Stiring Past

I retreat from the counter, forgetting my bags there as so many memories come flooding back. All the smiles, the laughter, the fun, the lovemaking. Everything about him because we did so many things together back then. I always knew I had to face him one day, Jacob. But I just didn't know it'd be this soon. And I always felt anytime I did see him, prepared or not, I'd be able to stand it but I can't. I just ran out of there like a coward. Afraid to face my fears.

"Becca!"

No! No! He can't be calling me. Don't tell me he followed me out here. I increase my step, I wasn't running but I was fast walking in this cold, which seemed impossible when I first arrived.

Someone grabs my hand swirling me around and I'm met with the most delicious Coral blue eyes, so warm and inviting. I shrug my hands away from him and he just stood there, unable to say a word. I on the other hand had a zillion things to say but didn't know where to start.

"It's good to see you again Becca. It's been so long" he finally says, breaking the silence between us.

"I wonder whose fault that is" I sigh, folding my hands not because I'm trying to be sassy, but because I'm fucking freezing.

He lowered his head, sighing. "Look...I know we didn't part so good but...I figured that was in the past"

What? The audacity of him to say that was in the past. Yes, it is, but it still hurt. And it hurts, even more, to know that he didn't care. He said it just now like our time together meant nothing.

"Leave me alone Jacob" I mutter under my breath.

"I understand if you don't want to see me again, but if you'd let me explains myself"

I hold my hand up. "I'm not here to hear whatever shit you have to say. Ok? So save your explanation for someone who cares" I say brushing past him, but he grabs my hand again, turning me to him, I'm getting irritated.

"I didn't forget you, Becca," he said and my heart did a little skip before I slapped it back to where it ought to be.

"I don't care," I say and walk away, leaving him standing there in the cold. I enter the reception again, walling to the counter, and the lady smiles at me.

"Becca Sanders?" She asked and I nod.

"Great! Someone name Bailey Colton Paid the bills just now, under your name. Here are your keys" she said and my eyes widen. That was quick. I wanted to ask her a question when I see Jacob walk into the closed space so I quickly thank her, collect my keys and hurry away.

°°°

What the fucking hell do I do?

"I didn't forget about you, Becca" was what he said but for all I know, he could be lying. Oh! I slump to the floor against the door of my suit. Baileys and Colton's was the next door.

I wasn't crying, just thinking. For some reason, my heart was beating like crazy since I saw him and it won't stop. Maybe a warm bath would help. Then that coffee I promised myself, but no novel Because Romance would just make me think of Jacob. I'll just watch a Rom-Com movie on Netflix. That should do.

I stand up from the door and finally appreciate the view of my suite. It's lovely and well standard, overlooking the mountains, and a plain natural ice ring. I got to take my skating lessons cause I'm not so good.

I'm shivering when I step into the tub, but I immediately warm up from the heat.

°°°

"No way!" Bailey said over the phone before laughing. "I don't believe it. Jacob Fox is there!"

"He is," I say with a worried tone. I may act strong, but I'm not. Just seeing him is breaking me and then he goes ahead and say he didn't forget me. And I'll be here a week, I wonder how long he'd be here.

"Woooow!" She elongates it before sighing. "Your luck I guess. Maybe it's a sign that you guys are meant to be"

"Stop it!" I tell her. My heart can't take any fluffy talk right now.

"Fine, fine...just be alright till we come tomorrow yeah?" She says and I nod.

"Sure. How's Kai?"

"She's good. No longer vomiting"

"That's good"

"Yeah... she'd be fit for travel by tomorrow" Bailey assures me.

"Good. Because I can't stay here alone"

She chuckles. "He doesn't bite, Becca. Facing him might be a good thing" she says before hanging up.

Huh! Why did that make a lot of sense?

°°°

I take my bath that early the next morning, giving my hair a good blow before I ribbon it up in a loose bun and stepping out of the bathroom. I select a knitted green sweater that makes me look like the grinches each time I wear it but I don't care. I love it. It's from Kai for the last two years, and if I'll be getting them from the airport, I might as well wear this to make her feel good.

I slip on an old pair of dark jeans before wearing my thickest boot. I hurry out of my suit, locking up behind me.

It sounded like a good idea to have breakfast at the Lodge's breakfast cafe, also it had a great view, and it was warm, with lots of fireplaces, wooden booths that made it look like the movies, and the snow outside was just perfect.

"What would you like miss?" One of the waiters smiled down at me and I pick up the menu, glancing through. The items all look good so I just settle with warm chocolate and croissants. When Bailey and the rest come, we'll have a real good feast.

The waiter exits and someone else stood in front of me. I didn't have to look up before I knew who it was so I just kept my gaze steady on the menu.

"What are you doing about moving without hand gloves" Jacob reprimands me before seating and I glare at him.

"I don't see how that's your concern". I calmly say and he frowns.

"Still stubborn huh?" He sighs.

The waiter comes back with my little breakfast and I thank him with a smile before he walks away. Breakfast, dinner, and lunch were all paid for when I booked in yesterday. This place is perfect and I couldn't love it any less.

"What do you want Jacob?" I ask before staring at him. His gaze was on my lips before he blinks, looking up at me in the eye. My heart does a summersault. Why is the openly checking me out?

"Just to simply talk to you" he approaches wisely.

"Or to sleep with me," I say out of the blues and I see his eyes sparkle. "You know it was all about the sex while we were dating" I add and he purses his lips.

"I did love you," he says and I breathe out slowly before sipping on my hot chocolate. Did was what he said which means he has no feelings for me now. What am I thinking? It's been years!

"You had a shallow way of showing it" I Accuse with narrow eyes.

"I told it to you every day"

"Until he packed your bags and left without a word. Not even a warning"

Though we fought sometimes in the last few weeks of us being together and over little things, we always made up in bed. We were bound to fall and I should've seen it coming.

"I'll keep apologizing for that my whole life," he says and I roll my eyes.

"Nothing to apologize for," I say.

"You should at least hear why I left"

"I don't care"

"I called you some few times after I left but it always went to voicemail"

"I didn't feel like answering or hearing whatever you had to say" I hum and he lowers his head.

"It's not my fault you hate me. You hate me right?"

"Yes," I spit before drinking the last content of my chocolate and passing over the Croissants because I'd lost my appetite.

"Can we at least talk some time? Try to fix us" he suggests and I chuckled.

"There's no use to fix. Us ended years ago" I tell him and he nods.

"I know it, I just can't stand you hating me. At least we can be friends?"

Oh.

"No," I say getting up and he stands up too, grabbing my hand.

"What are you doing today? I'll like to show you around"

"I know this place" I lie. "I don't need you babysitting me. Thank you" I tell him and he sighs but not letting my hand go.

"Are you here with someone?" I see curiosity in his eyes and I mentally shake my head at how annoyingly possessive he could be sometimes.

"No. But I'm having Bailey and her family over today" I say and he smiles.

"Bailey the dude?" He questions. Of course, he remembers her and that used to be his little nickname for her. Let's face it. Bailey was kind of wild when we were in college.

"I'm picking her at the airport this morning" I don't even know why I'm telling him this thing but he's looking at me with lots of interest.

"Let me come with?"

"No"

"That seems to be your favorite word recently," he says with an amused stare my way.

"It solves all my problems"

Either way, he doesn't back down as he presses his side to mine, coming close to me. "From here to the airport is a long trip. It's cold, and you need an Uber to bring them here" he says and he was making a point. I know what I went through yesterday.

"And who's the they anyway" he asked

"She's married now with a kid," I say.

"Wow. That's great" he smiles. "So can I come?"

"Sure, Whatever. But don't try to talk to me on the way there or back" I point at him and he chuckles, his eyes dimming. It makes me smile internally.

He takes my hand as we walk out of the cafe. "I still don't like it that you're not wearing gloves," he says and I shoot him a warning glare.

"Stop it," I say.

"Have mine".

"I'm still stubborn, but you're still pestering and annoying as ever," I say making him grin.