Then he stalked off.
I felt the fire draining out of me as he went.
“That was unexpected.”
East’s words forced my attention away from Travis’s retreating figure. Suddenly, I was not only hyperaware of the attention we’d gained during our little face-off but Easton’s arm still wrapped around my middle.
I stepped back, relieved and a little disappointed when he dropped his arm to give me space.
“God, I’m so sorry about that.” I ran a hand through my hair, waiting for the adrenaline rush to subside.
“Don’t apologize. You’re not responsible for someone else’s asshole behavior.”
“No, but it was still unprofessional.”
“Of him. Not you.”
I blew out a breath and met his bright, blue eyes. There was worry in them, and a calm that steadied me. “Thanks for handling him.”
“Seems like you handled him just fine on your own.”
I thought about the other night when Travis had almost attacked me. My knees rattled at the realization Travis had almost done the same thing again just now. In fact, if Easton hadn’t been here, I wasn’t sure he would’ve let it go. “I’m glad you were here.”
“Good. You can repay me by letting me buy you dinner.”
“You were serious about that?”
“Of course.”
“I thought you were just making a point.”
“I was. And the point is that you’re going to have dinner with me.”
I shook my head, a refusal on the tip of my tongue.
East stepped close, invading my space so quickly that my mind went blank. The words died on my tongue.
“Please.”
Maybe it was the sudden use of manners. Or the near-desperate look he flashed me. Before I could examine my actions, I felt myself nodding.
“Okay. Dinner. Tomorrow.”
“It’s a date.” East grinned, and my heart did that familiar tug—thrilled and aching all at once.
“It’s just dinner,” I said firmly.
“Just dinner,” he repeated in a voice that left no doubt he intended on dinner—and a whole lot more.
9
Easton
Despite the ache in my knee, I felt lighter than I had in months. After a cup of coffee and a buffet breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage, I escaped the noisy B&B and headed for the ski shop. Maybe my old buddy from high school was still behind the counter, but even if he wasn’t, I had a mind to ask the guys about business on the mountain these days. Not for any reason, of course. Not because I’d ever entertained staying, but maybe a weekend trip back at some point for a follow up with my physical therapist wouldn’t hurt. And if I took her out for a snowboarding lesson, hoping to catch her when she fell, that wouldn’t hurt anything either.
The bell over the door jingled as I entered. The guy behind the counter looked up.
“Stone.”
It took him a split second before recognition registered, then he grinned. “Easton. How the hell are you, man?”
He came around to give me a slap on the back; the universal man hug.
“Not dead, so I guess I’m good,” I said.
He laughed. “Guess I’ll claim the same then. Where you been hiding? Haven’t seen you in forever.”
“Got an instructor gig at a resort out in Breck,” I said. “Doing some competing on the side.”
“Congrats, man. You were always a stellar boarder.”
“Yeah, it was a pretty nice gig until I busted my knee a few weeks back.” I patted my leg and gave Stone the quick version of what happened.
“A supercat, huh? You crazy or just stupid?”
“Both, obviously,” I said with a snort. “Landed the wildcat okay before that, so I thought what the hell, right?”
“Right.” He laughed.
“So, you runnin’ the place now?” I asked, gesturing to the nametag he wore that said “Manager.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, been managing for about five years now.”
I glanced around at all the life vests lining the walls. “Looks like you branched out.”
“I talked Len into expanding so we could do year-round business,” he said. “It’s kind of what landed me the promotion, actually. During off-season, we rent canoes and kayaks and do rafting tours.”
“How’s business on the slopes?”
“Gets busier every year.” He glanced at me with a gleam in his eye that, in high school, had always been the signal for some kind of scheme. “You wouldn’t be looking for a job, would ya?”
“Not looking for much of anything until this knee heals up,” I said. “Why?”
“Bobby Potter moved back East with his new wife, which means we’re down an instructor for the season. Len’s already freaking out, and we’re weeks from opening.”
“Len freaks out about everything,” I said, and Stone laughed.
“You’re not wrong. Hey, isn’t that your pop?”
I frowned and followed his gaze to the window. On the sidewalk, with both hands on hips and a scowl on his weathered face, stood my dad. He glared at me pointedly, obviously waiting for me to come outside.
I gritted my teeth together.
“Guess I’ll let you get back.” Stone clapped me on the shoulder. “Good to see you, East.”
“Good to see you, too,” I said distractedly as I headed for the door.
“If you change your mind about that job, come find me,” he called.
“Will do,” I said as I shoved through the door and out into the sunshine. Despite the cheery light, I couldn’t help but feel like a dark cloud had just descended over me.
“What?” I demanded.
“Don’t ‘what’ me. You’ve disappointed your mother by staying at that damned bed and breakfast like some kind of stranger, and I’m tired of watching her mope around.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, boy. Come home. She made up your bed; the least you could do is sleep in it.”
The scent of alcohol on his breath was strong enough to nearly knock me over.
“I’m not staying at your house,” I said quietly.
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me what you ain’t doin’. I’m your pop. You do what I say.”
Rage rose swift and hot, bubbling over before I could beat it back. “Or what?” I challenged, taking a small step
