Unknown by BookDesignTemplates.com Read Free Book Online

mountain, almost tripping over my ski. I turned to Derek when he plopped down beside me.
    “I’m going down the Black Diamond, you can go down the Blue. I don’t have any interest in continuing being in your company.”
    Stuffy. Stubborn. Uptight . Why was I continuing to be in the presence of a man who constantly berated me? I zipped down the mountain, hoping to get onto another lift before Derek made it down; I didn’t want to see him any longer.
    I was right; the snow storm created a fluffy coat of powder, and it was the ideal ski day. Zooming down a mountain of fresh powder for a few hours sounded like a perfect day- if I could get away from Derek.
    As I got in the shortest line to head back up, thinking I’d successfully avoided him for a bit longer, something cracked me in the back.
    I spun around, eyes narrowed as Derek stood behind me with a huge snowball in his gloved hand.
    I wiped the snow off me. “What are you doing? Stop that!”
    He smiled like a rebellious child and hit my front. “Told you; you’re too uptight.”
    I kicked snow in his direction, groaning to the sky. “I’m sorry getting pummeled with snow isn’t my idea of fun.”
    I got out of line and stormed into the cafeteria to warm up. I rolled my eyes as I looked at my phone to check the time. I had another missed call from Reggie.
    My attempt at a relaxing day may have been interrupted by Derek’s intrusion, but it was ruined by Reggie’s call. I grabbed my belongings and decided to give up.
    God was obviously testing me, throwing as many challenges as possible my way to make sure I was truthful about my decision to not kill myself. Forcing me to deal with nuisances to strengthen me just in case I ever got weak and allowed the morbid thoughts to flood my mind again.
    Derek walked up behind me and grabbed my skis. “Leaving already? I’ll walk you back.”
    I sighed, turning to face him. “Look, I think it’s time for you to leave me alone. I came on this vacation to be alone, and I’d appreciate it if you left me be.”
    “No, you came on this vacation to kill yourself.”
    My mouth dropped open as a passing man overheard us and turned to stare at me.
    “You’re a stranger; you don’t know me, and I don’t know you. Let’s keep it that way. Like I said before, thank you… for what you’ve done for me, but I see no reason to continue our social gatherings.”
    I marched away, heading to the trails that led to my cabin. I didn’t have to turn around to know he was following me. God, what was his problem?
    I entered the cabin just as my phone rang again. My day was already at rock bottom, I couldn’t make it any worse by answering.
    “What can I do for you, Reggie?”
     
     

 
    5
    “Shae… how have you been?”
    I locked eyes with Derek, who placed our skis by the front door.
    “Thinking about how I’m going to pay off my non-refundable wedding costs by myself, trying to enjoy my non-honeymoon time off, and thinking about all of the years I wasted on a man like you. Now, why do you keep calling me?”
    It was harsh, but my temper was still short. In fact, it was getting shorter by the day. I just needed to be left alone- by everyone- so I could heal and get my mind back to neutral ground. Until that happened, I was going to continue to be a loose cannon.
    He chuckled lightly, and I heard a female’s voice in the background. Her .
    “What do you want, Reggie?” I yelled into the phone, my blood boiling at the sound of her voice. I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. “What is it?” I said in a calmer tone.
    “Look, I’m sorry about how everything went down. I’ve been thinking long and hard over the last few days, and I realize that I went about ending things in the wrong way. And I apologize.”
    “I don’t care about your apologies; is that why you called?”
    “Actually, no. I um, tried to get in the house to get the rest of my things, but the locks were already changed. What time will you be home