Page 47 of Lucky in Love
“And off?”
“Most of these guys are very successful at what they do, but their lives lack ‘something.’” She put the last word in air quotes. “They come for the challenge, to prove themselves, to fulfill some primal need to overcome adversity. We make it tough, so they walk away feeling like they’ve done that.”
“Makes sense.”
Tess took out her phone.
“Hey,” Brody said. “That’s not fair. Why do you get a phone when we had to leave ours behind?”
“For emergencies,” she said. “I gotta check the weather. The original forecast was for no snow up here, but I can smell it.”
“Great,” Brody mumbled. “Just what we need.”
“Holy crap!” Tess squinted at the screen.
“Well, that doesn’t inspire confidence,” he said. “Is it going to snow?”
“Oh, no. I haven’t checked yet.”
“What is it then?” Brody was immediately on edge. If it was enough to rattle Tess, it must be catastrophic.
“Alex’s mom showed up at her place.”
“She who must not be named?” Brody said, raising an eyebrow. “I take it that’s bad.”
“I’m sure Alex thinks so,” Tess said. “Let’s just say they have a complicated relationship.”
“I gathered that from the way Alex shut down all conversation about it the other day at the diner. What’s the story?”
“Not my place to say.”
“Come on. Off the record. What’s said on the mountaintop stays on the mountaintop. What else we gonna talk about up here?”
“Fine.” Tess sighed. “But not one word to Alex.”
Brody made an X over his chest.
“Blossom’s a real piece of work. She not only blamed Alex for why she couldn’t leave GVF, but she also had some weird need to compete with her. Alex dealt with constant, subtle put-downs about her looks, her intelligence, even her basketball skills. Really did a number on Alex’s psyche.”
“That’s terrible.” Brody pictured a miniature Alex, confused and trying to cope with her mother’s insecurities.
“Hmm. As soon as Alex turned eighteen, Blossom was out. Now she only comes home when she needs something or to flaunt something.”
“Did Alex say which?”
“No. But it’s been like five years. Alex finally lets her guard down, and she shows up. Typical Blossom.”
“Alex seems so confident and self-assured.”
“On the outside, yes.” Tess paused, and Brody got the impression she was regretting spilling Alex’s secrets.
“I promise I won’t say anything,” Brody reassured her.
“Humph.” Tess nodded, but was distracted by something on her phone. “Here’s another secret you can’t tell anyone. We’re gonna have to cut this trip short. Weather’s moving in faster than expected. We’re equipped enough for cold, but not for snow. We gotta get off the mountain by dinnertime tomorrow.”
“That’s too bad,” Brody said. “I’m having such a good time.” They both laughed at that, knowing it wasn’t true.
The next morning, Zach and Robert were attempting to start the fire, but the wind was so strong they couldn’t get a match to stay lit. When Tess looked away, another guy named Miles pulled out a flask of something and drizzled it on the wadded-up newspaper, then put a finger to his lips. After that, the flames started right up.
