Mack nodded in agreement. “Come with us, Allie. The snow’s killer. First powder of the year makes for epic boarding.”
“I ski,” I corrected. “And I’d love to, but I’ve got a ton of homework. Maybe another time. Thanks.”
“Homework comes every day. First powder of the season?” Bodie raised his eyebrows. “You really going to miss out on that?”
“Well . . .” He had a point. Powder days were pretty amazing. And the university’s proximity to the local mountain, not to mention the discounted season pass offered to all Northern Washington U students, had been a major factor in my college choice. “What time are you guys going?”
“Immediately after burgers.” Johann grinned. “You in?”
“I’m in. Meet you at the hill in an hour,” I offered.
“No burgers?” Bodie furrowed his brow. “I’m an extraordinary grill master.”
I laughed. “Thanks, but I’m good. I’ll see you guys at the base of the Olympia chair?” There was no need to point out that smart girls didn’t go to strange boys’ houses on days a crazy professor had done weird energy juju on them. There wasn’t enough pepper spray in all the world to handle that.
“See you there, Allie.” Johann turned to Bodie. “Should we just leave without him?”
Bodie furrowed his brow. “I guess.”
“Were you guys waiting for somebody?” I asked.
“Our other roommate was supposed to meet us here, but he’s AWOL. Whatever, less powder for him.” Johann waved and pulled his backpack over his shoulder. “See you on the mountain, Allie. I hope you don’t ski like a girl!”
I narrowed my eyes. “Clearly, you’ve been skiing with the wrong girls.”
Johann laughed. “I guess so.”
Bodie gave a jaunty salute as he walked away, and Mack did his prayerful bow again.
“See you.” I smiled. They seemed like pretty nice guys. It would be fun to have a group to ski with. Mallory didn’t do sports, and so far, I’d been so focused on not failing any classes I hadn’t had time to meet a lot of friends. Who knew? Maybe these guys would end up being my people. Worst case scenario, they made for some pretty good eye candy.
CHAPTER THREE
AFTER THREE HOURS IN the world’s most perfect powder, during which it was accepted I did not, in fact, ski like Johann’s version of a girl, I decided I was right—these guys were totally my people. And once again, my people insisted I go back to their house to eat. Since skiing always left me famished, I was open to considering their offer.
“You didn’t want my burgers, but Mack’s on dinner duty. He’s been crock potting some stew all day. Come on,” Bodie urged.
“I don’t know,” I hedged. “I have homework.” My Lit paper was done, but pages of unfinished Calculus homework cluttered my desk. Ugh.
“Ja, but you need to eat, right?” Johann bent down to unbuckle his boot from his board. The motion freed the light layer of powder that dusted his dark hair. “Have dinner with us. Don’t hurt Mack’s feelings. He’s our delicate flower.”
I arched one eyebrow. The six-plus-foot beefcake didn’t look at all delicate flowery to me.
“It really is exceptional stew.” Mack nodded seriously. “It’s a family recipe.”
“Well . . . okay,” I caved. Math could wait another hour. Plus, I had my pepper spray in my ski bag just in case. I popped out of my skis and slid them together before lifting them onto my shoulder. “Where do you guys live?”
“Right over there.” Bodie hiked his board under one arm and jutted his chin.
“Where?” I looked around. The only house in sight was nestled in the trees above the base of the Olympia chair, a short walk from where I’d parked my car. The house was huge—prime mountain property. No way would anybody be crazy enough to rent that to a group of college guys.
“There.” Johann pointed again to the house hidden in the trees. Holy cow, that is their house! “Pretty sweet, huh?”
“Yes,” I said honestly. “You guys can literally ski out your front door.”
“We board.” A corner of Bodie’s mouth turned up in a grin. “Our roommate skis, sometimes. I still don’t know where he disappeared to this afternoon. He was supposed to meet us after class, but he was a no show.”
“Are you worried about him?” I asked.
“Ja, a little.” Bodie rubbed his neck. “If he’s not back after dinner, I’m calling Heimdall.”
“Who’s Heimdall?” I asked. The guys had said they were from Norway. Where, apparently, everybody had really strange names.
Johann shot Bodie a glance, his aura glowing with tension. “Someone who should be able to track him down.”
I noticed he hadn’t exactly answered my question, so I reached out with my energy. All three boys’ signatures pulsed with anxiety. Either they were super worried about their roommate or this Heimdall guy was not to be messed with. They tucked their boards under their arms and turned toward their house. I fell into step behind them and noticed that their energy shifted from anxious to . . . protective? Purple threaded through their normally blue and green color matrix. They slowed their pace and shifted positions so we walked in a cluster—Johann and Bodie on either side of me, and Mack in the front. They kept up an easy banter as we made our way to the expansive, two-story log cabin, and by the time we deposited our gear on the front porch, their energy was once again bright and joyful. Being around them was seriously fun—what I’d always imagined having siblings would be like. I couldn’t wait to introduce them to Mallory.
“Do you need any clothes, Allie?” Bodie stepped out of his boots and set them inside the front door. I did the same. “Johann had a girlfriend who was about your size, and she left some of her stuff here when she dumped his sorry butt.”
“Why do you have to be a jerk?” Johann rolled his eyes at Bodie. “Though we do have clothes that would fit you, Allie. You don’t have to wear ski stuff in here.”
“I’m good,” I said. “I have plenty of layers on. Just point me to your bathroom, and I’ll hang my ski pants up to dry before I drive home.”
“Nonsense.” Mack walked me into the house and toward an open bedroom door across the hall from the expansive living room. He stepped through the door and turned on the light. “You’re about a size four, right?”
“Yes,” I said cautiously. How did he know that?
“Well, the bottom dresser drawer should have some things in your size.” Mack held out his arm. “You can change in the guest room.”
The guest room? How big was this house? I looked at the three boys as they stepped up behind me. “You guys have that many girls staying over, you have drawers sorted by size?”
Bodie chuckled. “Something like that.”
Johann started up the stairs. “Hurry up and change, Allie. Mack won’t let any of us eat until we’re all at the table, and I’m starving.”
I was starting to like Mack more and more. “You force them to be civilized,” I concluded. “Well done.”