Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(86)

“Worth fighting for? There’s nothing to fight for. He’s gone. He ended it. He left me.”

“Do you really believe that?” he asked before letting out a long breath. “Everly and I went through a whole lot before we found our way back to one another. And sometimes, people leave because they think they’re protecting the people they love. So don’t jump to conclusions. He’ll be back, and I’m sure he’ll explain what happened to you then. Give it time.”

A lump formed in my throat. “I told him I loved him, and he ended it. He doesn’t love me.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re Dylan freaking Thomas. Who wouldn’t love you? I don’t buy it.”

“I’m hard to love,” I finally said, holding my poles out to the sides. “I’m snarky and untrusting and difficult.”

He barked out a laugh, and it echoed all around us. “What are you talking about? You’re honest and funny and strong. You’re one of the most caring people I know. Come on, now. This isn’t you.”

I nodded. He was right. This wasn’t me.

Wolf Wayburn had ruined me.

And I didn’t know how to get myself back.

“I’m done talking about it. I want to ski.” I took off for the chairlift, and Hawk followed.

This had always been my happy place.

But I felt anything but happy.





thirty-four





Wolf





“She’s been in a mood since the day you left. It’s a good thing you’re a Navy SEAL because I think it’s going to take some work to get her back,” Everly said with a shrug.

“Work has never scared me. Your sister on the other hand—she terrifies me.”

I knew better than to call Dylan because this needed to happen face-to-face. I’d had a hellish last few days and had just gotten back to the States a few hours ago. Bullet had flown back with me, and he was with Jaqueline and the kids now. We’d both spent a little time in the hospital before we could get the hell out of there and head home. He’d officially let the Navy know that he was retiring, and he’d accepted a full-time security position with the Lions.

Hawk had helped me set this up, and I was preparing to grovel.

She chuckled. “You’re a brave man, Wolf. It took a lot for me to get her to come out here today. Let’s get you out on the mountain.”

The snow was coming down hard now, and I grabbed my boots and skis before we made our way outside. I had a backpack on my back, which I’d be giving to Hawk up on the hill. We’d come up with this grand plan that Everly would say she wanted to stay in the clubhouse, and Hawk would ski with Dylan—until he found a way to ditch her at the top of the hill so he could help me.

Everly walked with me until we were a few feet away from the chairlift, and she looked down at her phone. “Okay. They just got to the top, and he’s going to tell her that his mom is calling about Jackson as soon as you get on that chairlift. Then he’ll tell her to go down the hill on her own. You ready?”

“I am. Thanks for your help, Ever.”

She smiled. “Nothing I wouldn’t do for Dilly. Just don’t break her heart again, or I will hunt you down and torture you slowly.”

I chuckled as I stepped into my skis and held up my hand before making my way to the chairlift. When I got to the top, I looked around to make sure she wasn’t there. I spotted Hawk, and he waved me over.

“Did she go?”

“She’s being a stubborn ass. She wanted to wait for me. I kept telling her to go, so she just took off thirty seconds ago. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”

I nodded and dropped my poles before handing him my backpack, pulling off my coat and then my sweater. Hawk shoved them into my backpack as he stood there, laughing his ass off.

I covered my mouth with my hands and blew into them for some heat one last time before stepping out of my skis to pull off my jeans, and then I slipped the boots back on and stepped into the skis once again.

“Is this funny to you?” I asked, standing there in a pair of black boxer briefs and nothing else but a beanie and some gloves. I reached for the front pocket of the backpack and pulled out the letter I’d written Dylan before I’d gone in that tunnel, then looked down for a place to tuck it before sticking it inside my boxer briefs.

“It’s fucking funny. And you are definitely getting some looks.” He whistled.

I glanced over to see a group of women staring and smiling at me.

“All right. I need to go. You’ll have my clothes down at the bottom?”

“I’ve got you, brother. I’ll take the small hill down, and Ever and I will be waiting for you. She’s wearing all black, so you’ll find her pretty easily. Go get your girl.” He clapped me on the shoulder, and I used my poles to take off.

“You’re crazy. It’s freezing out here. Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?” a dude around my age shouted as I paused at the top of the hill.

“I’m eating crow, brother.”

“Ahhh… it’s always about a girl, isn’t it?”

“Never has been before now.” I pulled my goggles down over my eyes and spotted her about halfway down the hill. There were only a few people on this run right now, so I’d be able to keep my eye on her. “But there’s a first for everything.”