He doesn't specify what exactly about her he is apologizing for, but I nod again. "It's fine." Even though it isn't. He stays quiet but speaks up again. "So, what? You can be friendly with your douchebag ex, but not with me?" That angers me. "Do I have to remind you why we can't see each other right now? Xavier said he'll hurt my aunt and Casey. I can't let anything happen to them." "You know I wouldn't let Xavier put them in danger—" "I know you wouldn't. We just have to be smart." This exchange of emotional pleas is heading into dangerous territory and I know we'll do something stupid if we continue. "Just stick to what you told me the other day." That we can't see each other while he's with Kay. His lips form a tight line and I walk ahead of him. I only hope all of this will only be a bump in the road, instead of Dylan taking off in a different direction. After we get back from the trail, my cold gets worse. Even in the warm cabin, I have on a long sleeve with another sweater over it. I even keep a whole tissue pack in my pocket for my nose. Everyone leaves to go skiing around lunch time, except for me and Delilah. She doesn't want me to get sick beyond belief, so she's enforced a strict stay-inside-while-you-get-better rule. I've only gone skiing once, but I was willing to try again until my body decided to attack itself. Delilah wants to bake some things before everyone gets back, so she's in the kitchen with me sitting at the counter watching her work. She doesn't let me near the goodies, but she hands over small samples to taste. "The peppermint bark is so good," I tell her after taking a bite. "That's a great recipe." "It's an old family recipe," she says as she starts the process for pumpkin bread. "My grandmother is a baking legend in my family. She loves being in the kitchen, and since my mom isn't much of a baker, she passed the recipes to me instead." The way she speaks about her grandma makes me think of my own. I haven't seen my grandparents very much since Thanksgiving and I instantly feel bad for not visiting them more often. "My grandma is more of a sewing kind of lady. She likes to cook and bake, but ask her to hem your pants and she'll drop everything to do it," I say, smiling as I think about her. "I wish I knew how. I can't sew to save my life," she says, going to the refrigerator. I'm not sure if my aunt mentioned my parents to her, but Delilah doesn't ask about them. I think that's what I like the most about her so far. She isn't looking to know my whole life story. She's just focused on making sure I'm okay for the weekend. By four o'clock, she's made pumpkin bread, peppermint bark, and a surprise cake for Reece. She takes her time creating the two-tier cake, and frosts it to perfection before stashing it away so Reece won't see it. Everyone arrives soon after from skiing and the cabin is filled with animated chatter. Casey throws her arm around me and grins. "How did it go?" I ask her, feeling the cold air come off her body. Her nose is red and her hair is in a French braid with some pieces loose. "I fell the most out of everyone, but it was fun," she says as she rubs her backside. "I'm definitely going to be sore in the morning." "I didn't realize Anthony was such a champ at skiing," John pats Anthony on the shoulder. "That was almost Olympic level." Anthony waves it off. "No way." Kay and Dylan are noticeably absent. I don't want to be nosey about Dylan so I glance at Casey and ask, "Where's Kay?" She rolls her eyes. "She went upstairs to freshen up, I guess. She argued with Dylan most of the time." Part of me hopes she'll break up with him so I can have him all to myself and not have to worry about her or her brother again. Everyone stays in the kitchen and snacks on the goodies while I walk upstairs to put my sweater away. Interacting with everyone has warmed me up. While in my room, I hear Dylan's voice in Kay's room. I try not to eavesdrop, but curiosity gets the best of me and I stand by the door so I can hear better. "You're only here because of her," Kay snaps at him. "How about I tell Xavier right now that you're going behind my back talking to her?" Panic mode strikes inside me. "Can you stop acting so insane and just have fun?" Dylan demands. "I haven't even spoken to her, so how am I going behind your back?" I assume they're talking about me and I know Dylan is lying to her. He clearly hasn't told her we talked on the trail and he probably doesn't want her to know. Kay doesn't say anything and I think they're done. Then Dylan says, "Listen, I won't talk to her, look at her, or even think about her. I don't care about her anymore, okay? I care about you." The words sting like little knives penetrating my skin. Hearing those words come from his mouth so sincerely hurts worse than the day we broke up. I'm not sure if he's only saying it so she won't talk to Xavier, or if our situation is now becoming permanent. I can't listen anymore. I quietly walk to the stairs and descend into the living room where Casey, Reece, and Anthony are. It's around six o'clock when John starts to make grilled chicken while Delilah makes a side of pasta. The dining table isn't big enough to fit everyone, so we all eat in the living room while watching Reece's favorite movie: Die Hard. After we finish eating, we all help clean up until Delilah brings out Reece's cake. Reece stands next to me as she places the cake in front of him on the counter. "She makes a surprise cake every year," he chuckles. We sing Happy Birthday to him and the boys tease him about what he's wished for as he remains tight-lipped. Delilah starts to cut the cake while Dylan and Kay stand right behind me, making me feel trapped. My phone buzzes in my pocket and I think it's my aunt checking in, but Jacob's name pops up on the screen. It's a text message from him. Hey, you doing anything tonight? I bite my lip and text him back quickly. I'm out of town for the night. It's short and to the point, but I can't help but wonder why he's asking in the first place, so I text him again. Why? I feel a presence close to me so I glance over and find Kay peering down at my phone, obviously being nosey. I lock my phone and stare at her. She smirks. "Texting your ex-boyfriend?" Anthony, Dylan, and Casey all look at me since they're within earshot of Kay. I want to hit Kay for being so nosey. "Why are you worried about who I'm texting?" I ask her as my phone buzzes again. "I just think it's a little pathetic to be texting your ex, that's all," she shrugs.