Page 3 of Sin in the Mountains

"Fine," I answer, trying to sound sincere.

"Yeah? Is Chad good?" The clicking gets louder and I'm grateful he's somewhat distracted, so I yawn loudly instead of answering. "You sound tired."

I haven't told my brother about my current living situation or that Chad and I broke up last year. He would have immediately had me move in with him, citing the dangers of living with strangers in the city, and it would have made it even more difficult to figure out my next steps. And he definitely would have tried to talk me into getting back together with Chad.

I love my brother, but he can be a lot. I'm not exactly demure, and I've had the term "ball-buster" thrown at me during my career more times than I can count, but Drake is like me times one hundred.

Sometimes I wonder if he's ever going to see me as a capable adult. He's not even two years older than me, but Dad always said Drake came out of the womb with a plan.

Our parents moved south when they became empty nesters and are living their best lives in retirement. Drake lives in the city, but he's way across town and travels constantly for work, so we check in regularly via phone. He's always been my biggest champion, pushing me to keep working hard and achieve my goals, but he is not somebody I can talk to about my reservations with work and definitely not my love life. He thought Chad was a great guy because he was in finance and could drink like a fish.

"Good thing I'm about to go to sleep then," I respond with a little more bite than I intend. I sigh. "Sorry."

Drake chuckles. "Okay, I'll let you sleep. We can talk tomorrow."

"Miranda's wedding is this weekend," I remind him.

A long silence stretches before Drake clears his throat. The clicking has stopped, and Drake gives me his full attention. "Forgot about that. Well, in and out. You'll be back home before you know it."

Home.The city has never felt like home to me. "Yeah." I hesitate and then open the can of worms we avoid during most of our conversations. "When was the last time you were in Duhring Park? Have you kept in touch with anyone?"

Drake lets out a short, sharp laugh. "No, Nugget. The last time I was back there you were graduating from high school."

"Right. You and Levi made that huge sign for me." I blow out a puff of air as the bittersweet memory hits me. Graduation was the last time I can remember Drake and his best friend, Levi, hanging out together. Before they had their falling out.

"I've moved on. I don't have anything in common with"—Drake clears his throat before continuing—"with anyone there anymore. It happens. Hell, you've probably felt the same with your friends there too."

No, I haven't, I want to say, but instead I make a noncommittal sound. "I'll call you when I'm back." I follow up my promise with a fake yawn.

"Get some sleep, Nugget."

"Will do. Goodnight."

I hang up and stare at the ceiling, my thoughts racing with plans for Miranda's wedding, Drake's comments, and worry over my future plans.

Only one face pops up as I finally drift off to sleep. The one person I avoid every time I go to Duhring Park.

The mountain man of my dreams.

Levi Harrison.

Chapter 2

Levi

"Levi!Let'sgo.We'regonna be late." Anderson taps on my door, gesturing to the clock on the wall of my office. Fixing the collar of his sport coat, he glances at me when I don't move.

I ignore him, looking around my desk as I pat my pockets and adjust my tie, stalling for more time as a minor panic attack looms. The anxious energy started earlier this week and has magnified to a baffling mental takeover as we get closer to the wedding rehearsal. I've reshuffled the same stack of papers, straightened one pencil, then another, but I can't get myself to get up from my desk.

Any other Friday, I'm the first one out the door, ready to use the weekend to recharge in nature or away from people, and I encourage the rest of my staff to do the same. Don't get me wrong. My job as principal ofDuhring Park Schoolfulfills me in ways I never could have imagined. But after spending the week hearing from parents, attending meetings, and leading a school of teachers and students, I need alone time.

Except, not this weekend. This is Miranda and Cole's wedding weekend, and as one of the best men, I am going to be "on" for the next forty-eight hours, at least. And I can live with that.

It's the other thing that has me frozen in place.

"Levi." I finally glance up at Anderson, who throws his hands out in irritation from my lack of urgency. "What gives, man?"

A slow panic creeps in. I breathe in and out slowly.

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