I looked to him, steeling my features and hoping the cold air cloaked the blush heating my cheeks. “Let’s just say she spends a lot of time on the ground.”
He smiled, and even though he was just reacting to what I’d said, it still did funny things to my insides. “You up for hitting a bigger hill?”
Everything in me told me to say no. How could I spend time with him and not think about what almost happened between us the previous night?
“It’s not a difficult question,” he said, since I hadn’t answered him yet.
“Oh. I…sure.”
He smirked, before calling to Kason. “We’ll catch up with you guys in a little bit.”
Kason nodded, though his eyes were on Shay as he moved her around the bunny hill.
I unlocked one foot from my snowboard and followed Thayer toward the lift line, using my foot as if I was on a skateboard to propel me forward. Once in line, we inched our way toward the front until it was our turn. We locked in our feet and jumped on the lift. The attendant pulled down the bar in front of us, and we were propelled up the mountain with a breathtaking view around us.
“You having fun?” Thayer asked, the side of his arm pressing against mine.
“I kind of forgot how much fun it is to be on a board. I got used to being a fan when Kason started competing.”
“I told you. You were good.”
I bumped him with my shoulder. “Liar.”
He laughed. “Well, I won’t make you do anything crazy.”
“Thanks.”
We rode in awkward silence for a long stretch. I didn’t know which way was up or down when Thayer was around. And the fact that I all but threw myself at him last night was not making it any easier. “Did you land any new tricks today?” I finally asked.
“Same ones as yesterday.”
“Still cool,” I said.
More silence. I would not let this be awkward. I’d been drunk last night. Thayer knew that. He’d heard me say lots of stupid stuff when I was drunk over the years.
“Sorry I had to tell Kason about your nightmares,” he said, breaking through my mind’s ramblings.
“You kinda had to,” I said, surprised he was bringing up last night. “What else were you gonna say?”
“Did he ask you about them?” he asked.
“I fell asleep. He was gone when I woke up.”
“It’s probably good he knows,” Thayer said.
“Why’s that?”
“He’s your brother. He loves you and would do anything for you. He deserves to know you’re still…”
“Struggling?” I asked.
“Well, yeah.”
“I’m gonna be okay. It’s just gonna take time.”
He released a loud sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do it.”