Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Pierce

I like Tre and Carter, but I’m thankful to have a little alone time with my cousin. Since Tre and Carter are snowboarders like their sister, and Andrew and I are skiers, we decided to head up on the lift together to try out a different run.

“So, what is going on?” Andrew asks as soon as we’re alone.

I stare at the skiers working their way down the mountain underneath us.

“Come on. Tell me what happened.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Then let’s head down the hill and get a drink at the lodge.”

I’m not sure when Andrew got in touch with his feelings, though I’m sure it has something to do with the small blonde he’s married to. The same one who has made him love Christmas again.

“That’s okay. I can handle my shit.”

“Pierce. I know since I moved here that we’re not as close, but what’s going on? First, you’re not teaching anymore, and you want to leave London which isn’t something you ever entertained before.”

The wind whips around us and a dusting of snow hits my face.

I groan. “I feel like I’m going through a midlife crisis, and I’m only thirty.”

“Okay, let’s start by dealing with the most pressing dilemma—Brynn.”

Just her name spurs a bolt of electricity to flow through my veins. I wanted to ski with her today in the hopes that we could connect a little more. But maybe since we’re teamed up for the Russell family contest, it will give me more time alone with her.

“Six years ago, she did a semester abroad, and we met at a pub, spent the weekend together, and found out on Monday morning that I was her teacher’s assistant. End of story.” The lift is coming to the end, and I get ready to hop off.

“If that’s the end of the story, then how come every time she comes near you, you can’t stop looking at her?”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “She’s hot, you can’t deny that.”

Brynn holds that beauty that makes me amazed there’s not a line of guys following her around, hoping to get their chance with her.

“I’m married, so I can’t comment on that.”

“I’m sure Kenzie is the only one you see.”

“She is.”

I smirk, and we both get off the lift, stopping once we’re a good distance away.

“Let’s just ski and have fun. It’s been a long time since we’ve spent any time together.”

He nods, but I know he’s going to drill me later on this topic. “Just do me a favor? Don’t pursue her if you’re not serious. I really like the Russells, and they’re like Kenzie’s second family. I don’t want them to hate me because my cousin fucked with their daughter’s head.”

My shoulders fall. “I can’t guarantee you where it might go. We barely started off last time. And I’m not sure she’ll give me a chance anyway. But I’ve always wondered what could have been with us. She’s the woman who always infiltrates my thoughts whenever I date someone else. I think that means something, and I want to see who we could be as a couple.”

He nods and pats my shoulder. “Okay. Just wanted to make sure.”

“I’d never do that to you. I’m sure if all I wanted was sex, I could find that on the hills.”

Just as I say that, three women ski by, all of them looking over their shoulder at Andrew and me. Neither of us pay them any attention except to wait for them to start their descent before we head to the top of the hill.

At lunchtime, Andrew decides to go back to the villa and check on Kenzie and Nolan. I decide to stay at the lodge to have lunch there and away from everyone. I’m not by myself for long because Carter and Faith show up and decide that since it’s busy, they’ll join my table instead of waiting for one of their own.

Wonderful.

“What are you eating?” Carter glances at my plate.

“Chicken salad.”

“Oh, I need something warm,” Faith says and exaggerates a shiver. “Do you think they have soup bowls? Like the ones in bread?”

Faith seems like a nice person, but she seems a little checked out sometimes. It surprises me that she’s with Carter because he said he’s an IT guy, and from my experience, IT guys aren’t really into having to explain things. They always talk to you as though you’re an idiot when you don’t understand something.

“Yeah, a bread bowl.” Carter laughs and kisses her cheek. “You’re so cute.”

I’m fairly certain that if I ever called Brynn cute in a condescending tone like that, she’d knee me in the bullocks.

“I think they had chili and a chicken and rice soup or something,” I say.

After the big breakfast this morning, I needed something lighter, but I was still hungry after skiing most of this morning. I lean back and sip my fizzy pop, staring at the mountains.

“Faith!” a woman shouts across the lodge.

Carter looks over my shoulder then looks back at Faith. “Did you tell her we were coming here?”

Faith shrugs. “I just said we were getting something to eat.”

Carter looks at me. “This woman has clung to Faith since our second run this morning.”

“I think she felt bad for me. She said she learned to ski last year, saw me kind of struggling, and gave me some tips.”

Carter blows out an aggravated breath.

“Do you mind if I join you?” The woman is already pulling out the fourth chair at our table before any of us have a chance to answer. “It’s crazy busy in here.” The redhead looks around the table. “Oh, hi. Who are you?” she asks me as if I’m the outsider.

Which I am in part, but I’ve known Carter and Faith longer than this woman.

“Pierce,” I say.

“O.M.G. Is that a British accent?”

Bloody hell. I have a feeling Carter doesn’t need to be upset about all the time this woman is spending with Faith because I’m about to be her new fascination. This happens from time to time when I travel outside of the United Kingdom. She’s probably going to ask me to say certain words just to hear my accent.

“I’m Kacey,” she says, putting out her hand.

I shake it and return mine to my glass.

“Kacey is here with her family, but none of them are big skiers.” Carter raises his eyebrows.

“Yeah. I was so happy when I found Faith and Carter.” She smiles and raises her hand at the waitress who’s just walking past after helping another table. “Excuse me.”

The waitress looks at me. She wasn’t all that friendly taking my order, so this should really make her day. “I thought you were alone,” she deadpans, her gaze solely on me.

“They just joined.” I shrug.

Her eyes scour the area. “You’ll have to give me about five.” She goes to walk away, but Kacey grabs her wrist.

“No boundaries,” Carter mumbles.

The waitress strips her hand out of Kacey’s hold. “Excuse me?”

“I just need a water. I’m so dehydrated,” she whines.

Carter grunts, staring at Faith with annoyance. I’m with him on this.

I reach behind me to grab my wallet, so I can pay and get out of here, when Carter raises his hand. “Brynn!”

I stop reaching for my wallet, but Kacey takes that opportunity to grab my hand. This woman has no idea about personal space.

Carter’s hand lowers, and his smile widens for his sister.

“I was supposed to meet Mom and Dad here.” Her eyes fall to Kacey’s hand on mine.

“Oh, hi,” she says, shaking her head and concentrating on Carter.

I slide my hand out from under Kacey’s.

“Who are you?” Kacey asks.

Carter laughs and crosses his arms as though he’s ready for the show to begin.

“Who are you?” Brynn asks, arching a brow.

“I’m Kacey.”

Brynn glances at me then back at Kacey. “I’m Brynn.”

“Hi, Brynn. Am I missing something?” Kacey looks at Faith. “Is that his girl?”

“Why don’t you ask me?” Brynn crosses her arms, and this is the first time I see the brother/sister resemblance between her and Carter.

“You’re not British.”

Brynn looks at me. I hold up my hands, wanting to see this play out because I think there might be jealousy running through Brynn’s veins, and I like it. A lot. Though she’s got nothing to worry about.

Brynn juts out her hip and glares at Kacey. “I don’t have to be British for him to be mine, but to be clear, he’s not. So, go ahead, Kacey, take your best shot.” She turns to Carter, but I swing my arm around Brynn’s waist and tug her onto my lap.

I am not going to let this Kacey think she has a chance with me.

“She’s just joking, I’m hers, and she’s mine.”

“Ohhh…” Faith says and playfully slaps Carter’s arm.

I’m pretty sure when it comes to overprotective brothers, Tre is the bigger concern. But Carter probably thinks I’m doing this to get Kacey to go find her family and to not let her think she has a shot with me.

“Pierce,” Brynn says, but she doesn’t move off my lap.

“I’m sorry,” Kacey says, and the tension in Brynn’s body lessens with the vulnerable tone in Kacey’s voice. “I didn’t mean… I’m just lonely. You know, it’s the holidays, and it’s like a big billboard-sized reminder that you don’t have someone special to share it with. And…”

“We get it, Kacey.” Faith smiles at her.

“How about I loan you Pierce for a little bit while I go snowboarding?” Brynn jumps off my lap, but I follow her, reaching for my wallet and tossing down money.

“I’m going to join you, honey. I missed you this morning.”

“Oh, sweetie, you’ll never keep up with me.” She gives me a saccharine smile.

I turn to Kacey. “She’s kind of competitive.”

“Kind of? Just wait.” Carter rolls his eyes.

“See you guys later.” I wave, but Brynn is already halfway through the lodge by the time I catch up to her.

“You owe me,” she says once we’re outside.

“For what?”

“For getting you out of an afternoon with Kacey.”

“Are you sure you didn’t enjoy it a little bit?”

She crosses her arms. “Enjoy what?”

“You were a little bit jealous.” I put my fingers in the air with some space between my thumb and forefinger.

“Please.” She pretends to laugh as if it’s an absurd idea.

“Come on. Tell me.”

Her fingers wrap around mine, and she shrinks the open space, pressing my thumb and finger closer together. “Maybe that amount.”

“I knew it.”

She turns and walks toward the slopes.

I laugh, following her. I’m thankful I read that one right, otherwise it would have been terribly embarrassing.

She’s warming up to me, and that’s all I need.