We’ve gone down three times and I don’t have the heart to tell Wells that I don’t wanna do this anymore. But he’s hell bent on having a pack who can ski together and I’m not quite ready to be the one to crush my sweet Beta’s dream.
I can’t deny that I love living here though and I’m a huge fan of après-ski, but the actual skiing is honestly fucking terrible. No matter how cute the boots are, or the fact that Forrest put them on for me, they’re uncomfortable as fuck. I’m sweating in this balaclava and even the heated vest Elliot got for me isn’t keeping me warm enough.
Forrest trails me down the slope, making sure I don’t fall. Luckily, some of my lessons as a kid have stuck with me and I make it down safely.
“If you don’t stop giving me a hard time I’m going to put you in ski school with the little kids,” Wells threatens and I can’t tell if Elliot rolls his eyes under his goggles, but I can absolutely feel his irritation.
“Maybe a little hot chocolate and waffle break?” I suggest, and Wells isn’t one to argue when I want something. Truly, none of them are.
“He’s a dictator, baby,” Elliot says as we take off our skis and walk in our ski boots to the lodge. Forrest and Wells go to grab the snacks as Elliot and I sit down at the lodge and he gives me a big wide grin.
“Why am I sensing a massive load of mischievousness down the bond?”
“Because I know how to ski perfectly fine. I’ve been with Axel loads of times. I’m just irritating Wells. How long do you think before he starts cursing?” Elliot says, letting me in on his little secret.
I’ve learned that his relationship with Forrest and Wells is a competitive one. It’s their brotherly bond love language and I think it’s adorable.
“Probably two more green runs. Well, now, I have to go out with all of you again,” I complain, and Elliot grabs me by my jacket and gives me a kiss, our helmets slightly clinking while we do so.
“I spoke to Soph, she can’t come next weekend but Mom and Dad will be here.” I can tell that Elliot misses his sister. I do too. It’s not anyone’s fault we haven’t been close lately, but I was hoping she would be here with all our families coming to the mountain.
“All my family is set to come, though Axel's being a little prick right now.”
“Give him a break, trust me,” Elliot says, and I arch a brow at him.
“What do you know?”
“Nothing.” He shrugs and I know he’s lying to me, but I can’t get in between his relationship with my brother.
“Fine, keep your little secrets. I’ll find out, eventually.”
Forrest and Wells stomp over in their boots, putting down four hot chocolates and a perfectly shaped Belgium waffle with a sprinkle of chocolate on it for me. I greedily grab it and take a bite.
“You’re doing so good out there, sweetheart, unlike someone else,” Wells jokes, and Elliot does actually roll his eyes this time.
“Maybe it has everything to do with my teacher.”
Wells gasps, completely scandalized by that idea. “I’m a professional. My gold medal is hanging up in our living room. I’m most certainly not the problem.”
Elliot shrugs, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.
“I bet you I could take one lesson with someone else and be skiing black diamonds with you in no time.” Elliot is baiting him and my poor, sweet Beta is falling right into his trap.
“What’s the wager?”
“Winner gets a weekend away with Claire, alone,” Elliot suggests and Wells holds out his hand for him to shake.
“You’re on. Take that lesson and if you can do the Heavenly run after that without falling on your ass, you win. You fall once, I win.”
“Deal.”
“Deal,” Wells parrots and they shake hands.
Wells is on his feet, abandoning his hot chocolate.
“Let’s go. I’m sure someone is available to take you for a private right now. My sweet Omega can sit here and sip her hotchocolate and think about where she wants me to take her in the meantime,” Wells says, and that sounds like a pretty good plan to me.
I hold up my waffle in a cheers motion.