Gio (5th Street)

  So you and Bianca snowboard today. I already talked to her. Enjoy… the snowboarding. NOTHING else ass! Don’t worry. I’ll hook you up once I’m up there. We’ll all go out if this fucking weather ever lets up!

  Gio smirked glancing up at Bianca again. “He just told me. Sounds good, but I’ve never snowboarded.” He lifted a hand to give him a second while he responded to Felix again.

  Got it. And relax, you’ll be up here soon enough.

  Gio knew Felix was only kidding about the nothing else part of his message. Normally he wouldn’t have a problem busting any of his friends’ balls. Even on something like this, but this felt different. He didn’t want to start any of that kind of talk. Not even in a playful way. So he wasn’t even touching on the comment.

  He stuck his phone in his pocket and glanced up at Bianca again who was pulling another mug out of the cabinet. “You want some coffee?”

  “No thanks. I’m not much for coffee. But I’ll take some orange juice if you have any.”

  Amparo opened the refrigerator and pulled out a glass pitcher. “Freshly made,” she said with a smile. “Breakfast is also ready. So whenever you two are ready I can serve it.”

  Gio met Bianca back at the dining table after she’d changed. Seeing her now no longer glammed up but in jeans, a soft sweater and her sneakers sent Gio right back to senior year World History class. She’d even pulled her hair back in a simple ponytail like she used to wear it back then. Gio gulped, irritated with himself, and forced himself to look away. This time Ray and Ignacio joined them for breakfast so he turned his attention to them, smiling as he took his seat.

  “So really? You’ve never been snowboarding?” Bianca asked, forcing him to look back at her eyes as big and as inquisitive as ever.

  Gio smiled. “Nope. The most I’ve ever done in the snow is tubing.” Incredibly, her eyes opened even wider and he was suddenly feeling nervous about snowboarding. Visions of him falling flat on his ass came to him and he was not looking forward to that. Not in front of Bianca. “Maybe snowboarding is not such a good idea.”

  “Don’t be silly. I can teach you.” Her eyes were full of all kinds of excitement and as nervous as Gio was, he still couldn’t wipe the goofy smile off his face.

  Amparo set his waffles down in front of him. Gio grabbed a banana from the fruit basket Amparo had set on the table earlier and sliced it over his waffles. He glanced up to see Bianca watching him. Their eyes met and she smiled. How could something as simple as a smile be so breathtaking?

  “Yeah,” Ray said, setting his coffee cup down. “It’s a little tricky at first but once you get the hang of it you should be good. It’s addicting, actually.”

  “You guys coming too?” Gio asked, glancing from Ray to Ignacio.

  They both shook their heads immediately. “Not today,” Ray said. “We still have a lot of shoveling to do in the back. That part of the complex piles up the fastest and takes the longest to thaw out. With this storm not letting up we can’t let that go. The gym entrance will be buried shut before we know it.”

  Gio frowned. “Then maybe I should stay and help, too.”

  “Stop trying to get out of it, Gio,” Bianca’s smirk teased. “You’re going.”

  Ignacio didn’t even try to hide his amused expression as if he agreed with Bianca’s assumption of why Gio was offering to help. “We got it, man. We use the plows, too. Piece of cake.”

  After breakfast, Bianca instructed him on what he’d need to wear. Everything he needed was hanging in his closet for him. He even found a season pass to the ski lift they’d be going to in the pocket of his snow pants. With a sticky note stuck to it.

  Get ready for the snow bunnies. =)

  Gio smiled remembering the conversation he’d had with Felix when Gio called him to tell him he’d decided to take him on his offer. Felix told him he was looking forward to reconnecting with his best bud.

  This was an easy one to figure out. While Felix had always said he’d done some of his best sparring with Gio, Felix didn’t really need him to train. He’d won a world championship without him; why would he need him now? And he most certainly didn’t need to be paying him. Felix acted like Gio was doing him a favor. Clearly, it was the other way around. Gio should be paying Felix for this two-month vacation. Here he was on day two of his job and he’d be spending the day on the slopes with a full season pass. He knew this was just the beginning too. Judging from his living arrangements and last night’s lavish dinner, not to mention this morning’s breakfast, the next two months he’d be living high on the hog. And all because his buddy was worried about him.

  He thought of the annoyance he’d felt last night with Felix then as he walked out of his room and Bianca’s bright smile greeted him. Noah’s words rang loudly in his conscience. Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet.

  Noah was right. He shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Felix had a good heart and he wasn’t stupid. There’s no way he could be taking someone like Bianca for granted.

  As Bianca approached him, still sporting her beautifully fresh no-makeup look, he breathed in a little easier. She had to be the girl Felix had referred to as the one he could be falling for.

  “The driveway is plowed and the driver is waiting for us outside,” she announced cheerfully. “You ready?”

  Gio looked down at himself in his snowboarding gear and then back up at her. “I guess so.”

  “You look good,” she smiled, looking him over.

  Their eyes met and her cheery smile lost some of its brightness for just an instant then she was back. “Don’t worry. I promise to get you back here in one piece.”

  “Who’s worried?” He laughed nervously which only made her giggle.

  Great, the giggling was already starting and he hadn’t even stepped onto the snowboard.

  ~*~

  Determined to make the best of another day of waiting for Felix, Bianca decided she’d be positive about this and try to enjoy herself. So far, Gio had been pleasant enough company, and he was certainly nice to look at. She giggled inwardly biting her lower lip and pretending the scenery out the window at that particular moment was especially interesting.

  “They have beginner trails, right?”

  Bianca turned back to see Gio’s nervous face, his green eyes momentarily veiled under a slow blink of long lashes. Geez, what she’d give to have lashes as heavy as his. She reached out and squeezed his arm. “Yes, they do. Don’t worry I’ll take it easy on you.” She smiled reassuringly. “Felix was the same way when he first started. Even with all the traveling he’d never really hit the slopes so he was just as nervous but after a few runs he got it.”

  Gio returned the smile, nodding, but he didn’t seem completely convinced. When they reached the lift, Gio appeared even more apprehensive. His green eyes nearly went gray as he stared up at the massive mountain they’d be lifted up to.

  The pensiveness Bianca had noticed on their drive there was now replaced with what could only be described as sheer panic. “We’re not going up there, are we?”

  Bianca brought her hand to her mouth to cover her smile. She wouldn’t laugh at him. At least she’d try not to. “Yes, but they have a lot of different trails—beginner’s trails. It’s not as daunting as it looks. I promise.”

  Gio glanced back at her but said nothing. The movement of his Adam’s apple as he gulped said it all and now she had to laugh. “Will you trust me?”

  Her laughter finally got a smirk out of him. “I do but…” He turned back to the mountain. “Damn!”

  “C’mon,” she said, pulling him by his jacket. “I can show you some of the basics down here first.” A giggle escaped her. “Like how to stand on the board without falling.”

  Gio peered at her but smiled. “I think I can manage standing.”

  Bianca bit her bottom lip, trying not to laugh. “We’ll see.” This was going to be just like when she taught Felix all over again. Felix—just the thought of him not making it up again was enough to ne
arly wipe the smile off her face.

  They moved off to the side, took a seat on a bench and proceeded to strap their boots into their boards. Bianca finished and stood waiting as Gio struggled to strap his in. “Need help?”

  “Nah, I got it.”

  Bianca smirked watching him continue to struggle when she felt her phone buzz in her jacket pocket. She pulled off her glove, reached in for the phone and checked the screen —a text from Toni. That was odd. She’d spoken to Toni that morning. She’d needed to vent to someone about Felix still not being able to get up. Toni was part of the reason why she was trying so hard to keep her mind off Felix. Bianca had promised she’d do her best to enjoy today without sulking—which she planned on doing before talking to Toni.

  Curiously, she clicked on the envelope.

  I know you’re boarding today. But when you get a chance give me a call. No biggie. Just something about Felix I thought you should know.

  The unease was immediate. Ever since last summer’s paparazzi photo, she’d made it a point to stay away from the tabloids. As much as she could anyway. Toni, on the other hand, was a tabloid nut but she had promised to not rile up Bianca unless it was something concrete. Bianca did not need to know about every sighting of him with another girl that wasn’t even confirmed. Many weren’t even recent and lots of them were doctored up.

  When she first started dating Felix there were stories all over about him and other girls but many of them were old pictures—old news being revived for the sake of gossip. She refused to drive herself crazy because, as it turned out, every one of the stories she’d confronted him with had proved to have a valid explanation.

  Toni hadn’t mentioned anything she’d read or heard in months. She glanced up at Gio thankful that he was being stubborn about her helping him and seeing that he was still doing it wrong took advantage of the delay. “I gotta make a quick call, okay?”

  Gio nodded not even looking up. Bianca took a few steps away from Gio so he wouldn’t hear her and hit speed dial. Toni answered on the first ring.

  “Sweetie, I didn’t mean to worry you. I even thought of just waiting until later but I was afraid I’d forget.”

  Bianca took a deep breath. “What? What is it?”

  Toni exhaled, obviously annoyed with herself but it was too late. Bianca was already worried. “I just thought you might want to know that the paparazzi have gotten wind of Felix coming up here. They’re headed up here as well and they’ll be on the lookout for his secret girlfriend. I wanted to give you a head’s up since I know you stay away from the gossip shows.” Bianca let out a slow relieved breath; hating that she still had to worry about this kind of crap. She wanted so badly to just trust him completely. “Any word yet on when he’ll be up?”

  “Nothing yet.” Bianca chewed her pinky nail. “He’s supposed to call me a little later. He knows I’m spending the day boarding.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I interrupted. You know normally I wouldn’t but…” she seemed hesitant and that alone put Bianca on edge.

  “But what? Is there more?”

  There was an unpleasant pause then Toni spoke up again. “No. No, there isn’t.”

  “Are you sure?” Bianca glanced back and saw that Gio had both feet strapped into his board and was attempting to stand. Shit. She hurried back in his direction but still held the phone to her ear.

  “I’m sure. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t get spooked or anything by some eager photographer.”

  Just as she reached Gio he nearly toppled over and she grabbed his arm with her free hand. “I gotta go,” was all she said to Toni before hanging up and sticking the phone in her pocket with her other hand then quickly reaching over to hold Gio up.

  His arms came around her in a panic. “Holy shit!”

  She couldn’t help giggling. “You weren’t supposed to strap both boots in yet. Just one.” She looked up at him; his face inches away from her. His minty breath so close to her face made her insides flutter but his confused expression had her smiling again in an instant. “I’m sorry I should’ve told you that first, right?”

  “Yeah,” he smirked, trying to stand on his own again. “Maybe I wouldn’t have taken so embarrassingly long.”

  She started to laugh but then stopped when she saw him wobble. “Don’t!” She grabbed his arm. “You’re gonna fall!” Even though she’d just had his big arms around her a moment ago it surprised her just how big and hard they really were now that she was squeezing them.

  Her eyes went from his arms to his alarmed expression and she pressed her lips together in an effort to suppress the incredible urge to laugh. The alarm in his eyes turned into humor. “You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

  The only thing that kept her from laughing outright was that the sparkle in his green eyes was so incredible. The urge to sigh deeply won out over the urge to laugh by a mile. She settled for a very satisfying smile and she raised her chin. “Actually, believe it or not, I’m very concerned for your safety.” She motioned for him to sit. “Here, unstrap the right one.”

  He sat and did as he was told. “What’s the point of two straps if you only need one on?”

  “You’ll need them both on when you’re actually snowboarding but when you’re walking around and getting on and off the lift you only keep one on so your other foot is free to move on and off the board.” He glanced up at her as the strap pulled open and Bianca wondered how long it would take to get used to those eyes. “Jesus, Gio. Which one of your parents did you get such amazing eyes from?”

  Unbelievably, the sparkle in his eyes got even more brilliant with his smile. “My mom and thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” she smiled back, feeling just a little bit embarrassed that she was so blunt about it, but it couldn’t be helped. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”

  His smile waned a bit as those eyes looked deep into hers for a moment. “I could say the same about yours.”

  She forced her eyes away from his penetrating stare feeling her face warm. “Mine are just plain brown.”

  “They’re anything but plain, Bianca. They’re beautiful. But I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve heard that.” He stood up placing his freed boot on the snow and looked down.

  It wasn’t the first time but she wasn’t about to brag. “Bambi,” she blurted out trying to keep the moment from getting awkward.

  “Huh?” Gio’s eyes met hers again and she smiled at his comical expression.

  “It’s what Felix calls me sometimes. He says I have Bambi eyes.”

  A slow smile spread across Gio’s face. “Nice. I think he hit it on the nose. Bambi eyes—that’s perfect.”

  As sweet as his smile was Bianca knew it was wrong to be enjoying it so much, so she pulled her eyes away and glanced at his now freed boot. “Okay, so let me show you how to walk in these. Stand like me.”

  They went over the basics on how to walk around on the board and what to do and what not to do. Then finally they did a little skating. Although she tried her best, she wasn’t able to keep from laughing at his clumsiness. After he fell for the third time Bianca meant to keep her laughter to a minimum but she did the stupid squeak thing that got her going good.

  She hid her face behind her gloved hands and peeked between her fingers as she continued to laugh. Gio didn’t even attempt to get up. Instead, he brought his knees up and rested his arms on them looking very exhausted already but he couldn’t hide the smile. He squinted up at her. “You’re having way too much fun at my expense. You know, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you planned this. Probably planned the time you taught Felix, too. For your own amusement.”

  Bianca managed to calm her laughter but still giggled. “I did not!” She pouted but somehow she didn’t think he’d buy into it since her lip was still quivering from her stifled laughing. “My boyfriend was supposed to be here today remember?” As the laughter ceased she was able to pout more convincingly until she saw the appalled look on his face a
nd his eyes go wide open.

  “Am I supposed to feel sorry for you now after you’ve laughed at me all morning?”

  With that, she was at it again. “I wasn’t laughing at you.” She offered him her hand and he took it. “I was laughing with you. We’re having fun, right?”

  With a grunt and a pull from Bianca, he was on his feet again. “Yeah, my ass is having a blast.” Gio dusted his behind off.

  Bianca managed to calm her laughing and pulled her phone out. “Not to scare you or anything but let’s get each other’s number just in case we get separated. Sometimes these boards have a mind of their own. If anything happens we can find each other easier this way.”

  “Somehow,” Gio said, unzipping his jacket, “I don’t think I’ll hear my phone ringing under all these layers but, if you say so.”

  “Yes, I say so. You’d be surprised.”

  They programmed each other’s number in their phones but when Gio stuck his back in his jacket he motioned up to the mountain. “I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think you’re gonna get me up there today.”

  “You have to!” Bianca’s laughing mood was gone now. He couldn’t be serious but he shook his head. “Really? A big tough boxer like you is gonna let a few tumbles scare him?”

  Gio laughed at that. “Hey, let’s not get personal.” Taking a deep breath, he took in the mountain again. “Maybe after I’ve had some lunch. I know we had a big breakfast but I’ve worked up an appetite.”

  “Agreed,” she said, taking her gloves off and pushing them into her jacket pocket. She reached her hand out to him. “Take my hand. I don’t want you falling again and changing your mind.”

  Bianca meant to just latch her hand in his to help him back to the bench and she thought he’d keep his gloves on. But he took his glove off before reaching for her hand and their fingers automatically laced.