Chapter 13 #2
As I passed him, Colin grabbed me and pulled me into his lap.
"I'm sorry. Just an observation. I've been working hard to impress my old man, even though he's not really the kind to be impressed.
When I crashed on that hill, he told me it was my fault I lost that competition because my mind was always scattered and I never focused.
That was the way it was in school. Barely graduated high school because I couldn't concentrate.
I know what it's like to have an overbearing old man, and yet, I still want nothing more than to make him proud of me.
Can you imagine that? The man nearly got us killed more than once, and he never did shit for any of us, but I still want him to say 'well done, Colin. '"
The tension melted from my body, and I rested my head against his shoulder. It might have been his words or the way he was holding me but something told me I could trust this man. "You can't tell anyone."
"I won't say a word, but I think if things get too dangerous you should give up the photo and move on. You'll get another viral shot one day. I'm sure of it." His phone rang. "I've got to take this."
I hopped off Colin's lap, so he could take the call.
"Hey, Jake, what've you got for me? Please let it be a new sponsor."
He got up and walked into the front room.
Colin grew quiet on the phone. I peered around the corner to where he was standing.
His expression assured me this was not a good call.
Since he was asking about a sponsor, I could only assume Jake was someone who managed his finances and possibly his career.
Colin raked his fingers through his thick hair and his head dropped lower.
His devastated posture made my throat tighten.
"Yeah, talk to you later." Colin hung up and walked to the front window. There was no view except more buildings, but he stared absently out the glass as if there was something to see. His broad shoulders were suddenly wearing the weight of the world on them.
I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist and nestled myself against his back.
"Anything I can do?" I had minimal knowledge about the logistics of being an athlete, but I knew sponsorships were a big deal.
They supported athletes between seasons so they could keep training, and they supplied the athletes with new equipment and gear.
Back when he first went pro, I'd joked with Ace that he was a walking billboard.
He was quick to point out that being a walking billboard earned you big bucks.
"My biggest gear sponsor just dropped me."
"Shit, I'm sorry. Was it because of the crash?"
"Nah, it wasn't that." Colin turned around. He had a hard time looking at me, and a light chill fell between us. He walked past me, pushed aside the game controllers on the couch and sat down.
"Colin? What is it?" I smacked the side of my head for being so ignorant. "It's Ace, isn't it? This is how he's getting his revenge on you, on both of us."
"He was the title winner last season, so he's got all of the clout. He told the company he wouldn't share the same logos with me. I'm sure this will only be the first of a number of shitty calls."
"No, that's bullshit. Not fair. I'm going to make this right." I went to the bedroom and rummaged through my backpack for the stupid burner phone. It was dead. I threw it back in and marched out to the front room.
Colin was looking around at his apartment. "It was nice while it lasted."
I picked up his phone and scrolled down to Ace on the contact list then hit call. The weasel picked up after a few rings. "Yeah, Wilde? What do you want?"
"You are the biggest fucking asshole on the planet," I said.
"I consider that a great honor. What the fuck are you doing with him?"
"None of your business. Here's the deal. I'll go see Mom and Dad, but you have to lay off this vigilante shit you're pulling with the sponsors. No more. All right? I'll go over there today."
"Yeah, but that's not the whole deal. You've got to stay away from Colin."
I glanced back. Colin sat on the couch with a difficult to assess expression. It was a mix of anger and of fuck it all, I'm done. I walked into the bedroom. "Not sure how it's any of your business who I date."
"Anyone but Colin Wilde. We've been hanging together for years, and I know the guy. You don't. Just stay clear of him. Then I'll stop calling the sponsors."
"Fine." I couldn't be the cause of Colin's entire career melting down. I was having enough trouble keeping myself out of the lava. "I'll head home. They'll lecture me and I'll pretend to listen and then leave so it'll be a big waste of time but whatever."
I hung up but sat on the edge of the bed, the bed we'd just had incredible sex on.
I hated to admit it, and it wasn't something that happened often, but I'd started to fall for the guy.
Ace's warning gave me some pause. I assumed he was trying to let me know that this whole thing would only end with heartbreak, but I'd spent so little time in the states in the last six years, my brother didn't know me at all.
My heart was not easily broken. Although, admittedly, if anyone could do it, it would be Colin Wilde.
I called for a ride, then picked up the clothes Colin had taken off of me earlier and shoved them into my pack.
Hopefully, the goons had moved on to harassing someone else.
I put on my shoes and dropped the pack over my shoulder.
It seemed I was homeless and on the move again.
This was for the best. The more time I spent with Colin the more I felt myself falling for him.
I'd already swept him up into my tornado of troubles, and now, I'd started the unraveling of his professional life.
Colin had opened another beer. He guzzled it as I walked out of the hallway. His gaze fell pointedly on the pack on my shoulder. "So you're out of here?"
"I'm going to talk to my parents, and don't worry, I talked to Ace. He's not going to call any more sponsors. I know that's not going to get back the gear one, but hopefully I've plugged the hole before the whole dam breaks."
He set the half empty bottle on the counter. "What else did you have to promise?" The look he gave me told me he knew but wanted it confirmed.
My throat went dry. I hardly knew this guy but leaving him for good made my limbs feel heavy. "I told him we'd end things." He was about to protest, but I held up a hand. My fingers were actually trembling. "I can't be the cause of your whole career going to shit, Colin. I'm not worth it."
"What if I say you are worth it. I fucked my career by getting distracted on that stupid downhill. That was all me. Ace shouldn't be able to control your life like this."
My eyes ached with unshed tears, tears I was working hard to hold back.
"Normally, I would have told him to fuck off, but he's holding the cards this time.
I hate him even more for this, but I'm not going to let him destroy you.
This is my family beef, not yours. I'm sorry I broke up the friendship. "
"I'm not," he said abruptly. "I always knew he could be an asshole, but I had no idea how deep that asshole went."
We both stared at each other and then laughed.
I nodded. "Probably the best metaphor I've ever heard, and frankly, I'm not even sure it is a metaphor, but it captures the essence of my brother perfectly."
Colin came toward me and pulled me into his arms. "I don't want to end this. Do you?"
I peered up at him. God, he was beautiful.
"My heart wants no part of ending this, but I can't do this to you.
It'll put a strain on a relationship that hasn't even started yet.
" He kissed me and I sighed dreamily. "And that is certainly not helping.
I need to go. I've got to meet with the parents while I still have the courage to do it.
Thank you for saving my ass various times and for all the other good stuff.
It will be etched in my brain and a few other parts for a long time. "
Colin lowered his arms reluctantly. "All of this sucks. You're not safe out there alone. I'll give you a ride."
"I called for a ride after I hung up with Ace. I'll stay at my parents' prison. They've got enough security to become their own country. I'll be fine. Get better so you can get back out on the mountain and make my brother cry."
Colin didn't say another word as he watched me walk to the door. I opened it and left without looking back.