Chapter 38
Connor
Nothing unites people quite like having a common enemy. Grey might have been able to come out ahead of this had he gracefully accepted the loss of his power over Vox, apologized, and vowed to help Vox and his dad reconnect in any way he could.
Instead, he turned his wrath on me. The one who has nothing to offer. The one who’s lucky enough to have earned the affection of the man next to me. The one who’s…moving in with his boyfriend?
“Did you just ask me to move in with you?”
Vox’s eyes darken when he looks at me. “Yeah, I did. How great would that be? No more hiding, not having to go days apart because someone is watching our every move? We could just be a boring couple.”
“Baby, you couldn’t be boring if you tried.” I kiss his knuckles with a smile.
“Is that a yes, then?” Vox asks, his voice full of hope.
“I want it to be a yes, but I need a plan, Vox. I’m thirty years old. I need some permanent direction,” I explain, hating that it sounds like a no.
“Maybe I can help with that,” Turner Montgomery pipes up.
“It’s part of the reason I’m here, and the biggest reason I believe Grey kept us apart,” he says, swinging his eyes to Vox.
“Ten years ago, I started a boarding company, as I mentioned. I’ve always had a passion for riding.
Whether it be a wave or a mountain, I didn’t care, but I never had the competitive spirit like Vox, so I went into design.
Took a couple of basic business and marketing classes and developed a prototype.
Started with surf and skateboards since I’d been living in Southern California, but the mountains have been calling me back for a while.
Having a kid was never part of my plan, Vox, but the older I get, the easier it’s become to see that the things in my life I didn’t plan for are easily the best. Including you.
” Turner coughs, clearly choking back tears, and then apologizes and returns his attention to me.
“All that to say, I’ve made enough money to expand the shop to include snowboards and would love to move home.
Connor, I need someone with design knowledge.
Someone who knows boarding and what the latest technology is.
Someone who can help get me athletes, open a shop, and market the brand. ”
Immediately, my eyes flash to Vox.
“That would be your son,” I tell him truthfully.
He smiles sadly. “I have no doubt about that, but unfortunately, he’s already spoken for.”
And there it is.
Grey knew that if Vox found out the truth, he wouldn’t renew his contract with Patterson Performance. He’d go with his dad’s company, taking his clout and his entire following with him. Feeling used and betrayed, Vox throws the rest of his second drink back and slams the glass onto the table.
“How the fuck am I supposed to keep racing for Patterson knowing what I know now?” Vox asks before saying, “I’m pulling out of the Winter Classic.”
“If you do that, I’ll support you,” I tell him. “But you’ll be leaving a lot of money on the table, Vox. Money you’ll potentially need if this shit with Grey ends up requiring an attorney, or if he proves us wrong and fires us both.”
His jaw clenches, and I can tell he’s on overload. Vox doesn’t want this drama. He just wants to race.
But suddenly, Vox’s eyes light up as he whips his head toward me.
“In that case, what if you race, too?”
My stomach drops out of my ass.
“What? Vox, no.”
“Connor, you kicked my ass on those runs the other day. You told Grey you let me have the win, but we both know you got to the bottom before I did. Hell, you board better now than you did five years ago.” Vox gains speed as he talks, his excitement over this idea clear as day.
I’m not really considering it, but then his dad chimes in.
“I’ll sponsor you. Let me get a patch on your jacket.
I can sign you up as a late entry. You missed time trials, so you’ll be given the shit-end on starting position, but you’re Connor Lang.
You can outboard damn near anybody.” Placing a fatherly hand on my forearm, he adds, “Maybe we can both get a redemption story out of this.”
My mouth is dry.
“The race is in less than forty-eight hours,” I say weakly.
“Baby, you’ve been riding with me for weeks now, and it’s like you never missed a beat,” Vox says.
I can’t deny that the idea excites me, but what if I panic? What if my comeback turns into a setback from all the progress I’ve made?
Vox brings one hand to my face. “Hey, I’ll ride if you do. You owe me a race anyway, remember?”
I nuzzle into his hand before kissing his palm. It would be nice to have a little extra cash. Even the second-place prize purse is worth chasing at this event.
“Okay,” I finally agree in a whisper, my heart pounding in my chest.
Vox’s dad clears his throat.
“You two seem like a good team.” Looking right at me, he says, “Watching you guys now, it’s clear I was wrong when I said you cared for him.
” Oh, shit. Vox and I haven’t used the L-word yet.
Danced around it? Yes. Claimed each other?
Also, yes. Actually admitted to loving each other?
No. And I’m about to be outed. I know it.
But before I can stop him, Turner says, “It makes me really fucking happy to see someone love my son for who he is and not what he can do for them.”
Vox laughs next to me.
“That’s a little presumptuous, Dad. Connor and I—”
Turner’s eyes go wide as he interrupts Vox, repeating my internal monologue. “Oh, shit. You haven’t told him.”
Vox turns to me. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, what now? Do I have a tattoo on my forehead that says ‘Loves Secrets’? Because I don’t. I don’t love them.”
With a tight smile, I explain. “I may have told your dad that I’m in love with you. I thought he was trying to take advantage of you and cause trouble, and he said it was clear that I care about you…and that didn’t feel strong enough, so I corrected him without thinking,” I ramble.
“Hey, Connor?”
I sigh, waiting for Vox to tell me this is moving too fast. “Yeah?”
“I fucking love you, too. But from here on out, you tell me that shit first, got it?”
A smile spreads across my lips as I nod.
“Yeah, hotshot. I got it.”
Vox kisses me despite our current company. When he pulls back, he looks at his dad. “Oh, uh, yeah…Dad, this is my boyfriend.”
His dad grins. “I figured as much when you came in holding hands. Not to mention, Mr. Lang here can’t peel his eyes off you for more than three seconds at a time.”
I smile, knowing I look guilty as fuck. “Yeaaaahh, that’s probably what tipped Grey off about us.”
“It doesn’t bother you that I’m with a man?” Vox asks his dad. It sucks that he feels like he has to ask, but I get it. Better to face the reaction upfront.
Turner chuckles. “Voxy, I don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to judging any of your choices.
My only concern is that you end up with someone who treats you right, and based on his reaction earlier this morning, it’s obvious that Connor does.
” Turning to look at me, Turner quirks a brow.
“The fact that he’s with you now tells me it must be serious. ”
“More serious than I’ve been about anything in a long time,” I admit.
Turner nods, and his gaze intensifies. “So, what do you say, Connor? Will you race for Fall Line Boards?”
I already know I’m going to do it, but I take a quick moment to sit with that knowledge before finally offering an answer.
“It’d be an honor.” Looking at Vox, I ask. “You’re sure this is what you want?”
“For you to have a job in the sport you love? To finally get the chance to race you? To know you’re safe from Grey’s reach? To reconnect with my dad?” he asks, attempting to paint the picture of how happy he is by being a smartass. I fucking love him. “Yeah, baby. I’m sure.”
Across the table from us, Turner begins setting the plan in motion.
“I know you’re probably contract-shy right now, not to mention your current one most likely states that you can’t accept jobs from competitors while working for Patterson.
Grey made it pretty clear that you’re in breach of your current contract simply by being with my son, and since we don’t know if he’s going to retaliate, it’s best not to add more offenses.
To protect you, why don’t we keep this plan quiet until race day?
The big reveal can be with the media afterward, when you and Vox stand on the podium together. ”
My palms begin to sweat when I think about the actual race.
“What if it’s supposed to be this big comeback and I choke?” I ask, panic rising in my voice.
Vox’s hand flies to my shoulder as the waitress comes to ask if we’d like another round. I desperately want one, but if I’m in race mode, I need every brain cell on board. Vox also declines. This meeting is producing far more potential for positive outcomes than either of us was anticipating.
“That’s why this is perfect,” Vox says. “No one will know it’s you until the end. No one will recognize the brand. And I’ll be with you the whole time. Just stick with me.”
I can’t help the taunt that leaves my lips.
“It’s hard to stick with you if you can’t keep up.”
Vox purses his lips. “Here I am, trying to console you and build you up, and you go straight for my heart. Some boyfriend you are.”
Laughing, I wrap my arms around his torso and awkwardly bury my face in his neck the best I can since I’m sitting next to him in the booth. “I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry.”
“No, you dick…take your pity hugs somewhere else,” he says, now joining me in laughter.
Finally, Turner’s voice reaches our ears.
“I have one more thing I’d like you both to consider.
” Immediately, he has our attention. “I want you both on my team. Racing, development, marketing, whatever you want. Working with partners, especially when the relationship is this new, can be challenging, but I’d love for you guys to consider relocating to Telluride—home.
Build this with me.” His eyes boring into Vox, he adds, “Let’s make up for lost time.
I know you’re committed to Patterson, but given the history, we can probably get you out of that contract.
I’m not asking for an answer right now. You’ve already given me so much just by coming here today.
I just want you to know your options. Connor, I’ll take care of getting you added to the competition.
Do you have a board you want to use? I’d love for you to take ours for a spin, but your first competition back, I’m happy for you to use what’s comfortable. ”
My board.
My board.
One more race.
Redemption for us both. For us all.
“I have a board I’d like to use for this race, and then I’ll happily ride Fall Line with pride.” As an afterthought, I say, “I love the company name, by the way.”
Turner’s cheeks flush pink.
“Thanks. I noticed early on that it’s Vox’s specialty, basically diving right for it every chance he gets, whether it’s the safest route or not.
It’s clear he enjoys the thrill of dominating the steepest terrain.
I know snowboard cross is a new event for you, but your racing style is designed for it. ”
“You named your boarding company after me?” Vox asks next to me.
“The snowboard division, yes. The surf and skate brand is different. People don’t trust a company that dips its toes in too many different areas, so the companies are separate to maintain their specialties.”
He’s given this a lot of thought, which sets me at ease. Turner Montgomery may once have been a man who floated on the wind and caved to his selfish nature, but he’s now a man who plans, a man who fights for what he wants, a man determined to win.
Yeah, against the odds, I like Turner Montgomery.
My boyfriend’s father.
My new boss.