Page 109 of Holiday on the Rocks
“A promise to you? I don’t recall.” I shrugged.
He stood and walked as his mouth dropped open while he pointed out the window. “Are those your footprints in the snow on the roof? Come on, Levi! Are you trying to kill yourself?”
“The opposite. For the first time in seven years, I feel alive.”
“Rachel still hates you by the way. She and I had to hatch a “no talking about Levi” pact. And now her brother and Clint? You need to chill out.”
“I’m totally chill.”
He looked at me. “The bonfire today. I think you should stay in here.”
“What? I love a good bonfire.”
“Then no liquor for you. You need to keep your head on straight.”
“I’m going to the bonfire. It’s all cool.”
“Worst idea ever, but if you do, you’re stay by me so I can keep you on track.”
“I’ll be good. I’ll act like a responsible adult.” I nodded. “I just hope Clint doesn’t fall in the fire.”
“You’re driving me to alcoholism. Trying to keep your brain in check is like raking leaves during a hurricane. It’s exhausting to worry about who is going to kill you first this weekend.”
Once downstairs we pulled on our coats and headed out to the deck as the icy air hit us. The sun was going down and at the bottom of the hill was an impressive fire.
We crunched through the snow.
“Remember, no alcohol.”
I nodded and went straight for the cooler to the right of the fire and grabbed a beer while Evan flipped me off. I followed my cousin to the other side of the fire as Emily and Travis headed down the hill.
Travis had black hair and dark eyes and stood with Will and Royce.
I looked at Allie talking to Lexi and everything in me tightened. The glow of the amber fire against her face and hair was breath taking. She lifted the beer bottle to her lips, and I was jealous. Her eyes found mine and the grin I knew well slid across those perfectly plump lips. How could I keep my eyes from her?
That answer came when my gaze shifted left to Will. His clenched jaw and “I want to kill you” resting face were on point as his eyes shot me dead. I raised my beer, took a drink, and realized poking the bear might be a thing after all.
Lexi held a small speaker above her head before hitting a button on her phone and We Wish you a Merry Christmas echoed across the frozen forest before the girls started singing.
Rachel pointed. “I put some sleds on top of the hill. The one who goes the farthest while holding a drink above their head wins!”
I stood back while everyone hit it. Watching Allie scream while whipping down the hill was kind of amazing. I couldn’t wait to see her later.
“Dude.” Evan elbowed me. “Get that look off your face.” He head pointed to Clint. “That man is going go ballistic if you don’t cut it out.”
I finished my beer and tossed it into the trash can. “Nice. Middle fingers up if you don’t give a fuck.” I shook my head at Clint. I see your pissed face, and I raise you a fuck off.
We emptied the cooler, and the girls were all giggly.
Rachel jumped up and down. “My toes are frozen! Let’s hit the hot tub! Emily, I have a bathing suit you can borrow. Travis, I’m think Evan has some shorts you can use.”
We tromped up the hill, kicked off boots, and everyone scattered. I walked behind everyone to see Clint and Evan enter their rooms. While I had planned to pop in on Allie, it appeared Emily was changing in her room so I hopped in my swim trunks, grabbed a Rockstar from the refrigerator, and was the first in the hot tub with Evan joining me.
“You’re holding it together so far, an unexpected point for you.”
It was then Allie entered through the door in slow motion. She wore a dark blue bikini that she filled out perfectly. The bottoms were cut high, shining a spotlight on her amazing legs. My only thought was how to get them wrapped around my waist pronto.
Evan splashed water at me. “Stop staring.” His eyes narrowed.
