“I know, it’s just so crowded up here.” Becky smiled. “Good luck, by the way.”
“Thanks, you too.” Sam moved on, aware that Leo was watching their interaction from the gate. Glancing back at Becky, she rubbed the stone in her pocket.It wasn’t Becky’s fault that Leo and Dad had made her their golden girl now.
Leaning against the barrier, Sam rolled her eyes as Leo sidled up to her, stopping within earshot. Sam pressed her tongue against the inside of her cheek to stop herself from telling him to get lost. Now wasn’t the time. But she’d damnwell make sure that there would be a time—and she wouldn’t mince her words when that time came around.
The speakers above their head crackled and Gabriel’s voice carried out onto the still, cold air.
“Tonight’s women’s halfpipe final includes some of the best snowboarders I’ve ever seen, Seb,” Gabriel’s calm and strong voice proclaimed over the speakers. “Take Becky Stanford—she’s really showing the world how good she is, here in Livigno. Her progression has been amazing, and such a turnaround from her slightly off and, dare I say, messy performance in Japan in January. She’s got a real shot at the podium here, if she can keep it clean.”
Leo’s eyes narrowed. He glanced down at the bottom of the slope, then back at Sam as Gabe continued.
“Now Sam Harrington, she’s something different. She’s one to watch—mark my words. Where Stanford is all about powering high into her tricks, Harrington is more fluid—she’s got an effortless style that makes me think she was born for this. You wouldn’t know it—as both women are so different in their styles—but they are both trained by the legendary Jake Harrington, and we all know the kind of champions that man creates.”
Sam’s head snapped around before she could stop it. Her gaze landed on her father’s back, where he stood with the other coaches drinking coffee. She shivered.Damn him.He wasn’t getting into her head, not tonight, not ever. He turned around as her eyes narrowed. His face was set, grim and solid. Sam closed her eyes for a moment. She didn’t have to listen to his shit, not anymore. He’d built her up only to drop her the moment she was in need. That wasn’t what agood coach should do. Bracing her shoulders, she stood tall, a knowing smile on her lips. He nodded at her to come to him, but she didn’t move.
“Aren’t you going to talk to him?” Leo watched the exchange, his eyes flickering from his sister to his father.
“No.” Sam raised her chin. “Why should I?”
“He’s your coach,” Leo said, a hint of confusion in his voice.
“A real coach sticks with their athlete through thick and thin. Don’t think I don’t know what you and Dad have been saying about me.” Sam exhaled, unable to keep her promise to herself. “I heard you two, in Becky’s room. How do you think that made me feel, Leo, you two saying that I’d messed up—that I had no confidence in myself?”
Leo looked down at the snow, nudging it with his boot. “I’m sorry you heard that, but Sam, that’s not what I had been trying to say to Dad—what I did say—listen, I was trying to get Dad to see how hard you were working, and to tell him a few things I thought might help. But Sam, Becky was there too, and I’m supposed to be her number-one fan. It’s complicated, and you know Dad—his listening skills need updating.”
Sam squinted at him. “But you let him say that …”
Leo glanced up. “I should’ve said more. I’m sorry, Sam. I didn’t want to make it worse—I feel like I’m walking a tightrope sometimes, between you and Becky, and then Dad. He doesn’t take me seriously at all.”
Sam sighed, the frustration starting to ease. “This all sucks.”
“I know, right,” Leo said quietly. “Are you nervous?”
“Not really.” She breathed out strong, realizing that it was the truth. “You?”
Leo’s smile faltered. “Not my sport anymore, as Dad reminded me that night.” His voice was softer, quieter.
“Oh God,” she said. “Leo, he shouldn’t have …”
A grim shiver washed over Sam; one she didn’t like. Skiing had been his life, before the accident. She let out a slow breath. “It must be weird, watching everyone else go for it.”
Leo’s jaw flexed. “Yeah well, this is my life now.”
“Leo.” Sam stepped forward, Jake’s face and words in her mind. “It doesn’t have to be. You could get back out there, couldn’t you? The pain—is that what’s stopping you from skiing?” She paused, her mouth dry. “I wish you’d try, because you loved this, and I really wish you could get something of it back.”
Leo exhaled sharply. He pulled his hat down over his ears, and for a split second something like regret flickered across his face, but it was gone in a heartbeat. He smiled and for a moment he looked like the Leo who’d always cheered her on.
He shook his head. His eyes glistened as he looked up at Sam. “What I came up here to say was that you’re gonna crush it.”
Sam’s stomach churned. “You sure about that? My last few performances …”
“They don’t mean anything,” Leo said, his tone serious. “Trust me, Sam, you have what it takes, but pressure gets to you, it always has and then … listen, when that happens I’ve noticed you lean back too much. You need to drive through your front leg for more pop, something I figured out aftermy accident. I can’t rely on this leg.” He tapped his left leg. “I had to learn to make every other movement count. Use your core, and your arms to control the air time.”
Sam stared at Leo. He never spoke about his injury, ever. “Front leg, huh?”
He nodded. “Push up, not back. You’ve got the strength, Sam—use it.”
She felt a little twinge of nostalgia. Leo was offering real advice, like he used to when they were kids. It wasn’t something to ignore or laugh about. She nodded. “Okay, I’ll give it a shot.”
