CHAPTER ONE
KENDALL
Day 1
I wheel my two large suitcases down the hallway and place them by the front door. Iโm equally nervous and excited about spending today and tomorrow with my best friendโs brother Ryan. Itโs not a romantic getaway in any sense, but rather the complete opposite. Cami and Eli are planning to honeymoon at the cabin, and Ryan and I have been put in charge of getting it ready. Heโs on his way to pick me up now.
Not that Iโve ever admitted it out loud, but Iโve had a crush on him for as long as I can remember. Even if heโs never been able to hold a conversation with me without pissing me off, thereโs always been an underlying attraction. Maybe this weekend will be different or at least thatโs what I hope, but Ryan openly despises me. Iโve dealt with him over the years because Camiโs my ride or die and has been since we were in grade school.
Ryan treats me like Iโm a spoiled rich princess who has been given everything on a silver platter. While thereโs truth in it, thereโs more to me than my familyโs money or the way I look. I didnโt choose my parents and didnโt ask to receive such a significant inheritance from my grandparents. Regardless, heโs dead set on judging me for things that I have zero control over.
In a few weeks, Cami will marry Ryanโs best friend, Eli. Because Eli wants to make it a honeymoon to remember, he asked me to help decorate and stock the cabin with all of her favorite things before they arrive. Somehow, the two of them convinced Ryan to join me so I wouldnโt have to do it alone. Considering heโs a doctor with a packed schedule, Iโm shocked he found time, but Iโm also not complaining.
While trying to keep busy, I go through my list to make sure I got everything Eli requestedโchocolate, extra Christmas decorations, sparkling water, and enough booze to last two weeks. I just hope it all fits in Ryanโs Range Rover because I went overboard, but Iโd do anything to make my best friendโs honeymoon magical.
Just as I finish double checking my list, my phone vibrates. I see a text from Ryan, and nervous energy soars through me.
Ryan: Iโll be there in fifteen. Got stuck in some traffic.
Iโm not sure what to think about him joining me. Maybe a night alone will allow me to prove that Iโm more than a pretty face with money. Considering heโs a St. James, he understands what itโs like to be raised by an elite family so heโs not impressed by the glitz and glam. Heโs humble and wanted a different life, another reason why he went to medical school.
Regardless of our differences, this weekend, weโre going to have to find a happy medium because heโs the Best Man, and Iโm the Maid of Honor. Over the next few weeks, weโre going to spend time together even if heโs the definition of stubborn.
Iโm almost tempted to drink a glass of wine before he gets here to calm me down but decide against it. Instead, I grab one of my favorite bottles of Merlot, put it next to my suitcases then text Cami as I wait.
Kendall: Your brotherโs on his way.
Cami: OMG! Hopefully, you two donโt murder each other in the cabin.
Kendall: As long as heโs on his best behavior, I think weโll be perfectly fine.
Cami: If heโs a dickhead, let me know, and Iโll threaten his life.
I snort-laugh because Cami is ferocious at times. As weโre texting back and forth, I hear a vehicle outside, then a hard knock on the door.
Kendall: Heโs here. Iโll let you know when we make it to the cabin.
Cami: Perfect! I hope the three-hour drive isnโt too painful. Pee before you leave! Ryan hates stopping.
Kendall: Noted.
I tuck my phone in my back pocket and swing the door open. Ryanโs wearing a heavy jacket and slacks. His hair is messy in a way that makes me want to run my fingers through it.
โKendall,โ he says my name in his gravelly tone, and my panties nearly melt off my body. I have to force myself not to step closer because he smells so damn good.
Thankfully, confidence is one of my strengths, so I act as his presence isnโt a big deal. I smile and meet his honey-colored eyes. โRyan. Nice to see you again. Oh, come in. I have everything stacked here that needs to go.โ
I step aside, giving him space to enter. He glances around, and his eyes widen at the pile. When I told Eli I was born to decorate and plan for this honeymoon, I meant it.
โYouโre not serious.โ He turns to me.
I play stupid, though I know what heโs referring to. โWhatcha mean?โ
He huffs like Iโve lost my damn mind. โTwo oversized suitcases plus all of this? Thereโs no way itโs going to fit. How many clothes do you need for two days?โ
I narrow my eyes at him, wondering if heโs done with this conversation because I am.
โOne suitcase only,โ he insists.
โAbsolutely not. Both are coming with me,โ I argue. โThis isnโt up for discussion.โ
โThis is ridiculous, Kendall. Weโre going up today and will be there tomorrow, and then weโre leaving. We wonโt even be leaving the cabin, and I donโt care what you wear.โ
โDonโt flatter yourself. What I wear is not for you, but for me. I like to have plenty of options.โ I give him a shit-eating grin, trying not to let Ryan get under my skin, but heโs already buried himself there. If he pisses me off before we leave, the drive across New York is going to be painful as hell.
โOptions?โ He rolls his eyes. It takes every bit of patience I have left not to tell him to quit being an asshole. He seems like heโs in a mood today, but itโs not like itโs different from any other time Iโve been around him.
I slip on my peacoat as he mumbles under his breath. Taking my time, I put on my gloves and matching knit hat. The temperatures have steadily dropped all week, and later today itโs supposed to start snowing again.
Impatiently, he taps his foot and watches me. I grab my suitcases, and pull out the handles. โComing?โ I ask over my shoulder.
โIโll be shocked if all this shit fits,โ he repeats like I didnโt hear his grumbles the first time.
All I can do is laugh. โI guess weโll see, wonโt we? Also, you can stop complaining now. Remember, this shit isnโt for me. Itโs for your sister and best friend so suck it up, buttercup. Weโre making it special for them.โ
Ryan glares at me then picks up one of the boxes of non-perishable food and follows behind me. I made sure to buy enough non-perishables to last for two weeks. I also had fresh meat cut and sealed, then froze it. To make sure it doesnโt defrost while we travel, I put it in an ice chest with dry ice. If he knows whatโs best, heโll make sure nothingโs left behind.
When I step outside, the frigid air slaps me across the face. I guess I didnโt realize how chilly it had gotten since earlier today when I finished shopping. Considering I hate being cold, it lights a fire under my ass to load the SUV as fast as possible. Ryan pops the hatch to the Range Rover, and after he sets the box down, he loads my suitcases.
โHoly shit,โ he mutters as he lifts them one after another.
โI packed my extra heavy dildos,โ I laugh, giving him a hard time. He doesnโt say a word. Iโll try my best to go easy on him, but heโs making it difficult with his glares and groans.
After a few trips, all the food is loaded. Thereโs at least three more boxes, plus a cooler with frozen meat. While weโll only be staying a few days, I bought food for us too so we wouldnโt have to dip into Cami and Eliโs stash. I made sure to get all of my best friendโs favorite snacks and more pasta choices than she can handle.
โYou do know the cabin has a pantry full of items like this, right?โ Ryan tells me as he stacks the final box on top of the others.
โAnd whatโs your point?โ I glare at him.
He opens the top and pulls out a glass jar of marinara, Alfredo, then sees the vermicelli, angel hair, and spaghetti noodles. โThe point is you probably didnโt need to purchase all of this. How much can two people realistically eat in that amount of time?โ
โAnd this is why they didnโt ask you to go shopping,โ I snap.
โDamn. Thereโs enough alcohol in here to open a bar.โ He studies me.
โAll of it was highly requested. If you keep it up, I might have to open a bottle and drink it on the way there.โ I turn and walk back inside, not giving him the opportunity to respond.
I grab the strands of lights I want to wrap around the staircase along with the mistletoe for the entryways. Cami had conveniently mentioned a ten-foot Christmas tree and ornaments were stored in the basement so I didnโt buy one. By the time Iโm done decorating the cabin, it will look like a winter wonderland escape. Sheโs going to be so excited and the thought makes me smile.
When the Range Rover is loaded, thatโs when I notice a small duffel bag on the floor board. Knowing thatโs all Ryan packed makes me snort. Heโs so damn efficient that he probably only brought one change of clothes for tomorrow. Meanwhile, Iโve got enough outfits to last me three weeks. I often allow my mood to decide my clothing choice and I never know how Iโm going to feel. So, options. It could be a legging type of day with running shoes or a pair of expensive slacks with heels. I never know.
After I make one last look around to make sure I didnโt forget anything, I grab another bottle of wine because Iโm going to need it, set the security alarm, then lock the door. Ryanโs waiting inside the SUV, and once I climb in, I turn on the heated seat. A chill runs through me as he backs out of the driveway. His GPS is already set for Roxbury, and I catch a glimpse of the arrival time. It says we should be there around three as long as there aren’t any accidents or issues.
Once weโre out of my neighborhood, I suck in a deep breath realizing I didnโt bring any sort of snacks with me. Itโs a total fail on my part.
I turn to Ryan and put on a sweet smile. โDo you think we can stop and get some coffee before we leave civilization?โ Iโm already mentally making my order of a skinny mocha with extra whip cream and a pumpkin loaf just in case I get hungry. My mouth waters thinking about it.
โAbsolutely not.โ Ryan doesnโt even look at me.
โWait, seriously?โ My mouth falls open because I canโt be without coffee, especially on a trip this long. Plus, itโs cold as fuck outside, and a hot drink makes it all better.
โWeโre not stopping, Kendall,โ he says flatly without hesitation and thatโs when I realize heโs really not joking. If I had known he was going to be this much of an asshole, I wouldโve just driven myself. Iโm so frustrated I bite my tongue before I say something I regret. Trying to calm down, I force myself to stare out the window but I canโt stop drinking about mochas and warm bread.
This might be the most painful three hours of my life.
When he turns on the radio, and I hear a bunch of doctors discussing medical procedures in full detail, Iโm convinced Iโm living in my own personal hell.
Itโs times like this I wished I carried a corkscrew in my purse, because if I had one, Iโd open that wine I packed right now.
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CHAPTER TWO
RYAN
Kendall can whine all she wants but she shouldโve come fully prepared. One of my biggest pet peeves when traveling is stopping. If it takes thirty minutes, thatโs too much time wasted, and I just want to get to the cabin so I can get this weekend over with.
The only reason I agreed is because my best friend Eli asked me to join Kendall so she wouldnโt be alone in the big house by herself. It was important to him, and I want my sister to be happy on her honeymoon, so I said yes. I shouldโve known Kendall was going to go overboard with her shopping, but I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.
After weโre out of the city, Kendall reaches over and turns off the radio. I glance over at her and she gives me a death glare. โI canโt handle listening to this for the next two hours, so weโre going to have to compromise.โ
I turn it back on. โTrust me when I say this is compromising.โ
She lets out a growl and I wonder if sheโs going to knock the shit out of me by how angry she becomes. Reactions like this aren’t new for me. Considering Kendall and Cami have been best friends for as long as I can remember, Iโm used to her temper tantrums. Theyโre each otherโs ride or die and growing up she was always around. If Cami wasnโt at her house, Kendall was at ours, and theyโre still just as close.
Somehow Kendall was able to stay out of the eye of the paparazzi. Cami wasnโt so lucky and basically had her teenage years documented in photos. Itโs another reason why I was so adamant about breaking away from the glitz and glam of being a St. James. While I couldโve lived off my parentโs money for the rest of my life, Iโm wired differently than most who grew up in a family like mine.
An underlying current has always streamed between us, and itโs why Iโve kept my distance. I never wanted to become a wedge between her and Camiโs friendship, plus weโre completely opposite. I want to be with someone who aspires to do more in life than look pretty. I need substance in a relationship and sheโs too vain to understand that.
The rest of the drive we ride in silence. Eventually, her breathing slows and I glance over noticing how peaceful looks sleeping. The closer we get to Roxbury, the harder the snow starts to fall and we drive into a white-out. I change the radio to the local weather station to get an update.
โMassive snowfall happening in Upstate New York. If youโre on the roads, be careful. Weโll be right back after this message from our advertisers,โ the announcer says.
โGreat,โ I mutter. I turn it off and focus on the road. I knew it would be snowing, but I thought weโd miss most of it. Kendall stirs and her eyes flutter open. Immediately, she repositions herself in the seat and her mouth falls open.
โHow long has it been like this?โ she asks, looking at me.
โAbout twenty minutes. Itโs progressively getting worse, but Iโm not pulling over because I donโt think we can wait it out. Want to look at a radar for me?โ
She sarcastically laughs. โUhh.โ
I hand her my phone and unlock it then tell her which app to open. She does and shows me the screen once itโs loaded. All I see is pink and blue which means heavy snowfall. โGreat.โ
โWhat? What does it mean?โ The concern in her tone isnโt lost on me.
โBasically, we need to take it slow so we make it there safely. Looks like it might be like this the rest of the way.โ
She sits up straighter and glances at the GPS. Worry washes across her face, but I stay calm. Her reaction is almost predictable because she doesnโt typically leave her precious castle unless she absolutely has to. Kendallโs the kind of woman who wouldnโt risk breaking a nail or getting her designer shoes dirty.
โTrust me. I wonโt let anything happen to you. Weโre only an hour away so I think itโs best we continue forward instead of turning around.โ
โI agree. One hour this way is better than two hours the other with a storm chasing us back to the city.โ She keeps her eyes focused on the road thatโs barely visible.
โAnd this is the only time I have off before the wedding activities start so itโs kind of a now or never thing.โ
The next half-hour, I hold the steering wheel with white knuckles as I navigate down the one laned roads that twist and turn. While this isnโt ideal driving conditions, Iโm happy we left when we did or we couldโve possibly had to pull over and wait it out. Not something I ever want to do because the conditions can turn very quick. The last thing I want is to be stranded in a car for hours.
When weโre ten minutes away from the cabin, our phones alerts buzz.
โWhatโs it say?โ I ask.
Kendall unlocks her phone and reads it to me. โBasically thereโs an arctic blast and theyโre predicting a lot of snow. Roads are closing too.โ
When I finally turn into the driveway, relief floods through me because I was growing more concerned. I open the garage and pull in so we donโt have to unload in this weather.
โIโm so happy weโre here,โ she admits and gets out. The wind howls, and a shiver runs through me. Itโs much colder here than it was in the city.
โGuess we should start unpacking,โ I tell her as I unlock the cabin door and turn on the lights and heat.
When I walk back to her, sheโs wheeling her suitcases toward me.
โYou get the heavy stuff,โ she snickers. โItโs why youโre here.โ
I pop an eyebrow at her but keep my thoughts to myself as she passes me, and damn she smells so good. We take several trips back and forth until everything is unloaded. As we put the ridiculous amounts of groceries she bought where they belong, I bump into her several times.
โSorry,โ I say, grabbing her arm to keep her steady. For a moment, I think her breath hitches, but then she smiles.
โI got this,โ she tells me, brushing her body against mine before walking into the pantry again. โYou werenโt lying when you said there was tons of food here, but Iโm glad I grabbed what I did. Cami wonโt eat half of this,โ she explains.
I lean against the door frame and watch her with my arms crossed over my chest.
Kendall points to the different jars of caviar and oysters. โSheโd rather starve than eat any of this.โ
โIf she were hungry, sheโd eat it. Anyone would.โ My parents always keep the house stocked with their favorite things and since Cami loves visiting so much some of her staples are here too, but not enough to last for as long as her and Eli plan to stay.
โHey, instead of standing around, do you think you can get the Christmas tree from the basement? Cami mentioned it being stored there.โ
I glare at her. โDo you have any idea how old that tree is? I wouldnโt be surprised if itโs dry rotted.โ
โI donโt care if itโs covered in dust bunnies. Weโll make it work or youโll be going out in the snow and cutting me a fresh one, and Iโm not kidding.โ Kendall gives me a pointed look.
โDonโt forget that Iโm not one of your parentโs workers that you can just boss around,โ I warn. โIโm here for my sister and best friend, thatโs it.โ
She lets out a sarcastic laugh. โWhatever you say, Ryan.โ
Kendall finishes stuffing the shelves then goes back to the kitchen and packs the freezer and fridge. Though I donโt want to go down there, I do because the quicker we get everything set up, the faster we can leave. Instead of wasting any more time, I take the stairs to the lower floor two at a time.
Once Iโm in the storage area of the basement, I click on the light switch and glance around. Itโs like a time capsule in here with old holiday decorations and old furniture. Thereโs a thin layer of dust that Iโll need to mention to my parents so their cleaning company can make sure they take care of this the next time they’re out. The last time I was down here was over a decade ago.
After I find the gigantic tree, I search around for the old ornaments. When we were kids and dad wanted to get away from the business, weโd escape to the cabin. Cami and I always loved it here because it was different from what we were used to. After mom decided she wanted a place that was newer, more updated, we started visiting there more often, but Cami still comes as much as she can.
There’re at least four giant plastic tubs full of ornaments and considering I have no idea what Kendall has in mind, I only bring the tree because thatโs all she asked for. As soon as I set it down by the couch, Kendall walks in with her hair pulled up into a ponytail.
โOh wow,โ she says after she unzips the tree bag. The lights flicker and Kendall turns and meets my eyes. โUhh.โ
Immediately, our phones buzz and we both look at another weather alert.
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WIND CHILL WARNING: VERY COLD AIR AND WIND WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS ACROSS WARNED AREA. PLEASE BE ADVISED OF ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SNOWFALL DUE TO THE ARCTIC BLAST. TEMPERATURES COULD PLUNGE FROM 10 TO -30 BY TOMORROW AND RECORD-BREAKING AMOUNTS OF SNOWFALL PREDICTED. TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.
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โFuck,โ I mutter then walk to the large windows in the living room and notice how bad itโs gotten outside. The lights blip off then come back on.
โWill we lose power?โ Kendall asks.
โAs long as the winds donโt get any stronger, I think weโll be okay.โ
โWe better be. Iโm not prepared for a camping trip.โ Kendall continues scrolling through her phone.
โI canโt imagine you camping, ever,โ I say.
She groans. โWhatโs that supposed to mean?โ
โYouโre just not the type of person to do outdoor things. Iโm sure your version of camping is staying at the Four Seasons.โ
Her jaw clenches. โSometimes youโre such a dickhead.โ
โBut am I wrong?โ I push.
Kendall shakes her head and storms into the kitchen. I get my duffle and go upstairs to the room I typically stay in. Since Kendall is such a queen, she can have the master bedroom with the amazing bathroom. Iโm fine in my peasant quarters.
When I enter my room, I try to remember the last time I was here. Itโs been a while, though Eli stayed in this room when he quarantined with Cami. When I think back to that time, it makes me sick. Watching so many people suffer fucked me up and while a vaccine has finally been approved for mass distribution, what I saw during that time never left me. Iโve always loved my job, but I wasnโt trained to deal with something of that nature. I lost a lot of patients, some colleagues, and I felt like I didnโt sleep for weeks. Hell, months even.
I was numb for most of it just to get through the day.
After Iโve unpacked the small amount of clothes I brought with me, I go back downstairs.
Kendallโs sitting at the bar on her phone as she eats a salad. I open the packed fridge and look around.
โWhat can I eat in here?โ I ask.
โYouโre smart, figure it out,โ she snaps, but I know a lot of these things arenโt for us. Instead of asking again, I pull out some mayo and lunch meat. Thereโs a loaf of bread on the counter, so I open it. I set a plate down on the bar, making the messiest looking sandwich ever, but it’ll do the job. Kendall stares, silently judges my masterpiece of a meal, then goes back to her phone.
After Iโm done eating, I rinse my plate and place it in the dishwasher, then go to the living room and check the amount of firewood we have. Thereโs enough to last us a while, but considering weโll only be here a few days, thereโs no need to see if thereโs more in the shed.
I plop on the couch and turn on the weather channel so I can get an update. Iโm nearly on the edge of the couch watching how dangerous the conditions have become and Iโm worried it might linger. This storm needs to pass quickly so I can get back to the city. Kendalls enters moments later and from my peripheral I can see her watching too. She lets out a long sigh.
Eventually, she sits, but sheโs on the opposite end of the large sectional couch. I know Iโve pissed her off, but sheโll get over it. I wonโt suck up to her or stroke her ego like everyone else does. Thereโs no way Iโll be kissing the ground she walks on and if she thought thatโd happen, sheโs sadly mistaken.
After a few hours of watching TV, I yawn. Iโve been up since four because I went to the hospital and worked a few hours before I picked up Kendall. Eventually, she gets up and grabs her two suitcases then struggles to get them up the stairs.
โYou want some help?โ I ask.
She glares at me over her shoulder continuing to lug her heavy ass luggage to the top floor.
โNo,โ she barks.
โMaster bedroom is yours,โ I yell, and when I hear the door slam, I know she heard me.
โGood night to you too,โ I mumble to myself then turn off the TV and lights. Before going upstairs, I check the thermostat and set the heat higher because the temperatures outside are still dropping. As I climb the stairs, I laugh knowing I can still get under her skin. The next few days are going to be interesting.
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CHAPTER THREE
KENDALL
DAY 2
After the day I had yesterday, it feels nice to sleep in. As soon as I throw off the covers, I hear the wind howling against the cabin and see nothing but snow. The master suite is huge and overlooks the mountains, but right now I can hardly see anything outside. Itโs a complete whiteout.
โOh shit,โ I mutter, realizing thereโs no way weโre leaving later today. The cabin is twenty miles away from Roxbury and is surrounded by trees and mountains with a long private driveway. Itโs the perfect getaway for a romantic honeymoon, but thereโs nothing romantic about being stuck here with Ryan. Instead, he acts as if itโs his own personal hell.
Itโs definitely not normal to get this much snow this time of year. Usually this happens closer to Christmas and into January and February, but hardly ever mid-November. This rare arctic blast will probably keep me stuck here with Ryan longer than either of us intended.
After I throw on a sweater and slide on my slippers, I go downstairs for coffee. As soon as I enter the kitchen, I see Ryan at the table on his phone with his laptop.
โDude, I think weโre stranded here,โ Ryan says to whoever heโs talking to and he doesnโt sound happy. He looks miserable too.
Great.
โNo, the main road is snowed over. Itโs so bad they wonโt be able to get the plows out for a few days, and apparently, the news said they expect more snow to come. I had to take a few emergency vacation days from work. We got twenty inches so far, and itโs still coming down. The wind is brutal, so itโs just fucking blowing everywhere. Even if the roads were open, I wouldnโt be able to see it.โ
Twenty inches? Jesus.
Itโs confirmation that weโre not leaving anytime soon.
I grab a mug and pour myself some of the already brewed coffee. Heโs still chatting with who I assume is Eli or Cami.
After I grab some creamer from the fridge, I continue listening to his conversation.
Ryan releases a huff. โThanks. I just wanted to let you two know so you donโt get worried about us. Hopefully, we donโt lose power. With my luck, an ice storm would make its way here too.โ
Lose power? Oh hell no. I canโt be here without power. Weโll just have to shovel our way out if that happens.
I sit at the breakfast bar with my coffee and scroll through my phone when I hear Ryan whisper, โYeah, sheโs a fucking trip.โ
Wow. I havenโt done anything and heโs already being rude as hell.
After he ends the call, he goes back to typing on his computer. His forehead wrinkles and face contorts which makes me wonder if heโs getting weather updates. If so, itโs not looking good.
โSounds like youโre stuck with me for a bit longer,โ I say, hoping to break the awkward tension. โWonโt be so bad. Youโll get a few days off. Maybe take advantage of it and relax for once. Could also work on getting the stick out of your ass.โ I hold back a laugh knowing heโll probably ignore me for that last comment.
โEasy for you to say,โ he mutters. โNot everyone lives off their familyโs money. Some of us have jobs to do. Iโm sure your biggest concern is getting to the nail salon on time every day.โ
โReally?โ I snap my gaze toward him. โThatโs the best you got? How original.โ I roll my eyes though heโs not looking at me. โFor your information, I go every other week and itโs far from my biggest concern, asshole.โ
I hate that he thinks he knows me when he clearly doesnโt. Heโs never even tried and acts like he has me figured out.
โWell maybe if you had job aspirations and goals at your age, being stuck here would be a concern. Itโโ
โAt my age?โ I interrupt. โSo because Iโm twenty-four, I should have the rest of my life all planned out? And if I donโt, Iโm a slacker?โ
He clears his throat, finally glancing at me. โI didnโt say slacker, but that it might be hard for you to understand that Ienjoy working. Being a doctor is who I am, and knowing I canโt be at the hospital with my patients worries me. Not that you care.โ
โDonโt put words in my mouth. I said to relax which youโre incapable of doing. Considering thereโs nothing you can do about being stuck here with a โfucking trip,โ you might as well take advantage of the time off. But you know what?โ I stand, grabbing my mug. Thereโs no emotion in his face as I scowl at him. โBe miserable all you want. Alone.โ
I march toward the stairs and donโt look back. He can sulk by himself. Just because I donโt have an intense career doesnโt mean Iโm a worthless trust fund baby. If heโd bothered asking or tried to get to know me, heโd learn thereโs a lot more to me than that. Heโs just like everyone else and has made opinions about me based on what he sees on the surface.
Once Iโm in my room, I decide to take a bath in the jet tub while finishing my coffee. Cami always has it stocked with a variety of bath bombs, lavender oil, candles, and bubble baths. Itโs just what I need after Ryan ruined my morning.
I pair my phone with the bluetooth speakers in the wall and jam out to Halsey who I have a major girl crush on. Her voice soothes me as I soak in the tub.
After a while, I decide to FaceTime my sister Piper to let her know Iโll be here longer than expected. Sheโs a few years younger than me and a famous YouTube star. Itโs kinda funny actually because weโre so opposite. I prefer to stay out of the limelight and Piper lives for it. Sheโs a perky, blonde lifestyle vlogger and is a natural extrovert. While Iโd rather stay behind the camera, there are times when sheโs had me in her vlogs.
โHey, whatโs up? Iโm doing a live video on Instagram,โ she answers.
โWell, excuse me,โ I mock. โI just wanted to talk to my sister. So Iโm stuck in Roxbury.โ
She looks into the other phone thatโs mounted on a tripod stand. Piper takes so many pictures and social media videos, she had to get a work phone so she could use her personal cell for calls and texts. โOkay, guys. Iโll be back shortly for my โget ready with me.โ Love you!โ Then she blows kisses before ending it.
โWhatโs going on? Youโre stuck in Roxbury.โ
I snicker, shaking my head. โYouโre so extra,โ I mock, giving her my best kissy lips.
โShut up.โ She flips her long hair and pouts. โNow tell me what happened.โ
โWe got twenty inches of snow and weโre basically stuck here until they can plow the roads. Could be days and Ryan isnโt happy about it. Let me correct myselfโฆโ I clear my throat dramatically. โHeโs not happy about being stuck with me.โ
โWhy would it take days?โ
โWeโre on a private road and itโs on the outskirts of town, like in the mountain area. Itโs not a priority. Plus, Roxburyโs population is like two thousand. They probably have one snowplow.โ
She chuckles. โTrue.โ
โAnd weโre supposed to get more snow. When I looked out this morning, I could hardly see a thing. Itโs windy too.โ
โSo yeah, youโre definitely stuck there for a bit. Now tell me about Ryan being a jackass.โ
I snort because Iโve told her about Camiโs brother a few times. She knows I think heโs attractive but his pissy attitude and dull personality ruin it for me. Heโs always been on the serious side but since the pandemic started heโs changed a lot. He worked in the ER at one of the largest hospitals in the city and saw the worst of it.
โHe called me a fucking trip when talking to Eli and Cami,โ I explain. โAnd heโs just been super moody. I mentioned relaxing while heโs here and he blew up over it. Basically said I was a spoiled brat who had nothing to worry about.โ
โWowโฆโ She pops a piece of gum in her mouth and starts smacking her lips. โSounds like he needs to get laid. Maybe you can help in that department.โ Piper waggles her brows.
โYeah, thatโs not happening. He canโt stand me. For whatever fucking reason.โ
โSounds like this could be an opportunity to get him to like you. Show him the real Kendall Montgomeryโinside and out.โ She shrugs, popping a bubble. โBoth stranded in a mountain cabin surrounded by snow. Kinda sounds romantic to me.โ
I laugh though not hating the idea. โAdd in watching Hallmark movies by the fireplace and Iโd be in.โ
โSee? Worked for Cami.โ
โYeah well, Iโm not Cami. Eli was in love with her so thatโs different. Ryan only sees me as his sisterโs annoying best friend. Weโre supposed to be decorating the cabin but looks like Iโll be doing it alone since heโs set on being an asshole.โ
โYou have time to butter him up.โ Piper flashes a wink. โIf you get my drift.โ
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. โYeah, I get your not so subtle hint.โ
โMomโs begging for grandchildren and since Iโm waiting till Iโm forty, youโre gonna have to be the one to take one for the team.โ
โIโm not getting knocked up just to make our mother happy!โ
โWell prepare for her to bombard you with โyour internal clock is tickingโ reminders. Iโve been getting them for a year and Iโm only twenty-one!โ Piper flashes an annoyed smile.
โMom knows better, I guess. Probably thinks youโll be the first to have an oopsie pregnancy,โ I tease.
โAbsolutely not!โ
I take a drink of my coffee and realize itโs starting to get cold, so I chug some more of it.
โWell, I better get back to my live stream so I can do my hair and makeup.โ
โWhere are you going?โ I ask, confused. โDid you get snow there too?โ
โYeah, but not as much as you. The roads should be cleared before noon.โ She flashes a shit-eating grin.
โLucky.โ I groan.
We say our goodbyes after I promise to keep her updated. I need to text Cami next but decide to wait until after Iโm out of the bath.
Once the water cools, I drain the tub and throw on a fluffy robe. My cup is empty and Iโll eventually have to go downstairs for food.
Kendall: Your brotherโs a jerk. Just thought Iโd let you know.
Cami: Whatโd he do now?
Kendall: Snapped at me for no reason. So I told him off and walked away.
Cami: Iโm sure he didnโt mean to. Heโs under a lot of stress.
Kendall: Thatโs no excuse to be rude. He made it very known how he feels about me and it wasnโt good.
Cami: Iโm sorry. Just remember heโs reserved and doesnโt show emotion well. Just give him time to come around to the idea of being there with you. Heโll open up.
I scoff.
Kendall: Doubt it, but I guess Iโll try because I have no other choice. If Iโm gonna be stuck here with nothing to do I donโt want to argue with him the whole time. But he needs to put in some effort too! Itโs not like I deserved his attitude. Well, I did say he had a stick up his assโฆ
Cami: Kendall!
Kendall: I was kidding! He canโt take a joke?
Cami: I donโt understand why you two fight. Probably because he likes you and is trying to push you away.
Kendall: HA! Now youโre just being delirious.
Cami: You like him or you wouldnโt care what he thought.
Kendall: No. Heโs HOT. That doesnโt mean I like him.
Cami: Whatever you say ๐
Kendall: This is your fault, ya know. You couldnโt go to Hawaii for your honeymoon like a normal newlywed.
Cami: Nope ๐ The paps can find me too easily there anyway. I want pure privacy and romance. You two will have plenty of time to make it super special for us now!
Kendall: If heโll help. Right now heโs set on being miserable.
Cami: Like I said, heโll come around.
ย Doubtful, but I guess time will tell and it seems weโll have plenty of it. I just hope he doesnโt think he can say mean things, then act like nothingโs wrong, like he used to do when I was a teenager. ย ย ย
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