Page 50 of The Season
Not because I don’t trust Matty, but because I don’t trust myself.
He’s so close, I could kiss him.I wonder what it would feel like, to taste his lips, to feel his big body pressed against my own.
“We shouldn’t,” I say, worrying my lower lip with my teeth. “I think they threw this party for us, right?”
It’s a weak excuse. Tom and Eddie started this party before they found out whether we passed or not. But it seems to convince Matty, because he gives a resigned sigh.
“Yah. You’re probably right.”
He straightens, slinging one arm around my shoulders, and I can’t help but notice it’s the second time today he’s held me like this. I freeze beside him, unsure whether I should wrap my arm around his waist, not wanting to lead him on, but not wanting to hurt his feelings either.
I settle for pressing my palm against his back, like we’re posing for a family photo, then look to Antoine, silently pleading with him to help me. But Antoine’s eyes are locked on Liam, expression pained as he watches Liam bend to untie his combat boots.
“Do you know any of these people?” I ask as we move toward the kitchen. Matty shakes his head, his jaw tensing.
“Hey, Lil, come here! I want to introduce you to someone.”
Matty stiffens beside me at the sound of Seth’s voice, his arm tightening around my shoulders. I smile up at him, giving him what I hope is a reassuring pat before slipping free of his hold to make my way into the kitchen.
“Lily, this is Tessa,” Seth says, before pressing some drink he’s mixed into my hands. “She’s one of the snowboard instructors at the mountain.”
Tessa gives me a broad smile, flashing perfectly white teeth as she leans against the kitchen counter. “Nice to meet you, Lily.” Her accent is thick, though I can’t quite tell if she’s from Australia or New Zealand. “Seth said you passed the exam today.”
I nod, shooting Seth a grateful smile, warmth building behind my ribs.
I confessed to him a few days ago that I was nervous about starting work as an instructor, in part because I don’t really know any of the other instructors, aside from Liam. Whenever I’ve seen them on the mountain, in their black uniforms, walking together or gathering up their students, they’ve always seemed so intimidating. Like a class of humans I could never aspire to belong to.
“Yah, I did. Thanks.” I give Tessa a nervous smile, feeling just a little starstruck. It doesn’t help that Tessa is absolutely gorgeous, blonde hair and freckles, sparkling blue eyes, and a style that makes her look like she’s stepped out of a Roxy advertisement.
I tip back my drink in an effort to hide some of my awkwardness, then quickly sputter out a choked cough when the burn of some spirit hits the back of my throat. “Holy crap, that’s strong.”
Tessa laughs, a rich, lilting laugh that bubbles over my skin, before tossing long blonde waves over one shoulder. My cheeks heat with embarrassment, and I resist the urge to glare at Seth.
"Yah shoulda warned her, mate," Tessa chides, giving Seth a disapproving look before clapping me on the shoulder. “I told you they were too strong.”
“You said you liked it,” Seth retorts, pointing one finger accusingly at Tessa.
Tessa waves one hand dismissively. “Yeah, but I’m a slag for plonk. Not everyone likes their bourbon with a shot of cola.” She turns back to me, her smile indulgent. “And Lil is clearly much more sophisticated than that.”
I feel the tips of my ears burning, and my cheeks must be as pink as Tessa’s shirt now. I’m not quite sure if she’s teasing me or not, and the fact that she’s an instructor is doing nothing to ease my nerves.
“You playing nice, Tess?” Liam’s voice is low and gravelly, his arm brushing against mine as he comes to stand beside me.
Tessa rolls her eyes, a little huff escaping her bow-shaped lips. “I’m always nice. Unlike you.”
I bite back a smile, because I’m somewhat inclined to agree with her. Especially today.
“You’ll have to excuse Tess,” Liam says, ignoring her comment and turning to face me. He’s close enough that I can see the dark navy rim around his gray irises. I can also see the hint of dark shadow under his eyes, almost purple against his pale skin. “She’s from Australia.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Tessa frowns, putting one hand on her hip, her other hand waving her half-empty glass menacingly.
“You know what it means,” Liam replies. He keeps his eyes on me though, and there’s the barest hint of a smile curving his lips.
“You wound me,” Tess says, her voice full of mock offense. “After everything that we had…”
I get a sudden flash of white behind my eyes at her words, a strange tightening in my throat, a twisting in my stomach. The weight of Liam’s stare is suddenly too much, and I turn to look at Tessa with a growing sense of dread and panic.
Am I… am I jealous?
