!” A smile I haven’t seen for quite some time now explodes on Auroras face at Xander’s words.

Then, before I can comprehend what’s happening, she throws herself into Xander’s arms. The pair of them share a giddy laugh as Xander begins to swing her around like he did me.

I’m still staring at them with confusion as I feel a light hand on my shoulder, and then suddenly all I see is Landon’s chest as he pulls me into a hug. His gentle presence is a welcome feeling after the surge of energy, and he rubs my back as he congratulates me.

He pulls away, looking to Aurora as if to congratulate her, but decides against it.

As I smile at Landon and turn away, I look for the only Huxley brother who hasn’t congratulated me. The space is packed as I start to walk back towards my skis. Slipping past the last barrier of people milling about, Roman stands waiting as he holds my jacket and snow pants in his hands.

My face crumples as all the emotions hit me at once. I try to avoid making eye contact as I feel my eyes welling with tears, but Roman only opens his arms for me.

When I’m only a couple of steps away, I speed up my pace and fall into him. His strong arms band around me as I fall, and I feel my feet leave the snow yet again.

The hugs from his brothers were great, but nothing compares to the feeling of being held in his embrace. As soon as I feel his gloved hand pushing on the back of my neck, I fully relax into him and put my head on his shoulder.

I can only imagine he’s holding me a good foot in the air at this point, and we must look absolutely ridiculous, but I’m only thinking about Roman.

How he’s always there for me when I need him, how he speaks in his actions over his words, and how I know that these feelings I have for him are becoming anything but fake.

That thought will have to wait until after this hectic weekend though as I feel myself slide down Roman’s body yet again. He pulls me away so we can look at one another, but quickly takes both his hands in mine.

“I’m so proud of you,” he beams. Genuine joy is splayed across his face as he watches me with those intensely beautiful eyes. A girl could get lost in chocolate brown eyes such as those, and I can’t help but feel like I’m becoming one of those lucky people.

I blush and put my head down instinctively, such raw emotion still being something I’m not used to. “I didn’t even get top five.” I counter immediately.

His gloves gently grasp my chin as he directs my gaze back to him. “Stop that. You did just as I asked. You kicked some serious ski racer ass today.” I wait for him to say more, but Xander starts to yell, and I hear the sounds of bindings clipping in from behind me.

Roman’s hand slides down to my hand and gives it a quick squeeze. “I need to go and try to do just as well as you now, Langley.” I lift my brow at him since I know he’s aiming for first, but I can’t help but smile.

As everyone waves and starts to ski away, I watch as Roman grabs his poles and clips into his skis. With the joy coursing through me, I have no regrets as I grab his arm and pull him down to me.

“Kick ass, Huxley,” I whisper in his ear and relish as his eyes widen.

He turns to me quickly with a smiling spreading over his face. “Anything for you, Langley.”

The rest of the day flies by, from using all the air in my lungs to cheer for the guys, to heading home and making sure everything is ready for tomorrows race. The house was bustling as everyone prepares their lunches for the next day and gets their race skis ready.

It’s always right after the race when the six-bedroom house feels the smallest. All the showers being occupied, athletes running up and down the staircases, and the kitchen being stuffed with guys trying to figure out the mechanics of a sandwich.

As I squish between Aurora and Charles on the couch, I pat him on the knee and congratulate him on his top ten finish today. He gives me a big side hug and we then both face Roman at the front of the room.

It looks like instead of eating, he was one of the ones to use the shower before the rest of the team.

His hair looks black when wet, some pieces dripping water while others dry with a slight curl.

The darkness of his hair does nothing but accentuate his pale skin and the freckles dusting across his face.

They’re clumped on the bridge of his nose, and then stretch out across his cheeks in the most adorable manner.

He starts to address the group, probably going over results for today and the plan for tomorrow, but I can’t seem to stop analyzing him.

The distinct bump of his nose is looked at as a flaw to most, but I love the way it shapes his face.

As well as his broad shoulders, wide neck, and ears that are on the smaller size.

I realize I’ve been tuning everything out as he makes eye contact with me, and I notice the rest of the group doing the same.

His gaze turns from expectant to slightly confused and finally a smile graces his face as he realizes I have no idea what he said.

“Um, what sorry?” I ask the group as I look every which way.

I’ve never seen such a quiet man seem so damn smug as he stands in front of us all, crossing his strong arms over his chest with a huge smile on display.

Looking to my left for some support, I see Aurora doing her best to suppress a laugh building up.

Charles looks similar to her, and I look around the rest of the group to find no support.

“Alright, I wasn’t paying attention. What’s going on?

” I confess and try my best to keep the defeat out of my tone.

Xander starts fully laughing now as he leans back in his chair and Landon decides to finally puts me out of my misery.

“Roman got mad at us for not paying attention, then he was talking about how you looked like the only person that seemed invested in what he had to say. Then, when he gestured to you, you were just drooling in his direction.”

I see Aurora’s arm cock back at that, followed by the pillow that smacks Landon directly in the face. “I was not drooling!” I immediately throw my own pillow at his face.

“Alright, settle down.” Roman puts his hands out, trying to stop the projectile pillows from breaking something.

“As I was saying, there’s a snow delay for tomorrow. They’re planning on starting the race at one, meaning we have the entire morning off.”

The energy in the rental switches like a light, everyone leaning forward as we all share the same idea.

Roman tenses as he feels the energy shift as well, and once again throws his hands up to continue talking.

“There will be no parties in this rental! We can’t lose our deposit and we can’t get a noise complaint. ”

These are all terrible points to stop us from having a party. Considering we’ll clean the rental after and we’re surrounded by houses that are occupied by the other teams, who will be invited anyway.

“I want you to all look at me right now. You will not have a party,” he states this with authority and points to everyone in turn.I can’t help but feel bad for the guy when fourteen smiling athletes look back at him.

“Rhys?” His gaze travels to the lone figure leaning against the wall and his voice sounds pleading. Every head turns around to look at the relaxed man that starts to smile and shrug his shoulders.

With Rhys’ agreement, we all cheer and pull out our phones. It looks like the Polar team is throwing a party.