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}{\insrsid9505015 A story in Nick Scipio\rquote s Summer Camp Universe
}{\insrsid14617394 Chapter One
}{\insrsid9505015 by be287m
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9505015
}{\insrsid14183141 \'93}{\insrsid9070383 Jess, }{\insrsid4856838 darling}{\insrsid14183141 , I have a present for you.\'94
I looked up and met Barry\rquote s eyes. They were warm with just a hint of puppy dog in them.
\'93Oh, Barry, driving me to }{\insrsid5850629 the airport }{\insrsid14183141 was gift enough.\'94
\'93I wanted to get you something else,\'94 he insisted. \'93Open it.\'94
I removed the wrapping paper and }{\insrsid10094605 discovered}{\insrsid14183141 a stuff}{\insrsid16547416 ed}{\insrsid14183141 animal, slightly larger than my fist. It was a white rabbit.
\'93A snow bunny for my snow bunny,\'94 Barry said.
I couldn\rquote t help the small smile. }{\insrsid9070383 The bunny}{\insrsid14183141 was goofy and sweet, just like Barry was when no one was looking. }{\insrsid13435230 And of course, Barry had chosen his moment perfectly. }{\insrsid14183141
A quick glance around the concourse confirmed that no one }{\i\insrsid14183141\charrsid13435230 was}{\insrsid13435230 looking}{\insrsid14183141 . }{\insrsid8482043 M}{\insrsid14183141 y other sorority sisters were talking among themselves }{
\insrsid5850629 over by the gate}{\insrsid14183141 . Only Hayley was }{\insrsid4985651 casually }{\insrsid14183141 looking }{\insrsid3158862 in }{\insrsid14183141 our direction.
\'93This is really swe}{\insrsid5786524 et,\'94 I said, giving Barry a hug and then tucking the rabbit in my bag.}{\insrsid14183141
}{\insrsid4856838
\'93I wish I could go with you,\'94 }{\insrsid11219925 he }{\insrsid4856838 said}{\insrsid11219925 .
}{\insrsid4856838 I pulled back with a sigh.}{\insrsid13915586 }{\insrsid11219925 }{\insrsid4856838 \'93It\rquote s a \lquote girls only\rquote trip. As much as I\rquote d love to have you along}{\insrsid1465496 ...}{\insrsid4856838 \'94 }{
\insrsid4615938 I sighed}{\insrsid3158862 again}{\insrsid4615938 . }{\insrsid16469313 I had }{\insrsid4856838 argued with Regan and Hayley about bringing our boyfriends, but t}{\insrsid4933748 hey\rquote d been insistent. Just Chi }{\insrsid4856838
O sisters. Since it was Regan\rquote s family\rquote s chalet, I\rquote d let it drop.
\'93That\rquote s okay,\'94 Barry said. \'93You\rquote ll be back in time for us to be together before Christmas.\'94
}{\insrsid9070383
}{\insrsid16547416 \'93Yes}{\insrsid7616827 I will}{\insrsid3952563 . }{\insrsid7616827 }{\insrsid3158862 Or do }{\insrsid16547416 we have to be at your parents earlier?\'94
\'93No,\'94 Barry reassured me. \'93Father hasn\rquote t called.}{\insrsid72261 I don\rquote t think he will, since M}{\insrsid16547416 other was so upset about his }{\insrsid3952563 last-minute}{\insrsid16547416 changes last year. I don\rquote
t think he wants to endure another of her crying fits.\'94 }{\insrsid13660565 Barry and}{\insrsid16547416 I shared a smile. No one with any sanity wanted to endure one of his mother\rquote s crying fits.
\'93Well, hello, Bartholomew.\'94 Hayley had walked up while we\rquote d been talking.
\'93Hello, Hayley,\'94 Barry }{\insrsid3952563 said}{\insrsid16547416 .
\'93Nice of you to }{\insrsid5850629 see Jessica off}{\insrsid16547416 ,\'94 }{\insrsid3952563 she }{\insrsid16547416 said with a small smile. Her eyes flicked to me and back.
\'93It\rquote s what any gentleman would do,\'94 Barry }{\insrsid11687819 said}{\insrsid16547416 .
\'93Well, it\rquote s a good thing you\rquote re a gentleman.\'94 Hayley\rquote s face }{\insrsid11956284 contained}{\insrsid16547416 a little too much innocence for me to believe she meant what she said, but Barry didn\rquote
t see it. Instead, he reddened a little at the compliment.
\'93Just living up to the family name,\'94 }{\insrsid3952563 he said}{\insrsid14617394 , a little too eagerly}{\insrsid16547416 .
}{\insrsid13966306 I shot Barry a dirty look}{\insrsid3158862 ,}{\insrsid13966306 but he didn\rquote t see it. Hayley was still smiling at him, turning on the charm.}{\insrsid11956284
Of course, I knew it was just a mask; she had no real interest in Barry\rquote s well-being.}{\insrsid16547416
}{\insrsid13966306
\'93So how is your family? Your father\rquote s firm doing well?\'94
\'93Quite well,\'94 Barry }{\insrsid3952563 said}{\insrsid13966306 . \'93They should bring in record profits this year.\'94
\'93Well}{\insrsid4405565 ,}{\insrsid13966306 that must make for a very merry Christmas,\'94 Hayley }{\insrsid3158862 said}{\insrsid13966306 .
\'93Oh, yes.\'94
Hayley glanced at me and }{\insrsid3952563 moistened }{\insrsid13966306 her lips as she grinned. \'93Jessica is }{\i\insrsid13966306\charrsid13966306 so }{\insrsid13966306 lucky to be dating you,\'94 she }{\insrsid3952563 practically }{\insrsid13966306
purred, returning her attention to Barry. \'93She\rquote s }{\i\insrsid13966306\charrsid9909942 so}{\i\insrsid13966306 }{\insrsid13966306 lucky to have caught you!\'94
\'93Hayley}{\insrsid3952563 !\'94
}{\insrsid13966306 We }{\insrsid3952563 looked}{\insrsid13966306 in the direction of the shout and saw Regan waving her arm. Hayley turned back to Barry.
\'93It was good to see you, Bartholomew,\'94 she said, lightly touching his arm before turning and heading over to join my sisters.
\'93She is such a bitch,\'94 I spat through gritted teeth.
\'93What?\'94 Barry responded. \'93I thought she was perfectly nice.\'94
\'93You didn\rquote t catch the insult? That I had to be }{\i\insrsid13966306\charrsid13966306 lucky}{\insrsid13966306 to be with you?\'94
\'93That was an insult?\'94 he }{\insrsid3952563 asked}{\insrsid13966306 .}{\insrsid11956284
}{\i\insrsid13966306\charrsid11956284 Barry, dear Barry, was completely clueless}{\insrsid13966306 . I just shook my head.
\'93She\rquote s always getting away with stuff like that,\'94 I muttered.
\'93Huh?\'94
I turned and looked Barry in the eyes.
\'93}{\insrsid14617394 You know I don\rquote t like her, but it\rquote s more than that. }{\insrsid13966306 Her nickname\rquote s \lquote Hayley Devil.\rquote It\rquote s partially a play on her last name, Devlin. Most people think it}{
\insrsid6766656 \rquote }{\insrsid13966306 s because she can be so naughty. }{\insrsid2841210 But some }{\insrsid13966306 of us know better.\'94
\'93I don\rquote t understand.\'94
\'93She\rquote s selfish, amoral, and smart enough to get away with it,\'94 I said. \'93She can be really nasty too.\'94
}{\insrsid12286342
\'93She\rquote s always been nice to me.\'94
I closed my eyes for a }{\insrsid11956284 second }{\insrsid12286342 and gritted my teeth. Barry could be so sweet}{\insrsid3156361 ,}{\insrsid12286342 but he }{\insrsid6766656 just didn\rquote t see }{\insrsid817112 beneath }{\insrsid6766656 the surface
}{\insrsid12286342 .
\'93So, if she\rquote s all those things,\'94 Barry asked, \'93why }{\insrsid15694639 hang out}{\insrsid12286342 with her?\'94
\'93}{\insrsid15694639 You know why}{\insrsid12286342 . }{\insrsid13831864 W}{\insrsid12286342 e\rquote re sorority sisters.\'94
\'93Oh.\'94
Barry }{\insrsid15694639 seemed to still have a question hovering on his lips}{\insrsid11998519 . W}{\insrsid12286342 hile I was debating whether to try and explain more, we heard the boarding call.
\'93You have to go,\'94 Barry said}{\insrsid10774821 with a small pout}{\insrsid12286342 .
\'93Yes.\'94 I stepped forward and hugged }{\insrsid2841210 him}{\insrsid12286342 . He wrapped his arms}{\insrsid5786524 around me and held}{\insrsid12286342
me tight until we heard the second boarding call. I pulled back and we exchanged a quick kiss.
\'93Take care of yourself, darling,\'94 }{\insrsid2841210 he }{\insrsid12286342 said, forcing a smile.
\'93I will.\'94
\'93I love you.\'94
\'93I love you too.\'94
}{\insrsid6766656 I }{\insrsid12876603 pulled away, slowly letting go of his hands}{\insrsid15559230 ,}{\insrsid12876603 before turning toward}{\insrsid598326 the}{\insrsid12876603 gate. W}{\insrsid12286342 ith a final wave, }{\insrsid12876603 I }{
\insrsid12286342 boarded the plane.
}{\insrsid13966306
}{\insrsid5850629 The first leg of the flight was uneventful. My \'93little sister\'94 Gina met us in Atlanta. Her entire family and boyfriend }{\insrsid14617394 Paul }{\insrsid5850629 saw her off, so I didn\rquote
t think Barry doing the same for me was that unusual. }{\i\insrsid5850629\charrsid5850629 Despite w}{\i\insrsid9452080 hat}{\i\insrsid5850629\charrsid5850629 Hayley might say.}{\insrsid5850629
}{\insrsid5786524 As I settled into my }{\insrsid2841210 seat by the window}{\insrsid5786524 , }{\insrsid6780795 Gina surprised me by }{\insrsid5786524 throwing her bag into the same overhead compartment.
}{\insrsid14617394
\'93Hi, Jess,\'94 she said.
}{\insrsid5786524
\'93I thought you\rquote d be up with Regan,\'94 I said, gesturing toward }{\insrsid598326 F}{\insrsid2841210 irst }{\insrsid598326 C}{\insrsid2841210 lass.
}{\insrsid5786524 Gina}{\insrsid6780795 frowned}{\insrsid5786524 .}{\insrsid6780795 }{\insrsid2841210 }{\insrsid5786524 \'93When Regan made the reservations, she said she\rquote d get me a seat with her}{\insrsid15021751 , but she didn\rquote
t reserve enough seats in }{\insrsid598326 F}{\insrsid15021751 irst }{\insrsid598326 C}{\insrsid15021751 lass. Then }{\insrsid5786524 Hayley }{\i\insrsid5786524\charrsid2841210 persuaded}{\insrsid5786524 }{\insrsid8532446 her that they needed to }{
\insrsid3022483 talk about }{\insrsid8532446 some \lquote plans\rquote for the weekend}{\insrsid15021751 . So I got bumped}{\insrsid8532446 .}{\insrsid2841210 \'94}{\insrsid5786524
}{\insrsid8532446
\'93Plans?\'94
}{\insrsid3156361 \'93They didn\rquote t say.\'94
}{\insrsid8532446 Gina sank down next to me. }{\insrsid12261901 A few moments later,}{\insrsid8532446 Gina\rquote s fellow pledge Cassie }{\insrsid13041717 appeared in the aisle}{\insrsid8532446 . }{\insrsid13041717 She }{\insrsid8532446 looked tense}{
\insrsid13041717 as she claimed the remaining seat}{\insrsid8532446 , her eyes darting to Gina and }{\insrsid15559234 me }{\insrsid8532446 and back. I gave her a reassuring smile as she got settled}{\insrsid13041717
and pushed her carry-on under the seat in front of her}{\insrsid8532446 . }{\insrsid13041717 As she did so, she}{\insrsid12261901 }{\insrsid8532446 gave a quick sideways glance at Gina, who had pulled out a book}{\insrsid13041717
, and then retrieved her own}{\insrsid8532446 paperback. }{\insrsid13041717 N}{\insrsid8532446 either girl looked up during the pre-flight safety announcement. I watched the two readers while the flight attendants conducted their spiel.
}{\insrsid7631459 Gina was already several chapters into }{\i\insrsid7631459\charrsid7755281 Burger\rquote s Daughter}{\insrsid7631459
, by Nadine Gordimer. I had to smile. My World Lit professor had put it on our optional reading list, claiming that Gordimer was one of the best writers to ever come out of South Africa. I hadn\rquote t picked it up, but Gina was appare}{
\insrsid5602325 ntly reading it for pleasure}{\insrsid7631459 .}{\insrsid8532446
}{\insrsid7631459
}{\insrsid15559234 Gina }{\insrsid7631459 was like that, I mused. Smart, serious about school, but still a lot of fun. I was glad we\rquote d offered her a bid to join the sorority, even if I }{\i\insrsid7631459\charrsid15559234 was}{\insrsid7631459
cynical about some of my }{\insrsid15559234 sisters\rquote }{\insrsid7631459 motivations. Since Gina\rquote s }{\insrsid15559234 mother }{\insrsid7631459 was Indian, she had a darker complexion, which allowed us to claim we didn\rquote
t discriminate against minorities. Never mind that she was the only }{\insrsid4985651 \lquote m}{\insrsid15559234 inority}{\insrsid4985651 \rquote }{\insrsid15559234 }{\insrsid7631459 in the pledge class}{\insrsid6571330 . Our annual \lquote token
\rquote pledge.}{\insrsid7631459
Cassie, on the other hand, was }{\insrsid15559234 fair-}{\insrsid3156361 skinned with dark hair}{\insrsid7631459 . }{\insrsid3156361 She }{\insrsid7631459 was much more of an intellectual lightweight than Gina, }{\insrsid15559234 al}{\insrsid7631459
though she worked incredibly har}{\insrsid4933748 d to compensate. She was a Chi }{\insrsid7631459 O legacy through her mother, but Hayley constantly reminded her that }{\insrsid15559234 it }{\insrsid7631459 didn\rquote t guarantee she\rquote
d get in. I tilted my head so I could see the cover of her book. A }{\insrsid15559234 bodice-ripper}{\insrsid7631459 romance. }{\i\insrsid7631459\charrsid4985651 That figured.}{\insrsid7631459
}{\insrsid9373894 I pulled out my own book as we taxied }{\insrsid15559234 toward }{\insrsid9373894 the runway. Agatha Christie, }{\i\insrsid9373894\charrsid7755281 Dead Man\rquote s Folly}{\insrsid9373894
. Not as highbrow as Gina, but not as trashy as Cassie. Just right, I supposed.}{\insrsid7631459
}{\insrsid9373894
}{\insrsid16525754 I only finished a couple of chapters before the attendants started serving drinks. }{\insrsid9373894 Gina and Cassie had }{\insrsid6584155 already }{\insrsid9373894 set their novels down and lowered their trays. }{\insrsid16525754
I decided to switch to a }{\insrsid14617394 travel }{\insrsid16525754 magazine for a while and pulled }{\insrsid14953784 out my carry-on}{\insrsid16525754 . }{\insrsid9373894 Gina spotted the white bunny in my bag as I moved it to make room for my book.
\'93A gift from Barry?\'94 she asked.
\'93}{\insrsid15559234 Yeah}{\insrsid9373894 ,\'94 I admitted, unavoidably brightening at his name.}{\insrsid8482043 \'93He can be such a sweetie.\'94}{\insrsid9373894
}{\insrsid8482043
\'93}{\insrsid3045423 Cool}{\insrsid8482043 ,\'94 Gina said. \'93I\rquote m glad }{\insrsid3156361 he does things like that}{\insrsid3045423 . He usually}{\insrsid8482043 seems so}{\insrsid1465496 ...}{\insrsid8482043 \'94 }{\insrsid804257
I could tell she was}{\insrsid8482043 trying to pick her words.
\'93Stuffy?\'94
\'93Yeah. Stuffy. At least when I\rquote ve been around him.\'94
\'93You and everybody else,\'94 I }{\insrsid3045423 said}{\insrsid8482043 . \'93His dad has drilled this idea of \lquote proper\rquote behavior into him. Unimpeachable morals and reputation. The works}{\insrsid598326 .}{\insrsid8482043 \'94 }{
\insrsid598326 }{\insrsid8482043 I sighed. \'93So Barry doesn\rquote t relax unless no one\rquote s watching.\'94
\'93Must be hard to be with him,\'94 Gina }{\insrsid3045423 said}{\insrsid8482043 .
\'93It can be}{\insrsid3045423 . }{\insrsid2051359 }{\insrsid8482043 But he\rquote s really sweet}{\insrsid598326 ,}{\insrsid8482043 and a good guy otherwise. How can I not love him?\'94
\'93I know what you mean,\'94 Gina said, nodding.
}{\insrsid14953784 \'93}{\insrsid3045423 Since we}{\insrsid14953784 \rquote }{\insrsid3045423 re on the topic}{\insrsid14953784 ,}{\insrsid3045423 }{\insrsid14953784 h}{\insrsid8482043 ow}{\insrsid14953784 a}{\insrsid4260765 re things with Paul?\'94}{
\insrsid8482043
}{\insrsid4355965 \'93}{\insrsid3045423 G}{\insrsid4355965 ood,\'94 she }{\insrsid3045423 said}{\insrsid4355965 . \'93We\rquote re finally getting some time together.\'94
\'93Except you\rquote re leaving for a week of skiing,\'94 I pointed out}{\insrsid3045423 .
}{\insrsid4355965 Gina sighed.}{\insrsid13915586 }{\insrsid3045423 }{\insrsid4355965 \'93True. But Paul urged me to go. He knows how much I enjoy it}{\insrsid3045423 . }{\insrsid598326 }{\insrsid3045423 I mean,}{\insrsid4355965
our families have been skiing together }{\insrsid3045423 for years}{\insrsid4355965 .\'94
\'93Really? Where?\'94
\'93Park City, Utah}{\insrsid2051359 . }{\insrsid4355965 We rent a condo }{\insrsid3045423 every year}{\insrsid4355965 .\'94
\'93I\rquote ve only been }{\insrsid6584155 skiing }{\insrsid4355965 a couple of times,\'94 I admitted. \'93But Regan\rquote s place }{\insrsid3045423 sounds }{\insrsid4355965 wonderful.\'94
\'93You haven\rquote t been there before?\'94
}{\insrsid6584155 I sighed.}{\insrsid7170646 }{\insrsid3045423 }{\insrsid4355965 \'93}{\insrsid6571330 I was never part of Regan\rquote s crowd}{\insrsid4355965 , so I never got invited. }{\insrsid13897186
But the girls that did go used to tell these incredible stories. So I jumped at the opportunity when Regan invited the entire sorority instead of just her friends.}{\insrsid6584155 I decided I still wanted to go even when most of the others declined.}{
\insrsid13897186 \'94}{\insrsid4355965
}{\insrsid13897186
\'93You and Regan aren\rquote t friends?\'94 Cassie asked. She\rquote d put down her book and was listening in on Gina\rquote s and my conversation.
\'93No,\'94 I answered. \'93But we\rquote re not enemies either. I just don\rquote t know her well enough. Not like Gina }{\insrsid3172749 does}{\insrsid4745091 .\'94
}{\insrsid13897186 Gina pursed her lips in a small smile.
\'93I wasn\rquote t sure I wanted to come,\'94 Cassie continued, \'93but Hayley reminded me that }{\insrsid3870514 stuff like this }{\insrsid13897186 would help my chances of getting in.\'94
\'93Regan }{\insrsid4745091 told me }{\insrsid3870514 something }{\insrsid3934365 like that}{\insrsid13897186 ,\'94 Gina said.
\'93Neither of you have anything to worry about,\'94 I reassured}{\insrsid4745091 them}{\insrsid13897186 . \'93You\rquote ll both get in. Being a pledge is just a step we all go through.\'94
\'93Some step,\'94 Cassie }{\insrsid4745091 said}{\insrsid14424219 sourly}{\insrsid13897186 . \'93I can\rquote t wait until Hayley can no longer call \lquote Oh, Pledge Cassie!\rquote \'94 }{\insrsid8551042 She curled h}{\insrsid3156361 er li
ps into a frown and stared straight ahead}{\insrsid13897186 .
\'93So don\rquote t answer,\'94 I }{\insrsid5006814 said}{\insrsid13897186 .
\'93It\rquote s not that easy,\'94 she }{\insrsid4745091 said}{\insrsid13897186 . \'93Hayley knows my mother.\'94 }{\insrsid4745091 She }{\insrsid13897186 didn\rquote t look at }{\insrsid3156361 us as she answered}{\insrsid13897186 .}{\insrsid13576385
}{\insrsid14617394 I paused. I\rquote d met Cassie\rquote s mom too. Four times in fifteen minutes, she\rquote d told her daughter what to do and how to behave. }{\insrsid6571330 I could easily imagine }{\insrsid14617394 Cassie\rquote
s mom going on a tirade if her \'93precious daughter\'94 didn\rquote t get into the same sorority she\rquote d been in.}{\insrsid13897186
\'93I }{\insrsid4745091 know what you mean}{\insrsid13897186 ,\'94 Gina said. }{\insrsid13589644 \'93When Regan }{\insrsid4745091 says }{\insrsid13589644 \lquote Pledge Gina,\rquote }{\insrsid13897186 it\rquote s hard to say no.\'94
\'93Regan\rquote s just a pledge herself,\'94 I said. \'93}{\insrsid6571330 Even though she\rquote s been hanging out with the Chi O}{\insrsid12913800 \rquote }{\insrsid6571330 s since she was in high school, s}{\insrsid13897186 he doesn\rquote
t vote on whether we let you in}{\insrsid5006814 ,}{\insrsid1266554 and she wouldn\rquote t blackball you anyway}{\insrsid13897186 .}{\insrsid1266554 She likes you}{\insrsid4745091 ,}{\insrsid1266554 and you don\rquote t blackball your friends.}{
\insrsid13897186 \'94
}{\insrsid10582412
}{\insrsid14288507 Gina nodded. }{\insrsid10582412 \'93}{\insrsid4745091 I guess you\rquote re }{\insrsid5602325 right}{\insrsid14288507 .}{\insrsid5602325 \'94}{\insrsid10582412
\'93Well, I\rquote m sure everything is going to be fine during this trip. We\rquote ll get in some good skiing and have a lot of fun}{\insrsid4745091 .\'94
}{\insrsid10582412 Gina nodded in agreement}{\insrsid4745091 .
}{\insrsid10582412 I glanced over at Cassie, but she\rquote d already buried her head in her book again.}{\insrsid13589644 That seemed like a good idea, so I }{\insrsid16525754 picked up my}{\insrsid13589644 magazine and we all returned to reading.}{
\insrsid10582412
}{\insrsid13843760
I }{\insrsid16525754 finished my magazine }{\insrsid13843760 before we touched down in Boston.}{\insrsid9526335 The layover before catching the commuter flight to Rutland was short}{\insrsid4745091 ,}{\insrsid9526335 and we spent m
ost of it in the Crown Room Club, courtesy of Regan once again. }{\insrsid8873742 I tried reading a newspaper someone else had left, but }{\insrsid9526335 I most}{\insrsid4745091 ly}{\insrsid9526335 }{\insrsid8873742 just }{\insrsid9526335
watched Regan joke with Gina. Regan seemed relaxed and ready to cut loose. She was getting a little loud and almost giggly. Gina was having a good time too}{\insrsid5006814 ,}{\insrsid8873742 and looked more relaxed than she}{\insrsid8683497 \rquote }
{\insrsid8873742 d been earlier}{\insrsid9526335 .
}{\insrsid8873742
}{\insrsid9526335 On the commuter flight, Gina and Regan ended up several rows ahead of me. I wasn\rquote t too disappointed because }{\insrsid6571330 my friend }{\insrsid9526335 Patricia }{\insrsid5006814 took}{\insrsid9526335
the seat across the aisle from me. Since the plane was so small, that constituted our entire row.
\'93Hey, Jess,\'94 Patricia }{\insrsid4745091 said facetiously}{\insrsid9526335 , once we\rquote d gotten settled. }{\insrsid16086936 \'93Long time no chat}{\insrsid4745091 .\'94
}{\insrsid16086936 I snorted.}{\insrsid7170646 }{\insrsid4745091 }{\insrsid16086936 \'93What, }{\insrsid418493 a full}{\insrsid2449573 week}{\insrsid16086936 ?\'94}{\insrsid4745091
She}{\insrsid16086936 grinned at me.}{\insrsid4745091
}{\insrsid6646436 Since w}{\insrsid16086936 e ate }{\insrsid2449573 lunch}{\insrsid16086936 together a couple of times a week}{\insrsid418493 , the only reason we hadn\rquote t talked }{\insrsid4745091 recently}{\insrsid418493 was because }{
\insrsid13660565 of the}{\insrsid418493 rearranged schedule }{\insrsid16397418 for}{\insrsid418493 finals and then }{\insrsid4745091 Christmas }{\insrsid418493 break.}{\insrsid13395527 However, vacations and finals had been the only time}{
\insrsid4465826 s}{\insrsid13395527 we hadn\rquote t talked since we both jo}{\insrsid159237 ined the sorority two years ago.}{\insrsid16086936
}{\insrsid418493
\'93How did your exams go?\'94 }{\insrsid4745091 she }{\insrsid418493 asked.
\'93Pretty well,\'94 I }{\insrsid4135626 replied}{\insrsid418493 . \'93I struggled in finance, but I think I pulled it out. I also aced marketing}{\insrsid4745091 .\'94
}{\insrsid418493 Patricia grinned.}{\insrsid687972 }{\insrsid4745091 }{\insrsid418493 \'93Your dad will be proud}{\insrsid4745091 .}{\insrsid418493 \'94
\'93He was proud the day I announced I was following his footsteps into Hotel Management,\'94 I }{\insrsid4745091 said, }{\insrsid93200 beaming}{\i\insrsid418493\charrsid4985651 .}{\i\insrsid93200\charrsid4985651 Dad had been }{\insrsid6571330 very}{
\i\insrsid6571330\charrsid4985651 }{\i\insrsid93200\charrsid4985651 proud}{\insrsid93200 .}{\insrsid4745091
}{\insrsid418493 Patricia gave }{\insrsid4135626 me }{\insrsid418493 a knowing smile.
\'93How about you?\'94 I asked}{\insrsid4745091 , returning to the subject of exams.}{\insrsid418493
\'93Not too bad. I got enough studying in and they went pretty smoothly.\'94
\'93Found enough time to study, eh?\'94}{\insrsid4135626 I grinned to show her I was teasing.}{\insrsid4745091
She }{\insrsid418493 grinned and shrugged. She was habitually overbooked}{\insrsid4745091 , with}{\insrsid418493 classes, extra-curricular activities, and an internship she\rquote
d picked up at a law office. How she managed to find time to see her boyfriend}{\insrsid4745091 ,}{\insrsid418493 Rusty}{\insrsid4745091 ,}{\insrsid418493 was beyond me, but somehow }{\insrsid4135626 they }{\insrsid418493 managed.}{\insrsid16086936
}{\insrsid15995926 \'93You looking forward to this?\'94}{\insrsid418493 Patricia asked.}{\insrsid9526335
}{\insrsid15995926
\'93A week of good skiing? You bet!\'94
\'93Oh, the skiing will be great. Killington\rquote s really great.\'94
\'93I don\rquote t know much about it,\'94 I admitted. \'93This}{\insrsid4745091 \rquote }{\insrsid15995926 ll be my first time.\'94
}{\insrsid13067024 \'93Oh. Well, skiing is skiing, really. }{\insrsid5403214 You\rquote ve been to Vail,\'94}{\insrsid7146327 Patricia }{\insrsid5403214 sai}{\insrsid7146327 d. I }{\insrsid5403214 nodded}{\insrsid7146327 .}{\insrsid13067024 }{
\insrsid7146327 \'93}{\insrsid3156361 Killington i}{\insrsid13067024 s smaller, without as many trails, but it\rquote s got about the same amount of snow.\'94
\'93That\rquote s okay,\'94 I said, \'93}{\insrsid687972 there\rquote s more to a ski trip than just the skiing}{\insrsid13067024 .\'94
\'93}{\insrsid687972 True}{\insrsid13067024 ,\'94 Patricia said, grinning. \'93The town\rquote s great\emdash lots of good bars so we can always find a party. Some good places to eat}{\insrsid2573264 too.\'94}{\insrsid13067024
}{\insrsid11947277
\'93I hope }{\insrsid2573264 it\rquote s good}{\insrsid11947277 ,\'94 I said, \'93I\rquote ve heard enough stories }{\insrsid13831864 that }{\insrsid4135626 I\rquote m}{\insrsid11947277 looking forward to it.\'94
}{\insrsid2573264
\'93Speaking of stories,\'94 }{\insrsid4745091 she }{\insrsid2573264 said, \'93I assume you heard the latest about Regan and Rod?\'94
\'93The last time I heard, she was talking about spending New Year\rquote s with him.\'94
\'93Well, that may change. }{\insrsid421586 She broke up with Rod during finals when she found out he\rquote d slept with a }{\insrsid4745091 DZ}{\insrsid421586 after a party.\'94
\'93Again}{\insrsid4135626 !}{\insrsid421586 ?\'94 I }{\insrsid4135626 shook my head}{\insrsid421586 . \'93How many times does he have to cheat on her?\'94
\'93Who knows}{\insrsid10710207 ?\'94 }{\insrsid421586 Patricia said, rolling her eyes. \'93But he }{\insrsid408211 manages to convince her that he\rquote s sorry}{\insrsid421586 and she forgives him. }{\insrsid8081453 Of course, that doesn\rquote
t prevent him from bragging that he\rquote s screwed half the Chi O\rquote s. }{\insrsid421586 You think she\rquote d figure it out.\'94
\'93Or find a better relationship,\'94 I muttered.
\'93No kidding. I really wish she\rquote d look for another guy, but she never seems interested in other men when she and Rod are broken up.\'94
\'93Why should she?\'94 I asked. \'93She\rquote s got her \lquote sisters.\rquote \'94 Patricia and I grinned at each other. Regan\rquote s interest in girls was no secret. The story around the sorority was that her }{\insrsid3610475 \lquote private
\rquote }{\insrsid421586 birthday}{\insrsid3610475 party}{\insrsid421586 had been an all-night, all-girl orgy. Neither Patricia nor I had been invited, but Margot had basically confirmed }{\insrsid3172749 it}{\insrsid421586 .}{\insrsid159237
Since Margot was just a blonde satellite in Regan\rquote s orbit, we assumed all the stories of that night were true.}{\insrsid421586
That got me thinking.}{\insrsid7170646 }{\insrsid10710207 }{\insrsid421586 \'93This is an all-girl trip. You don\rquote t suppose}{\insrsid1465496 ...}{\insrsid421586 ?\'94
\'93With Hayley along?\'94 Patricia }{\insrsid142330 snorted}{\insrsid421586 . \'93Anything\rquote s possible. But it doesn\rquote t bother me if it does. I\rquote ll just leave or watch, depending on my mood.\'94
\'93Me too,\'94 I said, grinning.}{\insrsid12088951
}{\insrsid418493
\'93Although it won\rquote t be all-girl for long,\'94 Patricia }{\insrsid10710207 said}{\insrsid418493 . }{\insrsid10359086 \'93Rusty and some of the other Pikes are showing up }{\insrsid4135626 on }{\insrsid10359086 Saturday.\'94}{\insrsid13003051 }{
\i\insrsid13003051\charrsid13003051 Two days from no}{\i\insrsid13003051\charrsid149137 w.}{\insrsid418493
}{\insrsid10359086
\'93What?}{\insrsid10710207 !}{\insrsid7170646 }{\insrsid10710207 }{\insrsid10359086 When did they get invited?\'94
\'93The day after }{\insrsid4135626 Finals}{\insrsid11632587 . }{\insrsid10359086 Or at least that\rquote s when Rusty found out.\'94
\'93But why? Why would Regan invite them?\'94
\'93Beats me,\'94 Patricia}{\insrsid1929882 said. \'93Rusty found out from som}{\insrsid10359086 e of the other fraternity brothers that Rod was organizing a trip and so Rusty got himself included. Except we\rquote
re not going to stay in Killington very long. Rusty\rquote s older brother lives in Ithaca, so we\rquote re going to head over for a visit }{\insrsid6182203 Monday morning}{\insrsid1929882 after the guys arrive}{\insrsid10359086 . We\rquote
ll be back Wednesday}{\insrsid10710207 ,}{\insrsid10359086 a few hours before everyone heads }{\insrsid13831864 home}{\insrsid10359086 .\'94
}{\insrsid1929882
\'93So you\rquote ll miss }{\insrsid6182203 a lot}{\insrsid1929882 of the skiing}{\insrsid2233955 .}{\insrsid1929882 \'94
\'93I\rquote ll get }{\insrsid6182203 plenty}{\insrsid1929882 in}{\insrsid865170 .\'94}{\insrsid1929882
}{\insrsid10422901
\'93W}{\insrsid10109379 ai}{\insrsid10422901 t a minute}{\insrsid1465496 ...}{\insrsid10422901 ,\'94 I said, \'93Rod was organizing this? I thought you just said he and Regan broke up again?\'94
\'93I did. But Rod told Rusty he\rquote d been invited and was allowed to bring some of the Pikes. So I don\rquote t understand it either.\'94
\'93Huh}{\insrsid10710207 .}{\insrsid10422901 \'94}{\insrsid10710207
}{\insrsid7306389 Patricia just shrugged in reply.}{\insrsid7170646 }{\insrsid10710207 }{\insrsid7306389 \'93So what do you and Barry have planned for the holidays?\'94 she asked}{\insrsid10710207 , changing the subject}{\insrsid7306389 .
\'93The same as last year,\'94 I }{\insrsid10710207 said}{\insrsid7306389 . \'93Christmas Eve dinner with his folks follow}{\insrsid13660565 ed by church. Then the full set}{\insrsid7306389 of Williams}{\insrsid8076779 \rquote }{\insrsid7306389
family traditions the following day, until late afternoon}{\insrsid10710207 ,}{\insrsid7306389 when we\rquote ll go see my folks.\'94
\'93}{\insrsid2449573 Expect any problems this year}{\insrsid7306389 ?\'94
}{\insrsid2449573
}{\insrsid8861352 \'93Not really}{\insrsid1465496 ...}{\insrsid16659353 ,}{\insrsid8861352 \'94 For the next few minutes, }{\insrsid2449573 I }{\insrsid8861352 told}{\insrsid2449573 Patricia about how I expected Barry\rquote s parents to be }{
\insrsid13660565 saner}{\insrsid2449573 this year}{\insrsid8585568 ,}{\insrsid2449573 and how I hoped my own would be more accepting of my choice of boyfriends. Patricia }{\insrsid8861352 shared}{\insrsid2449573 some stories about Rusty\rquote
s brother}{\insrsid8585568 ,}{\insrsid2449573 and before we knew it, the pilot was tell}{\insrsid11424691 ing us to prepare for landing.}{\insrsid2449573
}{\insrsid11424691
After we debarked, most of the girls headed to baggage claim. Regan split off}{\insrsid135507 ,}{\insrsid11424691 }{\insrsid135507 walking past a sign }{\insrsid6054503 that pointed }{\insrsid135507 to \lquote ground transportation.\rquote }{
\insrsid11424691 I followed.
\'93Regan}{\insrsid10710207 !\'94 }{\insrsid11424691 I }{\insrsid10710207 called}{\insrsid11424691 . \'93I heard some of the Pikes are coming up.\'94
\'93They are,\'94 she }{\insrsid10710207 said}{\insrsid11424691 . \'93Rod, Neil, Rusty, Tommy, and John.\'94
\'93Why did you invite them?\'94 I pressed. Unfortunately, the guy at the counter was now ready to talk to us.
\'93It was Hayley\rquote s idea,\'94 she said}{\insrsid5061890 . Then she turned to}{\insrsid11424691 the counter guy.
\'93Well, not }{\i\insrsid11424691\charrsid5061890 entirely}{\insrsid11424691 ,\'94 Hayley said from behind me}{\insrsid5061890 , startling me}{\insrsid11424691 .}{\insrsid5061890
}{\insrsid11424691 I turned to face her.
\'93Rod was }{\insrsid3305062 so }{\insrsid11424691 upset that he hadn\rquote t had a chance to fix things}{\insrsid9795413 with Regan before we all left,\'94 Hayley said, \'93}{\insrsid11424691 and }{\insrsid5061890 she }{\insrsid11424691
agreed to give him a chance if he was willing to trek up here.\'94}{\insrsid9795413 I glanced at Regan, but she was}{\insrsid6048018 too busy to }{\insrsid5061890 pay attention}{\insrsid9795413 .}{\insrsid11424691
}{\insrsid9795413
\'93So why five of them?\'94 I asked.
\'93That\rquote s the part that was my idea}{\insrsid5061890 ,\'94 Hayley said. }{\insrsid11632587 }{\insrsid5061890 \'93}{\insrsid9795413 I figured we\rquote d have a better time with more guys. Better partying.\'94
I scowled. While Margot\rquote s boyfriend}{\insrsid5061890 ,}{\insrsid9795413 Neil}{\insrsid5061890 ,}{\insrsid9795413 and }{\insrsid1929882 Patricia\rquote s boyfriend}{\insrsid5061890 ,}{\insrsid1929882 }{\insrsid9795413 Rusty}{\insrsid5061890 ,}{
\insrsid9795413 had been invited, neither Barry nor Gina\rquote s boyfriend}{\insrsid5061890 ,}{\insrsid9795413 Paul}{\insrsid5061890 ,}{\insrsid9795413 had been.}{\insrsid7494552 At least Cassie didn\rquote t have a boyfriend to neglect.}{
\insrsid9795413
\'93We only invited Pikes,\'94 Hayley said, }{\insrsid5061890 as if }{\insrsid9795413 reading my mind.
\'93You could have mentioned it and let me invite Barry on my own,\'94 I shot back.
\'93Do you really think }{\i\insrsid9795413\charrsid14892968 Bartholomew}{\insrsid1404166 would be able to handle a wild Pike}{\insrsid1929882 and }{\insrsid1404166 Chi O party?\'94}{\insrsid2041988
}{\insrsid1404166 I bit my lip and didn\rquote t answer.}{\insrsid15084916 }{\i\insrsid2041988\charrsid12927313 S}{\i\insrsid15084916\charrsid12927313 he was right about Barry}{\i\insrsid2850066\charrsid12927313 , }{\i\insrsid6096011\charrsid12927313
dammit. That}{\i\insrsid15084916\charrsid12927313 didn\rquote t mean he shouldn\rquote t have been given the chance to decide for himself.}{\i\insrsid9795413\charrsid12927313
}{\insrsid15084916
}{\insrsid8534519 \'93Don\rquote t worry, Jess,\'94 Hayley said}{\insrsid4347435 , raising her eyebrows conspiratorially}{\insrsid8534519 . \'93}{\insrsid16058796 Barry doesn\rquote t need to know what happens in Vermont.\'94}{\insrsid15084916
}{\insrsid16058796
\'93It}{\insrsid2041988 \rquote }{\insrsid16058796 d be no big deal if he did,\'94 I said.
Hayley just smirked.}{\insrsid2583503 I stared at her and she met my gaze, not blinking}{\insrsid4067486 .}{\insrsid16058796
Regan had finished up her arrangements and turned to tell Hayley and me to go get our bags so we could meet the van. I }{\insrsid2583503 broke away and retrieved my bags. Margot had snagged Hayley\rquote s suitcase}{\insrsid8585568 ,}{\insrsid2583503
so I was the last to join the group }{\insrsid2041988 at}{\insrsid2583503 the van.}{\insrsid16058796
}{\insrsid2583503
When Regan had said we were driving from Rutland to Killington, I thought we\rquote d be renting a car. It turned out she meant we\rquote
d be driven. The driver loaded all our bags into the back while we found our seats. I ended up in the back next to Margot, who only wanted to chatter about }{\insrsid2041988 the upcoming partying}{\insrsid2583503 . Mercifully, it was a short trip.
}{\insrsid12088951
}{\insrsid2583503 A}{\insrsid2041988 t the chalet w}{\insrsid15169091 e tumbled out of the van and milled around while the driver unloaded the }{\insrsid2041988 skis and luggage}{\insrsid15169091 . Regan waited until she had our attention.
\'93}{\insrsid15611446 Since not everyone\rquote s been here before,\'94 she said, \'93}{\insrsid7494552 let me explain some stuff}{\insrsid15611446 . The shuttle to town stops just outside the gate. It starts at eight }{\insrsid15169091
and goes pretty late, but not too late. When we go out for dinner, }{\insrsid11168557 we\rquote ll drive}{\insrsid15169091 .\'94}{\insrsid11168557 She waved toward a three}{\insrsid7494552 -}{\insrsid11168557 car garage off to one side.}{
\insrsid15169091
When I looked back, Regan was unlocking the door to the lodge. She motioned for us to follow her in.
The foyer was }{\insrsid13440792 completely paneled }{\insrsid15611446 with pine and }{\insrsid15169091 a hug}{\insrsid14892968 e}{\insrsid15169091 stairway }{\insrsid15611446 led }{\insrsid15169091 up to a }{\insrsid3960120 larger }{\insrsid15169091
room. Benches lined either side}{\insrsid14892968 of the entry}{\insrsid15169091 with hooks for coats above them.
\'93}{\insrsid13440792 C}{\insrsid15169091 oats and stuff }{\insrsid13660565 go}{\insrsid15169091 here,\'94 Regan announced. \'93Boots too.\'94}{\insrsid11735191 She kicked her shoes off}{\insrsid7537886 ,}{\insrsid11735191
opened one of the benches, }{\insrsid7537886 and threw her gloves and hat into it}{\insrsid11735191 . Hayley and Margot immediately did the same, so the rest of us got the hint. We followed Regan up the stairs.}{\insrsid15169091
}{\insrsid11735191
The great room was huge}{\insrsid14892968 .}{\insrsid11735191 It easily }{\insrsid3896178 reached}{\insrsid14425069 }{\insrsid11735191 two full stories tall, with floor}{\insrsid7494552 -}{\insrsid11735191 to}{\insrsid7494552 -}{\insrsid11735191
ceiling windows on the far side. }{\insrsid5602325 The wood paneling continued from the foyer and }{\insrsid14425069 old}{\insrsid10428386 -}{\insrsid14425069 fashioned ski equipment decorated the }{\insrsid5602325 walls. }{\insrsid12016368 C}{
\insrsid11735191 ouches}{\insrsid12016368 and }{\insrsid5602325 end tables}{\insrsid12016368 sat scattered throughout the room. Along one wall was a fireplace}{\insrsid10363387 ,}{\insrsid12016368 and across from it ran }{\insrsid11735191
a long bar. Two hallways }{\insrsid10428386 led }{\insrsid11735191 off to the left and right.
\'93This is the great room,\'94 Regan said}{\insrsid3230311 , continuing her lecture}{\insrsid11735191 . \'93}{\insrsid3156361 I know it\rquote s not much, but we\rquote ll do most of our partying here. }{\insrsid11735191 There\rquote
s a hot tub on the deck}{\insrsid540351 .}{\insrsid11735191 \'94 }{\insrsid540351 S}{\insrsid11735191 he pointed to the windows on the far side where I realized there was a door and}{\insrsid540351 ,}{\insrsid11735191 indeed}{\insrsid540351 ,}{
\insrsid11735191 a wooden deck.}{\insrsid3230311
But what was beyond the deck really caught my attention. }{\insrsid12927313 The view was}{\insrsid3230311 breathtaking.}{\insrsid4289289 I immediately wanted a better look.}{\insrsid3230311
}{\insrsid11735191 \'93Bathrooms are at the end of each hall. }{\insrsid10748759 Kitchen is down that hall}{\insrsid3230311 .}{\insrsid10748759 \'94 }{\insrsid10363387 }{\insrsid10748759 Regan pointed to the left}{\insrsid3230311 .}{\insrsid3156361 }{
\insrsid3230311 }{\insrsid3156361 \'93There\rquote s a maid }{\insrsid10363387 who }{\insrsid3156361 show}{\insrsid3960120 s}{\insrsid3156361 up at 8:30 and put some breakfast foods out on the bar, but if you miss it, you\rquote re on your own.
She also leaves before three, so if you make a mess in the evening, you have to clean it up.\'94
}{\i\insrsid3156361\charrsid12927313 How convenient.}{\insrsid3156361 The maid would be long gone by the time the serious partying began.
\'93}{\insrsid11735191 Jessica and Gi}{\insrsid10748759 na\emdash you have the room at the end}{\insrsid3156361 ,}{\insrsid10748759 \'94}{\insrsid3156361 Regan continued}{\insrsid14425069 , pointing to the left hall}{\insrsid3156361 .}{\insrsid11735191
}{\insrsid3156361 }{\insrsid11735191 \'93Patricia and Cassie have the room in the middle}{\insrsid8344095 ,}{\insrsid11735191 and Margot will be with me in the }{\insrsid10428386 first }{\insrsid11735191 room. At least until the guys get here.\'94}{
\insrsid12016368 I looked around, realizing that Hayley hadn\rquote t followed us up the stairs.}{\insrsid7494552 }{\i\insrsid7494552\charrsid7494552 Where was she sleeping?}{\insrsid11735191
\'93Guys?\'94 Gina a}{\insrsid5324595 sked.}{\insrsid11735191
}{\insrsid5324595
\'93Yeah, guys}{\insrsid12016368 ,\'94 Regan said.}{\insrsid5324595 }{\insrsid12016368 \'93}{\insrsid5324595 Rod and some of the Pikes will be here Saturday and they\rquote ll be down that hallway}{\insrsid8344095 .\'94 }{\insrsid12016368 She }{
\insrsid5324595 pointed to the right one. \'93At least at first.\'94
\'93First room on the right,\'94 Hayley told the driver, who was carrying her bags. She was pointing to the guys}{\insrsid5602325 \rquote }{\insrsid5324595 hall}{\insrsid10428386 way}{\insrsid5324595 . }{\i\insrsid5324595\charrsid12000341
That seemed appropriate}{\i\insrsid7494552 . It\rquote d be easier to have one of the guys share her bed}{\i\insrsid5324595\charrsid12000341 .}{\insrsid5324595 I }{\insrsid16659353 returned to}{\insrsid5324595 looking at the floor}{\insrsid16659353 -
}{\insrsid5324595 to}{\insrsid16659353 -}{\insrsid5324595 ceiling windows and the scene beyond them.
\'93You didn\rquote t tell me about the Pikes coming,\'94 Gina said to Regan. The other girls start}{\insrsid13124747 ed}{\insrsid5324595 to haul their stuff to their rooms. }{\insrsid12016368 Meanwhile, I couldn\rquote
t tear my eyes away from the view. }{\insrsid5324595 I }{\insrsid4289289 walked }{\insrsid5324595 up to the windows and didn\rquote t hear Regan\rquote s reply.
}{\insrsid6117508
The }{\insrsid5602325 panorama}{\insrsid6117508 was incredible. The ground behind the }{\insrsid1645649 chalet }{\insrsid6117508 sloped away, making the deck appear to be in the tree tops and not a mere story up. Beyond the trees, the }{
\insrsid1255184 ground }{\insrsid6117508 dipped and then rose }{\insrsid5726076 steeply up}{\insrsid5602325 the}{\insrsid6117508 far mountain. }{\insrsid4289289
Almost near the top, the trees parted, revealing icy cliffs that sparkled in the fading sun. The window}{\insrsid6117508 faced west, and I was sure the sunsets would be spectacular}{\insrsid4289289
as the rays peeked through the rocks standing sentinel on the ridge}{\insrsid6117508 .}{\insrsid4404763
}{\insrsid10559942 The professional side of my brain kicked in.}{\insrsid6117508 I imagined this view for a hotel, with the}{\insrsid3156361 guests sipping their hot toddie}{\insrsid6117508 s and cocoa from the bar, watching the snow lightly fall. }{
\insrsid4404763 It wouldn\rquote t be hard to add a popcorn machine or}{\insrsid8919286 , }{\insrsid4404763 even better, a small oven that baked cookies. The smells would mix well with those from the cackling fire. }{\insrsid6117508
People would pay good money }{\insrsid4404763 to sit here and enjoy}{\insrsid6117508 this view.
}{\i\insrsid6117508\charrsid1255184 They had}{\insrsid6117508 , I realized. }{\insrsid10428386 But }{\insrsid6117508 Regan\rquote s family didn\rquote t have to share it.}{\insrsid3156361 I wondered }{\insrsid8919286 if }{\insrsid3156361
Regan took that for granted or not.}{\insrsid6117508
}{\insrsid2433178
}{\i\insrsid2433178\charrsid1255184 That was probably the biggest difference between us}{\insrsid2433178 , I mused. Regan could take things like this view for granted. Her family}{\insrsid13127947 \rquote s}{\insrsid2433178 money }{\insrsid13127947
went back }{\insrsid2433178 generations. Mine was still accumulating it. }{\insrsid4749498 While he couldn\rquote t give}{\insrsid7494552 me }{\insrsid2433178 a lot of money, }{\insrsid4749498 my Dad had}{\insrsid2433178 }{\insrsid4749498 shared}{
\insrsid2433178 his instincts for }{\insrsid10428386 spotting }{\insrsid2433178 business opportunities. They were everywhere, he often said, if you were perceptive enough and willing }{\insrsid2248014 to do the work }{\insrsid2433178
to ferret them out. So Regan saw a great room that \lquote wasn\rquote t much}{\insrsid7494552 ,}{\insrsid2433178 \rquote and I saw what could have been the central room in a successful business.
I }{\insrsid8919286 moved }{\insrsid2433178 closer to the window. }{\insrsid13124747 A}{\insrsid2433178 large hot tub}{\insrsid13124747 dominated the deck}{\insrsid2433178 . It would hold a dozen people}{\insrsid14615914 ,}{\insrsid2433178 and }{
\insrsid14615914 the roof}{\insrsid2433178 }{\insrsid13124747 extended far enough }{\insrsid2433178 on one side to keep snow off the walkway between the tub and the lodge. I could already imagine us hanging out there after skiing.
When I turned }{\insrsid14615914 away from the window}{\insrsid2433178 , only Gina and Regan remained in the room, quietly talking off to one side. I wandered over.
\'93I still don\rquote t see why you\rquote re giving Rod }{\insrsid5587924 what he wants}{\insrsid2433178 ,\'94 Gina said as I entered earshot.
}{\insrsid3024914
}{\insrsid7023107 \'93He\rquote s }{\insrsid11143088 can be a}{\insrsid13660565 pretty good boyfriend,\'94 }{\insrsid7023107 Regan }{\insrsid14615914 said}{\insrsid5726076 , her hands on her hips}{\insrsid7023107 .}{\insrsid3024914
}{\insrsid7023107
\'93On }{\insrsid5587924 the face of things}{\insrsid8460449 ,}{\insrsid7023107 maybe,\'94 Gina argued. \'93In }{\insrsid5587924 reality}{\insrsid7023107 , he cheats on you all the time.\'94
\'93He comes back to me, thou}{\insrsid5587924 gh.\'94
}{\insrsid7023107 Gina glared at her.
\'93You just don\rquote t like him because of Paul,\'94 Regan said.
}{\insrsid12090027
}{\i\insrsid12090027\charrsid12090027 That\rquote s right,}{\insrsid12090027 I thought. }{\i\insrsid12090027\charrsid12090027 Paul and Rod hate each other.}{\insrsid12090027
}{\insrsid7023107
\'93We\rquote ve been through this,\'94 Gina answered with a sigh. \'93}{\insrsid13392631 I don\rquote t automatically take my boyfriend\rquote s side in everything.\'94}{\insrsid7023107
}{\insrsid2098520
Regan noticed me for the first time and frowned. Gina turned and looked at me.
\'93Sorry,\'94 I said. \'93I didn\rquote t realize this conversation was private.\'94
\'93That\rquote s okay,\'94 Gina said. \'93We\rquote re done.}{\insrsid5587924 \'94
}{\insrsid5726076
Gina and Regan silently stared at each other for a moment, before curtly nodding. Gina looked at me}{\insrsid7867383 .}{\insrsid5726076
}{\insrsid5587924
\'93So let\rquote s go unpack,}{\insrsid13660565 \'94 I}{\insrsid5587924 said.}{\insrsid2098520
\'93Sure}{\insrsid5587924 .\'94
}{\insrsid2098520 I grabbed my bags and followed Gina down to our room. Gina threw her bags on the closest }{\insrsid5726076 of the two beds}{\insrsid2098520 .}{\insrsid15932344 I put mine at the foot of the other bed and started }{\insrsid13124747
unpacking }{\insrsid15932344 by putting the white bunny on my pillow. }{\insrsid14615914 Then }{\insrsid15932344 I turned to Gina, who was already }{\insrsid13124747 transferring }{\insrsid15932344 clothes to the closet.}{\insrsid2098520
}{\insrsid15932344
}{\insrsid11143088 \'93So what was that about?\'94 I asked.
}{\insrsid12124558 Gina crossed her arms and huffed. }{\insrsid11143088 \'93I wish she\rquote d told me she\rquote d invited some guys}{\insrsid12124558 .}{\insrsid11143088 \'94
\'93}{\insrsid14615914 Me too.}{\insrsid8460449 }{\insrsid14615914 }{\insrsid2370843 Barry wanted to come and I told him it was \lquote girls only.\rquote }{\insrsid14615914 \'94
}{\insrsid2370843 Gina nodded.}{\insrsid9860904 }{\insrsid14615914 }{\insrsid2370843 \'93Paul\rquote s not going to be too happy}{\insrsid8460449 ,}{\insrsid2370843 either.\'94
}{\insrsid11340713
That reminded me of our conversation on the plane. Which reminded me why Gina had ended up sitting next to me.
\'93I wonder what else they have planned,\'94 I }{\insrsid271774 thought }{\insrsid11340713 aloud.
\'93What?\'94 Gina asked. We were both nearly done unpacking, so I paused to look at her as I answered.
\'93Hayley got }{\insrsid11554380 the last }{\insrsid7494552 f}{\insrsid8460449 irst }{\insrsid7494552 c}{\insrsid11554380 lass seat instead of}{\insrsid11340713 you so they could discuss some \lquote plans\rquote ,\'94 I said. \'93They\rquote
d already invited the guys, so that can\rquote t be }{\insrsid13660565 what}{\insrsid11340713 they were discussing.\'94
\'93Maybe they were }{\insrsid15864924 talking about}{\insrsid11340713 which rooms they\rquote d give to the guys.\'94
\'93Maybe,\'94 I replied. I wasn\rquote t convinced}{\insrsid7494552 ,}{\insrsid11340713 though. Hayley might have insisted on }{\insrsid11554380 getting the }{\insrsid7494552 f}{\insrsid8460449 irst }{\insrsid7494552 c}{\insrsid8460449 lass }{
\insrsid11554380 seat, simply because she was Hayley and deserved the }{\insrsid7494552 f}{\insrsid8460449 irst }{\insrsid7494552 c}{\insrsid8460449 lass }{\insrsid11554380 seat. But she wouldn\rquote t have mentioned \lquote plans\rquote then}{
\insrsid11340713 . Hayley was up to something}{\insrsid8460449 ,}{\insrsid11340713 and Regan was somehow involved.
\'93Ready to go get dinner?\'94 Gina asked a few minutes later, breaking me out of my thoughts.
}{\insrsid14174347
\'93Sure}{\insrsid1255184 .}{\insrsid14174347 \'94}{\insrsid13972438
}{\insrsid1255184
}{\insrsid13972438 We met }{\insrsid15864924 some of }{\insrsid13972438 the others in the main room, though it took a whil}{\insrsid1924419 e for }{\insrsid4067486 Hayley and Margot }{\insrsid1924419
to trickle out of their rooms. Regan still managed to get us all out the door and }{\insrsid11168557 to the restaurant in a reasonable amount of time}{\insrsid1924419 .}{\insrsid15864924
}{\insrsid1924419 After dinner, Hayley wanted to go barhopping.}{\insrsid13972438
}{\insrsid1924419
\'93It\rquote ll be fun!\'94 she }{\insrsid15864924 insisted}{\insrsid1924419 .
\'93I don\rquote t know,\'94 Patricia said. \'93I want to hit the slopes really early in the morning. We won\rquote t be able to do that if we spend the night partying}{\insrsid15864924 .\'94
}{\insrsid1924419 I nodded in agreement.
\'93Regan?\'94 Hayley asked.
\'93I could go either way,\'94 Regan }{\insrsid15864924 said}{\insrsid1924419 .
\'93Margot?\'94 Hayley }{\insrsid15864924 prompted.
}{\insrsid1924419 Margot hesitated, looking}{\insrsid10362753 first at Regan, then at Hayley.}{\insrsid9860904 }{\insrsid10362753 \'93Whatever Regan chooses,\'94 }{\insrsid15864924 she }{\insrsid10362753 said}{\insrsid15864924 at last.
}{\insrsid10362753 Patricia suppressed a snort, but not well enough to avoid a glare from Regan.
\'93I think we}{\insrsid15864924 \rquote }{\insrsid10362753 ll go out,\'94 Regan announced. \'93I can drop anyone off at the }{\insrsid15864924 chalet }{\insrsid10362753 who doesn\rquote t think they can handle it.\'94
There was some general discussion as both Regan and Patricia asked Gina what she was going to do}{\insrsid15864924 ,}{\insrsid10362753 and Cassie }{\insrsid8848449 wanted to know }{\insrsid14567954 what time we had to get up to go skiing in the morning}{
\insrsid10362753 .}{\insrsid3241430
In the end, }{\insrsid10362753 Patricia, Cassie, and I }{\insrsid3241430 returned to}{\insrsid10362753 the }{\insrsid3241430 chalet}{\insrsid10362753 .}{\insrsid6490791
Patricia said goodnight immediately after we hit the main room. Cassie said she was going to soak in the hot tub for a little while}{\insrsid8460449 ,}{\insrsid6490791 and I helped her track down towels}{\insrsid3934365 . We found them}{
\insrsid6490791 in a cupboard near the door to the deck. She invited me to join her, but as much as the water was tempting, I decided I could use a little time alone. I }{\insrsid3546764 found a deck of cards and played some solitaire }{
\insrsid6490791 in front of the fireplace before calling it a night and turning in.}{\insrsid10362753
}{\insrsid6490791
}\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6490791 {\insrsid6490791 * * *
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3866740
Gina was asleep in her bed when I awoke. I padded out and found Patricia in the main room, already dressed and assembling a day pack.}{\insrsid15169091
}{\insrsid3866740
\'93No breakfast}{\insrsid11079816 ?\'94 }{\insrsid3866740 I }{\insrsid2174189 asked}{\insrsid3866740 .
\'93The maid\rquote s not here yet,\'94 }{\insrsid11079816 she said}{\insrsid3866740 . \'93I started coffee in the kitchen and there\rquote s some cereal.\'94
\'93And granola bars}{\insrsid11079816 ,}{\insrsid3866740 apparently,\'94}{\insrsid11997758 I said, indicating the ones Patricia was putting in her day pack.}{\insrsid3866740
}{\insrsid11997758
\'93There\rquote s a bunch of other snack food too.\'94
\'93Good. I\rquote ll get some}{\insrsid5662324 thing}{\insrsid11997758 . Will you wait for me}{\insrsid11079816 ?\'94
}{\insrsid11997758 Patricia grinned.}{\insrsid9860904 }{\insrsid11079816 }{\insrsid11997758 \'93What do you think I\rquote ve been doing?\'94}{\insrsid11079816
}{\insrsid11997758 I laughed.}{\insrsid9860904 }{\insrsid11079816 }{\insrsid11997758 \'93We should}{\insrsid11079816 \rquote }{\insrsid11997758 ve agreed on a time to set our alarms!\'94
\'93Maybe tomorrow. I want to get in a full day before Rusty and the guys get here}{\insrsid11079816 .\'94
}{\insrsid11997758 I nodded.}{\insrsid11079816 }{\insrsid2174189 }{\insrsid11079816 Then I caught myself frowning. }{\insrsid6882819 }{\insrsid11997758 \'93I want to talk to you about that,\'94 I said.
\'93How about on the lift?\'94
\'93Deal,\'94 I said. \'93I\rquote ll go get ready and have a granola bar on the way.\'94
}{\insrsid7622417 I hustled through my morning routine as quickly as I could, since }{\insrsid11997758 I knew}{\insrsid10446290 Patricia would}{\insrsid7622417 get cranky }{\insrsid10446290 if we didn\rquote t }{\insrsid7622417 get to the resort}{
\insrsid10446290 }{\insrsid7622417 before the crowds}{\insrsid10446290 . }{\insrsid12322930 As it was, the shuttle arrived almost immediately and }{\insrsid13768297 the lines weren\rquote t too bad. I spent the time in line wa}{\insrsid8848449
tching how the resort}{\insrsid13768297 handled the operations and trying to figure out what I\rquote d do different if I }{\insrsid8848449 was in charge.}{\insrsid11997758
}{\insrsid3866740
}{\insrsid4146035 \'93So,\'94 I asked}{\insrsid10620056 ,}{\insrsid4146035 once Patricia and I }{\insrsid16600698 were seated on}{\insrsid10620056 the lift}{\insrsid4146035 , \'93exactly how did the Pikes get invited?\'94
\'93Like I said,}{\insrsid10620056 }{\insrsid4146035 the entire fraternity wasn\rquote t invited. Rusty heard John and Tommy talking about going skiing in Vermont}{\insrsid1978652 ,}{\insrsid4146035
and since he knew I was going, he asked if it was the same trip. They tried to dodge }{\insrsid13124747 his}{\insrsid4146035 questions, but he can be pretty insistent}{\insrsid10620056 .\'94
}{\insrsid4146035 I nodded}{\insrsid10620056 .
}{\insrsid4146035 \'93Ultimately, they admitted that Rod had invited them}{\insrsid4267397 .}{\insrsid10620056 }{\insrsid4267397 B}{\insrsid10620056 ut }{\insrsid1978652 they said he}{\insrsid4146035 told them to keep it quiet.\'94
\'93Why?\'94
\'93}{\insrsid10620056 Why}{\insrsid4146035 ? I think because Rod didn\rquote t want a lot of guys to come along.\'94
\'93Did he say so?\'94
\'93Pretty much,\'94 Patricia said}{\insrsid10620056 , shrugging}{\insrsid4146035 . \'93When Rusty confronted }{\insrsid13660565 him about}{\insrsid4146035 the trip, Rod said only }{\insrsid1978652 \lquote }{\insrsid4146035 selected}{\insrsid1978652
\rquote }{\insrsid4146035 guys were going to get to go. }{\insrsid1978652 But}{\insrsid8848449 }{\insrsid4146035 Rusty pointed out that I was going}{\insrsid1978652 ,}{\insrsid4146035 so he should get to go. Rod still wasn\rquote t happy}{
\insrsid1978652 ,}{\insrsid4146035 and}{\insrsid1978652 he}{\insrsid4146035 tried to tell Rusty he wouldn\rquote t enjoy Vermont skiing, but Rusty told him he\rquote d }{\insrsid1978652 been here before,}{\insrsid4146035 when he\rquote
d been up visiting his brother. Rod shut up then and said he\rquote d check if it was okay.\'94
\'93Hmm,\'94 I said. \'93Obviously it was. I wish you\rquote d told me}{\insrsid1978652 , though,}{\insrsid4146035 so I could have invited Barry.\'94
\'93It was }{\insrsid1978652 last-}{\insrsid4146035 minute and}{\insrsid4267397 ,}{\insrsid1978652 }{\insrsid4267397 b}{\insrsid1978652 esides,}{\insrsid4146035 }{\insrsid13660565 I haven\rquote t}{\insrsid4146035 seen you in a while, Jess}{
\insrsid1978652 .\'94}{\insrsid4146035
\'93True,\'94 I admitted. \'93And I\rquote m }{\insrsid1978652 still }{\insrsid4146035 not going to see much of you this trip}{\insrsid1978652 .\'94
}{\insrsid13660565 Patricia}{\insrsid4658659 gave a sympathetic nod before continuing.}{\insrsid8783022 }{\insrsid1978652 }{\insrsid4146035 \'93When }{\insrsid13917955 John}{\insrsid4146035
started asking Rusty how often he went to see his brother and how close they were, Rusty fe}{\insrsid1978652 lt}{\insrsid4146035 guilty about how long it had been. So he asked if I\rquote d mind the side trip.\'94
\'93}{\insrsid14235658 Anything special planned?\'94}{\insrsid4146035 I asked.
\'93}{\insrsid14235658 Oh, yeah}{\insrsid1978652 .\'94
For the remainder of the ride}{\insrsid16386895 up the mountain}{\insrsid1978652 , }{\insrsid4146035 Patricia }{\insrsid1978652 and I chatted}{\insrsid4146035 about }{\insrsid14235658 their plans }{\insrsid7031375 with }{\insrsid4146035 Rusty\rquote
s brother and his family in Ithaca.}{\insrsid16386895 }{\insrsid2174189 }{\insrsid16386895 At the top of the lift, she lowered her ski goggles and pushed off.}{\insrsid4146035
\'93See you at the bottom!\'94}{\insrsid16386895
}{\insrsid4146035 I grinned, lowered my own goggles, and followed.
The morning was glorious. Fresh }{\insrsid16386895 snow }{\insrsid4146035 had fallen overnight and the sun }{\insrsid16386895 reflected off the }{\insrsid4267397 new}{\insrsid16386895 powder}{\insrsid4146035 . There weren\rquote
t many people on the slopes}{\insrsid14558444 ,}{\insrsid4146035 and we got in }{\insrsid5311598 a few }{\insrsid4146035 runs before the crowds started showing up.
We }{\insrsid4267397 ran into}{\insrsid16386895 }{\insrsid4146035 Gina, Regan, and Margot when we }{\insrsid16386895 took a break }{\insrsid4146035 for lunch. They\rquote d just arrived and were eager to get their first runs in, so we didn\rquote
t talk long. Patricia asked about Cassie}{\insrsid8010692 ,}{\insrsid4146035 and Regan said }{\insrsid4658659 that }{\insrsid4146035 she and Hayley had left the lodge about an hour before them}{\insrsid8010692 . }{\insrsid4267397 So }{\insrsid8010692
they}{\insrsid4146035 had to be on the slopes somewhere.
That got me wondering about Hayley and Regan\rquote s plans. }{\i\insrsid4146035\charrsid4205806 What exactly were they up to?}{\insrsid4146035
Regan had invited the Pikes at Hayley\rquote s suggestion}{\insrsid8010692 \emdash o}{\insrsid4146035 stensibly to get back together with Rod}{\insrsid14558444 \emdash }{\insrsid4146035 but then she\rquote d invited }{\i\insrsid4146035\charrsid8010692
five}{\insrsid4146035 of them.
}{\i\insrsid4146035\charrsid4205806 No, she\rquote d invited four}{\insrsid8010692 , I corrected myself}{\insrsid4146035 . }{\insrsid13660565 Rusty had}{\insrsid15758866 bullied his way into }{\insrsid8010692 coming }{\insrsid15758866 along.}{
\insrsid4146035
}{\insrsid15758866
}{\i\insrsid15758866\charrsid4205806 Why those four?}{\insrsid15758866 Rod was obvious\emdash at least for Regan. Neil too. Not only was he Margot\rquote s boyfriend, but he was basically Rod\rquote s lapdog. No way he\rquote d be excluded.
John}{\insrsid16065010 . He}{\insrsid15758866 always struck me as a typical partying Pike}{\insrsid525800 . I didn\rquote t know much about him beyond that.}{\insrsid15758866
Tommy}{\insrsid8010692 was}{\insrsid15758866 }{\insrsid8010692 good-}{\insrsid15758866 looking, rich}{\insrsid525800 , and p}{\insrsid15758866 artied hard}{\insrsid7173184 .}{\insrsid15758866 }{\insrsid7173184 }{\insrsid525800 He regularly }{
\insrsid15758866 hung with Rod}{\insrsid525800 , so there was no mystery in why he was coming}{\insrsid15758866 . He was }{\insrsid8010692 also }{\insrsid525800 frequently in}{\insrsid15758866 Hayley\rquote s bed, which}{\insrsid525800 said a lot about
}{\insrsid15758866 his sexual prowess. While it wasn\rquote t hard for a guy to get invited to spend the night with Hayley, }{\insrsid8010692 most}{\insrsid15758866 were never invited back.
}{\i\insrsid15758866\charrsid4205806 Maybe that was it.}{\insrsid15758866 Hayley\rquote s plans involved getting laid, which was why her room was in the guys\rquote hall. Tommy was a known quantity and John was fresh meat.
}{\insrsid4662105
}{\i\insrsid4662105\charrsid4205806 Maybe.
}{\insrsid4662105
}{\insrsid804352 I didn\rquote t have much more time to think about it, because we were soon headed up the mountain again. }{\insrsid4662105 I forgot about Hayley and just enjoyed the rema}{\insrsid7219006 ining runs until the sun set.}{\insrsid5311598
}{\insrsid7219006 But s}{\insrsid4662105 he and Cassie }{\insrsid6888866 joined Patricia and me on the shuttle back to the chalet.}{\insrsid4662105
\'93Did you guys have fun?\'94 Hayley asked}{\insrsid8010692 .
}{\insrsid4662105 Patricia and I nodded}{\insrsid8010692 in unison}{\insrsid4662105 .}{\insrsid8010692
}{\insrsid4662105 \'93It was a great day, wasn\rquote t it}{\insrsid14235658 ,}{\insrsid4662105 Pledge Cassie?\'94}{\insrsid8010692 Hayley said.}{\insrsid4662105
I watched }{\insrsid8010692 Cassie\rquote s }{\insrsid4662105 smile }{\insrsid8010692 fade and then }{\insrsid4662105 die. She\rquote d been relaxed and bright before Hayley }{\insrsid8010692 spoke}{\insrsid4662105 . Now}{\insrsid8010692 ,}{
\insrsid4662105 her guarded wariness was back.
\'93It was,\'94 Cassie said. \'93It\rquote s too bad it\rquote s over.\'94
\'93It\rquote s not over,\'94 Hayley said. \'93We\rquote ve still got plenty of partying to do}{\insrsid8010692 !\'94
}{\insrsid4662105 I rolled my eyes, but didn\rquote t object.}{\insrsid3570663 Hayley was unbelievable}{\insrsid4942709 ; }{\insrsid3570663 I wondered why she even bothered with the pretense of skiing. }{\i\insrsid3570663\charrsid3570663
Probably just a good way to kill time until she could do what she }{\insrsid3570663\charrsid3570663 really}{\i\insrsid3570663\charrsid3570663 wanted}{\insrsid3570663 .}{\insrsid4662105
When we got back to the }{\insrsid12270772 chalet}{\insrsid4662105 , we discovered that Regan, Margot, and Gina had already been back for a while. Regan }{\insrsid8010692 announced that }{\insrsid4662105 we\rquote d order pizzas and party }{
\insrsid8010692 at the chalet}{\insrsid7173184 tonight}{\insrsid4662105 . While she placed the order, Margot }{\insrsid13041827 started fixing drinks}{\insrsid7173184 at the bar}{\insrsid4662105
. I decided I wanted to change into more comfortable clothes and}{\insrsid13041827 so I}{\insrsid4662105 headed to my room.
When I returned, someone had}{\insrsid10384135 put a Bangles album on the stereo }{\insrsid329725 and }{\insrsid4662105 gotten some chips and pretzels out of the kitchen. I grabbed a handful and a beer.
}{\insrsid9706395 \'93Regan, do you have any blow?\'94 Margot asked}{\insrsid13041827 when she}{\insrsid9706395 finished }{\insrsid7173184 with the drinks}{\insrsid9706395 .}{\insrsid4662105
}{\insrsid9706395
\'93No,\'94 }{\insrsid13041827 Regan }{\insrsid9706395 said}{\insrsid13041827 , a little irked}{\insrsid9706395 . \'93At least not }{\insrsid13041827 till }{\insrsid9706395 Rod gets here.\'94
}{\i\insrsid9706395\charrsid13919155 Ah, yes}{\insrsid13041827 , I thought}{\insrsid9706395 . }{\i\insrsid9706395\charrsid13919155 One more reason for Regan to date Rod.}{\insrsid9706395
}{\insrsid13041827 Hayley smirked. }{\insrsid9706395 \'93I\rquote ve got some}{\insrsid13041827 .\'94}{\insrsid9706395
\'93You?\'94 Regan asked,}{\insrsid4213978 her eyebrows shooting up}{\insrsid9706395 .
\'93From Rod,\'94 Hayley }{\insrsid13041827 said}{\insrsid9706395 . \'93I said I\rquote d do him a favor, remember? Helping him get back together with you?\'94
}{\insrsid329725 \'93Oh, right,\'94 Regan }{\insrsid13041827 said}{\insrsid329725 , frown}{\insrsid7173184 ing}{\insrsid329725 .}{\insrsid9706395
\'93I\rquote ll go get it,\'94 Hayley said}{\insrsid5311598 ,}{\insrsid9706395 and then disappeared down the hall.
Margot found a small silver serving platter behind the bar and brought it out. When Hayley }{\insrsid329725 returned with a vial, }{\insrsid13660565 she}{\insrsid9706395 poured some of the white powder onto the tray. Some of it had }{\insrsid329725
clumped together}{\insrsid9706395 and Hayley }{\insrsid329725 started looking around. She found the playing cards I\rquote d left on the end table}{\insrsid10042954 and used one }{\insrsid329725 to chop up the cocaine }{\insrsid9706395 before laying ou
t the lines. }{\insrsid329725 Hayley}{\insrsid9706395 looked up at Margot and grinned.
\'93Ready?\'94 Hayley asked}{\insrsid10042954 .
}{\insrsid9706395 Margot nodded}{\insrsid10042954 .
}{\insrsid9706395 Hayley leaned over, closed one nostril, and took a snort. }{\insrsid10042954 Then she}{\insrsid9706395 backed off }{\insrsid10042954 and offered the tray to }{\insrsid9706395 Margot}{\insrsid10042954
, who snorted a line and passed it to}{\insrsid9706395 Regan.
\'93Gina?\'94 Hayley called. \'93Jess}{\insrsid10042954 ?\'94}{\insrsid10384135
I couldn\rquote t tell if Hayley was offering just to be polite or not. I didn\rquote t regularly do coke and most of the time, the others were happy when I didn}{\insrsid4749498 \rquote t}{\insrsid617664 \emdash m}{\insrsid10384135 ore for them.}{
\insrsid10042954
}{\insrsid9706395 I looked at Patricia, who shrugged. }{\i\insrsid10384135\charrsid10384135 If she was in, why not?}{\insrsid10384135 }{\insrsid9706395 Gina was already bending over the tray as I approached. When s}{\insrsid11739366 h}{
\insrsid9706395 e was done, I }{\insrsid10042954 snorted a line}{\insrsid14448411 .}{\insrsid9706395
}{\insrsid6435557
}{\insrsid14560696 Tingling and then numbness hit my nose}{\insrsid6435557 and spread outward. }{\i\insrsid6435557\charrsid4205806 God, it felt great!}{\insrsid6435557 }{\insrsid329725 I could feel the energy kicking in}{\insrsid7173184 and}{
\insrsid14560696\delrsid7173184 ,}{\insrsid14560696 the day\rquote s fatigue fading away}{\insrsid329725 . It was like being back on the slopes, }{\insrsid14560696 but }{\insrsid329725 without the cold}{\insrsid4942709 , }{\insrsid329725
just the rush of}{\insrsid14560696 adrenaline}{\insrsid329725 .}{\insrsid6435557
\'93Cassie?\'94 Hayley }{\insrsid14560696 prompted}{\insrsid10813555 ,}{\insrsid14560696 }{\insrsid6435557 as Patricia }{\insrsid14560696 snorted her line}{\insrsid6435557 .
\'93Uh, I think I\rquote ll just go get in the hot tub,\'94 Cassie said.
}{\insrsid7173184 \'93Excuse me?\'94 Hayley}{\insrsid5272342 said with an indignant snort.}{\insrsid7173184
}{\insrsid5272342
Patricia stood up quickly and faced Hayley. \'93I think that\rquote s a great idea.\'94
Hayley scowled. Then her eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips together in a tight grin.
}{\insrsid6435557 \'93}{\insrsid4205806 You\rquote re right, that\rquote s }{\insrsid5272342 a g}{\insrsid6435557 reat idea}{\insrsid4205806 .}{\insrsid6435557 \'94 Hayley said}{\insrsid4205806 without a smile}{\insrsid6435557
. She started walking toward the deck, shedding her clothes.
\'93No suits in the hot tub,\'94 Regan said with a }{\insrsid12324935 laugh}{\insrsid6435557 and then began pulling her top off. \'93Shall we?\'94 She glanced around the room at the rest of us}{\insrsid9047260 .
}{\i\insrsid6435557\charrsid4205806 Why not?}{\insrsid9047260 I thought.}{\insrsid6435557 }{\i\insrsid6435557\charrsid4205806 The hot tub would feel great too}{\insrsid9047260 .
}{\insrsid6435557 A few minutes later, all seven of us were lowering ourselves into the water or finding places to balance our drinks along the edge.
}{\insrsid1269036
I glanced around. }{\insrsid4942709 }{\insrsid1269036 Gina seemed most comfortable hanging out in the nude with six other women. The two blondes, Regan and Margot, were lean
ing toward each other and giggling. Even Cassie seemed to be relaxing as the warmth of the water and the alcohol flowed.
\'93What about the pizza?\'94 Cassie asked after several minutes.}{\insrsid9047260
}{\insrsid1269036 Regan squinted to see }{\insrsid9047260 the }{\insrsid1269036 clock on the far wall.}{\insrsid15861429 }{\insrsid9047260 }{\insrsid1269036 \'93It should be here in five minutes}{\insrsid9047260 .\'94}{\insrsid1269036
\'93Will we be able to hear the front door?\'94 Cassie asked.
\'93I\rquote ll go wait for it,\'94 Margot said, hoisting herself out of the water.
\'93I\rquote ll join you,\'94 Hayley said.
The two girls dried themselves off and then Margot wrapped the towel around her}{\insrsid10384135 self}{\insrsid1269036 . Hayley threw hers against one wall and walked stark naked back into the main room. }{\insrsid9047260 S}{\insrsid1269036
he bent over the tray of cocaine for a bump before the}{\insrsid9047260 y}{\insrsid1269036 disappeared down the stairs to the main door.
Ten minutes later, they both burst onto the deck, laughing.
\'93C\rquote mon!\'94 Margot said. \'93Pizza\rquote s on the bar}{\insrsid9047260 .\'94}{\insrsid1269036
\'93What\rquote s so funny?\'94 }{\insrsid2035890 Cassie }{\insrsid1269036 asked as we climbed out}{\insrsid2035890 of the tub}{\insrsid1269036 .
\'93Hayley answered the door nude!\'94 Margot choked out between giggles. \'93You should have seen the delivery guy\rquote s face!\'94
\'93I\rquote m surprised she didn\rquote t offer to blow him,\'94 I }{\insrsid3700947 muttered }{\insrsid1269036 to Patricia.
\'93Oh, but I did, Jessica,\'94 Hayley said }{\insrsid3700947 from }{\insrsid1269036 behind me}{\insrsid3700947 .
}{\insrsid1269036 I jumped.}{\insrsid3700947
}{\insrsid1269036 \'93If he\rquote d give us the pizzas for free, of course}{\insrsid3700947 ,\'94 Hayley practically drawled.}{\insrsid1269036
\'93The poor guy was so shocked he just started sputtering!\'94 Margot said. \'93Then he just stood there while Hayley took the pizzas out of his hands and I handed him the money.\'94
\'93He took the money? Instead of a blowjob?\'94 Regan asked}{\insrsid3700947 . }{\insrsid10631552 Then s}{\insrsid3700947 he laughed}{\insrsid1269036 .
\'93He did!\'94 Margot }{\insrsid3700947 said}{\insrsid1269036 .
\'93Which is too bad,\'94 Hayley said}{\insrsid3700947 ,}{\insrsid1269036 with a mock }{\insrsid3700947 pout}{\insrsid1269036 . \'93He was cute.\'94
\'93I can\rquote t believe you,\'94 Regan said, rolling her eyes.}{\insrsid12324935 \'93}{\insrsid3700947 You\rquote re}{\insrsid12324935 outrageous!\'94}{\insrsid1269036
}{\insrsid12324935
\'93Guilty as charged,\'94 Hayley }{\insrsid3700947 said}{\insrsid12324935 , beaming }{\insrsid3700947 at }{\insrsid12324935 the praise.
}{\insrsid1269036
There w}{\insrsid13504677 as}{\insrsid1269036 plenty of pizza, }{\insrsid15955707 but I wasn\rquote t hungry. }{\i\insrsid15955707\charrsid4205806 Probably the coke}{\insrsid1269036 . Apparently I wasn\rquote t the only one}{\insrsid13504677 with
a low appetite}{\insrsid1269036 as }{\insrsid15955707 the other girls just picked at their food}{\insrsid1269036 . Afterward, we all got more drinks, }{\insrsid10384135 everyone but Cassie }{\insrsid13587743 did some more coke}{\insrsid1269036 , and }{
\insrsid10384135 we }{\insrsid1269036 headed back to the hot tub.
}{\insrsid9504068 As we settled back into the tub, t}{\insrsid1269036 he chatter was mostly }{\insrsid9504068 gossip from }{\insrsid10384135 f}{\insrsid8063035 inals }{\insrsid10384135 w}{\insrsid8063035 eek}{\insrsid1269036 . }{\insrsid9504068
There wasn\rquote t much, surprisingly, so it didn\rquote t take long to }{\insrsid1269036 hit the first lull.
}{\insrsid1330596
}{\insrsid10972899 \'93God, I\rquote m horny!\'94 Regan announced}{\insrsid13768297 , }{\insrsid1330596 ending the pause}{\insrsid10972899 . Her grin was almost maniacal, which brought titters from the rest of us.
\'93Me too!\'94 Hayley announced}{\insrsid9844936 .}{\insrsid10972899 }{\insrsid9844936 }{\insrsid2899173 She }{\insrsid10972899 rais}{\insrsid2899173 ed}{\insrsid10972899 her hand. \'93Who else?\'94
Margot\rquote s hand shot up immediately, quickly followed by Gina\rquote s. Cassie looked around and edged her hand up as well. I glanced at Patricia. Her arms were still under the w}{\insrsid3563914 ater. I left mine down as well, }{\insrsid6757806
even though I was starting to feel }{\insrsid5311598 aroused }{\insrsid10384135 too}{\insrsid3563914 .}{\insrsid10972899
}{\insrsid12324935 \'93Oh, g}{\insrsid9914242 reat}{\insrsid10972899 !\'94 Regan }{\insrsid2899173 said}{\insrsid10972899 . }{\insrsid2899173 Without }{\insrsid9844936 hesitating}{\insrsid2899173 , she }{\insrsid10972899 caressed Gina\rquote
s breast and then pulled the dark}{\insrsid7219006 er}{\insrsid10972899 girl toward her. They began kissing passionately. Margot, trapped between them and the side of the hot tub, }{\insrsid6757806 started}{\insrsid10972899 rubbing their backs }{
\insrsid2899173 and }{\insrsid10972899 sliding her hands down their }{\insrsid8283580 bodies under the water. On the}{\insrsid10972899 other side of the tub, Hayley was }{\insrsid6757806 now }{\insrsid10972899 sitting on the side.
\'93Pledge Cassie,\'94 }{\insrsid2899173 she said}{\insrsid15033200 . The edge in her voice made it a command, which she emphasized by}{\insrsid10972899 tapping the inside of }{\insrsid1836644 one }{\insrsid10972899 spread thigh}{\insrsid2899173 . }{
\insrsid1836644 }{\insrsid10972899 \'93}{\insrsid2899173 Service }{\insrsid10972899 me}{\insrsid2899173 .\'94
}{\insrsid10972899 Cassie looked up at Hayley}{\insrsid1267885 , eyes wide.}{\insrsid10972899 }{\insrsid8063035 }{\insrsid1267885 She}{\insrsid10972899 }{\insrsid2899173 swallowed hard}{\insrsid10972899 .
\'93Don\rquote t worry,\'94 Hayley said, \'93we\rquote ll get you off.\'94
Cassie hesitated, }{\insrsid12324935 glancing at Patricia}{\insrsid2899173 ,}{\insrsid12324935 who just gave her a drunken nod. T}{\insrsid10972899 hen Hayley tapped the inside of her thigh again}{\insrsid15033200 , beckoning}{\insrsid10972899
. Cassie }{\insrsid2899173 floated }{\insrsid1267885 over }{\insrsid2899173 between Hayley\rquote s }{\insrsid10975929 legs }{\insrsid1267885 and placed}{\insrsid10972899 her head inches from Hayley\rquote s }{\insrsid1330596 pussy}{\insrsid10972899
. Hayley }{\insrsid2899173 immediately }{\insrsid10972899 closed her legs, trapping Cassie}{\insrsid8076779 and pulling her closer}{\insrsid10972899 . }{\insrsid15861429 Hayley let out a deep sigh, signal}{\insrsid10384135 ing}{\insrsid15861429 }{
\insrsid10972899 that Cassie had begun }{\insrsid3877073 licking}{\insrsid15861429 . She put her hands on the back of the pledge\rquote s head}{\insrsid1836644 , lightly holding her in place.}{\insrsid10972899
}{\insrsid8283580
Back on my left, Margot was}{\insrsid7144498 starting to scowl and kept trying to slide her hands between Regan and Gina to play with their breasts. Unfortunately, they weren\rquote t moving to help her, so she wasn\rquote t succeeding.}{
\insrsid8283580 }{\insrsid7144498 }{\insrsid8283580 She tried to lean in and kiss them as well, but Regan shook her off. She whispered something to Margot, who nodded. Margot quickly glanced at Patricia and me before sliding up}{\insrsid9521985
the side of the hot tub and the}{\insrsid1836644 n}{\insrsid9521985 dropping }{\insrsid2049945 onto the deck}{\insrsid9521985 .}{\insrsid3563914 She dashed into the lodge.}{\insrsid8283580
}{\insrsid3563914
Patricia rolled her eyes at me}{\insrsid12480181 a}{\insrsid7623399 nd}{\insrsid12480181 }{\insrsid3563914 grin}{\insrsid12480181 ned}{\insrsid3563914 . I just shook my head, silently chuckling. }{\insrsid3877073 I didn\rquote t quite know where th}{
\insrsid12480181 e night}{\insrsid3877073 was going, but I wasn\rquote t ready to run off quite yet.}{\insrsid3563914
}{\insrsid3877073
Gina}{\insrsid7144498 \rquote s hands disappeared under the water near Regan\rquote
s waist. The blonde squirmed around, first just a little and then with more vigor. She whimpered a little and then moaned. Regan began panting louder and started shuddering just when Margot\rquote s return interrupted things.}{\insrsid3877073
Margot }{\insrsid2049945 carried}{\insrsid3877073 something }{\insrsid1267885 flesh-colored }{\insrsid3877073 with straps. When she tapped Regan on the shoulder, Regan }{\insrsid7144498
scowled and shot her a murderous look. Then she saw what Margot carried}{\insrsid9656203 and her face calmed. She nodded}{\insrsid7144498 }{\insrsid3877073 and }{\insrsid8063035 climbed}{\insrsid3877073 out of the hot tub. Margot }{\insrsid7144498
unfolded}{\insrsid3877073 the straps and I realized what she was carrying\emdash a strap-on dildo. She climbed into the harness while Regan and Gina grabbed towels and then t}{\insrsid2049945 he three of them went into the }{\insrsid7144498 chalet
\rquote s }{\insrsid3877073 main room.
I glanced over at Hayley. She had her eyes closed and was stroking the back of Cassie\rquote s head as the brunette continued to go down on her. I }{\insrsid2049945 looked}{\insrsid3877073
at Patricia. She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head toward the }{\insrsid12658170 chalet}{\insrsid3877073 . I nodded in agreement and we silently got out and }{\insrsid11284227 dried off}{\insrsid3877073 .
Inside the main room, Gina and R}{\insrsid2049945 egan }{\insrsid11284227 were in}{\insrsid2049945 a sixty-nine}{\insrsid3877073 with Regan on top. Margot knelt a }{\insrsid3156361 few feet behind Regan, }{\insrsid11284227 fiddling with the dildo
\rquote s harness}{\insrsid3877073 . Patricia and I }{\insrsid11284227 refilled our}{\insrsid3546764 drinks}{\insrsid3877073 and }{\insrsid3546764 took}{\insrsid3877073 seats on a couch off to one side.
When Margot was satisfied with the straps, she shuffled forward on her knees. She guide}{\insrsid11284227 d}{\insrsid3877073 the toy to Regan}{\insrsid12147302 \rquote s pussy}{\insrsid11284227 and then}{\insrsid12147302
quickly sank it all the way in. She }{\insrsid1267885 held }{\insrsid12147302 Regan\rquote s hips and began fucking her hard and fast.}{\insrsid3877073
}{\insrsid12147302
Regan immediately began }{\insrsid204615 whimpering and crying out softly}{\insrsid12147302 . She couldn\rquote t keep her mouth on Gina\rquote s pussy, but I suspected Gina had no trouble keeping her tongue on Regan\rquote s clit. }{\insrsid14512672
Regan\rquote s cries got louder and she began thrusting her hips back against Margot. She arched her neck and let out a loud groan, before tucking her head back down. }{\insrsid12147302 As her shudders died down, she rolled forward
and then to the side, off Gina and away from Margot.
\'93God}{\insrsid6627486 ,}{\insrsid12147302 that was incredible!\'94 }{\insrsid12324935 Regan}{\insrsid12147302 }{\insrsid204615 said}{\insrsid12147302 , still }{\insrsid204615 catching her breath}{\insrsid12147302 .
}{\insrsid16200637
\'93My turn!\'94 Margot }{\insrsid11284227 said}{\insrsid16200637 .}{\insrsid204615
}{\insrsid16200637 Regan shook her head.}{\insrsid204615 }{\insrsid16200637 \'93Let\rquote s do Gina first}{\insrsid204615 .}{\insrsid16200637 \'94 }{\insrsid11284227
}{\insrsid16200637 Gina scrambled to a sitting position and nodded at Regan\rquote s suggestion.
\'93}{\insrsid12324935 But }{\insrsid12197371 I want a bump}{\insrsid16200637 first,\'94 Regan }{\insrsid11284227 continued}{\insrsid16200637 . She glanced toward the coke. Patricia fetched the tray}{\insrsid14512672 and brought it over}{
\insrsid16200637 . She began }{\insrsid11284227 cutting }{\insrsid16200637 it into lines as the other girls }{\insrsid11284227 gathered round}{\insrsid16200637 .
First Regan, then Patricia}{\insrsid3617426 ,}{\insrsid16200637 Gina}{\insrsid3617426 ,}{\insrsid11500925 }{\insrsid16200637 and Margot all took a snort. Then Patricia gestured for me to take my turn.
}{\insrsid12197371
}{\insrsid342344 I didn\rquote t realize that the earlier coke had begun to wear off, but when I snorted the new line, }{\insrsid14512672 the euphoria hit pretty quickly}{\insrsid342344 . }{\insrsid11500925 }{\insrsid342344
I shuddered slightly and licked my lips, the back of my throat already going numb. I glanced at Patricia}{\insrsid11500925 ,}{\insrsid14512672 who}{\insrsid342344 }{\insrsid14512672 grinned}{\insrsid342344 back at me.}{\insrsid4205806
We quietly eased back into our seats on the couch}{\insrsid11500925 .}{\insrsid342344
}{\insrsid12197371
}{\insrsid4205806 In the middle of the room, }{\insrsid12197371 Margot had lai}{\insrsid14826770 n}{\insrsid12197371 down on the floor with Gina straddling her}{\insrsid4205806 , slowly settling into a sixty-nine}{\insrsid12197371 . Regan }{
\insrsid4205806 strapped}{\insrsid12197371 on the dildo harness as the other two girls began licking each other. When she had it in place, she knelt behind Gina and guided it in.
Gina began }{\insrsid13828459 whimpering }{\insrsid12197371 as Regan fucked her while Margot licked her. }{\insrsid728317 Fortunately for Margot, Gina }{\insrsid6439416 kept}{\insrsid728317 contact with }{\insrsid6439416 her }{\insrsid728317 clit.}{
\insrsid6439416 Margot\rquote s legs trembled and she slowly spread them wider. Gina }{\insrsid6517922 used the extra space}{\insrsid6439416 to bring her hand around and slide a finger into Margot.}{\insrsid728317
}{\insrsid1267885 The door from the deck banged}{\insrsid6228291 as }{\insrsid728317 Hayley and Cassie}{\insrsid6228291 entered.}{\insrsid728317 }{\insrsid15628406 }{\insrsid728317 Hayley }{\insrsid6228291 made a beeline for}{\insrsid728317
the tray of cocaine. }{\insrsid407068 She }{\insrsid6228291 did a line}{\insrsid407068 and then}{\insrsid15946552 slid}{\insrsid6228291 onto the couch across from us, her eyes on}{\insrsid407068 the mini-orgy }{\insrsid6228291 in front of her}{
\insrsid407068 . }{\insrsid728317 Cassie }{\insrsid14035275 joined}{\insrsid407068 Patricia}{\insrsid14105722 instead}{\insrsid407068 . They started speaking quietly to each other.}{\insrsid12197371
}{\insrsid2432176
In the middle of the room Gina shuddered and }{\insrsid1927076 moaned loudly}{\insrsid2432176 . }{\insrsid1927076 Regan gripped Gina\rquote s hips as the darker girl arched her back and shook, her cries muffled by Margot\rquote s thighs. As Gina\rquote
s orgasm subsided, she collapsed to one side, slowly panting.}{\insrsid2432176
\'93That was so hot!\'94 Hayley }{\insrsid14105722 said}{\insrsid2432176 . \'93}{\insrsid1781160 Let\rquote s have Regan }{\insrsid9982349 do }{\insrsid1781160 Margot while Margot licks me!}{\insrsid2432176 \'94
\'93}{\insrsid12270772 Y}{\insrsid2432176 ou promised Cassie you\rquote d get her off,\'94 Patricia said}{\insrsid12856565 , sitting up and staring at Hayley}{\insrsid7485577 .
}{\insrsid2432176 Hayley}{\insrsid12856565 \rquote s nostrils flared. She glared at Patricia and started to say something, but then stopped. Her eyes flitted to me}{\insrsid2432176 before }{\insrsid12856565 focusing }{\insrsid2432176 back }{
\insrsid12856565 on }{\insrsid2432176 Cassie.
\'93I believe I did,\'94 Hayley said. }{\insrsid12856565 She paused. }{\insrsid2432176 \'93Margot, Regan\emdash how about if we give Cassie the \lquote full treatment\rquote ?\'94
The two blondes looked at each other}{\insrsid11500925 ,}{\insrsid2432176 and then nodded in agreement. Hayley gestured for Cassie to come forward.
\'93Lie down in the center of the floor,\'94 Hayley said.}{\insrsid10514607
}{\insrsid2432176 Cassie }{\insrsid10514607 stared at her for a moment, but then }{\insrsid2432176 complied, stretching out on her back. }{\insrsid10514607 As she did, the other girls gathered around. }{\insrsid2432176
Margot and Regan moved to opposite sides of her}{\insrsid10514607 , crouching near her head}{\insrsid2432176 . }{\insrsid10514607 Cassie just stared up, past them, not saying anything.
\'93Relax,\'94 Regan said. \'93This\rquote ll be good.\'94
}{\insrsid2432176 Gina stirred and then sat up}{\insrsid10514607 . She}{\insrsid2432176 }{\insrsid10514607 knelt near Cassie\rquote s feet, though still off to one side}{\insrsid2432176 . Hayley looked a question at me and }{\insrsid10514607
I shook my head, not quite understanding. She looked at Patricia, who raised her eyebrows}{\insrsid10440754 ,}{\insrsid10514607 and then firmly and slowly shook her head no. Hayley frowned }{\insrsid2432176 but then joined }{\insrsid10514607 Gina }{
\insrsid2432176 on the floor.
\'93Now what?\'94 Cassie asked}{\insrsid10514607 nervously}{\insrsid2432176 .
\'93You}{\insrsid5377987 \rquote ll see}{\insrsid2432176 ,\'94 Regan }{\insrsid5377987 said}{\insrsid2432176 .
}{\insrsid7362526
With that, Regan }{\insrsid5377987 lifted }{\insrsid7362526 Cassie\rquote s hand. She held it close to her face}{\insrsid5377987 for a moment}{\insrsid7362526 , and then lightly kissed }{\insrsid5377987 the }{\insrsid7362526 palm. Then Regan slowly }{
\insrsid8868469 feathered kisses down to }{\insrsid7362526 Cassie\rquote s }{\insrsid8868469 wrist, nuzzling it lightly}{\insrsid7362526 .
Margot was giving Cassie\rquote s other hand the same treatment while Hayley and Gina had each moved to Cassie\rquote s feet. }{\insrsid8868469 Hayley massaged and caressed the arch of one foot while Gina scattered kisses across Cassie\rquote
s toes and moved toward her ankle. }{\insrsid7362526 Cassie gasped, }{\insrsid8868469 with surprise or pleasure I couldn\rquote t tell, as the four other women all caressed, licked, and kissed her.
}{\insrsid7362526
Then each of the four began to work their way in. Regan feathered kisses across Cassie\rquote s wrist, while Margot nuzzled her other forearm. Hayley and Gina had maneuvered until they were side by side, }{\insrsid8868469
Hayley still just caressing while Gina kissed her }{\insrsid7362526 way up}{\insrsid5311598 . She gave }{\insrsid8868469 a lot of attention to spots just inside }{\insrsid5311598 Cassie\rquote s }{\insrsid8868469 knee and further up her thigh}{
\insrsid7362526 .
My blood }{\insrsid2049945 began}{\insrsid7362526 to pulse}{\insrsid14035275 and i}{\insrsid7362526 t felt like my whole lower half was on fire.}{\insrsid14035275 I could already feel myself getting damp and couldn\rquote
t resist squirming in my seat.}{\insrsid7362526 I glanced at Patricia}{\insrsid14035275 and saw}{\insrsid8548144 s}{\insrsid7362526 he was playing with her}{\insrsid8548144 self}{\insrsid7362526 while she watched.
Gina and Hayley reached Cassie\rquote s inner thighs, }{\insrsid8548144 nudging }{\insrsid7362526 her legs apart as }{\insrsid8548144 they did}{\insrsid7362526 . Margot darted ahead to }{\insrsid15270875 kiss }{\insrsid7362526 one of Cassie\rquote
s nipples before returning to her upper }{\insrsid1330596 arm}{\insrsid7362526 . }{\insrsid7014766 As she and Regan reached Cassie\rquote s torso and breasts, their blonde hair seemed to blanket the smaller girl. }{\insrsid13660565 Cassie}{
\insrsid7362526 moan}{\insrsid12528848 ed}{\insrsid7362526 as }{\insrsid7014766 they}{\insrsid7362526 }{\insrsid12528848 licked and kissed }{\insrsid7362526 her nipples simultaneously.
}{\insrsid12528848 Cassie moaned again when}{\insrsid7362526 Gina and Hayley reached }{\insrsid12528848 her }{\insrsid7362526 pussy. Hayley sat back, letting Gina }{\insrsid16075501 sink her full mouth on}{\insrsid11477330 to}{\insrsid16075501 Cassie
\rquote s clit and lower lips. }{\insrsid4335473 Then }{\insrsid16075501 Hayley reached down and began caressing Gina\rquote s upturned ass. The darker girl didn\rquote t flinch, even when Hayley\rquote
s fingers slid behind and, judging from the way Hayley\rquote s arm was moving, inside of }{\insrsid11477330 her}{\insrsid16075501 . Hayley glanced up}{\insrsid10440754 ,}{\insrsid16075501 saw me watching}{\insrsid10440754 ,}{\insrsid16075501
and grinned.}{\insrsid7362526
}{\insrsid16075501
Cassie }{\insrsid2049945 squirmed}{\insrsid1836610 quietly}{\insrsid2049945 , }{\insrsid1836610 tossing her head side to side.}{\insrsid16075501 }{\i\insrsid12143758\charrsid11477330 All those hands and tongues}{\insrsid11477330\charrsid11477330 \'85}{
\insrsid12404119 }{\insrsid1836610 I could only imagine }{\insrsid12143758 what it felt like}{\insrsid1836610 . In fact, those thoughts were}{\insrsid16075501 getting unbearable. I realized I was stroking my own thighs}{\insrsid12143758 and I
really wanted to move those fingers in further}{\insrsid16075501 , like Patricia had. I glanced over at }{\insrsid12528848 her}{\insrsid16075501 . She }{\insrsid12528848 gazed back}{\insrsid12735079 }{\insrsid16075501 at me through }{\insrsid4419706
half-}{\insrsid16075501 lidded eyes.
\'93}{\insrsid4419706 Oh God, }{\insrsid16075501 I}{\insrsid4419706 need}{\insrsid1465496 ...}{\insrsid6757963 more than just watching}{\insrsid16075501 ,\'94 she }{\insrsid4419706 whispered}{\insrsid16075501 . \'93}{\insrsid6757963 Good thing }{
\insrsid16075501 I brought something}{\insrsid4419706 \'85}{\insrsid16075501 \'94
\'93A toy?\'94 I asked.}{\insrsid4419706
She}{\insrsid16075501 nodded. Then she }{\insrsid4419706 closed her legs and }{\insrsid12735079 eased herself off the couch}{\insrsid16075501 .}{\insrsid11731872 }{\insrsid4419706 }{\insrsid16075501 \'93Have fun,\'94 she said}{\insrsid4419706
, more to me than anyone else}{\insrsid16075501 .}{\insrsid4419706
}{\insrsid16075501 Hayley gave her a wave as she continued to finger Gina. The other women }{\insrsid12735079 didn\rquote t even notice}{\insrsid4419706 .
}{\insrsid3765535
}{\insrsid14896707 Patricia strode off without looking back.}{\insrsid16075501
I decided she had the right idea. I grabbed my drink and headed }{\insrsid12665860 back to my room}{\insrsid16075501 . After closing the door, I lay on my bed and }{\insrsid12665860 played with myself }{\insrsid14247011 while thinking about what I
\rquote d seen: Cassie\rquote s chest covered in blonde hair, }{\insrsid8484694 Regan\rquote s face as she came, Gina\rquote s tongue, licking away. }{\insrsid5965684 I idly imagined Gina licking me, but changed the fantasy to Barry licking me. It didn
\rquote t take much longer to come.}{\insrsid14247011
}{\insrsid5965684
The first one wasn\rquote t enough, so I started}{\insrsid8088629 fantasizing about Barry doing more than licking}{\insrsid6627486 , like I }{\insrsid4749498 wished he would. }{\insrsid8088629
I was on my knees as he knelt behind me, much as Margot had knelt behind Regan. We were watching the other girls play as they had tonight. My second climax crashed through me and wiped me out. Satiated, I realized I was }{\insrsid16075501 tired enough}
{\insrsid15743036 to }{\insrsid8088629 maybe get to sleep}{\insrsid15743036 . Gina hadn\rquote t come back yet, so I turned off the light and lay in the dark until I finally faded into slumber.}{\insrsid16075501
}{\insrsid15743036
}\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15094846 {\insrsid15094846 * * *}{\insrsid14225570
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15094846
}{\insrsid4026477 Bright sun shining through the window on my face forced me awake. I }{\insrsid10440754 lay }{\insrsid4026477 still for a while, aching. }{\insrsid1187210 My }{\insrsid4419706 nose was }{\insrsid1187210 completely }{\insrsid4419706
stuffed }{\insrsid1187210 up. }{\insrsid4026477 My head pounded and it took effort to concentrate on the clock. It was later than I expected. The room wasn\rquote t spinning, which was good. }{\insrsid1187210 I also had to pee}{\insrsid4026477
, but I didn\rquote t want to move}{\insrsid1187210 . Eventually }{\insrsid1007444 m}{\insrsid15872531 y}{\insrsid1187210 bladder won the argument}{\insrsid1007444 , }{\insrsid15872531 so}{\insrsid1187210 I stumbled down the hall}{\insrsid15872531
to the bathroom}{\insrsid1187210 .
}{\insrsid9271763 Once I took care of my bladder, }{\insrsid1187210 I gulped down some }{\insrsid9271763 aspirin }{\insrsid1187210 and drank some water. }{\insrsid9271763 Then I sank to}{\insrsid1187210 the floor }{\insrsid11997758 and just }{
\insrsid9271763 sat }{\insrsid11997758 there for a while.}{\insrsid9271763
Some time later, }{\insrsid3546764 Patricia walked in.}{\insrsid1187210
}{\insrsid3546764
\'93You okay?\'94 she asked}{\insrsid15145759 , kneeling down }{\insrsid10440754 next to me}{\insrsid15145759 .}{\insrsid3546764
\'93Hangover,\'94 I answered. She nodded. She looked fine.}{\insrsid4026477 }{\i\insrsid4026477\charrsid4026477 Which was irritating. She never seemed to suffer the next morning.}{\i\insrsid3806564 Her and Hayley both. It wasn\rquote t fair.}{
\i\insrsid3546764\charrsid4026477
}{\insrsid3546764
}{\insrsid3806564 Patricia just sat with me until I shook my head and started to get up. }{\insrsid3546764 \'93I want to get in some runs before the guys get here}{\insrsid10569821 ,\'94 she said}{\insrsid3806564 then}{\insrsid10569821 . \'93}{
\insrsid3546764 You interested?\'94
\'93I\rquote ll go with you if I can }{\insrsid16673193 just }{\insrsid3546764 sit }{\insrsid10569821 in the lodge for a while.\'94
}{\insrsid3546764 She }{\insrsid3806564 smiled in sympathy and}{\insrsid10569821 }{\insrsid3546764 nodded.}{\insrsid12270772 }{\insrsid10569821 }{\insrsid2049945 \'93Cassie}{\insrsid3546764 wants to go,}{\insrsid10569821 \'94 she continued, \'93but}{
\insrsid3546764 }{\insrsid10569821 no one}{\insrsid3546764 }{\insrsid2049945 else }{\insrsid3546764 is up. They must have partied pretty hard}{\insrsid10569821 .\'94
}{\insrsid15212456 I slowly }{\insrsid3546764 nod}{\insrsid10569821 ded}{\insrsid3546764 .}{\insrsid15212456 I didn\rquote t hurt as much as I had other times}{\insrsid6627486 I\rquote d partied hard}{\insrsid15212456
. The others were probably hurting a lot worse.}{\insrsid3546764
It took a while to get dressed and catch the shuttle. I nursed some juice in the snack bar near the lift while Cassie and }{\insrsid1275062 Patricia skied}{\insrsid3765535 . I}{\insrsid15212456 slowly started feeling better}{\insrsid1275062 . By }{
\insrsid995321 the time they took a late lunch break}{\insrsid1275062 , my hangover }{\insrsid995321 had faded}{\insrsid1275062 and I was }{\insrsid15212456 ready to be }{\insrsid1275062 sociable again. Cassie settled in to a seat next to me, smiling.}{
\insrsid3546764
}{\insrsid1187210
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12795209 {\insrsid13767821 \'93It looked like you had a good time last night,\'94 I }{\insrsid10569821 said, as lightheartedly as I could}{\insrsid1275062 .}{
\insrsid10569821
She}{\insrsid13767821 }{\insrsid1330412 just}{\insrsid10569821 }{\insrsid13767821 shrugged.}{\insrsid11342340 }{\insrsid10569821 }{\insrsid13767821 \'93It was okay}{\insrsid10569821 .\'94}{\insrsid13767821
\'93Just okay?\'94 Patricia asked.
\'93}{\insrsid10569821 Yeah}{\insrsid13767821 ,\'94 Cassie }{\insrsid10569821 said}{\insrsid13767821 . }{\insrsid10569821 She shrugged again. }{\insrsid13767821 \'93I }{\insrsid10569821 couldn\rquote t }{\insrsid1330412 really }{\insrsid10569821 relax}{
\insrsid13767821 .\'94
\'93Wh}{\insrsid10569821 y not}{\insrsid13767821 ?\'94 I asked.
\'93I didn\rquote t know what was going to happen next,\'94 }{\insrsid10569821 she }{\insrsid13767821 said. \'93I kept wondering if I was going to have to help do the same thing to Regan or Hayley.\'94
\'93Did you?\'94 Patricia asked, her eyes wary.
\'93No,\'94 Cassie said. \'93After they were done with me, everybody stopped for some more}{\insrsid14176124 \emdash }{\insrsid10569821 \'94 }{\insrsid14176124 s}{\insrsid10569821 he looked around and then lowered her voice \'93}{\insrsid14176124
\emdash cocaine.}{\insrsid13767821 I went to the bathroom}{\insrsid14176124 , but when I came back}{\insrsid13767821 , Gina and Regan were going at it while Margot }{\insrsid14176124 \lquote }{\insrsid13767821 serviced}{\insrsid14176124 \rquote }{
\insrsid13767821 Hayley.\'94
\'93And you didn\rquote t join in}{\insrsid14176124 ?\'94 }{\insrsid13767821 I }{\insrsid10440754 asked}{\insrsid14176124 .
}{\insrsid13767821 Cassie shook her head.}{\insrsid6232369 }{\insrsid14176124 }{\insrsid2126893 \'93I figured I could slip away to bed}{\insrsid14176124 .\'94}{\insrsid16673193 }{\insrsid14176124 She }{\insrsid9639673 pause}{\insrsid14176124 d}{
\insrsid2126893 . \'93}{\insrsid9639673 I was getting tired. }{\insrsid2126893 Everyone else }{\insrsid14176124 was }{\insrsid16673193 pretty }{\insrsid14176124 wide}{\insrsid2049945 awake though}{\insrsid2126893 .\'94
\'93That would be the coke,\'94 Patricia said. \'93It\rquote s a stimulant\emdash keeps you up.\'94
\'93Oh,\'94 Cassie said. She paused, thinking.}{\insrsid11342340 }{\insrsid14176124 }{\insrsid2126893 \'93But you }{\insrsid9913156 all }{\insrsid2126893 went to bed early.\'94
\'93Bed and sleep aren\rquote t the same thing,\'94 Patricia said}{\insrsid14176124 , grinning.
}{\insrsid2126893 Cassie looked at me}{\insrsid16673193 , her brow furrowed.}{\insrsid14176124
}{\insrsid2126893 I nodded.
}{\insrsid13767821
}{\insrsid12795209 \'93Why do you do it?\'94 Cassie asked.}{\insrsid2126893 \'93The }{\insrsid14176124 coke, I mean}{\insrsid2126893 .\'94}{\insrsid12795209
}{\insrsid14176124 I shrugged.}{\insrsid10440754 }{\insrsid14176124 }{\insrsid12795209 \'93It\rquote s part of the party,}{\insrsid14176124 I guess. }{\insrsid10440754 }{\insrsid14176124 And i}{\insrsid12795209 f everybody\rquote
s doing it, why not? }{\insrsid2126893 It feels great\emdash like you\rquote re flying. And i}{\insrsid12795209 t\rquote s not like I\rquote m doing it often enough for it to be a problem.\'94
\'93Yeah,}{\insrsid14176124 not}{\insrsid12795209 like Cynthia,\'94 Patricia said.
\'93Cynthia?\'94 Cassie asked.
}{\insrsid16255731 \'93She was a s}{\insrsid12795209 ister who }{\insrsid14176124 couldn\rquote t handle the coke,}{\insrsid11011488 \'94 I said,}{\insrsid14176124 }{\insrsid11011488 \'93}{\insrsid14176124 and started doing it}{\insrsid12795209 }{
\insrsid11485764 on her own, }{\insrsid12795209 outside of parties}{\insrsid11011488 . }{\insrsid12795209 She flunked out about a year ago.\'94
\'93Oh,\'94 Cassie said. She }{\insrsid4600007 took a bite of her sandwich, her expression contemplative}{\insrsid12795209 .
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10972899
}{\insrsid16674189 I }{\insrsid11485764 was feeling a }{\insrsid9913156 little }{\insrsid11485764 better after lunch, so }{\insrsid9913156 I }{\insrsid16674189 joined Cassie and Patricia }{\insrsid11485764 as they headed back }{\insrsid9913156 outside}{
\insrsid16674189 . We were almost }{\insrsid9913156 to}{\insrsid11485764 the lift line }{\insrsid16674189 when Hayley showed up}{\insrsid11485764 ,}{\insrsid16674189 }{\insrsid9913156 surprisingly }{\insrsid16674189 alone.
\'93Hey, }{\insrsid2964740 y\rquote all}{\insrsid16674189 !\'94 she called. \'93}{\insrsid2964740 Wait up, I\rquote ll join you.}{\insrsid16674189 \'94
\'93I\rquote m with Patricia,\'94 Cassie said quickly}{\insrsid2964740 .
}{\insrsid16674189 Hayley looked at me}{\insrsid2964740 .
}{\insrsid16674189 What could I do? I shrugged as she stepped into line next to me.
\'93}{\insrsid2964740 What\rquote s up}{\insrsid6627486 ?}{\insrsid16674189 \'94 Hayley said}{\insrsid2964740 as she joined me}{\insrsid16674189 .
}{\insrsid9913156 \'93I\rquote m surprised to see you by yourself.\'94
Hayley shrugged. \'93No one else was }{\insrsid6627486 moving }{\insrsid9913156 and I got tired of waiting. I knew I could find y\rquote all.\'94
\'93}{\insrsid16666378 Right}{\insrsid16674189 .}{\insrsid9913156 \'94}{\insrsid16674189 }{\i\insrsid9913156\charrsid9913156 A huge ski area and she knew she could find us. What made her arrogance worse }{\i\insrsid11011488 was}{
\i\insrsid11011488\charrsid9913156 }{\i\insrsid9913156\charrsid9913156 that she had.}{\insrsid9913156 }{\insrsid2964740 Fortunately, she }{\insrsid16674189 didn\rquote t talk to me again until we were on the lift }{\insrsid9913156 halfway }{
\insrsid16674189 up the mountain.
\'93}{\insrsid4329041 So w}{\insrsid2964740 hy}{\insrsid16674189 didn\rquote t }{\insrsid2964740 you }{\insrsid16674189 join in last night}{\insrsid2964740 ?}{\insrsid16674189 \'94 }{\insrsid2964740 she }{\insrsid16674189 said}{\insrsid2964740
, seemingly}{\insrsid16674189 out of the blue.
\'93I didn\rquote t want to cheat on Barry,\'94 I }{\insrsid4329041 answered}{\insrsid16674189 , wary.
}{\insrsid2964740 Hayley flipped her hand dismissively. }{\insrsid16674189 \'93Oh, he\rquote d never know}{\insrsid2964740 .}{\insrsid16674189 \'94
}{\insrsid4329041 I snorted. }{\insrsid16674189 \'93}{\insrsid4329041 Yeah, right.\'94}{\insrsid16674189
\'93How would he find out}{\insrsid13660565 ?}{\insrsid16674189 \'94 }{\insrsid2964740 she said}{\insrsid16674189 . \'93None of us }{\insrsid2964740 would}{\insrsid16674189 tell him}{\insrsid2964740 .\'94
}{\i\insrsid4329041\charrsid4329041 Yeah right.}{\insrsid16674189 }{\insrsid4329041 I didn\rquote t believe that for a minute. }{\insrsid10224566 I }{\insrsid4329041 frowned. I also }{\insrsid10224566 felt my blood pressure rising. }{
\insrsid16674189 Why did she care whether I joined in or not?
\'93You\rquote re not}{\insrsid2964740 a prude}{\insrsid16674189 , are you?\'94 Hayley asked}{\insrsid2964740 , obviously referring to the }{\insrsid16666378 all-girl}{\insrsid2964740 sex.}{\insrsid16674189
\'93No}{\insrsid1465496 ...}{\insrsid16674189 no. }{\insrsid10224566 I\rquote m not into it,}{\insrsid16674189 but it doesn\rquote t bother me.\'94
\'93I bet it would bother Barry,\'94 Hayley }{\insrsid2964740 said acerbically}{\insrsid16674189 . \'93}{\insrsid4985651 He is}{\insrsid2964740 }{\i\insrsid16674189\charrsid4985651 so}{\insrsid16674189 straitlaced.\'94
\'93What the hell is this with Barry?\'94 I snapped. \'93Why do you care about my boyfriend?\'94}{\insrsid2964740
}{\insrsid16674189 Hayley recoiled.}{\insrsid5405775 }{\insrsid2964740 }{\insrsid16674189 \'93}{\insrsid2964740 Jeez, }{\insrsid10224566 Jess. C}{\insrsid2964740 alm }{\insrsid16674189 down}{\insrsid2964740 .}{\insrsid10224566 }{\insrsid2964740 }{
\insrsid16674189 I like the guy, even if he is }{\insrsid6627486 uptight}{\insrsid16674189 .}{\insrsid10224566 \'94
\'93Then why the hell do you keep bringing him up?\'94
\'93}{\insrsid16674189 I want you two to be happy together.\'94
\'93We don\rquote t need }{\i\insrsid16674189\charrsid10224566 you}{\insrsid16674189 to be happy,\'94 I snarled.
\'93}{\insrsid2964740 Fine, whatever}{\insrsid16674189 ,\'94 Hayley said.}{\insrsid2964740 Then she made a show of turning to watch the scenery move past.}{\insrsid16674189 \'93Forget I said anything.\'94
Unfortunately, I couldn\rquote t.}{\insrsid9389350 I was too distracted}{\insrsid1187816 the entire run down the mountain}{\insrsid9389350 \emdash }{\insrsid9505015 furious}{\insrsid9389350 at the way
Hayley was sucking up to Barry and then insulting him to my face. }{\i\insrsid9389350\charrsid14115361 Why was she being such a bitch?}{\i\insrsid9505015\charrsid14115361 It was like she was intentionally trying to piss me off!}{\insrsid16674189
}{\insrsid9505015
}{\i\insrsid9505015\charrsid16019950 Maybe she was}{\insrsid9505015 , I realized, near the bottom of the run. }{\insrsid1187816 While she often started stuff just to watch the resulting fireworks, s}{\insrsid9505015 he could be devious. }{
\i\insrsid9505015\charrsid16666378 What if she wasn\rquote t just trying to get me riled up for the hell of it?}{\insrsid9505015
}{\i\insrsid5839890\charrsid5839890 But Hayley would enjoy pissing me off for the hell of it.}{\insrsid5839890 }{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 She}{\insrsid5839890\charrsid673435 \rquote d}{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435
always been a little too in love with her own cleverness}{\insrsid5839890\charrsid673435 and would}{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 }{\insrsid5839890\charrsid673435 be }{\i\insrsid5839890\charrsid673435 thrilled }{\insrsid5839890\charrsid673435
if she could}{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 }{\insrsid16666378\charrsid673435 get under my skin}{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 in a way that was completely deniable}{\insrsid11011488\charrsid673435 ..}{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 .}{\insrsid673435
}{\insrsid11011488\charrsid673435 l}{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 ike she\rquote d done at the airport talking to Barry.
}{\insrsid9505015
}{\i\insrsid9505015\charrsid5839890 Then again, she could just as easily have some hidden agenda}{\insrsid5839890 .}{\insrsid9505015 }{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 Get me }{\insrsid16666378\charrsid673435 angry }{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435
so I did something or sa}{\insrsid6258188\charrsid673435 id something I shouldn\rquote t. She would}{\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435 like that}{\insrsid15690706\charrsid673435 \emdash let the sorority discipline me because I lost control.}{
\insrsid9505015\charrsid673435
}{\insrsid15690706
I wasn\rquote t sure}{\insrsid11011488 , b}{\insrsid15690706 ut either way, I couldn\rquote t let her get to me.
Hayley was waiting for me when we got to the bottom.
\'93Another run?\'94 she asked, tilting her head toward the lift line.
\'93I have to go to the bathroom,\'94 I }{\insrsid7892591 half-}{\insrsid4152384 lied}{\insrsid15690706 . \'93You go ahead}{\insrsid4152384 .\'94
}{\insrsid15690706 Hayley shrugged and headed to the line. A group of guys}{\insrsid16666378 already there}{\insrsid15690706 }{\insrsid6258188 watched}{\insrsid15690706 her }{\insrsid16666378 approach}{\insrsid15690706 . I }{\insrsid7892591 knew }{
\insrsid15690706 she}{\insrsid7892591 wouldn\rquote t have any}{\insrsid15690706 trouble getting a lift partner.
}{\insrsid7892591 I didn\rquote t really have to go to the bathroom, but I decided to anyway. }{\insrsid16666378 }{\insrsid7892591 Afterward,}{\insrsid15690706 I settled into a seat at the snack bar. }{\insrsid11034556
When Cassie and Patricia showed up, I asked if I could ride up with one of them. Cassie said she\rquote d see us back at the }{\insrsid9927692 chalet }{\insrsid11034556 and I made one final run with Patricia before calling it a day.}{\insrsid15690706
}{\insrsid16674189
}{\insrsid11034556 When we got back to the }{\insrsid9927692 chalet}{\insrsid11034556 , the other girls were hanging out in the main room}{\insrsid7892591 \emdash except for Hayley}{\insrsid10779382 .}{\insrsid11034556
\'93}{\insrsid7892591 W}{\insrsid11034556 hat\rquote s }{\insrsid4810959 going on}{\insrsid11034556 ?\'94 I asked Regan.
\'93The guys should be here soon,\'94 she }{\insrsid7892591 said}{\insrsid11034556 .
\'93Do I have time to shower?\'94
\'93Sure}{\insrsid7892591 . }{\insrsid11034556 And }{\insrsid12858214 once}{\insrsid11034556 Hayley get}{\insrsid12858214 s}{\insrsid11034556 back, you can }{\insrsid7892591 bump up}{\insrsid11034556 .\'94
\'93}{\insrsid7892591 No thanks}{\insrsid11011488 ,\'94}{\insrsid11011488\charrsid11011488 }{\insrsid11011488 I said.}{\insrsid7892591 }{\insrsid12270772 }{\insrsid11011488 \'93}{\insrsid11034556 I\rquote ll pass this time}{\insrsid11011488 .}{
\insrsid11034556 \'94}{\insrsid15155901
When I returned}{\insrsid7892591 from my shower}{\insrsid15155901 , Gina was playing }{\insrsid7892591 cards}{\insrsid15155901 with Cassie in front of the fireplace. Regan and Margot had disappeared, so I settled into a chair. }{\insrsid7892591 When}{
\insrsid15155901 Margot returned}{\insrsid7892591 , I knew right away that she\rquote d done some coke}{\insrsid15155901 .}{\insrsid11034556 }{\insrsid15155901 She}{\insrsid12192521 }{\insrsid7892591 practically bounced over to the stereo and }{
\insrsid12192521 put }{\insrsid7892591 on a}{\insrsid12192521 Joan Jett}{\insrsid7892591 album}{\insrsid12192521 . }{\insrsid15155901 Then }{\insrsid16395413 she }{\insrsid12192521 walked behind the bar and started mixing }{\insrsid16395413 drinks}{
\insrsid12192521 . Regan and Hayley }{\insrsid16395413 walked in a moment later, }{\insrsid12598804 laughing and full of energy.}{\insrsid12192521
}{\insrsid15155901 Patricia came in behind me. She\rquote d changed into a tight}{\insrsid12858214 -}{\insrsid15155901 fitting sweater with a silver necklace. She smiled when I noticed it.
\'93Gotta look good for my guy,\'94 she sa}{\insrsid6258188 i}{\insrsid15155901 d}{\insrsid16395413 .
}{\insrsid15155901 I grinned and nodded.
}{\insrsid5712905 B}{\insrsid12192521 anging}{\insrsid5712905 noises arose from the foyer}{\insrsid12192521 down the stairs. Margot hurried over and turned}{\insrsid16395413\charrsid16395413 }{\insrsid16395413 off}{\insrsid12192521 the music.
}{\insrsid16395413
Deep, laughing voices welled up from below}{\insrsid5712905 . It had to be}{\insrsid16395413 the Pikes. They trampled up the stairs a moment later}{\insrsid5712905 , still clad in their jackets and boots}{\insrsid16395413 .}{\insrsid3493644 Rod was }{
\insrsid16395413 in }{\insrsid3493644 the lead, with Neil right behind and the rest of the guys completely filling the stairwell. Rod looked around, took note of all us women, and}{\insrsid16395413 }{\insrsid3493644 grinned.
}{\insrsid6299760 \'93A party,\'94 he }{\insrsid11011488 said }{\insrsid3493644 sardonically as he pulled}{\insrsid16395413\charrsid16395413 }{\insrsid16395413 off}{\insrsid3493644 his gloves}{\insrsid16416133 , slowly and dramatically}{\insrsid3493644
.}{\insrsid3765535
}{\insrsid3493644 He }{\insrsid16416133 reminded me of a}{\insrsid3493644 conquering Roman general}{\insrsid6445462 , surveying his new domain.}{\insrsid3765535 }{\insrsid3493644 I felt a chill }{\insrsid11011488 run up}{\insrsid3493644 my spine.
\'93Well, now we\rquote re here,\'94 he said as he slowly }{\insrsid6445462 scanned }{\insrsid3493644 the room. \'93Time to }{\i\insrsid3493644\charrsid3493644 really}{\insrsid3493644 get the party started.\'94
}\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12667640 {\insrsid3765535
}{\insrsid3493644 * * * }{\insrsid12214890
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12214890 {\insrsid12214890 \'a9 2006 by be287m. Summer Camp characters and universe \'a9 2006 by Nick Scipio. All rights reserved.}{
\insrsid12214890\charrsid5313205
}{\insrsid11011488
}