7. Calling the Shots
Chapter seven
Calling the Shots
Chloe
The morning sun beats down on me as I burst from Lakeside onto the street. I’m out of breath even though I haven’t been running. It’s not cardio exhaustion. It’s complete panic. Did that just happen? Did Brody Stirling kiss me ?
Did I kiss him back ?
The thought propels me forward and I break into a jog despite having no idea where I’m jogging to.
It doesn’t matter. What matters is putting as much distance between myself and Brody as possible.
Brody, and most of the town who’re probably still standing there, gawping at him in the storage room.
Awesome. Nothing says “successful meeting” like macking on the town’s enemy in front of everyone.
Squeezing my eyes shut, the memory of that specific humiliation hits like a punch to the gut, a sharp ache that lingers, threatening to make my skin crawl. Might as well have been a physical blow, really, considering how hard it still stings.
Heart pounding in my chest, I swerve right, pushing harder until I’m in a full sprint.
Flip-flops be damned, I’m getting the hell out of here.
Run, Forrest. A breathless chuckle escapes me.
My head is a mess. But maybe Gump was onto something.
There’s a delicious burn starting up in my thighs, the exertion expelling whatever tension has been trapped in my body.
Good. Maybe this is how I’ll get rid of Brody.
Although, I’m not exactly sure that’s what I really want.
It didn’t feel like it a few minutes ago, when he held me back there. His hands tangled in my hair, his tongue in my mouth…
Oh, God. Why am I thinking about that?
My pace falters. I bend over, hands on knees, lungs on fire, and hot tears sting my eyes, but I blink them away.
“There’s no crying in baseball,” I mutter under my breath. Apparently, when I’m having a full-blown breakdown, movie quotes are my go-to coping mechanism.
Shake it off. That’s what I need to do. I breathe through a few stretches, quite literally give my upper body a jiggling shake, and pick right back up running. Not a sprint this time, but a clip or two faster than a regular jog. I need to keep it together.
Here in the heart of town, the streets weave like a maze.
But it’s one I can navigate with my eyes closed in the black of night.
The quaint facades of storefronts blur past my vision.
I catch a glimpse of Phil fixing the sign outside his antique shop.
Normally, I’d stop and chat—today, not happening.
A sharp left into an alley leads the way up one of the many hills around here.
It’s no death climb like the one by Crystal Heart Lake, but Harper and I prefer this route when we're after a mild challenge on our morning runs. A hill challenge—yeah, exactly what’s needed right now.
A challenge that isn’t Brody’s mouth on mine.
The destination’s clear now, and that gives me the boost I need. A refreshed surge of energy rushes through my aching muscles, urging me onward as I push into the final few yards of the hill. Even in flip-flops, I’m making this climb.
He’s up to something. Has to be. Why else would he kiss me? He probably thinks he can flirt his way into getting what he wants. Like I’m going to crumble just because his lips are... okay, knock it off!
Doesn’t explain why I kissed him, though.
I groan out loud, folding over once I get to the top of the hill. Hands on knees, chest on fire, truth knocking me down a notch. Because, yeah, I did kiss him. And I—ugh—I think I liked it.
“Liked it so much, you ran away. Bolted out of there like you were getting paid to do it.” I slap my palm against my forehead as I stand upright. “ What an idiot. Everyone was there, they’ll have questions, which Brody is probably dodging…”
My stomach does a strange lurching thing, and a creeping cold crawls up my back.
What is he telling them? Would he tell them the truth about what we were doing in that storage room?
The image of his goddamn smile swims into my mind, and a powerful flash of aggravation sweeps over me.
He’s exactly the kind of guy who’d get a kick out of telling the whole town that we locked lips.
Ugh, I shouldn’t have kissed him back.
Regret fuels my next steps as my feet pound against the ground, winding through upper Bluepeak. And all the while, Brody’s stuck in my head. The feel of his lips, the taste of bitter coffee on his tongue, how much I wanted his hands to move lower...
“He baited me. Trapped me with his charm.”
And I, like a fool, fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker.
My momentary lapse in judgment gave him the upper hand.
And now he’s got that smug little victory tucked into his perfectly tailored pocket.
Lapse, yes. That’s what it was. A lapse that short-circuited my brain for a few minutes, made me forget who I was, and sent my hormones into overdrive.
But it was still a lapse. One that won’t happen again.
Except... I kinda want it to.
“Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh!” My frustration ricochets off the quiet cobblestones and sleepy buildings around me. I could run for miles and still not outrun my own stupidity.
My dad’s stunned face flashes through my mind—his mouth parting, brow creased, eyes full of what-the-hell.
The way he looked when he saw me standing there with Brody.
Sylvie, Eli—everyone. If I could crawl into a hole and never come out, I would.
My face heats up, not from the run, but from pure, unfiltered embarrassment. What must they have been thinking?
Finally, I reach the place I’ve been looking for. The sanctuary. A sardonic laugh bubbles up, because it’s like the park—with all its serenity and beauty—is mocking the chaos in my head. Here I am, a human dumpster fire, walking into literal paradise.
Give it a second, I think, slowing my breathing. This place always helps. Just breathe.
Works every time, it always does. The park welcomes me with its calming embrace.
My refuge showing up for me the way it always does.
A light breeze licks the streamlets of perspiration on my skin, sending a shiver through me.
I leave the narrow path, picking my way through the freshly cut grass to the spot I always go when I need to think.
My inner unraveling slows down as I pass the spattering of benches and picnic tables, and by the time I reach the giant Grandma willow, my breathing has evened out, and the panic has stopped clawing at me.
Sinking down into the soft grass, I kick my flip-flops off to dig my bare toes into the earth.
Grounding myself. Literally. My parents used to bring me here as a kid.
My mom always told me the story of this tree, how old it was, how strong it stood, even after all these years.
At four years old, I called it “Grandma Willow,” and the name stuck.
Leaning back against the bark, I pat it gently, as if it's a living, breathing thing. A silent acknowledgment, a thank you, and I can almost hear her response in the soft rustle of her leaves. She’s thankful too, that I haven’t forgotten her. That I show up for her as much as she shows up for me.
A knot forms in my gut, bitter bile clawing up my throat.
I’ve been taking care of Bluepeak my whole life, fighting for this natural safe haven that our community calls home.
I haven’t failed the town before, and I have no intention of doing so now.
They’ll come around. Those that support Brody.
They have to. They’ll realize he isn’t our savior.
My focus drifts over the wide-open landscape. The clear, quiet lake, the majestic mountains, the colorful blooms scattered around centuries-old trees. This is Bluepeak’s soul. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone destroy it.
My shoulders slump, the weight of what lies ahead pressing down on me. People can’t think about nature when they’re too busy worrying about how to pay their bills. And with Brody here, they’re seeing him as the solution. I’m going to need a miracle. Or at least a really convincing PowerPoint.
“Thought I’d find you here.”
Whipping around, I spot Eli a few feet away, his warm hazel eyes full of concern. A careful smile plays on his lips as he studies me, like he's trying to figure out whether it's safe to approach. I had hoped for some solitude to sort through everything, but I can’t bring myself to send him away.
Shifting at the willow’s base, I pat the empty grass beside me. A cluster of cardinals flutter around the feeder dangling from the outer branches, their feathers a bright burst of red against the leafy green.
“I know, right?” Eli settles beside me, eyes glued to the birds. The awe in his voice is unmistakable, like he’s seeing this place for the first time.
“Did my dad say anything after I left?” I stay focused on the birds, afraid to see the look on Eli’s face.
Eli shrugs. “Everyone pretty much left.” The reflection of the tranquil lake shimmers in his expression. “That Stirling guy is a piece of work, though. Piece of work. Are you okay? He didn’t do anything, did he?”
He watches me closely, like he’s searching for answers I’m not ready to give. My cheeks are burning. Oh man, does he know?
A quick shake of my head. Terrible liar, but I try anyway.
“He didn’t do anything besides be a pompous prick.”
I dip my head to hide the nervous smile tugging at the corners of my lips. C’mon, look cool. Look unbothered.
Eli chuckles, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. “I’ll believe that one. He walks around acting like we should all be thanking him for gracing us with his presence.”
Bingo, nailed it.
The concerns of some of the people at the meeting start poking at my conscience.
Okay, so maybe not everyone in town is wrong about Brody being a potential solution.
It’s not like I’m oblivious to the very real problems some of our residents have.
But they need to understand we can handle those problems ourselves, without Brody and his oversized ego swooping in to save the day.
“Be honest with me. Do you think he’ll get it right?”
My voice sounds calm, but inside, I’m lowkey screaming.
Eli sighs, chewing on his bottom lip like he’s trying to pick the right words. Which probably means I’m not going to like what he’s about to say. He finally speaks, and it’s not what I’m expecting at all.
“We’re asking the wrong question, Chloe,” he says with a soft, almost comforting tone. “The question we gotta ask is, does Bluepeak need him to get it right? ”
That lands like a brick to the face. As community planner, Eli is a trusted member of our town. More than that, he’s like the big brother I never had. I don’t just respect his opinion, but more often than not, what he thinks helps me make sense of things.
“I believe Bluepeak can get what it needs without bringing in a huge corporation,” I reply, keeping my voice level. But my brain is doing cartwheels trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to convince the rest of the town of that.
“Then let’s show the others Stirling Tech isn’t our only option.” His confidence is steady. He’s got my back.
Suddenly, I’m fighting back tears. Maybe my encounter with Brody is to blame, or maybe it’s because this is the first time I’ve had a show of support from someone who isn’t related to me. Harper doesn’t count, because although we don’t share DNA, we’re as good as sisters.
“Thank you, Eli.”
I fling my arms around his neck so hard he nearly topples back. Maybe I should warn people before I launch into full-body hugs.
“You know I’m always in your corner, Chloe. So… better now?” He gently peels me off, laughing as he does.
The anxiety from earlier fades, clarity finally slipping in. Well, mostly. Brody’s kiss is still tangled up in my mind.
Pushing to my feet, I’m desperate for a distraction, anything that doesn't involve that damn storage room kiss.
Why does this keep happening? Frick, brain, let it go.
Oh God, what’ll Harper say when she finds out? Do I tell her?