Early the next morning, Piper stood next to Nick inside of a gondola as it headed up the ski slope. Everyone had arrived in Colorado, and within that gondola, Piper and Nick’s favorite people were present. She looked over at Flypaper, who stood in a very chummy way next to Chase’s sister Kat making small talk. He appeared to be slightly shorter than she, but that didn’t deter him. Or her. She seemed interested in the things he had to say. Kat was a beautiful woman with ethereal features that could qualify her as a model, which made her somewhat intimidating. Maybe Flypaper had met his match. Piper tuned into their conversation.
“So, are you still dating Charles?”
“No. We broke up about six months ago.”
“Are you dating anyone else?”
“No, not right now.”
“What a coincidence,” he responded boldly. “Neither am I.”
Piper watched his Cheshire cat smile light up as he inched himself even closer to Kat. She was glad that one of the best looking single women in the group had an interest in Flypaper, as then she didn’t need to worry about her developing an interest in Nick.
“Piper, are you up for a challenge?” Nick asked, “Do you want to try Rambo? I hear it’s steep, but lots of fun.”
“Why not? I’m warmed up now.”
“That’s my girl,” Nick said as he put his helmet on. Piper put her helmet on too. The gondola was about to reach its destination on the top of the mountain and it was chilly outside.
Bob looked at Betty and said, “Do you want to give the Rambo a go?”
“Sure,” she responded with a smile. He then offered her some hooch from his flask, but she declined.
Piper watched her as she pulled a bota bag out from under her ski jacket and said, “Cheers.”
“Man, you’re cool! I’m so pumped I found the napkin with your number on it. Thought I lost it. You’re my dream girl,” Bob said as he toasted her with his flask. He and Betty then popped the caps from their containers and guzzled and gulped the fire water inside, which lit the flaming curls that were bursting about Betty’s head, barely contained by her headband.
“Are you in for some fun?” Flypaper asked Kat.
“You kidding?” She winked. With a sly smile, she grabbed her helmet and put it on, covering her short, sassy blonde hair. “I’m always in for some fun. I’m in it to win it, babe.”
“So am I!”
Flypaper was starting to appear successful in his quest. Maybe she wouldn’t be a challenge for him after all. Maybe she would be his next ex-girlfriend. Too bad for her. And him. No one ever served him the humble pie he needed.
“Cherie and I are going to take the Chute. We’ll catch up with you guys either at the lift or at Happy Hour,” Chase said.
Cherie didn’t ski as well as the others in the group and would likely fare better on the Chute, which was less steep. It was nice Chase didn’t try to force her onto Rambo. Maybe he had some good qualities after all.
They departed the gondola and assembled their skis and snowboards. Piper watched Chase as he pulled his sister aside and away from Flypaper. She could hear his words.
“Watch out for Juan. We call him Flypaper for a reason you need to know. He has scored with many women since high school, Kat. Many.”
“I can handle it, Chase. Just having fun.”
“Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. And don’t sleep with him!”
“You should know me better than that, Chase.”
The friends split up and Piper’s group headed to Rambo. Nick was first, followed by Piper and then the rest. The slope seemed a bit steep and somewhat slippery, so she skied with more caution than usual, taking time to cut her skis into the little powder she could find. The weather was a few degrees warmer than it had been the day before and the sweeping sapphire sky was devoid of any clouds, which translated into a dearth of fresh powder and much ice. Piper hoped for some overnight snow. Ice was no skier’s friend.
From across the slope, she could hear Flypaper singing as he sped down the slope on a snowboard. “Shredding up the ski slope, I just can’t get enough. I just can’t get enough. Ripping up the ski slope, I just can’t get enough. I just can’t get enough. I just can’t get enough.”
He and Kat carved their way down the left side of the slope with ease, while Piper and Nick carved up the right. They lost Bob and Betty somewhere along the way, yet weren’t concerned for their welfare. Probably just lost them to another hooch break.