Mike got them settled in the back of a Hummer and handed Bridger an iPad. “He requested that you see this after you won, sir.”
Bridger met Mike’s gaze. “What’s going on Mike?” Nothing in his racing mind could explain the turn of events today.
“It’s all working out like it’s supposed to.” Mike tapped on a video displaying Ramsey’s smiling face and then shut the door.
Avalyn took the iPad from Bridger, and he smiled his gratitude as he drank from the water bottle, then wiped at his face with the damp towel some more. He must look like a total mess. He’d forgotten to grab his shirt, and his sweaty back stuck to the seat. But all he cared about was that Avalyn was safe and they were done. A feeling of relief washed over him. He said a silent prayer of thanks that they’d survived and Avalyn’s virtue had been preserved.
Avalyn pushed the play button as Mike climbed in and started the vehicle. The video spun for a second, then started playing. Bridger hardly noticed the vehicle pulling out onto the quiet street. His gaze was fixed on the image of Ramsey, standing on the deck of his yacht, grinning like he always did.
“Bridger, my friend. I wanted to say thank you and you’re welcome.” Ramsey eyes twinkled. “The thank you is for making my last days memorable.” He paused.
“Last days?” Bridger questioned Mike.
“Please just watch, sir,” Mike said.
Avalyn pressed into Bridger’s side and stared up at him. He tried to smile reassuringly.
“I have a brain tumor,” Ramsey explained. “It’s wrapped around my brain stem and growing rapidly.”
Avalyn gasped. Bridger felt dizzy. He sucked down another gulp of water, his eyes riveted to his former friend.
“I found out last week when I passed out surfing. The doctors all told me surgery was impossible, and as aggressive as the tumor is, it would put pressure on the brain stem and I would be dead very soon.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Not great news, so I decided to go out with a bang.” With a wink, he said, “I apologize for any stress on you or Miss Shaman. I am prepared to keep her safe, even though you have no way of knowing that. If you’re watching this, it means you’ve won and hopefully you’ve hit me hard enough to speed my miserable end. The research shows a hard hit to my head will end it all.”
Bridger’s heart hammered against his chest. Ramsey had used Bridger to kill himself? He hated Ramsey even more right now, but at the same time he felt sorry for him. The guy was certifiably crazy, but Bridger couldn’t imagine knowing you were going to die. What would he do? How would he act?
He felt Avalyn against his side. He wouldn’t have risked anybody else’s life; that was for sure. He’d never forgive Ramsey for that. Even though the man thought he had safety precautions in place, they’d come close to losing Avalyn in the water and in the air.
“So I thank you for being with me at the end and for ending it for me. I’ve always thought of you as a close friend, Bridge. I respect you and bow to your superiority. You always win, but I’m okay with that now.” Ramsey grinned again. “The reason I say you’re welcome is because of me bringing Avalyn Shaman into this.”
Avalyn pulled in a breath. Bridger wrapped his arm around her and hoped his touch was comforting. He probably stunk to high heaven.
“You think your love for her is so secret, but I knew about it years ago. Remember? We were doing a surf competition in Australia, and there was a live feed of Avalyn helping some village on the news. You were glued to it, and when I asked you about her, you said, ‘My dream woman, so out of my league it’s laughable.’”
Bridger grimaced as the memory resurfaced. It was still true.
“I watched you over the years, and no matter how many women you were with, I could see you only wanted her.”
Avalyn stiffened against him. Bridger wanted to correct the way Ramsey had phrased that, but the video was continuing.
“So I set this all up for a fun competition, to spend my last days with my favorite opponent, a man I respect above all others, and to hopefully push your dream woman into your arms. I hope you get the love I know you deserve. You’re the best, man.” He gave a thumbs-up.
“Avalyn,” Ramsey continued, “I apologize for what I’m going to put you through the next few days. I may die at any time, and then you’d avoid some of the challenges. It’ll be fun to see. I hope you give my friend Bridger the love he deserves, and I hope someday you won’t hate me as much as you probably do right now. You can tell your kids about their crazy Uncle Ramsey who brought you two together.” He wrinkled his nose. “A guy can hope, right?”
Bridger hoped she would love him also; the thought of kids made his heart swell. He wanted children, with Avalyn. He knew and understood her reservations. He would work through them, no matter how long it took.
“As you may know, I haven’t been able to burn through my close-to-a-billion-dollar inheritance yet.” He chuckled. “Dang money keeps making me more money. Each of my bodyguards has received ten million dollars and will disappear after the last challenge so they receive no repercussions for their part in this little idea of mine. They are my best friends, next to Bridger, of course. The rest of my money—I believe it’s four hundred million and change—I’ve donated to Health for All, your company.”
Avalyn leaned heavily into Bridger, putting her hand to her mouth.
“I know you have no problem fundraising with friends such as the Hawk Brothers, but I wanted to do my part.” He grinned and spread his hands wide. “Go save the world, pretty lady—with Bridger by your side, of course.” He saluted the screen. “See you in the next life, friends.”
The film stopped, freezing on his broad grin. Bridger’s emotions were all over the place. He hated Ramsey, yet he felt for him and they had been friends a long time.
The vehicle was silent, and Bridger played back his memories of the past four twisted days. His mind went beyond that, and he remembered all the times he and Ramsey had competed, joked, and pushed and challenged each other. It was insane, but he’d miss Ramsey.
Mike was navigating into the airport drop-off zone. Bridger caught his eye in the mirror as he stopped the Hummer. “What happens now?”
“You both fly home,” Mike said. “Miss Shaman’s pilot has the plane ready to go.”