“Yeah.” Her hand was now firmly over her closed eyes. He suspected something. She could hear it in his voice—his strained laugh. This was bad. How could she be so careless? “I should be out of here in under an hour.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
She was about to say okay and get off the excruciatingly uncomfortable call when he interrupted her. “And hey.”
“Yeah?”
“I can hardly wait.” His chuckle was more genuine this time.
As much as she tried, her own laughing response to that wasn’t even remotely genuine. “Me either. I’m already hungry.”
She knew that’s not the response he was going for but she didn’t care. She was finally off the call and walked over to the salon chair, plopping her emotionally drained body into it while Toni stood there and stared at her.
“What in the world?”
“God, Toni. Where do I start?”
CHAPTER 20
Jack, Abel and Hector arrived first. Gio and Felix walked out to meet them. Felix had offered to send a car for them but Abel insisted on driving his newly purchased Gran Torino. Gio and Felix laughed when Abel revved the heavy engine as they pulled in.
“Hey,” Gio said tapping the hood as he walked around the car. “You should paint it red and white. Then we could call you and Hector Starsky and Hutch.”
Abel laughed getting out of the car grabbing Gio’s outstretched hand for a quick handshake and a pat on the back. “This shit is badass,” Abel said turning back to the car. “I hardly had to do anything to it.”
“And it’s fast,” Hector added from across the car.
It hit Gio suddenly. Both Abel and Jack were sticklers about Hector missing school for any reason. “You actually let this guy miss school today to come up here?”
Before Abel responded, Hector announced almost proudly. “I got suspended yesterday.”
Gio brought his fist to his mouth with a smirk but was surprised neither Abel nor Jack seemed too pissed about this. Usually Abel had a fit if Hector, who lately had been getting into a lot of trouble, even got written up for anything. He turned back to Abel. “And you still brought his ass up here?”
Felix walked over to hug Jack then teased. “Yeah, what’s this world coming to? If that had been me back in the days I’d be spending the weekend scrubbing floors at the gym not snowboarding.” He pulled back smiling at Jack. “You gettin’ soft old man?”
“Nah,” Jack waved his hand in the air. “He got in a fight. But he had good reason. I’ve always told all of you. Fighting is not the answer to everything but sometimes it can’t be helped. In this case I probably would have been more pissed if he hadn’t fought the asshole.”
“I’d say kicked his ass is more accurate,” Hector smirked, leaning against the car. “But I guess you could call it a fight.”
Gio laughed going from Hector’s amused face to Abel who shook his head. “Why? What happened?”
Hector shrugged. “I’ve been listening to the drama go on all week from this chick whose locker is right next to mine. She wasn’t telling me but she and her friends stand there talking so much it’s hard not to overhear things. Her ex-boyfriend posted some crap on his Facebook about her. Stupid shit. And,” he put his hand up looking at Abel, “I couldn’t care less. I don’t get involved. But his stupid ass came up to her yesterday and started talking shit to her in front of everyone making her cry. Even then, I kept my cool. Trying to stay out of it. But he took it too far getting in her face like she was a dude, all big man and shit, calling her a skank.”
“Oh, hell no,” Gio said.
“Yeah,” Hector nodded. “So I slammed his face into the lockers.”
“Luckily, the narcs stepped in quickly,” Abel added. “But he still broke the guy’s nose. We’re waiting to hear if we’re gonna have to pay for any medical bills.”
“I hate fucking pussies like that.” Felix reached out and shook Hector’s hand. “Good for you, man. I would’ve cracked him too.” He turned and pointed at Abel. “Let me know if you need help with that. I’ll donate to the cause. We’ll call it ‘Cracking Down on Future Fucking Douchebag Wife Beaters of the World.’ Can’t think of a better charity.”
Laughing and catching up about everything, they made their way into the cabin after Jack announced he was freezing his ass off. As expected they were all blown away by the cabin and the rest of the compound.
Lunch went well. Noah and Roni arrived an hour after Abel and the others had. Bianca got there right around the same time. With the distraction of everyone there, Gio and Bianca managed to keep their stares and stolen private smiles to a minimum. It helped that Nellie came along with Noah and Roni. Gio knew those two women were on to him and Bianca. He worked extra hard to not be so obvious. He had yet to ask Noah if he’d confirmed to them that they’d been right. But he had a feeling that more than likely Noah had.
They all went back to the cabin after lunch to get geared up for boarding. Since Roni wouldn’t be participating, Bianca said she would stay back with Roni and Nellie at the outdoor bar in the resort. Then later Toni would be joining them. They could all watch the guys show off from there and chat while having a few drinks. All except Roni but she didn’t seem to mind. She practically glowed any time her pregnancy was brought up.
What he hadn’t prepared for is that since Bianca wasn’t going snowboarding and they were going out to a bar she dressed up for the occasion. It was bad enough that she’d done her hair differently today in a sort of loose wispy braid across the top that pulled the front of hair away from her face bringing even more attention to her big beautiful eyes. The rest of her hair was still down with more tiny little braids here and there accentuating the sexy new style. He’d already been breathless when she first returned from the salon.
Roni was the first to notice what she called an adorable outfit. “That is so cute,” she said, bringing everyone’s attention to Bianca when she walked in the room.
Her long brown wool coat doubled as a dress because it went snug at her waist then skirted down to just above her knees. The black boots she wore came up to her knees and Gio could only assume she wore a dress or a skirt underneath because save for black leggings her knees were bare.
Gio gulped as Bianca thanked Roni then turned back to him casually. If she was looking for his approval she would’ve had it if it weren’t for the fact that she’d just changed into that adorable outfit in the same bedroom with Felix. There’s no way Gio could’ve watched her change into that and not attack her and he doubted that Felix hadn’t either. He took a deep breath trying not to think about that. She said she wouldn’t be sleeping with him anymore. He’d never wanted to believe something so much in his life.
To make things worse, not only did Felix come up to her from behind and wrap his arms around her, they held hands all the way to the resort. They hadn’t done much of either lately. Gio knew because he’d been watching. Just what had happened in that bedroom?
Gio caught the way Noah watched him guardedly. Abel and Hector fumbled around trying to walk on their boards. Felix took extra time helping Jack who had to be practically dragged out there. The moment Noah realized he was alone with Gio he started in on him. “Dude, maybe it’s just me because I know, but you’re being pretty fucking obvious.”
“Am I?” Gio turned, his jaw clenching as he glanced in the direction where the girls sat watching them.
“Yeah, you are. Hell, I thought you were gonna say something when he hugged her back at the cabin.”
“It’s just ‘cause you know. I’ve been dealing with this shit for weeks now. I doubt anyone else has noticed.”
Noah turned back to where Felix still had his hands full with Jack. “Did you forget Roni and Nellie noticed from day one? And I wasn’t the only one that caught the way you all but froze today when she walked in from wherever she’d gone.” Noah lowered his voice. “You gotta be cool, G. He’s her boyfriend, not you. Did you ever talk to him about that? Is he re
al serious about her?”
“Nah, I started to but…” Gio wouldn’t get into how he couldn’t even stomach hearing him call her his girl. “I don’t know. Somehow the subject changed to something else. But…” He stopped, wondering now if he should tell Noah. It sounded so absurd now that he was thinking of saying it out loud.
“But what?”
Gio peered at Noah for a second. If he could tell anyone, it was Noah. “She told me she’s not sleeping with him anymore.” Noah’s eyebrows flew up. Gio knew he’d be surprised, if not disbelieving, and he was ready for it. “She promised actually.”
“And you’re buying this shit?” He turned back to Felix and lowered his voice again. “She’s been staying at his cabin for two months. He’s her boyfriend. Aren’t they sleeping in the same bed?”
Hearing it put this way made Gio sound like an idiot. But Noah couldn’t possibly understand what he felt when he was with her. She was the most genuine in-your-face person he’d ever met. He would’ve never guessed that Bianca had stopped sleeping with Felix but he’d seen the change. Seen how she acted completely different around Felix now. Everything had changed since their day at the meadow—until today. But even today’s show of affection had been minuscule compared to the way things were between her and Felix before. He just didn’t understand why anything changed today. Had it been his text that morning? Had something changed in that bedroom?
“I’m assuming they do,” he said. “I don’t go in their room.”
Gio glanced back at the girls, suspicion and doubt sinking in fast. He didn’t want to be mad at Bianca. He knew how ridiculously unreasonable that was. But she was the one that voluntarily promised not to sleep with her own damn boyfriend. He would’ve never had the nerve to demand something like that but since she had he was holding her to it. He couldn’t help but wonder now if when she’d said it, it was on a whim. That morning she’d responded immediately like she always did to his texts but stopped responding the moment he mentioned things couldn’t go on like this much longer. Did she really expect him to continue this shit forever? Maybe Noah’s theory was right after all.
“Look at me, G.” Gio turned back to Noah then followed Noah’s gaze. Jack and Felix were coming toward them but they were moving slow and Jack was really struggling. Still, Noah spoke fast. “Whether she’s still sleeping with him or not is beside the point. He brought you here as a favor. You’re my friend but what you’re doing is a huge disrespect to him.”
Gio dropped his head back exhaling through his mouth. Noah was right and Gio couldn’t argue there, but he was too far gone to try and fight this thing, whatever it was, no matter how wrong he knew it was.
“I know you’re not as close to him as you once were. But you’re still his friend. Now I don’t know what she’s thinking,” Noah continued adamantly as Jack stopped walking to take a breather. “But she’s staying in his cabin—sleeping in his fucking bed. If this is really what she wants, then maybe she should move out. Have you two talked about that at all?”
“I haven’t had a chance. We text when we can but since the last time he left I haven’t had a moment long enough to talk to her about anything like that.” Gio glanced around making sure Abel and Hector weren’t within earshot either. “It’s not like I’ve slept with her. I’m telling you it’s not even about that. I don’t know what it is about her but I can hardly think straight when I’m around her.” He stopped, letting out a frustrated sigh. “You know me, man. I’d never do something like this to any of you guys.”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, I know you wouldn’t. That’s why I’m still shocked that I’m standing here having this conversation with you in the first place.” He turned back to the girls. Roni waved at him, blowing a kiss and he waved back. “And Bianca seems so damn innocent. Even now that she’s older—so damn sweet.”
“She is!” Gio insisted, leaving out the fact that she could also be sexy as shit when she wanted to be.
“All right, shut up,” Noah said suddenly looking over Gio’s shoulders and in the next instant, someone slammed into Gio nearly bowling him over.
“What the—” Gio said, barely able to keep his balance but he managing to stay on his feet.
“Sorry man,” Hector laughed, holding onto Gio’s arm. “I couldn’t stop.”
Abel came up behind him and laughed too. “I keep telling his ass to slow down.”
After falling a few more times Jack said he’d had enough and was heading back to the bar with the girls. They teased him about quitting but weren’t able to convince him to hang out longer. Jack headed to the bar and Gio and the rest of the guys headed to the lift.
Having to share a lift with both Noah and Hector Gio was spared any more lectures on the ride up but he did inwardly promise he wouldn’t disrespect Felix in his own cabin. It wasn’t just because of the cameras either. As much as he knew he simply didn’t have it in him to fight his urge to touch—kiss—taste Bianca, he wasn’t that big of an asshole. Some things were still sacred.
For the next couple of hours Gio focused on enjoying his time with his friends. It felt damn good to revert to the ways of the old days; the days when things were so much simpler. Each time he got caught up laughing and enjoying this day that was all on Felix—he’d paid for the season tickets, the snow gear, even the snowboards. Gio couldn’t help feel the chafe of guilt grating away at his conscience.
By the time they hit the bottom of the mountain for the last time, they were all good and ready for drinks. Something Felix no doubt would be paying for all night. Even when Gio had tried to pay the last time they’d come to this very bar the waitresses had apparently been forewarned that they were not allowed to take any money from him and that it would all be put on Mr. Sanchez’s tab. Great.
Felix insisted most of the time that Gio and all his guest’s drinks were on the house. The bars enjoyed the extra business just having him there brought in, but Gio couldn’t help feeling like a freeloader.
There were so many heaters all around the outdoor bar that it was actually quite warm even outside. So warm Bianca had removed her coat. She wore a body-clinging knit dress, long sleeved and dark brown, like rich chocolate. It was simply cut but for the scooped neckline that nearly froze Gio in place. It wasn't how low it dipped. That would have been bad enough. It was the provocative way it laced, beginning mid-chest and ending at the upper curves of her breasts. Bianca had left the corded strings loose, making it even sexier than an open, plunging neckline would have been. Almost as if she’d planned it this way, she’d left little to the imagination.
She’d gone from adorable to crazy hot with the simple removal of her coat. Gripping the bottle of beer he now held, he almost wished she’d put the coat on so he wouldn’t have to think about it. If she were Gio’s girl he wouldn’t mind her dressing this way, even in front of other guys, as long as he was there. He wanted to believe as doubtful as it was that she’d worn the dress to drive him crazy, but the fact remained she’d be going back to Felix’s room tonight not Gio’s.
They’d been at the bar drinking for a while though Gio had kept a slow steady pace compared to the rest of the guys. He felt even stupider now about telling Noah what she’d promised. Noah had to be thinking the same thing. Maybe something had changed today. Maybe his text this morning had snapped her into the realization that this couldn’t go on anymore. That they had been incredibly delusional to have ever even considered getting into this situation in the first place.
The very idea that she’d changed her mind made him sick but with every shot Felix took, he was getting more and more touchy-feely and she was letting him. The last straw was when she’d walked back from the restroom toward the table with the rest of the girls and Gio’s heightened senses followed her. His nose followed the lingering scent of her perfume. He fought the losing battle to keep his eyes off her only to watch Felix pull her to him as she’d nearly made it past him and kiss her, blatantly shoving his tongue in her mouth for an instant. She jerked away,
obviously irritated by his drunken kiss, but it was enough to make Gio want to run out of there. “I’ll be back,” he said exchanging glances with a stern faced Noah. “I gotta make a phone call.”
Without even glancing back in Felix and Bianca’s direction, he took off to the inside bar area of the resort. He didn’t care anymore about staying sober. Needing a shot but not about to stand and watch Felix and Bianca while he took one, maybe more, he headed straight to the bar. And he’d buy it with his own fucking money, too.
Irritated, he pushed the fact aside that even his own money was coming from Felix. Money he’d paid Gio to stick around and fall in love with his girlfriend. Gio nearly stopped walking. He’d known all along that she was different. That he felt things for her he’d never felt in his life. That he’d crossed a line he would’ve never considered crossing but he had only because it was her. She possessed the power to make him lose the capability to hold on to any reasonable thinking. But had he really fallen in love with her this quickly?
He fisted his hand as he continued to walk through the crowded bar. How the fuck could he be stupid enough to fall in love with someone so completely off-limits?
Just as he reached the bar, he thought he felt his phone go off in his pocket. In no mood to talk or even text anyone he almost didn’t pull his phone out. The remote possibility that it might be Bianca made him reach for it. Surprised not only that it was Bianca’s name on the screen but that it wasn’t a text, she was calling.
He glanced back through the glass doors and saw the guys still drinking by the bar. They all held shots up in the air but Bianca was nowhere to be seen. Feeling a little hesitation, he answered anyway. Who the hell was he kidding? He was suddenly dying to hear her voice. “Hello?”