Page 46 of Ski You Later (Alpine Glow #1)

It’s only really a win if she’s at the finish line.

I wince and cover my ears as Aurora’s scream fills the air, her hands waving wildly as she jumps up and down.

The ladies’ race went swimmingly in the morning, with Aurora snagging first place, and me fitting into eighth.

The entire place is now packed as we watch the men’s race; the netting surrounding the finish area is full of people screaming and ringing cowbells.

“Alexander Huxley, bib thirty-five, has landed himself in to third position.” Another round of cheers goes up, and Aurora’s voice knocks them out of the park.

Xander comes to a stop before us, snow spraying everywhere as he looks up and sees his position.

I watch as his arms shoot in the air and his poles dangling down his arms as he starts to punch the sky.

As Aurora gives one last blood-curdling scream, his whole-body tenses as he quickly turns towards us .

My best friend suddenly goes quiet as his eyes stay on her, but I can’t help smiling as he blows her a kiss. “Is there still nothing happening between you two?” I lean close and yell to Aurora, hoping she’s able to hear me over all the noise.

Not surprisingly, she doesn’t respond. Scoffing in my direction, then promptly ignoring me to cheer for the next racer. I have a strong desire to pry, but Roman is in a couple of racers, and I can’t risk missing him.

That blue and white ski suit catches my eye as he crests the pitch above us. His movements are precise as he pushes himself to the brink, and the finish line’s only ten gates away now.

The guards on his pole are neon yellow and stand out stark against the snow.

As he approaches the next gate, he positions his body perfectly so that he’ll make contact at the exact point he wants.

This all happens in a matter of seconds, and before I can blink, he’s already flying towards the following gate.

It isn’t long before he pushes himself all the way to the finish line, and his hand shoots out before him and stops the timing.

“Roman Huxley, bib thirty-nine, has just slotted himself into first place, everyone!” The announcer roars, and the crowd starts to lose their mind .

I can hear the obvious sound of Xander and Landon making a scene on the other side of the fence. But it’s the sound that rips itself out of my own throat that manages to make the loudest noise.

An immense swelling of pride fills my whole body as I sprint towards the racer exit. Once I’m around the bend, I see him handing his racer bib to the attendant and thanking her for volunteering. His goggles are on the rim of his helmet now, and an immense look of happiness is plastered on his face.

His eyes are alight as he seems to be scanning his surroundings, and I can’t help but think he’s looking for someone in particular. That feeling in my chest only intensifies when he makes eye contact with me, and his smile becomes bigger than I’ve ever seen it.

I can’t help but scream with joy, opening my arms and jumping right into his outstretched ones. “You did it! You freaking won!” I scream as I hold him tighter and pour all my pride into him.

He rocks me back and forth, joy basically radiating from his body as he holds me. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Langley. Truly.” His head falls into the crook of my shoulder, and we breathe each other in as we stand at the exit .

The moments quickly ruined by the tell-tale sound of Xander’s screaming getting closer.

Roman quickly places me down on the snow, his hands landing on my shoulders as he pushes me back a couple of steps. I give him a confused glance but then quickly understand as Xander comes in contact with Roman, as both men take to the ground roughly.

“YOU BASTARD! YOU DID IT!” Xander’s scream permeated the air, and a course volunteer quickly warns him about appropriate language.

Landon is quickly behind his brothers, a giant smile plastered on his face he hugs Roman. The sheer amount of pride emanating from both his siblings causes tears to form in my own eyes.

Roman fully laughs, shoving off both his little siblings roughly, but smiling widely at them the whole time. I didn’t think this moment could get any better, but my eyes widen as all my friends rush up to Roman.

To my biggest shock, Aurora bear hugs my boyfriend from the side, congratulating him loudly as she holds him. He seems to be just as surprised, but lightly taps her back in gratitude.

Charles, Liam, and Isla all give him positive words, hugs, and pats on the back. This was the best way we could have ended the race weekend, everyone seeming to come together at the perfect time.

“Alright, we’re going to have to host a party now, right?” Xander’s voice cuts into the various conversations happening all around.

Sly smiles emit from the Polars, knowing damn well we leave tomorrow morning and everyone’s game to let loose tonight. This time, though, all heads turn to Roman, as the team finally seeking advice from the leader.

He takes his time looking at each and every one of us, his gaze landing on me last. “Fuck yeah we are having a party!” He roars into the group, throwing up his hands as everyone cheers.

I throw mine up with the group, truly letting myself loose for the first time in forever, and gladly returning the crushing kiss from my boyfriend.

I’m absolutely gone. Not one thing is left running in this brain of mine, and the thoughts turn into puddles of goo as soon as they form.

No one was surprised when the team was ready for another Polar party, with red solo cups promptly being removed from various athletes’ luggage. It was a quick pregame filled with ski shots and shot gunning, which gradually progressed to hours of drinking games as all the teams filtered in.

It’s well known that the Sunray Mountain team is also having a party, so we’re all aware a midnight party merger could be in the cards.

As I shoot another pong ball into the last cup on the other side of the table, I scream and jump into the arms of a very drunk Charles. Almost taking us both down as I hugged the life out of them.

“You brilliant girl!! Suck it Oceanside!” Charles yells as he points across the pong table and waves an accusing finger at two guys from the Oceanside team.

With a condescending comment from Charles, they shake our hands and wish us both a good night. I can’t help but notice how the second guy’s handshake lingers with Charles’, both leaning towards each other and keeping the conversation flowing.

I take my cue to leave, smiling as Charles laughs and the two of them continue with their flirtatious arguing.

Keeping a stupid smile on my face, I let the noise and people wash over me as I make my way throughout.

I have nowhere to be as I stumble along but stop mid-stride as I hear the tell-tale sound of Aurora laughing close by .

A bunch of guys are chatting in the hallway, blocking my path to my bestest of friends. “Excuse me, I just need to get past,” I say, but can’t help the slur of the last words. My head starts to spin the longer I look around, and I suddenly have the urge to find Roman.

“She is sloshed man.” The voice closest to me says.

“Dude, go put her ass to bed.” Another hallway man states.

The figure in the middle chuckles, confidently standing up straight and approaching me. “Hey Buddy! I have a boyfriend! No, thank you!” I lean back and point at his face.

A low chuckle escapes from the figure, the sound quickly melts away any of my hostility. I start to evade the figure, but strong arms wrap around me before I can make my drunken escape. Arms that hold me so well, my body immediately relaxes into him against my will.

“Langley, I think it’s bedtime.” Roman all but coos into my ear, and a smile breaks out on my face.

“Roman! You're socializing!” I screech as I wrap my arms around his neck, and rock him back and forth. I can only imagine how much he is leaning down to accommodate me as my feet stay planted on the floor .

“I’m going to bed, guys,” Roman says beside me, but it sounds far away.A chorus of boos come from around us, and it warms my heart that they want him here.

“Dude, just put her to bed and come back down.” I hear someone yell, and then the sound of everyone agreeing. Even though I’m not proud of it, I tighten my hold on Roman almost immediately.

Roman’s resounding chuckle thrums through my chest, and I feel his arms loosen around me. Getting the message, I start to release my hold on Roman’s neck, only to feel his arms under my back and knees.

Suddenly, the ground rushes away, and I have to close my eyes to keep from throwing up all over him. “Ugh, no, no,” I moan as I put my face into his chest and try to stop the room spinning.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. We’ll be in bed soon,” Roman says softly as he places a kiss on my spinning forehead.

The sound of the party quiets significantly as I feel Roman walk away, and then a soft surface is underneath me before I know it. I can’t help the groan that leaves me as my spinning head meets a fluffy pillow .

Another chuckle from my love makes me open my eyes, and my eyebrows turn down towards him. “How dare you laugh at my pain,” I mumble

His smiles come easier than ever lately, and he kneels beside the bed. “You did this one to yourself. You actually volunteered to drink the king cup. Who does that?”

“I had to protect Aurora from it. You wouldn’t get it; girl friendships go beyond your comprehension.” I burrow deeper into the pillow as a smug smile takes over my face.

“You brat,” I hear him mumble.

I feel his presence leave from beside me and I shoot up without thinking. Reaching for his hand, I fall short only once the dizziness returns with a vengeance. Two strong hands quickly land on my shoulders to steady me and help me lean back onto the bed.

“Don’t leave me,” I whine as I grab onto him. “A better girlfriend would tell you to go downstairs and have fun, but I’m not that girl. If you leave. I will cry.” I spew this out immediately, hoping he understands my jumbled words.

His hands gently brush my upper cheeks, moving to cup my face in his palms. “I’m not going anywhere. You had your chance to get rid of me, but you blew it, Langley.”

My face scrunches in a smile as he kisses the tip of my nose. “Now, let’s move on to the logistics. How do you remove this stuff from your face?”

The laugh that rips from my throat is loud and obnoxious, but it’s the perfect sound to describe how happy this man makes me.