A California Christmas (Silver Springs #7) - Brenda Novak Page 0,12

even now.

No. Got in bed late. That and I’m taking advantage of having the month off.

I’m glad. You push yourself too hard, especially when you’re climbing. The rest has to be good for you.

He’d come home to help Aiyana get ready for her wedding, not because he needed to rest. She was so used to taking care of everyone else he wanted to be sure she received the attention and support she deserved now that she was finally tying the knot with Cal.

His phone buzzed as he put on his shoes. He thought it might be Aiyana, hoping to discuss Emery’s situation or checking to see if he’d be interested in walking over when it was time for lunch. She, Eli and Gavin often ate in the cafeteria. They liked interacting with the students, being accessible. That was his mother’s secret, how she managed to turn so many troubled boys around. She genuinely cared, she was patient and kind, and she invested the time, gave them the attention they needed.

But it wasn’t Aiyana who was trying to reach him. It was Brian Gerlack, the owner of the parkour gym in Las Vegas where Dallas worked during the winter. Dallas had put off coaching until January this year, which was unusual. He usually started the first of November, as soon as the weather turned, but finding a sponsor meant he didn’t have to go back at all—not unless he wanted to. Some of the guys who were representing the same brand were after him to travel to Europe to get ready for the IFSC World Cup together, which meant he might not make it back even in January. And that wasn’t something he was eager to tell Brian. Brian was more than just an employer. They’d grown exceptionally close over the years, so close that Brian had been talking about retiring and selling him the gym.

Dallas was grateful—for everything Brian had done for him and was willing to do. But now wasn’t the time to lock himself in. Dallas had finally achieved what he’d been after all along. He could climb to his heart’s content—and get paid for it. He couldn’t commit to an entity he’d be responsible for without any reprieve, couldn’t strap himself down indefinitely. Just thinking about being stuck in one place—especially in such a big city—made him claustrophobic.

With a frown, he silenced his phone and went upstairs. What Brian offered him was a great opportunity. But he’d recently been given a better one. If he became a real contender in the sport, someone like Alex Honnold, he could always use his name and experience to open a gym later.

But if he got hurt before he had enough recognition and couldn’t continue to climb...

What then? Where would he find the capital? It would be much more difficult to get a start if Brian had already sold the gym to someone else.

He put two slices of bread in the toaster and was scrambling eggs at the stove when he heard a sound behind him. He knew before he turned around that it was Emery.

“You okay?” he asked, glancing behind him.

She’d just rolled out of bed, too. Dressed in another pair of yoga pants—these gray—she had her hair pulled back. “I feel terrible about how I behaved earlier. That tantrum was childish and...ungrateful and...and ridiculous.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m embarrassed.”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s not the first time my mother’s lost a lamp.” He cast her a wry grin. “I broke a few when I lived here.”

“But if it was when you lived here, you were much younger,” she pointed out ruefully.

“I’ve gotten better at managing my emotions over the years,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve had a lot of practice handling disappointment.”

She didn’t seem overly pleased by his response. “You’re saying I haven’t had any practice? That I’m spoiled?”

“I’m saying that the trouble in your life started later than mine. That’s all. You get better at navigating setbacks once you handle a few.”

She could tell he meant no insult. “True, but that’s no excuse. It’s so nice of Aiyana to let me stay here, and I—”

“It’s fine,” he broke in. “She understands what you’re going through.” He used his spatula to point at the coffeemaker. “Coffee?”

She got a mug from the cupboard and poured herself a cup. “Thanks.”

“How about some eggs?”

“Only if you’ve got enough. Otherwise, I can have granola and yogurt. Or cold cereal.”

“There’s plenty.”

He pulled out a plate, buttered the toast and gave her a