Downhill From Here (#1)

41. Lilo's Birthday Pt. 2

Bowie's POV

My eyebrows raised and I froze. So Nathan invited him? And he didn't warn me?

"Hi," I said simply. Montey wasn't like had imagined at all. His dark black and gray hair were cut a few inches away from his scalp and he had a dad bod, with the energy of a middle-aged trucker.

He looked around the garage, his eyes lingering on the shelf behind me. I was immediately uncomfortable because even though he was smiling, something about it felt disingenuous.

I was about ready to make a b-line for the door when he said, "You know before you came along, Nathan was working a big deal with the ski resorts up in Aspen. It was a couple of millions of dollars and all he had to do was one another season, do some promotional shots for new gear, and do some commercials."

I stayed silent, watching as he gauged my expression.

"And then when he told me about you, I told him to get you your own personal coach...that way you'd get what you needed and he could still train and compete." His smile faded and he scratched at his beard. "I don't know what he told you but...he wanted to do another season. But now...he's so distracted that he's throwing away everything to what...?" He shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Have a little birthday party in the middle of nowhere, train a rookie...I mean....do you hear what I'm telling you, young lady?"

Nathan had said he was still on the fence about going back to snowboarding because he missed so much of Lilo's life. He hadn't said much else. But...he never told me that he could've gotten me another coach. Had I known, I wouldn't have been so adamant to have him do it. Maybe I had been a bit selfish. He still had a few more years left in the sport and he was wasting it on me.

The pit in my stomach grew larger and I shrank back against the shelf, noticing how much closer Montey had gotten to me in the past minute.

"Now I don't mean to upset you, little lady," his southern twang, dripped from each word. "But business is business. And his life is my business." His eyes squinted down at me and he wore a dark expression. "You understand?"

I nodded numbly, both scared and freaked out. This reminded me so much of my encounter with Dave a month ago.

He took another step closer and I held my breath for a moment. Placing his arm on the shelf rack beside my head, he spoke darkly this time. "I know you must feel all special and like your his world. But trust me miss....it's not gonna last. He'll find another bitch to replace you in a heartbeat." I blinked at his nastiness. "And you're gonna end up regretting not taking him up on his offer of 1 million from the beginning."

"What exactly..." My voice finally came back and I stood up straighter. "What the hell does any of this have to do with me? Seems like a thing for you and Nathan to discuss." I crossed my arms, tucking my gift underneath my left arm. I may have been small in size but I wasn't about to get cursed out by some random guy I didn't know.

His dark brows lifted and he gripped the shelf tighter, causing it to shake slightly. I stood my ground, unflinching.

"Before your season ends next month...leave." It wasn't a suggestion but rather a command. His eyes lowered and he turned his head to the side. "If you don't...well let's just say I'll make life a little harder for you."

I still had the X-Games to compete at so it wasn't even like that made any sense. Nathan promised me a full season and I knew he wouldn't just back out now.

I scoffed and squinted my eyes at him. "No offense but you're not as scary as you think you are." I moved around him and added. "You think I'm afraid of some low-life middle-aged extortionist like you? Trust me..." My jaw clenched and I snarled at him. "...I've experienced much worse."