TIME TO GET A LIFE
MATTHEW
I ’d been half-assing it at our family’s resort ever since my return. I knew that my brothers and my dad had been taking it easy on me, but I was starting to get the idea that their patience might be wearing a little thin. None of them had said anything outright, but I still sensed it lingering. Or maybe it was just me.
I was in charge of all the social media—which, to be honest, I felt like any idiot with a cell phone could do these days.
It wasn’t challenging.
And it sure as hell wasn’t fulfilling.
As I walked through the lobby, which was decorated in a stunning display for spring, I did what was expected of me and snapped a few shots with my phone to post online later. There. Less than two minutes, and a full day’s work was completed, if not more.
Shaking my head, I walked down the long hall toward Thomas’s office, trying my best to avoid my dad from seeing that I was on the property. When I reached my brother’s door, I knocked on the wood and poked my head inside.
“Matthew, hey! Come in,” he said with a grin.
It was scary how much we looked alike.
“What’s up?” he asked, leaning back in his chair like he didn’t have a care in the world.
I thought that was what finding the right person did to a man. It made him happy. It made him whole. It made all the other bullshit seem less important.
I sat down and grimaced. “What the hell am I doing?”
He reared his head back and folded his hands in front of him. “Can you be a little more specific?”
“Here. At the resort. This social media bullshit. I know you guys gave me the job as a favor, but I hate it.”
“Really? You hate it?” He sounded absolutely surprised. “I only say that because your pictures are really fucking good. I had no idea you didn’t enjoy it.”
“I want to do more,” I blurted out without thinking. I hadn’t thought any of this through before showing up here.
“Are you ready for more? I think that’s all we’ve been wanting to hear. None of us wanted to push you,” he said.
While I was thankful for their consideration of my feelings, I felt like it wasn’t helpful.
“We’ve got to figure out a different job for me here,” I said, running my fingers through my hair. “I have no idea what, but there must be something more important that I could do.”
Working at the resort had always been my endgame. I had known I’d move back home to Sugar Mountain and run the place with my brothers, and I’d truly looked forward to that day. It just wasn’t supposed to have happened so soon. My hockey career wasn’t supposed to be over already.
Thomas gave me a crooked grin, and I knew he had an idea. I could tell just by the look on his face.
He put up a finger and reached for his phone. “Give me one sec,” he said before dialing. “Patrick. Can you come to my office real quick?”
He’d called our other brother. This was either going to be brilliant or a total clusterfuck—I wasn’t sure which.
When Thomas hung up the phone, I gave him a narrowed look. “What are you up to?”
“You’ll see.” He only grinned wider.
“Can you give me a hint?” I shrugged.
He shook his head. “Nope. Wait for Patrick.”
“Isn’t he a little busy with the new builds?” I asked.
Patrick was overseeing the plethora of new bungalows we were building to go with the newly completed wedding barn. It was going to be a huge hit, and we all knew it.
“He can spare twenty minutes,” Thomas answered.
I tossed my head back and stared at the ceiling, pretending to be annoyed, but it wasn’t like I had anything else to do anyway. Blowing out a breath, I started counting the beams when Patrick waltzed in.
“What’s—” He stopped short. “Matthew. What’s up?” Patrick asked.
“Close the door,” Thomas directed.
Patrick shut it before sitting down in the chair next to mine.
“Our little brother here hates social media,” Thomas said as soon as Patrick sat.
“I didn’t say I hated social media. I said, I hated doing the social media for the resort,” I clarified.
Thomas waved me off. “Same thing.”
“So, why am I here?” Patrick wondered out loud, his eyes looking between me and Thomas.
Thomas leaned forward, his elbows on top of his desk. “I have an idea,” he announced, and my heart started to pound. “Hear me out before you say no.” He said the last sentence while looking right at me.
I swallowed, my throat thick with anticipation.
“Here’s the thing: I don’t like interacting with the public and our disgruntled guests if I don’t have to,” Thomas announced.
Patrick and I both started laughing.
“You don’t say.”
Thomas shot me a look. “But for whatever reason, there’s always been this unspoken rule that I’m supposed to take over as general manager when Dad retires.” He thumbed toward our dad’s office.
I straightened up in my chair, my attention completely piqued. “You don’t want Dad’s job?”
“Hell no,” he said with a breath. “I love what I do. I do not love what Dad does.”
Patrick threw up both hands. “I sure as hell don’t want to do it,” he added.
Patrick was superior at building and fixing things. It was his jam.
“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” I asked slowly, part of me still in disbelief.
“If you think I’m suggesting that we talk to Dad together and you start training to take over as GM of the resort, then yes,” Thomas said in a tone that sounded like this wasn’t some kind of huge deal when it absolutely was.
“You’d be so much better at it than Thomas would,” Patrick said with a laugh.
“You’re good with people. Everyone loves you. You’re definitely the most charming of the three of us.” Thomas continued selling me on… well, me.
“I am the most charming. But the competition is pretty bleak,” I added with a grin.
The truth was that I was good with people. I liked making them happy and felt like it never took much for that to happen.
“What do you think?” Thomas asked before eyeing both of us.
“I’m not sure why we never thought about it before, to be honest,” Patrick said.
I suddenly felt like things were starting to look up.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but didn’t want to pressure Matthew before he was ready,” Thomas added. “Would you even be interested?”
I found myself nodding. “I would. I mean, I only know half the stuff Dad does, but I think I could be really good at it. Maybe. What do you think he’ll say?”
That was the real question. I had no idea if our dad would back this or push against it. My brothers had been here, making a name for themselves at the resort, while I’d been away, playing hockey.
“Leave Dad to me,” Thomas said. “But the three of us will have to meet with him at some point. He won’t believe that you want to do this unless he hears it from your mouth directly.”
“Sounds good to me,” Patrick said as he pushed to a stand. “We done here?”
My brother couldn’t wait to get back to work. I wanted to feel that way again. I’d assumed that nothing could make me feel as passionate and fired up as playing professional hockey, but this was the most excitement I’d felt since I’d been back. Bells and all the things I wanted to do to her aside.
“I put an offer in on a house,” I announced, and Patrick sat right back down.
“What?” both of my brothers asked in unison.
“When?” Thomas wondered.
“I literally just suggested that to you the other day,” Patrick added with an incredulous look.
“And I listened to you.” I grinned, letting him think it was all his idea. “Bells took me. We put in an offer, and we’re going back and forth a little in negotiations. But I love this fucking house,” I said as the weight on my heart started to feel a little bit lighter.
Things in my life were maybe going to be okay. I had lost my hockey career, but I could still turn out all right. Maybe, just maybe, I could have it all.
“Did she go under duress?” Patrick asked, referring to Bells.
“Did you have to kidnap her?” Thomas laughed, and I growled at them both. “I bet he had to kidnap her.”
“Definitely forced her to go.” Patrick nodded in agreement.
“Are you two done?”
“Not really,” Thomas said.
“This is fun.” Patrick grinned.
I sat there and took it, knowing that I’d been just as annoying to the two of them since I’d moved back home. But being on this end of the verbal jabbing was nowhere near as enjoyable as being the one who was doing it.
“Where’s the house at?” Thomas cocked his head to the side.
“It’s in the Knolls. Gated. Land. Stunning,” I answered. “As soon as they say it’s mine, we’ll go see it.”
That little bud of excitement started blooming in my chest again. It had been crushed since the day I’d gotten injured on the ice and never made a full recovery. I could have continued playing in the league. My coach would have let me, but I’d never be the same kind of player that I used to be and we all knew it. That was why I retired. So, looking forward to something new felt foreign. A little uncomfortable even.
“This is big news. Congratulations.”
Thomas stood and reached for me, pulling me into a hug.
“Thanks. Not mine yet, but hopefully soon.”
Patrick was up next, embracing me and slapping my back. “This is all good stuff. Wait. Do you have a room for Clara? ’Cause I’ve already done that. You have to get your own thing,” he said, bringing our sweet niece into the conversation.
“A room? I’m going to give her a whole damn floor. Compete with that.” I shoved his shoulder, and his smile dropped instantly as he pondered my words.
“I have a dog. She’ll still love me most,” Patrick said, trying to convince himself.
“I’ll get two then,” I lied.
“Don’t listen to him,” Thomas interjected. “He’s just trying to piss you off.”
“It’s working,” Patrick practically growled.
“Go back to work, Patrick. Matthew, hold up a sec,” Thomas demanded as he headed back around his desk and sat down.
Patrick walked out, a frown still marring his face, and it made me laugh. Once he was gone, Thomas cleared his throat, and I turned to face him before sitting back down.
“What’s up?”
“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” he said.
I wasn’t exactly sure what he was referring to.
“It’s just… I know you’ve been sad since you got back. I hate to see you that way, but I understand why you are. I mean, we never ask you about it or talk about how you’re feeling, but Brooklyn said we can’t keep ignoring it.”
I shifted in the chair, leaning forward and inhaling deep through my nose. “Yeah, I’m sad. I always knew that my hockey career would end, but I never expected to get hurt, you know? I never thought about it once. Like getting hurt wasn’t a possibility for me. Other guys? Sure. But me? No way.”
He nodded like he understood completely, even though he couldn’t. Not really. “You know that we’re all here for you if you need anything, right? We love you.”
“I know that. It’s just not something you can fix for me. I have to work through this on my own.”
“Are you? Working through it?” He looked so concerned.
It reminded me of the way he used to watch me after our mom died, like I might fall down a rabbit hole at any second.
“Not really, but I feel like this is a good first step,” I said, hoping he’d accept that answer because it was the truth.
“And the house,” he said, his expression completely morphing from concern to excitement.
“It helps too.” I smiled, wanting to lessen his worry.
I hated when anyone worried about me. It made me feel helpless, like a child.
“And Bella?” he pushed, and I shot him a look.
“If I could get her to give me the time of day…” I knew my tone sounded as exasperated as I felt when it came to her.
“Seriously, what did you do to that girl?”
I gave a slight shrug. “I haven’t quite figured that out yet.”
“I know it probably sucks for you, but it is fun for us to watch.” He laughed, and I blew out a breath.
“Don’t get used to it,” I said because when it came to Bells, I was going to wear her down. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out, seeing a text from Bells about the house. “I gotta go. Let me know when you talk to Dad. And thank you.”
“Post some social media content in the meantime, brother,” he shouted as I left his office in a rush and ran straight into our dad.
“Dad. Hey…” I stumbled on my words, but he looked so damn happy.
“Matthew. Good to see you.” He pulled me in for a hug. “Where are you rushing off to?”
I fidgeted for only a second, suddenly nervous around my old man—and I was never nervous around him. “I’m meeting Bella at the diner. I think I might have bought a house.”
He grinned so big that all the wrinkles exposed themselves around his eyes. “A house, huh?” He moved to peek inside Thomas’s office. “Did you know this knucklehead went and bought himself a house? Am I the last to know? You boys don’t tell me anything anymore.”
“I literally just found out,” Thomas said as he joined us in the hallway.
“I put in an offer, and I was waiting to see if I’d get it or not,” I explained, feeling guilty for leaving my dad out of this decision, but I’d been leaving everyone out of everything lately.
“That’s exciting news. Let us know if you get it. And tell that little Isabella I said hi. You should bring her to the farm for dinner,” he said with a mischievous grin.
Did everyone know I was obsessed with the woman?
“Have you seen the way she reacts to him?” Thomas asked with a laugh, and my dad actually started cracking up as well.
They were both standing there, laughing… at me.
“I’ve never seen a girl dislike you before,” my dad added as he tried to catch his breath.
“I am so glad this amuses all of you.”
“I’m just giving you hell, son.” My dad clapped my shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. “You’ve never had a problem with the ladies, so it’s entertaining, to say the least,” he added, and I shot Thomas an annoyed look.
“I told you, it’s fun to watch,” Thomas said with a shrug.
“I’m leaving,” I announced before I did something embarrassing, like pout in public.
I didn’t even wait for them to respond before I headed through the hallway and into the massive open entryway where the check-in desk was located. There was a small crowd in the lobby, and I realized that I had no idea what went on here anymore. I’d been so detached, doing the bare minimum, and I suddenly felt like shit about it.
“Uh, excuse me.” An older man stared at me.
I stopped walking and remembered who I was. An O’Grady. Part owner of this resort.
“Can I help you?” I asked, putting on my problem-solving charm.
“Are you Matthew O’Grady?”
I cleared my throat. “I am.”
“I knew it.” He sounded excited. “I’m sorry to bother you, but you’re my son’s absolute favorite hockey player.”
I almost asked him if I still was now that I was retired and never going to skate professionally again, but I stopped myself.
“Thank you. Do you want a picture, or do you want me to sign something?” I offered.
Sometimes, people got so caught up in who I was that they completely spaced. I’d be standing there, waiting for them to find their words, but they’d never come. I’d learned pretty quickly in situations like that to initiate or offer a suggestion. That typically helped.
“Oh. Yes. I mean, either would be great.” He started looking around and fidgeting in his pockets, like he might magically have a puck in there. “I don’t have anything for you to sign.”
“It’s okay. I’ll be right back,” I said.
I made my way toward Mr. Gonzales at the concierge desk. He’d worked there for as long as I could remember.
“Hey, Mr. G,” I said with a grin, and he reached out his hand to shake mine.
“One second,” he said before pulling open a drawer and digging through the back of it.
I had no idea what he was searching for, but when he held a puck and a silver Sharpie in his hand, I was surprised.
“You have hockey pucks in your drawer?” I asked through my shock.
“You have a lot of fans. I thought they might come in handy,” he said.
I wanted to give him a raise right then and there for his resourcefulness and smarts.
“This is actually brilliant, Mr. G. Thank you,” I said as I signed the puck, handing him back the Sharpie.
I walked back to the waiting father.
The man was smiling so big as soon as he saw what I was holding in my palm. “I can’t believe this. Garrett is going to freak out. Thank you so much.”
“You bet. Let’s take a photo, or maybe I can record a quick video for Garrett, just saying hi. Does he play?”
The man nodded his head so quickly that I thought he might get dizzy. “He does. He’s not very good, but—oh God, please don’t tell him I told you that.”
I laughed. “I won’t.”
He handed me his phone, and I recorded a quick video for Garrett, telling him to keep working on his drills. Then, I said that maybe I’d be the one watching him someday. I ended the recording and handed the phone back to his dad.
“This is going to mean the world to him. They always say don’t meet your heroes, but I think they might be wrong. You’re a class act, man. Thanks again.” He practically skipped away, typing frantically on his phone.
Honestly, it was the best I’d felt in months.
I just wasn’t sure how long it’d last.