“Current coach.” He corrected.
“Oh, hi!” Bells said, going forward to shake his hand. “I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you.” Tom slid a sly glance my way.
I gave him a look that said I wasn’t too happy with his remark. She took his comment in stride, though, merely shrugging. “Liam is a man of few words.”
“Well, that’s the truth,” Joiner quipped.
“Bellamy is my girlfriend,” I explained. Once again, I was annoyed that I had to use that word to describe her.
Joiner smiled. “I know. I might not have seen you at the service, but I saw everyone else. You might be a man of few words, but everyone else in this town likes to talk.”
“Thank you for making the trip for the service. I’m sure Ren would appreciate it,” Bellamy said.
Joiner smiled wistfully. “He was a real one-of-a-kind.”
I wondered if it would ever get easier. Talking about my dad. Remembering him. Not being so fucking angry about the way he was taken.
As if she sensed it, Bellamy shifted closer, her hand covering the back of my neck and rubbing soothingly. I glanced at her, thinking about the time we had just before Joiner rang the bell. So fucking grateful. I was so lucky to have her in my life.
I knew if she wasn’t, I probably would have fallen into the bottom of a pill bottle by now.
Bells said I had to stay sober for me, that I alone was worth sobriety. I supposed she was right, but the truth was I loved her more than myself. I loved my son more than myself.
They were powerful fucking motivators to keep the pills out of my gut.
They were also very powerful motivators to make sure nothing like what happened to Dad happened to them.
I haven’t forgotten you, Crone. Oh, no. Your time is coming.
“I was hoping we could talk,” Joiner said after a few beats of quiet and some more of his beer.
“Sure.” I agreed. I mean, the man came all the way to Caribou to pay his respects to my father. And he was a huge part of my daily life for over eight years. As much as I didn’t want to, the least I owed him was a conversation.
My hand settled at Bells’s waist and tried to pull her along with us. She resisted lightly, saying, “Go ahead. I’m just going to make some tea. I’ll be right there.”
I swung around completely, blocking out my coach and focusing solely on her. Cupping her cheek, I asked, “You feeling sick?”
Her lips turned up. “Just a little.”
I frowned. “Was before too much?” Fuck, I knew better. I’d been keeping my hands off for a reason.
Both her palms rested on my bare chest. “Definitely not. I’ll be right there.”
I led Tom out of the kitchen to the living area, where we sat across from each other. I hadn’t seen him over a year. He looked the same, though, short, dark hair peppered with white, clean shaven, and trim build. He was dressed in what I thought of as his uniform, athletic pants and a pullover.
“I understand now why you’ve been so adamant about not returning to the pros,” Joiner said, getting right to it.
Actually, you have no clue.
“It’s not just my father.” I began, kind of bitter. I shouldn’t be bitter, not with Tom. He was operating on barely any information. In his eyes, there wasn’t much standing in the way of me and the pros. He just didn’t get it. And I couldn’t tell him. Part of me wanted to, you know?
Just drain this beer, sit back, and spill every last dirty detail of the past few months. Wouldn’t his face be a sight then? He’d probably get up and leave without any other conversation.
Then I could really kiss boarding good-bye.
I wouldn’t do that, though.
Not because I was clinging to hope of returning. Well, maybe a small part of me was. It was selfish to involve an innocent man who’d been like a second father to me half my life. I couldn’t drag him down with my problems.
Plus, there was the pesky gag order the FBI was choking me with.
“Level with me,” Joiner said, sitting forward. “How bad is the knee?”
“Weak,” I replied, short.
“Operational? Trainable? Returnable?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“The fuck it doesn’t!”
“Why are you pushing this?” I exploded, standing. “Jesus, Tom. My father just died, and you’re riding my ass like a horny gay man.”
“Liam!” Bellamy gasped.
I spun, seeing her standing nearby with a white mug cradled in her hands and the tag on the end of the teabag fluttering against the porcelain. Her cheeks were still pale, and I knew her insides were all twisted up.
“Sorry, sweetheart,” I muttered, making my way to her side to escort her to the couch.
“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.” She admonished.
I glanced at Tom. “Sorry,” I muttered.
After she sat down, Bellamy leaned around me to look at my coach. “We don’t care if you’re gay.”
“I’m not gay,” he answered, bewildered. “But thank you…?”
I chuckled and sat beside Bells. Just having her in close proximity made me feel a little less… hotheaded.
“Ren called me,” Joiner said, his voice quiet and serious.
“What?” I perked up. “When?”
“Right after the last call you and I had, you know, when you quit on me.”
It was the last day of my father’s life. Joiner was one of the last people to speak to my dad.
My voice was hoarse when I spoke. “What did he say?”
“He wanted me to give you a little more time. He, ah…” Tom picked up the beer and took a pull like he needed a minute.
I did the same because it seemed like a pretty good idea. At the small of my back, Bellamy’s hand rested, just above the waistband of my jeans. Her palm was warm, probably from the mug in her hand.
“He told me he was dying.”
Shock rippled through me. No, it wasn’t a secret, but it wasn’t something we went around announcing either. “He told you?”
Joiner nodded. “He asked me not to give up on you. He was worried you were giving up boarding because of him. Because you’re stubbornly loyal.”
Bellamy laughed beneath her breath. “So true.”
“Is not,” I grumped, emotion swelling so forcefully in my chest it made me squirm.
Tom continued. “He believed in you. The way he talked about you… He was so proud.”
I picked up the beer again, draining it. The glass made a hollow thud when I plopped it back on the coffee table. Shoving to my feet, I prowled over to the windows overlooking the ski slopes and whitecapped mountains.
God, I loved it. Every day that went by that I wasn’t out on the powder, I felt like a piece of me got smaller.
“I’ve got a team of the best sports medicine and physical therapists lined up. They’re all willing to come to you. I just have to make the call.” Joiner pressed.
“No.”
“You’re one tough son of a bitch,” Joiner said. I could hear him rise from his chair. “I figured you’d say as much.”
I didn’t say anything or turn around.
“What’s your opinion on all this?” Tom asked Bellamy.
I stiffened. He had some balls, trying to drag my girl into this. Pivoting, I was about to call him out, but Bells replied first.
“It’s not my job to have an opinion on this. My job is to support Liam, and if he says he’s done, then he’s done.”
Joiner pursed his lips, then looked over at me. “I’ll see myself out.” He went to the door, and I trailed behind, stopping a few yards away.
Hand on the front door, he turned and glanced back. “You were the best boarder I ever worked with, probably ever will. If you ever need anything, just call. I hope all the ass riding I did didn’t hurt our friendship.”
My stomach flopped, and the beer I downed
suddenly felt kinda bubbly. “It would take a lot more than that.”
He half smiled. “Good to hear. Hey, I’ll be in town through tomorrow. If you want to grab a bite, give me a call. No more shop talk. Just a meal between friends.”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
Joiner glanced past me to where Bellamy stood. “It was nice meetin’ ya, pretty lady.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
I stared at the door after he’d gone, unable to do anything but mourn something I’d already thought I lost.
Bellamy
“Come with me.”
I hadn’t even known he was awake until his deep, sleepy voice filled the dim bedroom.
We were spooned together, my back to his front. I’d been lying awake for a while, just feeling him wrapped around me, listening to the sounds of him breathing.
He’d been solemn after the visit with his coach. I wanted to push him, to ask him why he kept denying he wanted to return to snowboarding.
But I knew why.
Liam had a list of a thousand reasons. The very bottom was his own knee. It seemed like talking it to death wouldn’t change his mind. It would take something more than words to convince him.
I just wished I knew what that was.
Rolling toward the sound of his voice, I smiled sleepily at him. “Hi.”
He kissed the tip of my nose. “Hey there, beautiful.”
Reaching out, I scratched the underside of his chin. His scruff was quickly turning into a beard.
“So how ‘bout it?”
Of course I’d go with him. “Where are we going?”
“To the reading of the will.”
My hand fell away from his face. “Am I even allowed?”
He made a rude sound. “You’re family.”
“Not technically.”
He scowled. “I want you there.”
“I’ll be there, then,” I replied, secretly praying his mom didn’t take offense.
Liam smiled and began running his fingers through my hair. “How you feeling this morning?”
“Ask me after I get up and move around.”
He leaned in and kissed me tenderly, drawing it out until a haze of desire relaxed my limbs. “How about that shower we never took last night?” he murmured, drawing back.
I nodded, and Liam nearly leapt out of the bed, scooped me up, and carried me into the bathroom. I made it through the shower, getting dressed and doing my hair before a wave of nausea hit.
I managed to swallow it back but took a mug of ginger tea to go.
The reading of Renshaw’s will was located on the executive floor at the main lodge of the resort. The attorneys thought it might be more comfortable for everyone to do it there.
I didn’t think it mattered where it happened; it would be emotional either way.
Liam grew more tense the closer we got, and by the time we sat down in the boardroom, he was visibly agitated.
“Hey,” I whispered, going to his side in front of a large window. “What’s going on?”
“It just seems to soon. Dividing up Dad’s stuff like it was never his.”
“This place will always be Ren’s. And he wanted this meeting. These are his final wishes.”
“It’s hard,” he whispered.
“I know, sweetheart.”
I saw him half smile in his reflection in the window. “There you go again, calling me sweetheart.”
“You like it,” I teased.
The door opened, and two lawyers walked in, dressed impeccably in their suits and ties. They went around the large conference table and sat down, then gestured for Liam, Holly, and me to take a seat across from them.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet today,” one of the lawyers said.
“Like we had a choice,” Liam muttered.
I slipped my hand into his, and we sat down. Holly seemed less anxious than Liam, but she was certainly subdued. Her pale cheeks seemed even paler with the black ensemble she was dressed in.
Liam wore jeans and a white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up on his forearms. He’d trimmed his beard and combed his hair so he looked more put together than I knew he felt.
“Where is Mr. Alexander Carter?”
I perked up.
“What the fuck does Alex need to be here for?” Liam asked.
“I tried to call him. He didn’t answer,” Holly added.
Liam glanced at her sharply. “Why didn’t you tell me he needed to be here?”
“I figured I would call him myself.”
“I can call him now.” I offered, pulling my cell out of my bag.
Liam put his hand over. “He’s out of town.”
Surprise raised my voice. “He is? But we just saw him.”
“Something came up,” Liam replied, cryptic.
“What came up?”
“Do we need to postpone?” he asked the lawyers, sounding hopeful.
And no. It didn’t escape me he avoided my question.
“That isn’t necessary,” the lawyer answered. “You can fill him in, and he can come into my office when he returns.”
Liam leaned toward his mom. “Dad left something to Alex?”
“I believe so.”
“Let’s get started,” the lawyer replied, and both he and his partner opened up some folders.
The house, the cars, the bank accounts, and most everything went to Holly. It really wasn’t a surprise.
“In the matter of BearPaw Resort, which includes all the property, buildings, business accounts, and any holdings of BearPaw Resort…” The lawyer went on. “Controlling interest of my shares and holdings are hereby transferred to my son, William Mattison.”
Liam sat forward. “What?”
“Eighty percent of BearPaw Resort is hereby yours,” the lawyer said. “The other twenty percent, Mr. Mattison has transferred to Alexander Carter.”
Liam blew out a breath and sat back. “Alex.”
Holly leaned toward her son. “Your father thought it was important to acknowledge Alex and his role in your life. You understand?”
Liam was shell shocked. “But what about you?”
“Me?”
“You founded this place with him. You worked alongside him in the executive suites. You know this resort and its workings a hell of a lot better than me.”
“We built this place for you, Liam. As a legacy for you. BearPaw Resort isn’t mine. It’s always been yours.”
Liam pushed out of his chair, walking to a cart filled with crystal glasses and a large water pitcher. I watched as he filled up a glass, looked at it, then set it down.
“Did you really think he wouldn’t will this place to you?” Holly asked.
“No, I…” He glanced at me, and I nodded, encouraging him to continue. “I guess I didn’t think of it at all.”
Holly said, “You’re taking over. It’s only right it goes to you.”
“Running and owning are two different things.”
I wasn’t sure about that, but I kept the thought to myself because it didn’t really matter how I felt about it. Liam had his own thoughts and feelings.
The lawyer cleared his throat. “There’s also the matter of the trust.”
“Trust?” Liam asked, wrinkling his brow.
“Five million dollars. It’s also been willed to Liam.”
I sucked in a breath and stared at him.
“Five million,” Liam echoed and looked at Holly. “Did you know about this?”
“Of course. We’ve been putting money into that account for you since you were just a little boy.”
“You take it,” he told her.
“I don’t need it. Your father made sure I was taken care of. That money is yours.”
“I don’t want it,” Liam burst out. “I don’t want to get paid because my father was murdered.”
“Liam!” Holly gasped.
I got up and went to him, placing a hand at his back.
He looked at me with steady, se
rious eyes. “I don’t want it.”
I knew he would feel that way. After our talk last night, I knew Liam didn’t want anything he felt he didn’t earn. He most especially didn’t want anything that made him feel he was gaining something from the death of a parent.
“Then don’t take it.” I assured him, letting him know I understood.
“Your father wanted you to have that!” Holly gasped. “He wanted to be sure you were always taken care of.”
“I have money, Mom.”
“Yes, but…” She sat back. “This was from your father.”
Liam frowned.
The lawyer spoke up, and it struck me how unfair it was a stranger was in the room, listening to such personal conversations. “If I may interject. It really doesn’t matter if you want it or not. It’s yours. It’s in your name and is legally already yours. You can always choose to donate it if you truly don’t want it.”
“You can’t!” Holly exclaimed.
“Put it in a new trust,” Liam announced, touching my stomach. “One for my son.” He glanced at Holly. “Dad would like that, knowing he made sure his grandson was taken care of.”
“It’s a boy?” Holly whispered, touching her throat.
“We aren’t sure yet,” I replied gently.
“I can arrange to have the money put into a trust for the child once he or she is born.” The lawyer agreed.
“Mom?” Liam asked.
She nodded. “Yes, your father would like that. A way to be part of the baby’s life since he isn’t physically here.”
“This baby might not have been here if not for him,” I said, covering Liam’s hand still on my midsection.
“Do it,” he told the lawyer.
The quiet one nodded and began writing on his legal pad.
It was kinda surreal to know that my baby was a multimillionaire before he was born. It was a luxury, yes, but as a mother, it gave me a sense of peace because I knew he would always be taken care of.
“Is that it?” Liam asked, anxious to be finished.
“One more thing.”
He sighed. I rubbed my hand over his, making him glance down. His pained eyes softened when they touched my face.
“The north section of land on BearPaw property, deeded to Renshaw personally, is hereby to be retitled at his request.”
Frostbite (BearPaw Resort Book 3) Page 14