AllFreeNovel
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“Damn, those guys know how to get you to do stuff. You know, I even helped Garrett file the papers for a nonprofit on my off days,” he tells me and shakes his head, but he smiles anyway.
“They have a tendency to persuade people.” I giggle. “Remember the time they convinced us to sky dive?” I fake shiver. “I still have nightmares when I get on a plane.”
“Me too.” He chuckles, then he is quiet for a moment before he says, “Thank you again for telling me what Ronnie said.” His gaze darts to my face. I still see the hurt in his eyes, but there is something else there too. Like he made his peace.
“Of course,” I tell him, taking him in my arms.
He holds me tight. “You seem happy here. I saw it the moment you came barreling down the mountain with your snowboarder.”
“I don’t know,” I say, letting him go. “I didn’t realize how much I missed this town,” I confess, not knowing if I really mean it.
“Does that snowboard guy have something to do with your change of heart about this place?”
“Maybe.” I smile.
“Do you think your father is going to be here?” he asks, pointing in the direction of the pipe and the banners with my last name there.
I lean my arms against the railing. “When I was a kid, I used to go to events like this, organized by dad’s company. I stopped going after…” I tell him, my voice faltering.
“Are you meeting up with him?” he asks.
“I think I’m going to stay here for a couple of days, swing by my folks and help the guys out with their house,” I yell, trying to be heard over the roar of the audience when the riders are introduced, the video screen flashing with pictures of the riders in the distance.
Shane leans against the railing, locking eyes with me. “I want you to be happy, Acie,” he says softly.
“I want that for you too.”
“And the guy is kind of hot.” He grimaces, making a face. I chuckle, poking him in his stomach with my elbow.
“Ow.” He fake winces, draping an arm over my shoulder. “Take a chance, Ace, you never know what might happen. Trust me, you shouldn’t waste a moment to tell people how you feel about them.”
“I know, but you know I’m not the best decision maker.” I giggle, looking at the pipe and the riders making their way down. I pick up from the commentators this is a practice ride.
“Have you heard from your guy?” he asks, staring at the pipe.
I shrug. “I don’t know,” I say, letting out a slow breath. Maybe my brother is right. I’m fucking scared shitless of what can go wrong, or right, a little voice in the back of my mind always whispering.
“Why not? I thought you liked him?” he asks, giving me a reassuring smile.
“I do, it’s just …” I begin, not knowing how I want to finish my sentence.
“He seems nice enough, when I think back to the shit we pulled when we were kids.” Shane chuckles. “He may be wild like your brothers were, but they have their hearts in the right place.”
“I know, I’m just scared.”
“We all are,” he says, staring at the pipe.
“What if it doesn’t work out?” I whisper.
“What if it doesn’t even begin?” he asks, brushing his shoulder against mine. “You should take a chance, Acie. Sometimes you need to let go.”
“You are the second guy who told me I need to start letting him go,” I tell him, and a part of me knows I should. “Ronnie always said love is the most important thing in the world, along with friendship and family.” I half smile, staring at the snow.
“The fucker had a way with words,” he says, wiping at his eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m a mess, but I’m getting there.” He flashes me a broken smile.
“So tell me what’s going to happen here?” he asks, looking at the pipe in the distance.
“Cill kind of explained it to me.” I chuckle, following his gaze. “The riders have three runs, and each time they get a score at the end. The one with the highest score wins.”
