Just when I started to believe that I could actually make it,the taste of muffin already forming on my tongue, my foot slipped on a hold slick with chalk and sweat.
Next thing I knew, I was falling.
The wall rushed past as I plummeted, the rope jerking tight around my waist. A scream tore from my throat as I twisted in the harness, my shoulder slamming against the wall with a thud that pulsed through my entire body.
“Sam!” Noah’s voice cut through the darkness as everything started spinning.
Chapter Twenty
The safety line caught, pulled taut, swinging me in a slow arc, my body tangled in the rope. Pain shot through my shoulder and hip where I’d hit the wall. I dangled like a broken puppet, trying to right myself but only making the spinning worse.
“Stop moving,” Noah commanded, climbing up to meet me. His hands found my waist, steadying me. “I’ve got you.”
I grabbed his shoulders, fingers digging into solid muscle. The room tilted and spun as he carefully untangled the ropes from my legs.
“Ow,” I whimpered as he lowered me the last few feet. My shoulder throbbed where it’d smashed against the wall.
“You okay?” Noah seemed as shaken as I was.
“I think so.”
I looked back up at the wall, the frustration burning hotter than my throbbing shoulder. The chalk marks from my failed attempt still traced a pathetic path halfway up, evidence of exactly how far I’d made it before gravity reminded me who was boss.
“Let me take a look at it.” Noah’s fingers probed gently at my shoulder, his touch delicate.
I rotated my arm, wincing. “I’m fine.” The tears in my eyes said otherwise, but damned if I was going to cry in front of him.
“You don’t look fine,” Jenn appeared with an ice pack.
“That’s going to leave a mark.” Diego handed me some water.
Even Yeti came over, giving me a lick on the hand.
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, leaving chalky streaks on my cheeks. “I want to try again.”
The words surprised everyone. Everyone but me.
“Li’s always get back up.” It was something Dad said. Though usually in the context of a bad restaurant review.
“No. Absolutely not,” said Noah. “You hit that wall hard.”
“I’m bruised, not broken.” I stepped back toward the wall, ignoring the protests from both Noah and my shoulder. “I’m not leaving here until I get to the top.”
“Sam, you just fell fifteen feet. You don’t have to prove anything. That was a nasty fall.”
“I’m not trying to prove anything.” I flexed my fingers, testing my grip. “This is my job, remember? Can’t exactly post about the amazing climbing experience if I quit after one fall.”
“We could head over to the lake instead.” Diego pointed to a pair of fishing poles next to the rain jackets. “Get some content there. I’ve seen some mountain trout that are pretty Instagram-worthy.”
“Or we could grab some of the four-wheelers,” said Jenn. “Take you out to the elk viewing area. The herd’s been hanging around the north meadow.”
Noah let out a long, tired breath. “Maybe we should just …”
“Maybe we should just what? Wrap me up in bubble wrap and send me back to Los Angeles? Look, I get it. I’m the city girl who doesn’t belong here. I’m the corporate lackey threateningeverything you care about. But I wasn’t raised to be a quitter. At least give me credit for that.”
The silence that followed was broken only by the sound of chalk dust settling.
“Besides,” I added. “If I die climbing your wall, that’s going to be terrible for LuxeLife’s star rating. So, in advance, you’re welcome.”
