He dodges Cade’s advance. “What did I say?” he cries.
“That’s how rumors get started.” Cade throws a handful of grass at him since he couldn’t muss Beck up.
“It’s not a rumor if it’s true.” Beck untangles a piece of grass from his hair. “And what’s so bad about Axel wanting to hook up with his boyfriend anyway? They’re hot for each other.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Deacon backs Beck up with a wink that makes his cheeks turn pink.
“Don’t encourage him.” Cade shakes his head at Deacon.
“He’s got a point, though,” Deacon objects. “Who cares if we know what goes on behind that door.”
“Cade doesn’t want Beck talking about it because he doesn’t want anyone talking about him that way. It’s a brother thing.” Ryder sips from the flask in his hand as we all fall into a stunned silence. It’s sort of rare for him to speak up nowadays, much less make such a coherent statement.
“Self-appointed brother,” Beck mumbles under his breath, although I’m not sure Cade hears it. His focus is on Ryder, whose eyes are closed as his finger taps the flask in rhythm to the music drifting over the crowd.
A throat clears on the other side of me, and I shift to see Finn extending his hand to Kane. “Hi. I’m Finn, and this is my wife, Ally.” He tilts his head toward the redhead sitting next to him.
“Finn’s the Director of Operations at the resort. And your counterpart on the snow side,” I explain as Kane shakes his hand. “He’s building some black runs on the back side of the mountain we’re cutting trails on.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t around your first day. We took a little trip for our anniversary and just got back. I can’t wait to see what you’re working on.”
Kane offers Finn a warm smile. “Sounds like you have a pretty interesting project going on as well. And I think Lennon mentioned you the other day,” he says to Ally. “Something about owning your own business?”
“I have a boutique on Main Street. If you ever want anything special order, let me know.”
“Really? That’s great.” Kane’s tone is friendly, though I can hear the subtle hesitation in his voice. I’m assuming that stems from the fact that boutique and men’s clothing aren’t two things that typically go together.
“Ally likes to dress everyone, especially for costume events. It’s sort of her hobby,” Finn smiles bashfully.
“She dresses you?” Kane gives my t-shirt and shorts a once-over as if to say,'This is what she picked?'
I bark out a laugh as Ally rolls her eyes. “The guys only let me dress them in costume. Or for special occasions. Except Lennon. They all assume I’m going to make them wear something they don’t like just becauseIthink it looks good.”
“Ah, gotcha.” Kane visibly relaxes now that Ally’s put that particular fear to rest.
Figuring it’s safe to leave Kane with her now that he knows a full makeover is off the table, I excuse myself to visit with Ryder.
“Hey.” His cloudy eyes track me as I sit, pulling my knees up so I can prop my forearms on them. “Bike park’s coming along, you should come check it out.”
He looks at me with a blank expression.
“Remember how Carter talked about making lift accessible bike trails on the mountain?” I try again. “We’re doing that now. Me and Kane.” I jerk my head in his direction, and though his head stays still, I’m pretty sure his eyes shift. “Swing by tomorrow and I’ll show you.”
“Not interested.” He takes another sip of his drink.
A month ago, I think he would’ve been—the idea of a downhill run without having to pedal uphill first would be appealing to a guy who makes a living on a snowboard letting gravity do the hard work—but I get that maybe it’s too soon after his brother’s death for him to feel excited about the new park.
“Okay, if you don’t want to see the park then let’s hit the trail. We haven’t done that in a while.”
“Can’t.”
Ryder’s always been more of a winter sports guy, so it’s possible he’s not feeling the bike right now. Although, his indifference has me a little worried. He’s too active of a guy to sit around moping all the time, even if he is in mourning.
“Well, if you don’t want to do anything for fun, maybe you could help me work. We’re trying to get this new trail done before the season’s over, and I could use the extra hands.” It’s a lame idea, but at least it would get him moving outside.
“I don’t need the money.”
“I’m not saying you do. I’m saying I could use your help.”
