Chloe was far too good for me, and I would tell her that, but letting her go just didn't honestly seem like something I could do. If she shoved me away, I'd leave without a fight, but I wasn't going to shove her off. I couldn't. I let everything go and focused on the mountain ahead of me. I prayed like hell it would be a long ride down. I didn't know if I had the stamina to walk back up the hill after the long morning I'd had.
My phone buzzed again and I pulled it out, growling loudly.
"What?" I growled into the phone, knowing it was Brian and he would forgive me later.
"Dude. Your dad's pretty upset. He just called and said that he's coming to find you."
"I'm fucking snowboarding. I'm a grown-ass man, Brian. What's the big deal?"
"Um, there was a blizzard last night, and you of all people know that makes the mountains dangerous. Go home and stop being a dick. He's worried."
"You and I have been on these mountains our whole lives." I ground my teeth together. "When's the best time to ski?"
"Now, but that's beside the point."
"No, it isn't. Tell me why now is the best time to ski?"
"Because the mountains are empty. Finn. I'm not playing your games right now. If your dad is worried, then respect him, like I know you do, and get your ugly ass home."
"My ass is not ugly. Ask any girl within a five mile radius." I had to lighten the conversation. I couldn't handle much m
ore strife.
"Finn. Go home, dude. We'll go out tomorrow and take a mountain down together."
I sighed and resigned myself to giving into them. Everyone had their panties in a wad, and once again, it was my turn to bend and comfort them. "Fine. I'm already up here and there's one fucking way down."
"Good. Enjoy it and get home. Text me if you're free later, and we'll grab a beer."
"Yeah, fuck you," I mumbled, and pulled my glasses down.
"I'm not your type, remember."
"Right. You're entirely too hairy." I smiled, not wanting to cause any stress on anyone, just wanting a moment to myself.
"Hey."
"What?" I bit my tongue.
"Whatever that mean old fucker said to you today...let it go."
"Does everyone know about this?"
"Small town, Finn," he laughed. "I'm hanging up. Be careful and call me later."
"Later." I pulled the phone from my face and honestly considered lobbing it halfway across the mountain just to get a moment of peace. My dad's problems were his problems, and I didn't need him fixing mine.
I let my thoughts go and bent my knees, turning sharply and shoving off. The wind hit me in the face, and I took shallow breaths, turning and twisting my body as I'd been doing all my life.
Jonathan Burke’s voice lifted inside my head, and I couldn't seem to shake his words.
"You stay the fuck away from my little girl. She deserves better than you could ever give her. Do you hear me? You're a piece of shit who will rot in this town, boning any available woman, and dreaming about a life that will never ever be yours. Do yourself a favor and don't bring down Chloe to your level. You'll hate yourself for it later. Ask your father about that."
Was my mother like Chloe once? Was she wealthy and filled with plans? Had my father fallen in love with her and changed everything? Did it matter? She had been happy.
I could remember so many happy moments with my folks. Wealth didn't matter and building legacies didn't mean shit if there wasn't someone there to enjoy them with, someone to pass them on to.
My dad was right about one thing” I did need to know the story. It wasn't just about him and Jonathan; I was pretty sure it involved my mom, too.