Tom and Georgie's day went off without a hitch. No arguments. No tension. Alex and I kept a respectable distance from Chloe and Lucas, positioning ourselves at the bar and afterwards, we went to our room, making good use of our king size bed.
All in all, spirits were high and the morning after, we both cured our hangover with a quick breakfast before heading out to the mountains. I'd been hoping to get a bit of skiing in before our departure and what better person to teach me than Alex?
"You're actually pretty good at this!"
We'd been going at it for an hour now.
"You don't have to sound so surprised," I replied, digging my ski into the ground.
He removed his goggles and briskly kissed my cheek. "I'm just jealous because you're better than me."
I scoffed. "No I'm not!"
"No," he agreed. "You're not. But I do love you."
I could do nothing but grin. "I love you too."
Out of nowhere, a snowball came flying at my face, shocking me with its brutality. "You did not just start a snowball fight!"
"Oh, I did," he informed, throwing another my way.
I scooped up a handful of snow and hurdled it at his head, missing by a mile. "Shit!"
"That's it!"
He tackled me to the ground, taking me by surprise. We rolled around for what felt like hours, unable to stand due to our many layers and uncontrollable laughter. His hands gripped at my sides as he lay on top of me, kissing my cheeks all over.
"I didn't think this through," he complained. "I'm wet and cold."
"Wanna warm up in the room?" I asked, dirty intentions on show.
A mischievous smirk was thrown my way, followed swiftly by another kiss.
"Hell yeah!"
Say no more!
****
By the time we arrived back in Tallahassee, I was far too tired to function, let alone contemplate cooking dinner.
"Wanna grab takeout?" asked Alex, tapping his steering-wheel.
Airport traffic was a nightmare and the thought of demolishing a greasy burger was the only thing currently getting me through it.
"I think it's important that we do."
He laughed. "I take that as a yes?"
I nodded, confirming.
"I was thinking we could tell Jason about us tonight. He got back from his trip with Anna yesterday," he suggested, finally breaking free from the gridlock when someone let us out.
I nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Do you think he'll be shocked?"
"I think he'll be happy," admitted Alex, grabbing my thigh from across the console. "I know I am."
"Me too."
We each shared a grin, heading back towards home. While we were away, Alex had received confirmation that his house was in working order again. I was happy for him getting his home back but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to miss him. I've loved having him around and not seeing his face every morning was a daunting prospect indeed.
"Why don't you head up with the food. I'll grab the cases and meet you up there," he suggested, once we arrived.
"Okay."
"I'll text Jase. See where he is."
With the smell of our food prompting me to, I took the stairs two at a time, desperate to eat. I'd been away from our apartment for a matter of days but I found I missed it. There was something about the bleak corridors and endless echos that I loved.
I twisted in the key and pushed open the door, a little surprised to see Jason already home.
"Oh, hey!"
He looked up from his slouched position on the sofa.
"I thought you'd be at Anna's."
He scoffed. "Why would I be there when we broke up?"
What the fuck!!!
"Jase, what the hell? You broke up?" I asked, disposing of our food. "Why?"
I approached him and crouched, desperate to meet his eye.
"We're not right for each other. We've been fighting more and more lately."
"Did you both come to an agreement?" I asked, grabbing his hands.
There, I attempted to squeeze some comfort into him.
He nodded. "It still fucking hurts though."
Before I could respond, he broke down in tears, completely losing it. My heart broke for him. For his situation. He loved Anna and to lose her like this must've been hard.
"Come here," I soothed, hugging him. "You'll be alright. Break ups are never easy but you'll move past this."
After a moment, I pulled back and regarded his face closely. Tear-stained and full of sorrow, his eyes briefly went to my lips. It all happened in a split second. One minute I was trying to comfort him and the next, he was kissing me. Honestly, it took me a moment to realise what was even happening. His mouth on mine. So unexpected. So wrong.
"No, Jason."
I pushed on his chest and wiped the kiss away using the back of my hand. Old Ebony would've been jumping for joy at Jason finally kissing me. But I wasn't old Ebony. I was new and improved Ebony, in love with Alex.
Shit! Alex!
I turned towards the front door, finding him already there. The look of pain on his face made me sick. Made me want to cry in frustration.
"Alex, no," I cried, chasing after him as he left.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
I eventually caught up to him and grabbed his hand.
"I didn't kiss him. I didn't kiss him!"
"I saw you, Ebony."
"You saw him kissing me. I was trying to comfort him. He's just broken up with Anna."
"But you loved him before you loved me."
"What?"
Jason emerged from around the corner, face full of surprise.
Shit!
"Jason, tell him you kissed me!" I pleaded, growing desperate.
"You're in love with me?" he responded, pissing me off.
Must all boys have selective hearing?
"No, I'm in love with your brother so can you please tell him that I didn't kiss you!"
"Yeah, fine. I kissed her. I didn't realise you two were-" He paused. "Dating."
I swung back around to face Alex, completely on edge.
"I'm always second best," he whispered, shattering my heart. "I'm sorry, Ebony,"
No, no, no!
"I can't do this."
He walked away, shoulders sagged and posture slumped.
And with him, he took my heart.
****
Don't hate me. Don't hate me. PLEASE, don't hate me!
You guys wanted drama...I'm giving you it. ;)