Page 99 of Sweet Ruin

“And I suppose that was your motivation for coming to Aspen too,” I added, putting down my book and folding my arms.

“Of course,” Luther said, dropping himself onto the couch beside me. “You made it sound so appealing when we talked about it in math. Why wouldn’t I want to come?”

I knew talking to Luther in math was a bad idea—and not just for my education.

“Come on, Luther,” Anna said. “We know you’re only here to get Isobel and Noah back together. It’s not going to happen. She’s with Wes.”

Luther let out an overly dramatic gasp. “I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing.”

All three of us raised our eyebrows at him.

“Okay, fine,” he admitted. “I just liked it when we were all hanging out together like one big happy family. It was fun.”

“Go home, Luther,” I said, picking my book up off the couch.

“Aw, don’t be like that, newbie,” he groaned. “I’m bored over there. Kaden and Noah are on the mountain, so I’m in the house all on my own.”

“Why didn’t you join them?” I asked.

“Because they’re crazy,” he replied. “They keep trying to kill themselves by going off-piste, and I happen to have a healthy respect for my life. Besides, I much prefer snowboarding when it serves a real purpose. Like picking up girls.”

“That sounds about right,” Anna said.

“Jealous, London?”

“Of what?” she fired back at him. “I’m not sure which you’re worse at—snowboarding or picking up girls.”

“Touché,” Luther replied. “So, what are we doing today?”

“We”—Anna waved between him and the rest of us—“are doing nothing. Us girls are having a quiet morning in.”

Luther scoffed. “Well, now I just feel sorry for you. That’s even more boring than what I was doing. I guess it’s lucky I’m here to save you from yourselves. Why don’t you all come back to my place and jump in the hot tub?”

I put down my book again and turned to Luther. What was he playing at? If this was all part of his little plan to get me and Noah back together, I wasn’t game.

“I don’t think that’s the best idea.” I responded before Anna or Cress could consider his suggestion. I did not want to get in a hot tub in Noah territory.

“Why not?” Luther asked.

“Probably because she doesn’t want to see her ex-boyfriend,” Anna replied.

Luther rolled his eyes. “Like I said, Noah and Kaden are up the mountain all day trying to kill themselves on some terrifying ski run. They’ll be gone for hours.”

"He’s not lying,” Cress said. “Kaden did tell me there’s some double black diamond run they wanted to check out today. It sounded like they’d be gone all day.”

“Of course, I’m not lying.” Luther sounded appalled by the mere suggestion he might not be being truthful, but after the stunt he pulled organizing the boys’ surprise trip to Aspen, I wouldn’t put anything past him.

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” he continued. “Our hot tub has an even better view than this.” He gestured out toward the mountains. “And I have tequila…”

Cress, Anna, and I shared an uncertain look.

“You know I’m only going to hang around here and bug you all day if you don’t come,” Luther added.

“I knew I shouldn’t have opened the door.” Anna groaned.

“It did kind of suck we couldn't get our hot tub to work last night,” Cress said, sounding as though she was coming on board with Luther’s idea. “It’s always one of my favorite parts of the trip.”

“Hmm. Yeah, that did suck,” Anna agreed. “And my musclesaresore.” She paused as she glanced at Luther who was grinning back at her. “And if we’re putting up with Luther either way, I will be needing tequila.”

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