I walk into the ski lodge and find Matt Peterson waiting for me in a comfy brown leather chair in front of the roaring fire. He’s already grabbed the attention of a woman who isn’t dressed in snow gear, which could mean she doesn’t even know she’s talking to a gold medal snowboarder.
Matt is nearing the end of his career, but demanding one more go at a medal. So he sought me out to help him come up with some new moves to impress the judges. It feels a little odd, since for the past four years I’ve only been a ski instructor, but before Palmer got knocked up and we had Adley, I’d been a big deal, at least in the extreme snow sports arena.
Matt sees me and nods, quickly dismissing the woman. What does he care? He’ll have another whenever he wants. The man has the reputation of a playboy.
“Hey, man.” We shake hands.
I nod toward the woman who’s across the room now. “And who’s that?”
He shakes his head, his dark hair tumbling over his eyes for a second. “Just some slope bunny pretending she doesn’t know who I am.”
“Strike one,” I say, knowing his MO. “How did you know?”
“She asked me how I liked boarding in Beijing.” He laughs. “She didn’t even realize how much she fucked up.”
Both of us look in her direction to find her gaze still on Matt.
“And I didn’t tell her. Come on, I’m anxious to get out there.” He walks by me to the doors, and I wave to the people I know.
I fall in line with him, both of us grabbing our boards on the way out. “Still not settling down?”
“Still playing daddy?” He raises an eyebrow.
“I am a dad, so there is no playing.”
He laughs. “Not many would give up what you did.”
“She’s worth it all and then some.” I grab my phone out of my pocket and pull up Adley’s picture.
He looks at it, then at me. “Adorable.”
But as with most reactions from Matt, I can’t figure out if he’s being sarcastic or not. I don’t think he’s the type to ever settle down. He’s more the perpetual playboy who will die doing some crazy stunt at seventy-nine or something.
“I know. She’s the best.”
His gaze bounces to my left hand. “At least you’re still single.”
“I am, but I’m seeing someone.”
He holds his board while we wait for the lift. “I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess.”
A minute later, we’re sitting in the warm gondola, moving up the mountain. “Why wouldn’t you be surprised?”
He chuckles as if there’s an inside joke only he knows. “I took an Uber into downtown Lake Starlight last night, and there doesn’t seem to be anything crazy to do except get drunk and get a stupid tattoo. The stares I got when I walked into that bar, Lucky’s.” He shakes his head.
“I thought you’d be used to stares by now.”
“Not stares like I walked into a private party during a speech. Finally, it got a little better when the owner, Van, offered me an empty stool and a drink on the house.”
I laugh. “Van is my baby mama’s cousin’s husband.”
“He’s what?” He chuckles. “I forgot you moved here because of her and her big-ass family.”
The gondola is almost to the top, so we prepare to get out. “I like my life.” I step out first, with Matt right behind me.
“But do you love it?” His eyebrows rise as he secures his helmet and pulls down his goggles.
“I love the people, yes,” I answer as honestly as I can.
I do love Lake Starlight, and at first it was an adjustment, getting used to running into people, most of whom were Palmer’s relatives, everywhere I went. But Adley changed my life, and I can’t imagine not living wherever Palmer is. I get that Matt doesn’t see much value in that, but maybe when he’s done setting records and claiming gold medals, he’ll feel differently.
“I love my mom, but I wanted the hell out of my hometown.”
Not wanting to continue this conversation, I bring it back to the reason we’re here. “Let’s get you in line for the halfpipe.”
We wait since we can’t reserve it especially for Matt, even though he’s an icon in the sport. Anyway, it will be good to go over his tricks before he does his run again.
“I’ve set up a friend to videotape, so I want you to do whatever you want, then I’ll give you my thoughts.”
“Perfect.” He walks over to some kids probably twenty years his junior, and most of them know who he is, giving him high fives and fist bumps.
I sit back and wait, but I don’t have to wait too long because each kid in line allows Matt to go in front. Matt, being Matt, takes the opportunity they’re giving him.
His first run is good but not great. Right off, it’s clear he isn’t getting the height he needs to do the big tricks this sport demands nowadays. Every year the tricks get scarier, athletes doing the unthinkable when one false move could kill them.
I didn’t tell Matt, but seeing Adley grow up is dream number one for me now. I just can’t put my life at risk the way he does, knowing it would be my fault if I left her without a dad because I’m an adrenaline junkie.
When he’s back up the mountain, he walks over to me, shaking his head. “Fuck, you don’t have to tell me. I barely got enough air on the first trick.” His goggles rest on his helmet, and he looks at me for advice.
Sometimes I wonder why he sought me out after all these years when half of my day is spent teaching families and kids who have never skied how to use the pizza method to control their speed. We chat about the changes he can make and go through a few more runs, his improvement showing by the third time.
After his last run, I snowboard to the bottom to meet him, and someone calls my name. I turn to find Palmer’s cousin Harper.
The entire Bailey clan can ski or snowboard like champs, which I guess happens when you grow up in Alaska. Ironically, Palmer can’t. She always refused to learn for some reason, but at least she trusts me on the slopes with Adley.
“Hey, Harper,” I say when she comes over with some of her friends. All their attention is on Matt instead of me.
“Do you know Matt Peterson?” I ask them.
As a group, they say yes and nod, a few of them giggling. Harper shakes her head at them. She’s been around me when I’ve had some other professional athletes come to me for training and tips.
“Hey, girls,” Matt says.
“Hi,” they say in unison with the typical flirty girl voices I’m sure Matt expects.
I introduce Matt to Harper, and she says each of her friend’s names, each one unable to take their eyes off Matt.
When was the last time I was looked at like they wanted to tie me up naked and explore my entire body twice?
My phone rings in my pocket, so I grab it to see it’s the school.
“Excuse me,” I say and walk a few steps away while swiping my phone. “Hello?”
“Hi, this is Marcie again.”
“What did she do?” I ask, knowing Adley couldn’t keep her hands to herself.
“Adley chased another student around the playground, asking him to kiss her.”
I blow out a breath.
“Mr. Grier would like for you and Miss Bailey to come in again and have another conversation.”
“Do I need to pick her up right now?” I can’t cancel my lessons for the day again. This is Palmer’s job today, her day with Adley. “Did you try to call Palmer?”
“We did, but we didn’t get an answer. No need to get Adley, though. Mr. Grier assured me we’d figure this out during the conference. Get in touch with Miss Ferguson and let me know a good time for the two of you to come in.” There’s a trace of humor in Marcie’s voice, suggesting she finds this whole thing funny. My three-year-old chasing boys around asking them to kiss her? Not funny at all.
“Thanks, Marcie, I’ll be in touch.”
I hang up and call Palmer immediately. It rings and rings and goes to her voicemail. She must have her phone on Do Not Disturb. I pocket my phone, shaking my head, and go back over to the group.
“Trouble in Domestic Ville?” Matt asks with a shit-eating grin.
Harper’s eyes pinch together, and she looks at me. Harper, did you really think Matt Peterson was going to fall madly in love with you and marry you after meeting him at the base of the mountain?
“No. But I have another lesson I have to get to. You want to come by for dinner tonight?”
“Depends, do I get to meet the little lady?”
“Which one?” Harper asks, causing me to turn in her direction.
“Oh, maybe things do get a little crazy in Domestic Ville?” Matt eyes me.
“Theresa. Palmer is just Adley’s mom. We’re not involved like that.”
Harper rolls her eyes and smiles. “Yeah okay, you keep telling yourself that. Come on, ladies, let’s go check out the halfpipe. Bye, Matt. Bye, Hudson.” She waves her gloved hand and all of them head in the direction we just came from.
“Ignore her. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“Sure, she doesn’t. Text me the address and time and what to bring. I’ve been dying for a home-cooked meal.” He slaps me on the shoulder. “In the meantime, I’m going to work up an appetite.” His eyes follow a woman walking on her own before he turns and waves, falling in line with her.
I shake my head and walk toward the bunny hill where I’ll be teaching little kids for the rest of the day. On the way, I pull out my cell phone and message Theresa with the hopes that she can come over and cook a meal Matt will love. I have a few things in my repertoire, but Theresa is a master in the kitchen. Plus, it’s our two nights where both our girls are with their other parent.
The three dots appear.
When we first started dating, Theresa was more casual and carefree. Sure, she’s always been a type A personality, but it wasn’t directed my way. The longer we’ve dated, though, the more that aspect of her personality has bled into our interactions, so I don’t bother suggesting something for the meal tonight. I’ve never dated anyone so persistent about having things a certain way. Someone who can sometimes have a hard time going with the flow. Someone who is a tad uptight in the bedroom. Things are good there, but we’re not rocking the bed and shattering glass with our screams. Shit, the one and only time I was with Palmer, we broke the bed and tore the curtains off the rod, and she almost ended up with a concussion.
I laugh to myself, remembering it even through the alcohol haze I had throughout.
But I tell myself that this is a mature relationship. Who cares if our sex isn’t mind-blowing and out of this world? I still enjoy it and that’s what matters.
“Hudson!” a group of kids scream.
I pocket my phone, heading over to the little people who make me feel like a rock star. My life is great, and I can’t let Matt make me second-guess that. We’re two very different people.