“Skeptical as ever, Davide.” Finn laughed. “But you’re right. I probably should be down there but …”
“You needed to clear your head.” Davide nodded knowingly. “This is your big chance, eh, to show them what you’re made of.”
“You know it.” Finn shrugged. Not to mention the bonus if he won a medal, or two.
“I do.” Davide looked down the mountainside toward the town where he had a ski store that sold everything a ski bum could ever want. “I don’t miss it; I have to tell you that. Now life is different. I do ski touring now. You should join mesometime before you go home. Stop by the store. Valentina can show you the timetable.”
“Sounds great.” Finn smiled. “I’d love to. I’ll do that.”
Davide looked around. “Heading down?”
“Thinking of going through the trees,” Finn said pulling a face as Davide frowned at him.
“Alone?”
Finn shrugged.
“Bad idea,” Davide said. “You know this. Was there no one else to … ah, I see.”
Finn shifted his weight from one leg to the other, feeling Davide’s scrutiny.
“You’re in a dilemma.” Davide nodded.
“Not quite in a dilemma,” Finn said, smiling at the Italian’s choice of words. “But yes, I do have a lot on my mind.”
“Come on,” Davide said. “I’ll go with you. Let’s see if we can ease your worries.”
Finn’s shoulders relaxed, releasing a tension he hadn’t been aware he’d been carrying. Davide was right. It was dangerous to ski through the trees on your own, and he knew that. Hell, he’d even made sure others didn’t do it. After fixing his goggles on more comfortably, he followed Davide to their starting point and off they went.
The cold air rushed past them as they skied through the forest, dodging branches and tree wells. Finn kept his eyes firmly on his line, anticipating anything and everything that might happen. Concentrating on the immediate future felt good, it felt manageable, like he was in control. Like he didn’t have to make any decisions other than which way to turn and to just enjoy the ride. Sam would’ve loved thisroute. She’d have had a blast. He must ask her to do it with him, that’s if Davide would take them. From the confidant way he moved, Davide obviously knew the area well and was ahead of him, and Finn was glad to have come across his old friend.
Breathless and exhilarated, he followed Davide more fully as they wound down the mountainside, and back out onto the piste as they came closer to the end of the run. Seamlessly they joined the other skiers and came to a stop near the cabin.
“I needed that.” Finn puffed as he clicked out of his bindings and picked up his skis. “Thanks, Davide, for not letting me go alone.”
“No problem. Next time you want some thinking time just call me, okay?”
“I will.”
“And, Finn, if you need to talk, I’m here. I know the pressure you’re under.”
Finn shifted his skis to his shoulders. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”
“And go in to see Valentina,” Davide called as he slid away. “She’ll be angry if you don’t!”
Finn waved and laughed before turning toward the cabin where everyone was hanging out. Sam broke from a crowd of friends and hurried toward him, her hair, usually in a braid, hung long and free down her back. Dark circles under her eyes made him stop smiling. She shouldn’t look so exhausted on the day of a qualifier.
“Where’ve you been?” she said as they reached each other.
“Hey,” he said. “You look …”
“I know, but don’t you say it too,” she said. “I didn’t sleep much—Becky’s room is next to mine and well … she and Leo … I’ll leave the rest of that up to your imagination.”
“But you and Becky have the qualie this evening.” Finn took his skis from his shoulders and put them away. He caught a flush creeping over Sam’s cheeks at the mention of sex. “She’s going to be tired.”
“Tired?” Sam rubbed her nose, which had turned pink from the cold. “They’re still at it!”
Finn rolled his eyes. “Boy has stamina.”
