Walking over to the couch, I bend over to tenderly kiss Alara’s forehead. She looks up at me, giving me that smile that makes my heart go into racing mode. While she’s on the phone with Jordan, I sit next to her, letting Tabby curl up on my lap while I turn the TV on.
Today’s the first day of the USASA Nationals, and while the men’s halfpipe and slopestyle isn’t until later, I want to watch all the disciplines since I’m unable to attend.
My recovery took longer than expected, but I’ve learned thatgood things take time. Learning how to trust the process has been a challenge, but, now, I feel better than ever and ready to ride again. I admitted to Dr Ellis that I hadn’t been entirely truthful with him, and when he forced me to prolong the recovery, I didn’t even protest.
The month of January was a slow one. Between physiotherapy and easy rides at the resort, I kept working at Rock Snow and helped Alara with skiing lessons. I’ve been thinking of passing my Level 1 Training too, so as to teach snowboarding next season. After hours, when the sun was setting and everything became calmer, I fell even harder for Alara. We started dating in public, which is something I’ve been enjoying because I can hold her hand and show everyone she’s mine. At the end of the month, we spent hours watching the X Games, judging the Knuckle Huck as though we were part of the jury. I wished I had been able to participate, but hopefully I’ll be there next winter.
In February, I returned to Utah. Dr Ellis hadn’t given me the green light to train at the park yet, but I was able to watch my teammates get ready for the Nationals, all the while riding at the resort. I was still forbidden from performing stunts on the halfpipe, but being on the board was enough.
When I’d announced to Coach I wanted to move back to Blue Ridge Springs, he was more than encouraging and happy to hear I’d fallen in love with the town all over again. Surprisingly, he helped me pack, then we had beers and a pizza and bonded over our lovely hometown.
All my belongings and boxes are currently stacked up in Mom’s garage while I’m looking for an apartment. I could’ve moved in with Alara, but we want to date for a while before taking that big step. Besides, she’s starting her master’s in social media marketing in the fall, but, thankfully, her classes are just out of town, so it’s not like she’ll be moving out of state. We’resimply taking things slow, but, every day, I find myself loving her more and more with an unfathomable intensity.
I’m supposed to head back to Utah at the end of the month to start training for the Winter Olympics qualifications, and Coach Wilson is more than happy to have me stay with him so that I don’t have to find another apartment, however small it may be. That’s a relief in a way, because I don’t think I’m able to afford two places at once. Besides, I like Coach, even if he can be a total dick at times. I guess it’s his way of showing his appreciation for me.
Alara, the best girlfriend and my soon-to-be agent, has managed to negotiate a few six-figure deals for me with big labels such as Burton, Salomon, and Oakley. I’ll be the face of their brands starting next fall, something I’m looking forward to. It’s like a childhood dream come true.
Does she know she’s my agent? Not yet. But she constantly, continuously defends me with a ferocity that makes my heart ache in the best way possible. I think it’s a role that fits her well – one that could lead to so many amazing opportunities for her.
I’m so fucking lucky to be hers. Being loved by Alara is a true privilege.
Alara makes complete sense to me. I like to think the universe made us cross paths when we needed each other the most – when we felt lost and lonely, so that we could find light in each other’s arms.
I think I was always meant to be hers, even long before we met again.
“I’ll send you my business plan by the end of the week.” Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I only now realize that I’ve been staring absently at the TV while stroking Tabby’s back. “Do you need anything else?”
Alara’s becoming a true force to be reckoned with. She’s independent. Strong. Intelligent. Strategic. Completelymesmerizing. Feeling lost about her future has weighed down on her more than she’ll ever admit, but I saw how insecure it made her feel. After hours of research, she’s finally found her happiness, and I couldn’t be prouder of her for taking the leap and going after what she loves.
She’s officially become Rock Snow and Hittin’ Apparel’s – Jordan’s athleisure brand – social media and marketing manager. She’s doing all of it as a freelancer, and she’s hoping to launch her own business in the upcoming year.
See? She’s fucking brilliant.
She finally hangs up, slowly closes her laptop, and leaves it on the coffee table, before turning to me. “What are you smiling about?”
I shrug. “Can’t I smile without a particular reason?”
Her gaze falls to my dimples, something soft and beautiful glinting around her pupils. “Sure you can.”
Excitement bubbles in my stomach, causing my grin to widen. “Okay, guess what?”
“You finally decided to commit to your New Year’s resolutions and stop being an ass?”
“Ha, you wish. You once told me you’re into sarcastic jackasses, so my goal is to keep you attracted to me until the day we die.”
The eye roll she gives me makes me chuckle. “You’re overly confident.”
“That I am.”
“You found an apartment?” She tilts her head.
“No. Although there’s a nice one we could visit, but it’s not in Blue Ridge. There’s nothing available in town for the moment.”
“We?”
“Yeah.” I drape my arm over the back of the couch, reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Assuming you’dwant to move in together soon. We have to find something that you like too.”
Grabbing my wrist, she kisses the center of my palm. “Sounds like a plan. Tell me what it is, then.”
