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“Um, I’m staying in Evergreen. The big historic place? I forget the name.”
“I know where you’re talking about. All good.”
I glanced up at Charles to make sure he caught it. “Noted, sir.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry,” she said hesitantly. “I don’t know who you are.”
“It’s a little refreshing, honestly.” I leaned back in the seat. “I’m a snowboarder.”
“Win anything?” She tipped her head, her expression one of genuine interest.
“Won a few things. I was actually supposed to go to the Olympics a couple of years back, but I messed up my knee. It hasn’t been the same since.” I extended my leg a little to stretch the tight muscles, as if the reminder of the injury caused it to act up. There wasn’t ever enough legroom for me, a curse of being tall.
“That’s terrible.”
“It was.” I nodded. “It devastated me. Just wasn’t meant to be, I guess.”
“So where are you headed, Flynn the Famous?”
I smiled, somewhat thankful for the company on the ride. “I’m heading home for the first time in a while.”
“Do you have people that will be happy to see you there?”
I thought of my family; my best friend, Steven; his sister, Harper, and everyone else I’d grown up with. Steven had already caved and told me they’d planned a surprise party for me. I wasn’t excited at the prospect of being in the limelight tonight, but I couldn’t wait to see everyone.
“I do. Lots of people.”
“Consider yourself lucky then.” She crossed her ankles and sighed. “That back there was a madhouse. Probably not your first rodeo, but I’m sure having people that care at the end of the day makes it worthwhile.”
Perspective.
Guilt gripped my shoulders, and I glanced out the window. I tried. I still competed in different tournaments, and I helped train. My schedule was fast-paced and chaotic.
But I could make more time to come home. I should.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No, not at all.” I looked back over at her. “You’re right.”
She laughed. “Then why do you look like a man about to walk into his own execution?”
“I wish I could give you the answer to that, but it’s not worth the lawsuit.”
“Ah.” She nodded. “Fair enough.”
“Do you ever wish you could hit the reset button? Just get the world to see you and not all the things other people project into the universe about you?”
“Plenty of times.” She paused, and our eyes locked, a seemingly mutual understanding. “Do you always get this introspective with people you’ve just met?”
“No. I don’t usually get this introspective with people at all.”
“Well, let me tell you this, Flynn the Famous. I know nothing about you other than what I’ve learned during this car ride, and I know all I need to know about you. Someone who stops in the middle of the airport to fish a girl out of one mess while they’re in their own mess? You’re a good person.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
She tsked. “Think what you want. But don’t base it on what other people tell you about yourself.”
