“Ready for me to whip your ass.”
I chuckle. “I wouldn’t be so cocky. Making rows with round bits of plastic doesn’t look too hard. I’ll be handing your ass to you on a platter.”
“Them’s big words, cowboy,” Felix says, putting on a country twang. “My cousins and I would play for hours, so I’m pretty much an expert.”
“Your cousins?”
Felix nods. “Shawn is my mom’s brother, but he doesn’t have any kids, so all my cousins are on Dad’s side. There are Montgomery’s spread all over the county. You might have met one or two. My cousin Mikey works with Georgia at the store, and Sue-Ellen works at the library.”
I nod, watching the firelight dance across his face as he tells me stories about his family. My parents are elderly, and not exactly the warm, welcoming type, so I can only imagine the sort of family get-togethers that feature in Felix’s life.
“Your family sounds great.”
Felix rolls his eyes as he passes me a pile of discs. “I’ve only been telling you the good stuff. Plus, I’ve been away, so I’m wearing rose-colored glasses. Do you have a big family?”
I shake my head. “Like you, I’m an only child. Mom had me when she was forty-two, so I was a late in life baby. I grew up with older parents and only one cousin who I haven’t seen since I was about ten.”
We begin to play, Felix dropping his first disc into the grid. “I like to think the cabins bring families together,” he says. “I have so many awesome memories of vacations with my cousins, but also making friends with the kids who were up here with their families for the summer. I’m sorry you missed that.”
“And that’s why you want to renovate the cabins?” I take a sip of my wine and drop a red disc.
“Sure,” he says, dropping a yellow disc, “There’s the nostalgia—I want to keep my childhood alive, but I also want other people to experience the same things I did—”
“Like I’m doing now?”
Felix grins. “Exactly. I want to modernize the cabins and attract a whole new generation of people who can enjoy the mountains and the creek.”
“And play board games?” I prompt, as I drop another disc.
“Absolutely. There’ll always be games.” He runs a hand over the old worn-out Connect Four box, then glances at the game of Clue, set aside for the trash because the cards are damaged and pieces missing. Felix’s games have had a lot of use.
We play for a while chatting about our favorite board games, before his expression turns serious. He sighs before speaking. “Cam came back sooner than expected.”
“Cam?” I’m caught off-guard at the sudden change of topic.
“My friend who owns the coffee shop. He and his husband, Greg, were supposed to be away for six months, but Cam’s mom is sick.”
“I’m sorry. That’s awful. What does that mean for you?” I ask.
There’s uncertainty in Felix’s eyes. “Well, I was only supposed to manage the coffee shop while he was away on his extended vacation. He says he needs me until the new year, but after that, I’ll have to see.”
My chest tightens at the idea of Felix leaving to head back to his old life. “Have you thought about what you want to do?” I ask the question but dread the answer.
He shakes his head, brow furrowed. “I’m not sure yet. I guess I could find another job in town or I have contacts in the retail industry back in the city. I mean, that’s where my career was before it was derailed so spectacularly, and I should…”
His voice trails off, and I can tell he’s weighing bigger decisions, decisions that will probably take him far away. My heart aches—I want to tell him to stay here, to find out what we can have together, but I bite my tongue. He’s got the entire world, his entire life, in front of him.
“This is your chance to choose exactly what you want,” I say, trying my best to sound upbeat. “Exciting times ahead, right?”
Felix gives me a small smile. I reach out and squeeze his hand, hoping he understands how much I care. How much I want his happiness.
Felix takes a deep breath. “I’m scared of making the wrong choice. What would you do?”
Fuck! I’d stay in Collier’s Creek and make a life with you.
I clear my throat. “I can’t tell you what to do. You need to do whatever feels right, Felix. Life’s about taking chances and making mistakes. The good thing is that your family and friends will always be here for you, no matter what path you take.” I pause for a moment. “I’ll be here for you.”
“You will?” His voice wavers with uncertainty.
