Page 5 of Hero's Prize

Colton smiled at his mother’s nickname like he always did. Since his parents both had the same first name, they’d been called Boy Riley and Girl Riley when they’d first gotten together. Then, once all the Linear Tactical gang had started having kids, they’d become Uncle Boy and Aunt Girl to all Colton’s friends.

No matter what anyone wanted to call Girl Riley Harrison, Colton had the greatest mother in the world. The fact that she fought multiple sclerosis every day just made her more amazing.

Everyone assumed it was Colton’s dad, a world-class extreme sport athlete himself, who had influenced Colton’s career. But thetruth was, it was watching his mother not take any day for granted that had influenced him just as much.

“I don’t know, man. I’m just off,” he told Bear quietly, knowing his friend was listening even though he wasn’t looking. “I’ve felt that way for a while now.”

“Yeah? What does it mean?”

Retirement.

Colton didn’t want to say the word out loud, as if he was afraid speaking it into the universe might make it true or some such shit.

Because honestly, he wasn’t sure how he felt about retirement.

He looked over at Tony, still jotting down notes and talking to himself at the same time. There was a whole team of people who’d have to find new jobs if Colton decided he didn’t want to do stunts full time anymore. He was their business.

Plus, what perfectly healthy male retired at thirty-two years old?

“I can’t seem to find the exhilaration anymore.” He turned back to Bear. “I used to wake up thinking about all the things I could do, all the challenges I couldn’t wait to conquer. But now, the thrill doesn’t seem to be there anymore.”

“Do you think it’s gone permanently or temporarily?”

“Who knows?”

Tony chose that moment to turn toward them, giving them a huge grin and a thumbs-up. Colton managed a smile and waved in return.

Bear crouched down to touch a little of the snow at their feet. “Well, you’ve certainly got a lot of fans who are going to be disappointed if you decide to pack it in. Think of the ladies. They’d be devastated.” He thumped his chest slowly. “Hell, think of your poor wingman.”

Colton had to chuckle at Bear’s theatrics. Yeah, they’d wingmanned for each other all over the world. Bear would come out to support a stunt or just hang out, and between the two of them, they rarely encountered a lady they couldn’t convince to give one of them a chance. At this point, they practically had it down to a science.

“I think my poor wingman would do just fine on his own.”

Hell, Bear Bollinger would never have a problem with the ladies whether Colton was with him or not. Colton might have some fame Bear didn’t have, but Bear was 6’2” of muscle that came from real-life physical work, not hours in a gym.

The guy was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.

Bear raised an eyebrow. “Ladies just not doing it for you anymore?”

Colton shrugged. “You know how it is… It’s always fun in the moment.”

“It’s theafterthat feels like shit.”

Colton shrugged again. “There doesn’t seem to be any connection. And not just with women. I feel like I’ve got no connection with anyone or anywhere. I just bolt from place to place and pretty face.”

Bear stood back up and nodded solemnly. “You should really think about getting that embroidered on a pillow. Especially since it rhymes.”

Colton flipped his friend off, but he didn’t take any actual offense. “I think I just want the chance to slow down. Not constantly be on the go.Connectto something.”

“Why don’t you come stay in Oak Creek for a while? You know I’ve been working on that camp for siblings of terminally ill kids coming up in a few weeks. I could use all the help I can get.”

“How’s that going?”

“Damned near perfectly. We’re going to have our first set of campers this spring for ten days.”

“Tell me more.” Colton felt like shit. His schedule had been so hectic, he didn’t even know much about Bear’s passion project. “I don’t think I’d be a good candidate for taking kids camping.”

Bear chuckled. “It’s not that type of camping. I mean, yeah, there will be a little bit of wilderness survival training that will include some camping, but it’s more about giving these kids a chance to get out from the shadow of terminal illness.”

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