Read Online Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) by Violet Vaughn - Free Book Online

guess. Do you think it’s greedy of me to want a new outfit?”
    He shakes his head. “No. If it makes you happy and feel good about yourself, then do it. You have no trouble paying your rent.”
    That’s an understatement. The thing is I’m sure Kelly doesn’t either. He lives in a big house with six other guys and I know it’s affordable. Plus the guy works two jobs year-round and apparently spends next to nothing on things he doesn’t need to survive. I sigh.
    Kaleb says, “Hey. I’m sure he wasn’t trying to make you feel bad. If you ask me, you wouldn’t be a girl if you didn’t want a new jacket. Just get it.”
    “Okay, I’m going to go try a few things on. Kaleb?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Thanks.”
    He flashes me the dimples that make Lori’s knees weak. “You’re welcome.”
    I know Kelly wasn’t trying to make me feel bad, but even though I’m getting the green outfit, the thrill feels flat.

Chapter 12

    Idon’t get a chance to show off my new clothes the next day because Heather, the kids’ ski school supervisor, asks me to come in and help organize things at the Kids’ Castle. She also asks Lori, and I don’t mind working because we’ll make it fun. The three of us spend the morning sorting through boxes and placing things where they go.
    Heather pours out a container full of crayons on the pint-sized picnic table where we’re sitting, and asks me, “So do you plan to stick around for a while?”
    I begin to sort through and pull out the broken ones. The waxy smell reminds me of lying on the floor coloring as a child. “I do. I own a house and am beginning to think of Breckenridge as my home.”
    She nods. “Good. I’m not going anywhere, either.”
    Lori says, “Well, I’m not sure what I plan to do, but I can see living here for a while.”
    Heather’s blue eyes twinkle. “You’re not going to ride off into the sunset with Kaleb?”
    I chuckle because I think Lori would go anywhere Kaleb asked.
    Lori shakes a crayon at Heather. “You know, I’d be insulted except for the fact I’ve seen you with Will. So don’t go there.”
    Heather cocks her head and smiles. “True, I’m a bit smitten.”
    Lori says, “It’s cute. I’m happy for you, Heather.”
    “Thanks.” Heather turns to me. “So what’s this I hear about you finally caving to Kelly’s charms?”
    I chuckle. “Once I made the first move, it was easy.”
    “I’m glad you finally put him out of his misery. He was like a lost puppy every time you walked by him last year.”
    Heat rises to my cheeks, and I change the subject. “So are you going to the party tonight?”
    It’s a long-standing tradition for the instructors to have a party the weekend before rookie training starts. It’s a chance for everyone to reconnect and the newbies to settle in. For the past few years it’s been at the big house where Casey’s boyfriend Jason lives with Kaleb and Kelly.
    Christian will be one of the rookies this year. He’s flying in and picking up a new car in Denver today. I check my phone to make sure he hasn’t texted, but I’m pretty sure I would have felt it come in. I don’t expect him until around five.
    When we’ve finished at the Kids’ Castle, Lori walks with me back to the locker room. The rushing sound of snowmaking machines hums in the distance, and occasional flurries from them float our way. She says, “Tonight should be fun.” She grins. “I love knowing the guys are all scrubbing things down right now to get ready. Bill keeps them on their toes.”
    I chuckle. “Their house is pretty impressive for a bunch of men. Is it true Bill made them a chore chart?”
    “Yup. Kaleb complains about it, but I think he likes a clean bathroom.” Her boots crunch the snow as she takes quick steps to keep up with my long legs.
    “Are you going to ski?”
    “No. I hadn’t planned on it today, and I might make a batch of cookies to bring instead.”
    “That sounds like a good idea. Maybe I’ll rustle up