Page 17 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

“Isn’t it a bit early to be worried about next season? It’s only June.” I wrinkle my nose and take another bite.

“It’s never too early.” Finn leans against the counter and shakes his head. “What about the ski team? If anyone has an inside scoop it’d be the athletes since this is such a premier spot for training. When’s the last time you had any contact with them?”

“Not since March. They all scatter to their homes in the summer. And what inside scoop would they have that you don’t?” Too late I realize I’ve just invited him to keep railing against the man I’m starting to like. Professionally speaking, of course.

“You’d be surprised. Apparently being the head of operations doesn’t entitle me to any information about the resort while requiring me to work miracles with busted equipment. I swear I’m starting to think Carter Quinn expects me to wave a wand to fix stuff like I’m Harry fuckin Potter. He’s just looking for an excuse to fire me.”

Ally leaps off her barstool and rounds the island to put a calming hand on Finn’s chest. “You’re the only thing holding this resort together. What reason would he have to fire you?”

I focus my gaze on an imaginary spot on the counter, looking up only when Finn says my name. “None of the athletes said anything before they left for the season?”

“Not to me. I’m not exactly part of their team, and they wouldn’t bother coming to the spa when they have trainers on site to do what I do.” I offer a meager shrug.

“Somethings up, Al.” Finn leans his forehead against hers. “I don’t want to overreact, but it doesn’t look good. If I lose this job, we can’t afford to stay in the valley. We may need to look at other options.”

My heart beats erratically inside my chest. I want to tell them Finn’s job is safe since Carter’s given no indication he plans to let anyone go, but that might be giving them false hope since the original plan fell through. The fact that I even know there is, or was, an original plan will only invite questions I can’t answer, like what was the plan? And how do I know Carter?

Speaking up won’t solve anything. Logically, I know that. In fact, it would probably only cause more confusion and panic to learn that there are some very real unknowns about the future of the resort. The town.

If that’s the case, I should probably give Ally and Finn a heads-up. Soften the blow so to speak so they aren’t caught off guard if the worst happens. Then again, what if the worst doesn’t happen? What if Carter finds a solution? Speaking up could worry them over nothing.

Why does that make me feel like I’m picking Carter over my family?

“Sloan?” Ally waves a hand in front of my face to get my attention. “Where are you?”

“Sorry.” I swallow my last bite. “Just replaying the last few days in my head in case I might have missed something.” The lie replaces the sweetness of the apple with a sour aftertaste.

“Let’s not worry about that right now. We have more pressing things to discuss.” She leans her back against Finn’s chest, the glint in her eyes telling me she’s trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m all ears.” I play along, giving her my best smile.

“I need you and Lennon to complete the Marvel universe cast for Pedal.”

Each year the town comes to a near halt at the end of June and everyone rides bikes to raise money. It started as something where you get people to pledge ‘X’ amount of money for ‘Y’ laps around town, but since everyone participates there wasn’t anyone left to cover the pledges. Now you just pay to participate and that gets donated to charity. It’s a worthwhile cause, even if it has turned into an excuse to dress up.

No one knows when costumes became part of the event, it’s just something that happened, and now it’s expected. As the owner of a clothing boutique Ally takes costumes seriously and is on a mission to make each year better than the last. Therefore, saying no is not an option.

“Al,” I borrow Finn’s nickname for her. “You’re the fashionista. Can’t you pick me out a costume?”

“I’m not talking about finding costumes, I’m talking about being part of the group. We’ve got most of the cast except Deadpool and Ironman.”

“Who are you going to be?”

She picks up a lock of her red hair. “The Scarlet Witch, obviously.”

“No Black Widow? She’s more central to the story, right?”

“Eh, maybe. But I found this incredible red leather bodysuit.”

“Good choice.” I bite back a smile. Leave it to my sister to pick a more obscure character because she found the right costume.

“I have one for you too, if you’ll be Deadpool. So, I just need Lennon to play Ironman.”

“You have a red leather suit for Lennon? He’ll love that.” I’ve never met a guy who dresses as adventurously as Lennon. I’ve seen him in everything from leather pants to khakis to crop tops, and the man never met a skirt he didn’t like, although since he pairs them with chunky combat boots or Chucks he has a way of making them look masculineandfeminine. Ally’s favorite pastime is finding him clothes since he’s so fearless, and promising a red leather suit is one way to get him to participate in her Marvel cast.

“Duh,” my sister replies. “I mean, he has to wear the matching armor over it, but the base layer is a maroon leather."

“He’ll probably go for that.” I shrug.

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