“I would like to know,” Flint tells me as he crosses over to sit on the end of my bed. “Where’d you run off to? And why?”
Because telling him the whole reason involves trying to explain my bizarre reaction to Jaxon—not to mention everything that came after—I settle for part of the truth. “The altitude really started getting to me. I felt like I was going to throw up, so I came back to the room.”
That wipes the smile off his face. “How are you now? Altitude sickness isn’t anything to fool around with. Can you breathe okay?”
“I can breathe fine. I swear,” I add when he doesn’t look convinced. “I’m feeling almost normal today. Just had to get used to the mountains, I guess.”
“Speaking of mountains.” Flint’s appealing grin is back. “That’s why I came by. A bunch of us are having a snowball fight after dinner tonight. Thought you might want to join in…if you feel okay, I mean.”
“A snowball fight?” I shake my head. “I don’t think I should.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t even know how to make a snowball, let alone how to throw one.”
He looks at me like I’m being silly. “You pick up snow, you pack it into a ball, and then you throw it at the nearest person.” He uses his hands to mime his words. “It’s not exactly hard.”
I stare at him, unconvinced.
“Come on, New Girl. Give it a try. I promise it’ll be fun.”
“Careful, Grace.” Macy comes out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel. “Never trust a…” She trails off when Flint turns to her, brows raised.
“They’re having a snowball fight after class today,” I tell her. “He wants us to join.” He hadn’t invited Macy in so many words, but there’s no way I’m going without her. And from the sudden smile on her face, I’m guessing I made the right choice.
“Seriously? We have to go, Grace. Flint’s snowball fights are legendary around here.”
“That doesn’t exactly raise my confidence level, considering I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“It’ll be fine,” they both say at the same time.
It’s my turn to raise my brows as I look back and forth between them.
“Trust me,” Flint implores. “I’ll take good care of you.”
“Don’t trust him,” Macy tells me. “Put a snowball in that boy’s hand and he’s utterly diabolical. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun.”
I still think it’s a bad idea, but Flint and Macy are my only two actual friends at Katmere. Who knows what will happen with Lia, and as for Jaxon… Jaxon is a lot of things, but I definitely wouldn’t call him a friend. Or even friendly, for that matter.
“Okay, fine,” I give in gracefully. “But if I end up dying in the middle of the fight, I’m going to haunt both of you forever.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ll survive,” Macy assures me.
Flint, on the other hand, just winks. “And if not, I can think of worse ways to spend eternity.”
Before I can come up with a response to that, he leans over and drops a kiss on my cheek. “See you later, New Girl.” And then he’s gone, slipping out the door without a backward glance.
I’m left with a wide-eyed, openmouthed Macy, who is all but clapping her hands in delight over one little peck. And the sad knowledge that no matter how adorable Flint is, he doesn’t make me feel anything close to what Jaxon does.
15
So Hell
Actually Can
Freeze Over
“Did he…” Macy gasps out after he shuts the door behind him.
“It’s not a big deal,” I assure her.
“Flint just…” Apparently the word is still failing her, because she taps her cheek in the same spot where Flint kissed mine.
“It’s not a big deal,” I say again. “It’s not like he planted one on me or anything. He was just being friendly.”
“He’s never been friendly like that to me. Or anyone else I’ve seen.”
“Yeah, well, you’ve got a boyfriend. He’s probably afraid Cam will kick his ass.”
Macy laughs. She actually laughs, which…okay. The idea of her thin, lanky boyfriend kicking Flint’s ass does seem a little absurd. But still, shouldn’t she at least pretend to defend him?
“You want me to talk to him?” I tease. “See if he’ll kiss you next time?”