Chapter Eleven
Liam
I’m uncomfortably hard as I watch Maggie dart out of the café, her cheeks and nose tinged with the prettiest shade of pink.
She can deny it all she wants, but I know she feels it—that same pull I do.
Her attempts to hide it are cute, almost endearing.
And maybe I’ve spent too many years overhearing my younger sisters—Mia and Emmy—dissect relationships, but one thing’s clear: Maggie is playing hard to get.
Normally, that’s not a game I bother with. I’ve never had trouble getting women to say yes—whether it’s to a drink, a date, or something a little less formal. Not bragging, just facts. But Maggie? She’s different. She’s a challenge. And I think I might actually like it.
There’s something about the way she keeps me on edge, the way her words are always sharp enough to cut and soft enough to linger. Most women would jump at the chance to say yes, but Maggie? She’s a puzzle, one I’m not even sure she wants solved.
And that makes me want to solve her all the more.
“You look deep in thought,” Izzy teases, sliding gracefully into the seat Maggie just abandoned, her pale blonde ponytail swishing behind her.
“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat as I force Maggie out of my head. “So, how’s the fam?”
She takes a deep breath, the kind that says where do I even start? “Sleep regression is not for the faint of heart.”
“All the kids or just the baby?”
“Just the baby,” she groans dramatically, dropping her head into her hands for emphasis.
“I’ll order us coffee,” I offer, standing before she can protest.
“Double shot,” she calls after me. “Make it a double shot.”
I chuckle as I head to the counter, placing an order for two coffees before glancing at the time on my phone.
Fifteen minutes. That’s all the time I have before I need to head to the lodge and check in for what might be my last competition.
The thought sits heavy in my chest, but I push it aside. I can deal with that later.
Returning to the table, I set a steaming cup in front of Izzy, who immediately wraps her hands around it like it’s the only thing keeping her alive.
“Have you given the job offer any more thought?” she asks, raising a pointed eyebrow as she sips.
I sigh, already knowing where this is headed. “I’m not sure an office job is right for me.”
Her perfectly sculpted brow arches higher. “You can literally do the job from anywhere in the world. It’s marketing.”
“I’ve never marketed anything in my life.”
She gives me an exaggerated eye roll. “You market yourself every single day, Liam. You’re a walking billboard.”
“Sleep deprivation makes you dramatic,” I tease, smirking over the rim of my cup.
“Maybe,” she admits with a laugh, her shoulders sagging. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to push.”
“No, it’s fine.” I wave her off, genuinely meaning it. “I know how passionate you are about the tech biz.”
“I do love working with Brady,” she says, her face softening at the mention of her husband. “We’ve gotten to do so many wonderful things together. The charity we started is growing so fast, I might have to hire a nanny.”
“You?” I feign shock, pressing a hand to my chest. “No way!”
“I know,” she groans, shaking her head. “I swore I’d never, but here we are. Desperate times and all that.”
Her laugh is infectious, and for a moment, the heaviness lifts. Sitting here with Izzy, sipping coffee, and trading jabs feels so normal, so grounding. But in the back of my mind, Maggie’s lingering smile and fiery wit continue to pull me in, no matter how hard I try to focus on anything else.
“So,” Izzy sucks in a sharp breath, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “you’ve become the topic of a very lively text thread with the family.”
“Oh?” I arch an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious.
She leans forward, her grin widening. “Are you going to tell me about the woman you’ve met?”
I shake my head, leaning back in my chair. “Nope.”
“What?” She gawks at me like I’ve just admitted to hating snow. “You always tell me about your conquests.” She pauses, her eyes narrowing before they widen with sudden realization. “Oh my God. She’s not a conquest, is she? She’s more than that. Have you finally met your match?”
I scratch the back of my neck, feeling an uncharacteristic flush creep up my skin. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
Izzy reaches across the table and places her hand on my forehead with all the seriousness of a concerned doctor. “No fever. You’re clearly not hallucinating.”
I swat her hand away with a laugh. “I’m taking her out for drinks tonight.”
Her nose scrunches in surprise. “She agreed to drinks?”
“Well,” I purse my lips, hesitating, “not exactly.”
“Spill,” she demands, folding her arms like she’s not leaving until I do.
I sigh, knowing there’s no escaping her. “She lost something, and I happened to find it. So, let’s just say… I sort of, maybe conned her into a drink.”
Izzy stares at me for a beat before shaking her head. “You’re horrible.”
“I know what I want,” I correct her with a smug shrug.
“You’ve never liked the word ‘no,’” she replies, her tone filled with mock pity. “Poor girl.”
“She won’t feel that way once I get her clothes off,” I say with a cocky smirk, but even as the words leave my mouth, they feel hollow. That’s not really what I want from Maggie. Not just that.
Izzy tilts her head, studying me like she’s trying to read the thoughts I don’t want to say out loud. “You’re in trouble,” she finally says, her voice softening just a little.
I don’t respond, but I don’t need to. She’s right, and we both know it.
“I should probably head out,” I say, glancing at the time on my phone.
Izzy nods, a warm smile spreading across her face. “You’re going to do great today. I can just feel it.”
Standing, I walk over to her side of the table, lean down, and press a kiss to the top of her head. My hand squeezes her shoulder lightly, grounding myself in her unwavering belief in me. “I hope you’re right.”
“I know I’m right,” she replies, her voice full of certainty.
As I step away, the familiar tightness creeps into my chest. An unwelcome wave of panic starts to bubble beneath the surface. What if I choke out there? What if my body fails me before I even get halfway through?
No. I push the thoughts aside. I’m not doing this to myself today. My body might not be what it once was, but it’s still strong enough to carry me down the slopes. Today, I’m going to do the thing I love most in the world. One last time.
“And even if you monumentally fail,” Izzy adds, her teasing tone cutting through my spiral, “you still get to have drinks with your new girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I say firmly, even as the thought stirs something I’m not ready to admit.
Izzy smirks, that knowing glint in her eye impossible to ignore. “Sure, Liam. Whatever you say.”
I let out a low laugh, shaking my head as I leave her behind.
The moment I step outside, the brisk mountain air cuts across my face, sharp and invigorating.
It’s a reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, but that doesn’t mean I can’t adapt.
Sometimes, you just have to roll with the punches—or swerve when life throws you a curveball.
Sliding into my car, I turn on the engine, the familiar hum a small comfort. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out, groaning when I see Lyla’s name lighting up the screen. Seriously? She’s relentless.
I set the phone down on the passenger seat, letting it ring and ring until it finally gives up. I’ve got bigger things to focus on today than whatever Lyla wants.
***
After signing in, I glance around the lodge, taking in the scene.
The room hums with energy—nervous anticipation from the newcomers and quiet confidence from the veterans.
Familiar faces catch my eye: Bryce Lopez, Carter Yanz, and Floyd Rawlings.
We’ve all been at this for years, carving out careers and friendships in the competitive chaos of this sport.
And then there are the new faces: Gregory Pond and Lance Bend. The ones to beat.
Greg and Lance look eager but tense, shifting their weight from foot to foot as they size up the competition. They remind me of myself back when I was the young gun, ready to prove myself against seasoned pros.
My gaze falls on Bryce, Carter, and Floyd gathered in a tight circle, shooting the breeze like it’s any other day on the mountain. With a small smile, I meander over, and Bryce immediately smirks as I approach.
“You think you’ve got it in you to beat the young bloods?” Bryce teases, his voice dripping with playful mockery.
I shrug casually, though my smile widens. “Not sure. Starting to feel my age.”
“Aren’t we all,” Carter chimes in, rubbing the back of his neck as if the years have weighed him down too.
“Remember when we were that age?” Floyd chuckles, his weathered face lighting up. “Green and naive. Thought we’d be invincible forever.”
“You three sound like this is the final act,” I quip, shaking my head at them.
“Greg’s runs yesterday were…” Bryce trails off, his expression serious now.
“Better than yours, Liam,” Floyd finishes for him, his voice tinged with grudging admiration. “Kid’s got something special. He’s gonna give you a run for your money.”
“Already throwing in the towel?” I raise an eyebrow, letting the jab land lightly.
“Greg’s good,” Carter admits. “But he’s still got a lot to learn. He never delivers quite as well under pressure. The crowd gets to him.”
“And Lance?” I add with a sly grin. “He’s got a sprained ankle. Competition might not be as fierce as you think.”
Floyd narrows his eyes at me. “How do you know about Lance’s ankle?”
“Zach,” I reply. “He’s friends with Lance’s trainer. We’ve got this, you guys.”
Bryce exhales heavily, though his smile returns. “Whatever you say, old man.”
As we share a round of laughter, the camaraderie feels bittersweet. I watch the new guys stealing glances at the veterans, their nerves barely hidden beneath a layer of bravado. Their excitement, their hunger—it’s contagious. But it’s also a sharp reminder of something I’ve been avoiding.
A pang shoots through my chest, and for the first time, I let myself acknowledge it. I think I’ve made my decision. This is it. My final competition. It’s time to bow out while I still love the sport, while my body still allows me to leave on my own terms.
“I’ll catch you guys later,” I say, clapping Carter on the shoulder as I head for the door.
Stepping outside, the crisp mountain air hits me like a reset button, clearing my head and filling my lungs. This mountain has been my life, my identity, for so long. But now, it feels like the right time to let it go.