26. A Fork in the Road
Chapter twenty-six
A Fork in the Road
Brody
I was going to tell her.
Right there on that bench, with her hand in mine. Everything I’d been holding back finally waiting to be said.
Then Chase came crashing in, breathless, rambling about bodies and lakes.
I tried to say more, asked her to talk to me, to look at me. She wouldn’t. She told me to leave, and the way she said it made it clear there was no changing her mind.
So I got up and left, even though it felt wrong.
“Let me know, and I’ll have my people here by the weekend.” Chase throws an arm around my shoulder, knocking my golf bag off balance.
The clubs nearly clatter to the ground before I catch them and I shoot him a glare. “Weren’t you supposed to be sightseeing?”
Chase smirks at me, throwing his arms wide as we step onto the sprawling green behind Stirling Tech’s headquarters.
He takes this big, exaggerated breath, chest puffing out as if he’s trying to absorb every molecule of mountain air.
I, on the other hand, stay rooted to the sliding door, utterly unimpressed by the whole charade.
“The morn is but a young pup, my boy,” he says with an overly emphasized ye olde English accent. “Besides, this tiny town has maybe fifteen minutes of sightseeing before you’ve seen it all. I’d much rather talk business over a round of golf.”
“It’s not golf.” I step out onto the green with him pulling out my lucky driver. “We’re smacking balls down a lawn.”
Chase’s eyes light up as he throws an arm around me again, dragging me into his dream world. “Ah, but don’t you see it? Lawn today, world-class golf course tomorrow.”
I cringe. The way he says it makes my skin crawl, mostly because I used to sound exactly the same when I first pitched my plans for Bluepeak. I wonder if this is how Chloe sees me—another corporate vulture circling, ready to cash in.
“The course is set for the lodge, not here,” I correct him, trying to regain control. “If you’re serious about taking over my project, you’d better get clued up on the details.”
His face brightens, and for a moment, golf is forgotten. “So you are going to Italy! I knew it. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist.”
“Not so fast.” I step out of his reach, dodging the enthusiastic back pats. “I didn’t say I was going. I said if I did go…”
“Oh, you’re going.” Chase interrupts, narrowing his eyes with that cocky look. “You’ve never turned down a luxury resort project in Europe. Your favorite.”
He’s not wrong. My first resort in Greece was the beginning of Stirling Tech’s empire in Europe—France, Austria, Germany—one by one, we kept expanding. Mom used to joke that I’d need a map to find my way back to the States.
“There’s something about that European air…” Chase voices the thought in my head, taking a deep breath for emphasis. “It’s nice out here, but it’s not there. You know what I mean.”
I do know what he means. But I also get that I haven’t been able to shake this uneasy feeling since he first brought up this proposal of his. A few months ago, I would’ve jumped at it, not sparing a second thought for anything or anyone getting left behind. Now, though…
“The air is the least of my concerns,” I say, shoving my driver back into the bag.
Chase’s grin falters. “Whoa, where’re you going? We haven’t got to the good part yet—namely, what’s going on with you and Miss Community Leader.”
In true Chase fashion, he cuts right to the point. I don’t know what’s happening with Chloe, so how the hell can I explain it to him? Not that it’d stop him from giving his unsolicited take.
The only way to get him off my back is to give him what he wants.
“Fine. Set up the call,” I say, slinging my golf bag over my shoulder with a resigned sigh. Maybe this’ll get him to shut up. “I’ll talk to your people in Italy.”
Chase punches the air with a loud whoop that sends a family of loons scattering from the nearby trees.
“I knew you’d come around!” He grins, slapping me on the back again. “ And don’t sweat the small-town booty call. Shapiro will set you up with a different beauty every day of the week—double on weekends.”
My laugh is hollow, and I feel the weight of my next decision looming over me.
Italy or Bluepeak? Chloe or the future I planned?
It shouldn’t be this hard. I’ve traveled for work my entire life, left women in cities across the globe, but leaving Bluepeak.
.. leaving her makes my heart physically ache.
“I gotta go,” I announce, heading back inside without another word.
Chase starts to protest, but I wave him off, desperate to escape him and his endless pestering. If I don’t get out of here, I’m going to lose my damn mind.
I’m nearly at the door when Mason appears with his clubs, heading straight toward me.
“Hey, I was coming to join you guys,” he says, grinning. “Can’t let your brother steal all the fun, right?”
My eyes flick to Chase still goofing around on the green. “Let’s talk, but not here,” I say, the tension seeping through.
One look at my face, and Mason’s ever-present casual coolness slips. His grin falters, his brows knitting together as he takes a quick look at Chase and back to me. His expression sharpens. “Let’s get out of here.”
We head toward the marina. The atmosphere shifts as we approach. It looks like the 4th of July, locals and visitors everywhere. Boats moving around in the water, beers in hand, music blasting through the air.
And what do we get? A dinky little boat .
“You’re always complaining about how I have no regard for our recreational budget.” Mason chuckles from his spot at the helm. “Don’t start pouting now that we don’t have a fancy boat.”
“It’s not that.” I check the bright blue cooler before sitting down. “I spot Mayor Dawson over there. Best if you steer in the other direction.”
Mason adjusts our course toward the south end of the lake. “Hiding from the mayor, ditching work… what’s next? Planning a heist?”
“You should’ve brought beer,” I grumble.
“If you’d given me a heads-up, I would’ve brought more than beer,” he shoots back.
We fall into silence as he guides the boat to a quieter, less crowded area of the lake. The hum of the engine fades, leaving us in relative calm, the distant buzz of the crowd far enough away to let me breathe.
“This is about Chloe, right?” He jumps right into it.
Nausea churns in my throat as I focus on the water. The boat’s constant bobbing isn’t helping.
“Chase wants me to head up his new X-sports center in Italy, while he hangs back here to oversee the final stages of my development.” The words feel as hollow as I do.
He raises a hand, as if needing a moment to digest. “Wait, are we talking about Chloe or Chase?”
“I wasn’t this torn up about leaving Bluepeak when I lived here, when it was the only home I’d known, but I was young.
” I exhale heavily. “Talking about this thing with Chase is talking about Chloe, don’t you get it?
The thought of leaving now… The timing’s all wrong.
I haven’t fi xed things with her yet, and—”
Mason stretches out on the bench next to me, looking relaxed while I’m falling apart. “Let me stop you right there. All you do is jet around for work. When was the last time you spent more than, what, three months in one place?”
The reality of my life is driven home by his comment, making this worse. I groan, dropping my head in my hands as I stare down at my feet.
“It’s taken me this long to figure out I’m in love with her, but now I can’t tell her.”
“What?” Mason snorts in disbelief. “Why the hell not?”
“I can’t tell her I love her just to turn around and get on a plane. That’s not fair. It’s how my life is—constantly moving, constantly working.”
His confidence doesn’t waver. “You’re overthinking this, buddy.” He leans forward, meeting my eyes with a seriousness that makes me pause. “Do you think you’re the first guy who’s ever had a job that requires travel? You think work automatically means no chance at a relationship?”
I seize the opening he’s left me. “Ugh, neither of us has been able to make a relationship work.”
He punches me lightly on the arm. “I’m perfectly capable of a lasting, happy relationship, thank you very much. But this isn’t about me. Quit deflecting.”
“She’s not going to go for it. That’s not who she is. She’s not the type to be cool with me being away all the time.” I sigh.
“No, correction: you don’t really know Chloe. And she deserves a chance to answer that question for herself.”
“I work all the time—even when I’m not travelling, you know that,” I say, countering his logic with my own.
“I’m here in Bluepeak doing this for my parents, but I haven’t seen them since last Thanksgiving.
And, of course a huge part of this project is about money.
She’s right—it’s always work with me, and bottom line, money.
How do I drag her into that kind of life and expect her to be happy? ”
He quiets, which is rare, his face thoughtful. For once, he’s not quick with a comeback.
“You’re acting like it’s the dark ages, and this situation means your love life is doomed.” He lifts the lid of the cooler and peeks inside. “Maybe we should’ve stopped for some beers after all. You’re making it necessary.”
“Care to make sense for at least eighty percent of this conversation?”
“I’m talking about calls, texts, video calls, dumbass.
” Mason slaps me upside the head for emphasis.
“It’s not like you’ll have to send a carrier pigeon with a note attached to its ankle whenever you wanted to talk to her.
Stop making this a bigger deal than it actually is.
You can have what you want with her without giving up your work. ”
“She wouldn’t go for it.”
“Then take her with you!” Mason cries out with exasperation, waving his arms dramatically.
“With your dad over here managing the new lodge hotel, she’ll have more free time.
Take her on some trips with you, do some solo.
It’s not rocket science. Simple. Done. Can we move on now?
Maybe talk about how my date went last night?
Because I mean it, Brody, this is a non-issue.
Have the damn conversation with her, and you’ll see. ”
My brain hitches on something. “You had a date last night? With who?”
He shoots me a wicked look. “Wouldn’t you like to know…”
I exhale, letting out a laugh. “You’re the one who brought it up. So let’s talk about it. It’ll be good to take a break from my train wreck of a love life.”
Mason guides the boat back toward the pier, unfazed. “It’s not a disaster. You’re in love with a beautiful woman who probably feels the same. Sure, it’s messy, but that’s how you know it’s real. The best things aren’t clean. And real? Totally worth it.”
I scoff, fighting off a smile. “All this clean air’s turned you into some kind of romantic sap.” I laugh softly. “Quick, find an exhaust pipe to suck on before I lose my bitter, emotionally stunted best friend. You still have some cynicism left in you, right?”
“Bite me.” He snickers, clearly unfazed.
There’s no more talk of Chloe or his mysterious date as we make our way back. Instead, I cling to the brief distraction—shooting the shit, the way we always do. And you know what? Maybe Mason’s onto something. I’m probably blowing this out of proportion.
It’s with this much-needed seed of doubt lodged somewhere I can’t shake that I settle into my video call with Chase’s contacts in Italy.
Four of them are there, their expressions filling my screen. Shapiro’s face says he’s already sealed the deal before I’ve said a word.
“Brody!” Shapiro’s voice bursts with excitement, his eyes lighting up. “So glad we could finally connect. Chase has told us nothing but great things about you, and we can’t wait to have you on board.”
I try to look neutral, but the tightness in my chest says otherwise. They don’t see it, but I feel it pressing in. There’s a rush of thoughts in my mind of excitement and unease.
“Yeah,” I force the words out, but my voice doesn’t carry the usual confidence. “I’ve gone over the plans. It looks solid.”
Shapiro’s smile widens, and I see the others in the background nodding like they’re already celebrating.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment,” Shapiro continues, leaning closer to the camera. “We’re ready to move quickly. We’ll have the team there by the weekend, if you’re ready. Say the word, and we’re set.”
His words linger in the air, a clear invitation I know I’m expected to accept. But underneath it, something feels wrong. The weight of Bluepeak and Chloe is louder than anything they’re saying. I can’t help but wonder if I’m following the next shiny thing that comes my way.
I shift in my seat. I know I can’t jump into this project like I’ve done with every other opportunity in the past. Something’s changed. My heart is somewhere else.
“We’ll be ready to mobilize this weekend if you give the green light,” Shapiro repeats, his voice growing more insistent.
I force a smile, but it doesn’t feel natural. “ I’ll need some time to think it through.” The words slip out, the weight of them heavier than I expected. But I say them anyway, knowing it’s the only option I have for now.
Shapiro doesn’t seem bothered. "Of course, we understand. But trust me, Brody, this is going to be a major win for all of us. We’ll be counting on you to bring your A-game."
This is everything I’ve worked for, yet none of it sits right anymore.
The others chime in, offering more enthusiasm. I nod along, pretending to absorb it all, but my thoughts are elsewhere. Every instinct tells me to walk away, but I know this isn’t a decision I can back out of easily.
“Trust me, Brody,” Shapiro continues, still beaming. "You won’t regret this. You’re a perfect fit for the team here."
The call wraps up with a flurry of congratulations, everyone eager to celebrate the future. I force another smile, but inside, the pull of Bluepeak, of Chloe, is eating at me more than ever.
Once their faces fade from the screen, their energy lingers, buzzing in my mind. For a moment, I sit, staring at the screen, the weight of the decision pressing in on me.
Something’s unsettled beneath the surface, and I can’t ignore it anymore. The pull toward what’s real is stronger than I’ve ever felt, and I know I need to figure out what I want, not what’s expected of me.