Page 28 of Wilde About You

"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.

fourteen

. . .

Colin

I'd been hit with a double whammy. I'd lost a great sponsor, and a woman I really liked had walked out the door for good. I'd considered a third beer but decided to just go to bed. I flopped down on the mattress and instantly all the hot memories came back to me. I could still smell her sweet scent on my sheets.

The door opened and shut. "Where are ya, bro? We should talk."

"In here, Ro."

Ronan landed in the doorway and leaned casually against it. "Why you in bed? Hey, that chick was something else. Jameson and I were thinking maybe Colin Wilde had met his match. You should⁠—"

"She's gone," I said abruptly.

"Gone? As in never-to-step-foot-in-your-apartment-again gone?"

"That's pretty much what gone means. What do you need to talk about? By the way, I might need you to pay more rent. I just lost a big sponsor."

Ronan rolled his mouth in for a second. "Hmm, then I guess this is bad timing. Rachel's mom finally got into that retirement village she was on the list for. She moves in next month and Rachel⁠—"

"And Rachel wants you to move in with her," I finished for him.