We move with the current of bodies flooding through the turnstiles. Security guards bark orders. Kids in oversized jerseys bounce on their toes.
“Mmmhmm…” His knuckles graze my cheekbone, calluses catching on skin. The touch is feather light but it burns. Then his lips press against my forehead, warm and lingering, and I hate how my body responds, how it always responds to him. “It has nothing to do with me…”
His smirk radiates through his words, tempting me to slam my elbow into his ribs. Instead, I let him guide me through the metal detectors, past vendors hawking foam fingers and twenty-dollar beers, into the belly of the beast where twenty thousand people wait to worship at the altar of professional basketball.
After all that time together, why had I never asked about his family?
I swipe out of the app and shove my phone back into my pocket. The weather is ruthless tonight, but I like it. I want that. The recklessness of Mother Nature's temperament reminds us who is boss.
Snow catches moonlight across Mount Crow's peak. The descent stretches below us, steep, unforgiving, beautiful in its cruelty. We rode up from the mid-point like tourists, but the real mountain starts here. The Peak. She may just have a higher body count than me.
Winter games start tomorrow and I still haven't decided if I'm going, but right now, it’s the twilight shred. Hopefully this mountain does what it’s meant to do.
Protect.
Clipping up my boots, I yank the zipper on my jacket and shove my goggles onto my head. I strap in and weave through the clusters of bodies until I reach Parker's side, his ski poles jabbed into the snow beside him. I’m just in time to catch Punk bitching about the crowd.
“Who's actually coming down?” My gaze sweeps over them. The way they're all planted here, gear off, tells me everything. “Iget it, Glasshouse has decent steak and Merlot, but bailing on a run from up here?” I click my tongue. “Fucking waste.”
Parker's already removing his gloves, shoving them into his pocket. “I'd rather the steak. Have fun.”
Asher chuckles. “You're taking the steak too, Venom. People don't jump at the possibility of wanting to ride down Mount Crow from here, let alone people who don't ride often.”
I bat my lashes up at him. “I don't ride often.”
He stares at me blandly. “Exactly. Enjoy the steak.”
I shrug. “Not as often as most, anyway.” How'd he know I've been riding more over the past year? Could I not be the only one stalking an Instagram account?
“Steak.” He repeats. It's an order.
Angling my head up to the stars, I trace every one, imagining an invisible line between them like I did when I was a child.
Someone clears their throat. “Aren't you a little old to be, like, snowboarding?”
I don't flinch at Camille's weak attempt of a stab from her blunt blade.
“Shut the fuck up, Camille,” Asher snaps, forcing my eyes back to him. Jesus.
“Probably.” I laugh her insult off because I don't care about her enough to take it as such, and if I don't simmer it down, Asher will, and despite Veilarath having privacy laws, I'm going to say not a single one of his fans gives a flying fuck about those if he's spotted flying off the handle.
Luce cuts in before I can finish. “First of all,” My eyes fly to my best friend, where hers are pointed right at Camille.
I shake my head at her gently.
Camille's smug smirk widens on Luce, willing her to take the bait.
“You know what?” Luce flashes a too-wide smile. “You're absolutely right. I'll go grab her walking stick.”
I roll my eyes. Unnecessary.
“I'm sitting out.” Punk jerks her thumb over her shoulder. “I'm with Parker on this one. I'd rather the steak than become another statistic.”
She hooks her arm in Luce's, directing her the same way Parker went, and then it's just Camille, Asher and Atlas. I'm surprised Camille didn't join them, considering she's not geared up. Something tells me she caught the warning of Luce.
Atlas turns his body into Asher. “Don't get injured before the first game. The wind is picking up around, well…” He looks down at his watch. “Now. No one is going down from up here.”
“Hear that?” Asher's question is for me. “You should head back in with everyone else.”
