Chapter 7

                                    

                                          
Once we got back to the cabin, everyone was already awake and bustling around, eager to help unload the groceries and prepare breakfast. Kayla gave me a curious glance when she saw me walk in with Jason, but she didn't get a chance to ask anything with everyone else around.
"Oh hell yes, did you guys get coffee?" Max called out, coming into the kitchen and eyeing the bags eagerly.
I pulled the coffee out of one of the bags and handed it to him. Max grabbed it with a dramatic sigh of relief and kissed the bag as if it were a long-lost friend. I laughed and told him to get started on brewing it.
"We heading to the slopes after breakfast?" Lucas asked, his excitement practically radiating from him.
"I still need to hit the rental shop and get some skis," Riley teased with a playful smirk. "Not all of us are fortunate enough to own our own gear."
"Alright, fair enough. We'll ride together a bit later then," Lucas replied, planting a quick kiss on Riley's cheek. He turned to Jason with an eager grin. "Bro, want to hit the slopes after?"
"Yeah, let's do it," Jason agreed enthusiastically. Being among the few who had brought their own gear, they made plans to head out after breakfast. Meanwhile, the rest of us would head to the rental shop to get outfitted for the week.
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"Alright girls, I'm off!" Max announced, snowboard in hand, as he headed towards the door.
"How were you this fast?" Riley shot him a look, clearly frustrated that she wasn't already on the slopes.
"Guess I'm just cuter than you are," Max winked, gesturing to the girl who had helped him with his gear. With a final wave, he was out the door, heading for the ski lift.
"Alright, you're all set," the rental shop guy said, handing me my gear. I thanked him, shrugged at Riley, and walked over to where Kayla and Lucy were waiting.
"You guys sure you don't want to give it a try?" I offered one last time. "I'll stick to the bunny hill and practice with you."
Both Kayla and Lucy shook their heads.
"Thanks, but I'd rather not risk injury by trying to ski after ten years," Kayla said with a wry smile. She used to ski with her family until she broke her leg, and the recovery had been tough on her. She'd never skied again since then.
Lucy, on the other hand, had never skied and wasn't keen on starting now. "I'd be more comfortable being a spectator than having kids zoom past me while I'm falling on my ass," she joked.
They had decided to hang out at the cabin or explore the area while we were on the slopes. We'd meet up with them in the evenings.
"Alright, finally!" Riley said as she emerged, rolling her eyes. "I swear, that guy at the rental shop did not want to leave me alone."
"You ready to go?" she asked, facing me with an eager grin.
"Yeah, let's do it," I replied, returning her enthusiasm.
"Alright, we'll catch up with you girls later. Text us if you need anything," Riley said, already turning towards the ski lift.
"Looks like we're off," I laughed as the girls waved goodbye.
"Have fun!" Kayla called out as Riley and I joined the line for the ski lift.
"I cannot wait to board again," Riley said, her excitement palpable. She had only started snowboarding last year when Lucas introduced her to it. She'd picked it up quickly and loved every moment of it.