Demise of a Self-Centered Playboy

Denver

Two hours after the meeting, I’m still sitting outside the small shack of an office building for Lifetime Adventures, reflecting on what happened in Luther’s office.

I haven’t been able to bring myself to read the letter Chip wrote to me.

The office is located on a hill, the view spectacular.

I don’t know if Chip picked this location for that reason, but if you were considering touring the outdoors here, there’s no better advertisement than the backdrop I’m looking at now.

There are three drive sheds full of planes, snowmobiles, and other gear behind the small office. Now half of it is mine.

But I’m not sure I want it. Of course I told Cleo I did just to piss her off, but I’m not made to run a company. I don’t even like to work for other people, let alone have people work for me.

I like being my own boss of a solo operation. It’s a big part of the reason I went into bush piloting. I dictate my hours, my trips, and my time.

I decide that now is as good a time as any to read Chip’s final words to me, so I grab the envelope off the passenger’s seat and tear it open.

Denver,

I’m going to be cliché in saying if you’re reading this, I’ve lost the battle.

Also, if you’re reading this, Luther just informed you that half of Lifetime Adventures is yours and the other half is Cleo’s.

I know where you stand and where you see your life going. And I realize that this sends you in a direction you never wanted to go. ~

You’re probably cursing my name right now. Hear me out before you sign your half over to Cleo or the two of you decide to sell. ~

You came to me wanting to learn to fly. I told you that you were too reckless, because we both know your reputation in Lake Starlight throughout your teen years. ~

But you came back again and again, agreeing to pay off the lessons by working at Lifetime. ~

You had the drive to keep going, and through all the skills I’ve taught you, I’ve seen something inside you I’m not sure you know is there. You deserve this opportunity, and you should take it. ~

Cleo is lost, much like you were when you came to me. ~

She has no idea where she fits in this world, and I have an inkling she could fit right here in Lake Starlight. The warmth of the people in this town will do her good. ~

But there’s no way she can do it on her own. She doesn’t have the skill set. So please take a chance on her like I did you? ~

I could never repay you for these last few months. Thank you, Denver. You truly are an amazing person, and I hope you find the happiness you deserve. Fly high, my friend.

Love,

Chip

P.S. I want you to fly Cleo up north and let her choose where to spread my ashes. Have her pick somewhere that speaks to her heart, somewhere beautiful she’ll never forget.

No rush, whenever she’s ready. I’m not going anywhere. ;)

I blink a few times to keep the tears at bay.

How the hell am I supposed to say no now, old man?

My phone rings over the Bluetooth, and Savannah’s name runs along my dashboard screen. She’s the only person who probably remembers today was the will reading.

I bet she uses nine different colors in her planner for each of our siblings’ schedules. These days she must be using ten to account for Liam—my best friend turned her boyfriend.

“Hey, Sav,” I answer.

“I’m glad I caught you. I didn’t know if you had an excursion or something for Lifetime Adventures.”

I tap my fingers on the steering wheel. Does she really not remember what was going on today? “No. It’s winter and Chip hasn’t—didn’t do a great job of booking trips, what with him dying.”

Savannah is quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry.”

“I know you are.”

There’s another long beat of silence that I don’t fill.

“I wanted to check a date with you for another eighties movie night, but you’ve got a lot going on. It can wait.”

“You’re being nice,” I say with suspicion in my tone.

“I’m always nice these days.”

One good thing about my best friend shacking up with my sister is that he dug so deep inside her, he brought back the Savannah who doesn’t take everything so seriously—the one from before my parents died.

I say nothing, waiting for her to ask about the will reading.

“Actually, time to be not so nice. When do you think you’ll be getting me the rent?” she asks.

I guarantee Phoenix hasn’t paid her either. “I don’t know. I haven’t been able to pilot because of the excursions, but you remember his will reading was today, right?”

My question is met with silence.

“Shit, I forgot. I should’ve been there with you.”

Before Liam, she would have. Not that she needed to though. I can handle myself fine with Luther Lloyd. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I should—”

“Stop it, Sav. You have a life, and besides, I’m twenty-seven. But there is something I wanted to talk to you and Austin about.” My two oldest siblings are like my pseudo parents.

One of them will tell me what to do.

“Okay,” she says warily. “How about dinner? We can meet wherever. I’ll call Austin.”

“Sure. How about six o’clock at Terra and Mare? I want Rome in on this too.”

“Okay.”

“See you then.”

“Denver?” Her voice holds that soothing tone she uses when she fears something is wrong.

“It’s all good. Just need some advice.”

Another few seconds of silence. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Thanks.”

We hang up and I file out of the truck, my feet crunching on the snow as I make my way to the office doors.

I lose my traction but recover before falling on my ass, which brings back memories of Cleo’s fall from hours earlier.

Maybe she’s not the only one who needs to get new shoes.

***

At six-fifteen, I walk through the back doors of Terra and Mare. Rome is in the kitchen wearing his chef jacket and hat, looking professional.

It still takes me a second sometimes to remember that he’s done a lot of growing up over the past couple of years.

“Where’s my favorite niece and nephew?” I ask, stealing a piece of beef and sliding up on the counter.

Rome eyes where my ass is on the counter and rolls his eyes. “They’re upstairs with Harley. Did you forget you said six to everyone?”

Colin returns from the walk-in refrigerator and I fist-bump him.

“It is six,” I say around the piece of beef.

“It’s six-fifteen,” Rome says.

I look around for a clock and find one over the doorway to the dining room. I shrug. “Close enough.”

Rome blows out a breath and Colin chuckles as he cuts peppers. I snag a piece of red pepper and Colin slides a pile over to me on the corner of the cutting board. Colin’s good people.

“Let’s go. Sav and Austin are already here.” Rome grabs a plate with beef and a potato dish on it. “You good, Colin?”

“Yeah,” Colin says, and Rome looks back at him with gratitude.

I jump off the counter, smack Colin on the back, and pick up a few more red peppers. I shouldn’t have skipped lunch.

The dining room is three-quarters full, and my oldest sister and brother are in the corner table by the street, talking to one another.

“What’s up?” I ask, sliding into a chair next to Austin.

“Isn’t that the question we should ask you?” Austin says.

Savannah sips her wine and leans back in her chair. She’s dressed as though she came right from work, and Austin is in his classic jeans and button-down after teaching biology at the high school.

Rome places the dish down and holds up his finger to go to the bar.

I should be thankful I can call a last-minute meeting and my family comes. They’re the only ones I can ever count on.

Rome returns with a beer for me and water for him. He dishes out food while Sav and Austin focus on me.

“Chip left me half the company,” I blurt.

Savannah blinks in surprise. “And what about his daughter?”

“She got the other half.” I take a pull off my beer.

“Oh.” She sighs and sips her wine again, looking over the rim of her glass at Austin.

“And?” Austin asks.

“And I’m not sure what to do. She comes from that rich family and I know she wants to buy me out. We all know I can’t buy her out. Not that I’d want to run a company on my own.

“But I don’t even know if I want to run a company at all, let alone with her.”

Rome finishes dishing out the food and is surprisingly quiet, putting his napkin in his lap and positioning his silverware on either side of his plate.

“Well, let her buy you out then,” Austin says and eyes Savannah.

She shrugs. “If you don’t want to do it, then sell it to her.”

I have to admit, I thought there’d be some pushback. They all have their opinions on my life, wanting me to strive to be more responsible, to do something more.

I thought maybe this would be the ideal opportunity for them to push me.

“Rome?” I ask.

He stares at me with eyes that match my own. “I’m not sure why you want any of our advice. We’re not the ones who’ll have to live with the decision.”

That’s not the answer I thought my twin brother would give me. I get that parenthood has changed him, but since when doesn’t he have an opinion?

“Hey, how is Holly feeling?” Savannah asks out of nowhere. “She looked a little pale the other night.”

Austin cringes. “She’s fine. Maybe it was your cooking.” He laughs, tipping back his beer bottle.

“Funny, jerk.” She picks up her fork and stabs a piece of meat.

“Can we please get back to me?” I ask.

They all turn my way.

“What do you want to do? This isn’t about us. We can’t give you the answer.” Austin picks up his fork and eats.

“Sure, you can. What do you think I should do? I mean, Savannah, running a company sucks, right?”

Rome buries his head in his meal. What’s up with him tonight?

Austin glances at Savannah.

She shrugs, finishes chewing, and sets down her fork. “Rome, this is awesome. Can I order a to-go for Liam? He’s at the shop and I was gonna stop by there after.”

“Can we please stop talking about your significant others?” My voice is loud enough that the table beside us glances over.

It got my siblings’ attention though.

Savannah gives me her motherly eyes. “Running a company sucks at times, but there’re a lot of benefits as well. Truth is, I love that we’re able to give people employment.

“That something I do affects this town in a positive way. It sucks when it’s negative and those days are hard, but as much as I sometimes hate it, I’m not sure I would do anything different.”

Of course, she’s anal and OCD. Plus, she went into an established company. Chip left this one idle for too long and it has languished. I suspect he was sick for longer than he let on.

“But you get to do it all by yourself.”

Savannah tilts her head. “Have you ever heard of someone named Grandma Dori?”

I cut into my beef. “I get your point. But if I can’t buy Cleo out, I’ll be doing it with her, and she’s just terrible.”

Austin snickers, and when I look his way, he deflects by shoving a pile of potatoes into his mouth.

“Are you asking us for a loan?” Savannah asks. “Because Bailey Timber can’t invest in anything right now. Maybe Wyatt?”

“I’m not asking my brother-in-law for a loan.” I shove a piece of meat into my mouth.

Damn, my brother can cook. This is delicious.

“Sorry, bro, I can’t,” Rome says. “Between the restaurant and the kids, we’re strapped.”

“Here’s an idea, maybe you guys use protection,” Austin comments with a sour note to his voice, which is weird.

“For your information, we were using protection when both our kids were conceived. My sperm are just so powerful that they conquer anything in their path.” He looks at me. “Watch out, dude.”

“I’ve been lucky up until now.” I take another swig of my beer.

Austin grumbles while Rome sips his water.

“I have to get back into the kitchen. Sorry I can’t loan you.” He stands and squeezes my shoulder.

“Jesus, I’m not asking for a loan. I’m asking for some advice, which you all have been happy to give me until I find myself in the middle of a fork in the road.”

Rome sits back down, and his shoulders fall. Savannah’s lips turn down, and Austin keeps eating.

“Listen,” Rome says, “there’s a reason Chip left you half the company. I’ve seen you run away from responsibility your entire life. Maybe this is the one time you don’t run.”

“We can’t decide this for you,” Austin adds. “Consider this a giant leap into maturity.”

Rome pats my shoulder and walks back into the kitchen.

I put my head in my hands.

“Denver,” Savannah sighs, but I’m not picking up my head.

“Excuse me?” Someone comes to the table. “I just wanted to say how happy we are that you’ve stepped up to take over Lifetime Adventures. Chip was such an integral part of this town, I can’t imagine losing the business too.”

I raise my head to see who the voice belongs to. I don’t know the man standing at the end of the table, but I remember seeing him at the funeral, talking to Cleo. “You knew him?”

“I did. He was a great man.”

I pick up my beer and raise it. “That’s for sure.”

The man smiles. “Have a good night.”

With that, I watch him walk out onto Main Street as if he was a mirage.

“How did he find out?” I wonder.

But my question gets answered when the cocked eyebrows of my brother and sister imply that I’m stupid.

Austin pulls out his phone, hits a few buttons, and hands it over.

The Lake Starlight Buzz Wheel is on the screen, and the local gossip blog has a picture of Cleo and me on the steps of Luther Lloyd’s office building.

Which means if I turn this opportunity down, I don’t only disappoint Chip, but the entire town.

Perfect.