Page 62 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

“I don’t. I just like to make my husband blush.” Cade laughs and clinks his glass against mine.

Since Sloan is blushing too, it’s impossible not to join in his laughter.

For the next hour, we talk about life in Katah Vista. Cade shares his thoughts on some of the best features of the area, most of which I’ve yet to experience since I’ve hardly left the office. There are a number of trails for hiking and biking he suggests I explore, and there’s even a small lake with a beach where people paddleboard and canoe.

Maddox and Sloan tell me about their favorite events, Pedal being top of the list, although the last day of the ski season is a close second because of all the costumes on the slopes, and the live bands that play at the base area. I vaguely remember seeing the festivities from my office window a few months back, though I didn’t partake in anything. I was too busy analyzing the numbers from the season.

As we’re finishing our first round, Cade’s cousin Deacon spots us and heads our way.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming out tonight, cousin,” Deacon says as he pulls up a chair.

“Didn’t know I was until I got home and Maddox told me we had plans.”

“Maddox,” Deacon makes atskingsound as he shakes his head, “you promised you weren’t going to take over his social calendar just cause you two got hitched.”

“It’s one night, Deacon, and we’re at your favorite spot so why are you complaining?”

“I’m not complaining. I’m just making sure you stick to your word.” He winks at him and signals his friend over by the bar, who heads our way with another pitcher.

“You remember my cousin Deacon and our friend Ryder from the bike race?” Cade asks me.

“I do. How’s it going?” I offer them each my hand, and they give it a brief but firm shake, each of them registering my arm around Sloan’s shoulders as they take their seats. They tense under my fingertips for just a moment before they relax, as if he just remembered we’re not hiding anymore.

“Can’t complain.” Ryder shrugs as Deacon says, “Not bad.”

“Ryder races on the snowboard circuit,” Cade tips his head toward the man wearing a ski cap over his dark hair despite the fact it’s summer. "The resort has been sponsoring him for years."

“I’ve heard good things about you,” I tell Ryder. Although I didn’t get involved with the racing program last year, I kept tabs on it since I have such a soft spot for snow sports, and he’s rumored to be the guy to beat for the upcoming season. “We’ll have to get together sometimeto talk about your sponsorship. I'd like to know how it's working for you.”

Ryder’s eyes flash wide for a moment before he gives me a curt nod. I wince inwardly, regretting how much I isolated myself from people I should’ve made a point to interact with, people I probably would’ve enjoyed. Hopefully, it’s not too late to correct that.

“Cade was just telling Carter about some of the biking trails he should check out in the area,” Maddox steers the conversation back on track.

“You bike?” Deacon asks me.

“I’m more of a winter sports guy, but I’d like to see what it’s about since it seems to be popular around town.” I can’t see myself hurling down a mountain on a bike the way I do on skis, but I’m willing to try it if it could help me better relate to people here.

“Biking’s the same as skiing, it just hurts more when you fall.” Deacon says with authority.

“Well, that and you have to go up before you go down, so it’s more work,” Ryder adds.

“How is that different than skiing?” Sloan asks.

“You don’t ski uphill, you take a chairlift. Around here the only way to ride a bike down the mountain is to pedal up it first,” Ryder answers.

“Around here?” I latch onto that comment as the memory of an article I read in a trade publication comes to mind. “There are some resorts that have modified their lifts to take bikes. Would people want that here?”

“Absolutely.” Cade leans forward, an eager grin on his face. “I mean, I love earning the downhill ride with a punishing climb up, but sometimes you just want the thrill of blasting down the trail, you know?”

“Not personally, no. Though like I said, I’m game to try it. And if it makes sense, I’d explore adding something like that here.”

“Don’t tease me.” Deacon places a hand above his heart. “You add a bike park, and I’ll have to make this my permanent home.”

“It’s not already?” My eyes dart to Cade, looking for confirmation, but his eyes are focused on his beer.

“Deacon’s a landscape architect,” Ryder volunteers with a snort. “Dude didn’t consider that a degree in flowers and trees would mean he’d be jobless three quarters of the year when he moved here.”

“In my defense, flowers and trees are tough to maintain at altitude. And those aren’t my only specialty, it’s just the type of work Cade has available.” Deacon raises a glass to his cousin as if to say things are all good.

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