Page 85 of Snow Balled

“It’s not even you, Sierra. We just wanted to help.” Carter’s voice was pleading, willing me to understand.

“You watched it,” I said one last time, the betrayal a bitter taste in my mouth.

“We’re sorry,” Drew said as I backed away.

“No, I am.” Carter stepped in front of Tristan, as if shielding him and Drew from my gaze. “This was my idea. I’m the one to blame, not Drew. Not Tristan.”

“He was trying to help, Sierra,” Tristan said. “We all were.”

Carter ignored him. “This was on me, and I’m sorry.”

I continued backing away, nearly tripping over the doorstop in front of my room. Then I went inside and closed the door.

The next morning, I was up early. I took a shower before the guys even got up. Drew awoke when Zeus barked and rushed to the door.

I stood in the doorway to my room as Tristan and Carter made their way downstairs. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Tristan said when he spotted me.

“I’m better,” I said neutrally. By all objective measures I was. I was clean, dressed, and better hydrated. My voice was no longer a rasp.

And then three heads turned. “What’s that noise,” Drew asked. He peered out the living room window.

“It sounds like…” Carter moved to the other window. “Holy shit, it’s Winston. I can’t believe he got through.”

“But why’s he here?” Tristan wondered out loud. “We didn’t order any groceries. We didn’t know we could.”

“He’s here for me.” I stepped out of the room with my suitcase and a small bag.

All three of them gaped at me. “What?” Drew said, his voice shocked.

“I’ve got to go back home. Do some damage control with my agent.”

“Sweetheart, you can’t leave,” Tristan implored. “With all that’s going on, isn’t out here with us the best place for you to be?”

“It’s my job. I have to go salvage what’s left of my career.”

The engine of Winston’s ATV got louder and louder until it sputtered to a stop outside the cabin. Then the silence grew.

“This is because we watched the video,” Carter said flatly.

The ache in my stomach intensified, but I didn’t let it show on my face. “Of course not. As you said, it wasn’t even me.”

My delivery was strong enough that they seemed to at least consider that I meant what I said.

Then there was a banging knock at the back door, and I went to open it. Zeus, oblivious to the tension in the room, rushed over, excited to finally have a visitor.

“Morning, girlie,” Winston said, his beard as unruly as ever. “Got your things?”

Most of my things were crushed under the other cabin, but I just nodded.

“Wait,” Drew said, jogging toward me. “Take my coat. You’re going to need it out there.”

I looked away but shook my head. “I’ll be okay. I’ve got a lot of layers on.” That was definitely true. Pretty much everything I’d worn this past week was on my body except for the evening gown.

I moved to the door. The three men in the living room looked unhappy but resigned.

“Good luck with Sustainability First,” I said.

Then I left.

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