He chose trying freeze to our stone, which would make an easy point for him later if Perry didn’t play this exactly right, ideally placing two stones closer to the button than theirs, which would force Channing to try a double takeout, or to thread through all three stones to get closer.
Perry’s last stone stopped just past the button, still closer than Channing’s, but behind both previous stones. Channing’s only move, at that point, was to clear the house, if he could, because the chances of him getting both our stones out, but leaving one of his was a Hail Mary shot. He could try it, and maybe, if we weren’t against the clock, he wouldn’t have attempted the point, but instead, cleared the house and forced another end.
I’m not sure what my own choice would have been under the circumstances, and I wasn’t sure how confident Channing was in his abilities to make the harder but potentially more rewarding shot. He chose to throw heavy and clear everything out of the rings. Including his own hammer stone.
After, when all the points of the day were added up and they came out on top, beating us by literally two points, I got it. A draw would give them the overall better score and guarantee them top seat with points. Certainly, a win would have blown us out of the water, but a loss would have been an equal blow out in the other direction. None of the other teams were close enough to be a threat to Sunday’s gold medal match between us andthem, but not being in the top seat because he’d made a vanity shot might not have sat well with his teammates.
“We did good,” I said as I looked at the points for the final game. Although it was a draw as far as the score was concerned, because we’d accumulated ours in more ends, our final point count was higher.
Perry grinned at me. “Technically, we beat the Olympic hopefuls.”
“Literally technically,” Robbie agreed.
“Go us,” Darby said, looking about as optimistic as a puppy to be included.
I hugged him, because hell yes, he was included.
Channing approached, a hand out to Perry. “Excellent game.”
“You as well.”
“Seems you guys owe us some drinks,” Channing said.
“Hell yeah, we do,” I agreed. “Let’s go!”
CHAPTER 10
PERRY
It was interesting,with Evan sitting next to me in the bar, his leg hopping and his hand gripping mine tight, watching the Olympic team’s dynamics after the game.
After the points had been tallied, as tradition dictated, we bought them all drinks because that’s how it went. Winning team bought the losing team drinks. While the game itself had ended in a draw, we’d had the upper hand in points because it had taken us more ends to get our points than it had them.
Kinda sorta winning on a technicality was enough to decide who bought the drinks.
“It’s because you always have to make the glory shot,” one of the Darren brothers complained. He was a bit tipsy and Channing frowned at him.
“It’s because they’re very good curlers,” Channing said, his voice low and steady as he raised a glass to our team. “It was a good game and a good match.”
I nodded. “Thank you. The feeling is mutual.” I noticed he didn’t bother to correct the twin that he hadn’t made the glory shot, but the practical one that won them the day, even if it didn’t give them the game.
Both Darrens snorted and tossed back their shots.
“Perhaps it’s time we called it a night,” Channing suggested, setting down his half-drunk beer. “We still have a medal match to play tomorrow.” He turned a hard gaze on the twins. “You’ll both want to be at your best, as Cameron discovered tonight.”
“Whatever,” Jason mumbled, getting to his feet. “See you back at the hotel.”
With that tossed over his shoulder, both brothers sauntered out of the bar without looking back.
Channing sighed. “Don’t mind them.”
“Sore losers are never a lot of fun,” someone from one of the other teams said.
“Proud losers,” someone else corrected. “I hope our guys beat them.” As soon as the words were out, the guy slapped his own hand over his mouth. “Sorry,” he said through his fingers, then dropped his hand. “I just meant them, not you guys.” he motioned between the three other team members. “You three are all right.”
Channing chuckled and saluted him with his beer. “Thanks.”
“No, I just meant?—”
