“Neither of themneedsto know,” Drew said firmly.
“So what are you willing to do to make sure they don’t find out, huh?”
“I’m not doing this with you. Could you hold your snowboard up?” he asked, trying to redirect the conversation back to the photo shoot. But Harrison wasn’t going to let it go. In fact, he seemed pretty pleased with this new information.
“I’m sure she’s probably told you all sorts of exaggerated stories about me. But me and Ari always end up getting back together. So cut your losses and break up,” Harrison said with the casual tone of someone used to getting what he wanted.
“Why would I do that?” Drew asked, irritated.
“Because if you don’t break up, I’ll tell your sister,” Harrison said. Drew shook his head as he took a photo of Harrison leaning against his bright red snowboard. He didn’t want to be here, but there was no way he would let this guy stop him from fulfilling an assignment.
“What are you, a twelve-year-old boy who thinks he canblackmail me by… reporting me to my little sister? Grow up,” Drew said, surprised that Harrison thought he could manipulate him so easily.
“Okay then, break up or I’ll make sure your sister doesn’t get the deal,” Harrison said, staring him down.
“You can’t do that,” Drew said, unaffected. “You don’t have that kind of power.”
“Yes, I do,” said Harrison with an ominously level voice. “I’m the lead winter ambassador. I have sway at Zeus. If I tell them that the girl they had in mind for the next campaign isn’t the right pick because she’sdifficult to work with, they’ll believe me.”
“You wouldn’t,” Drew said. He liked to think of himself as a good judge of character and could tell that Harrison was used to throwing around empty threats.
“Oh, but you see, I definitely would.” Harrison smirked. “Don’t get me wrong, your sister is good at what does. But there are dozens of other female athletes. Why do you think Thandie got the offer in the first place? You think I just picked some girl my ex hated byaccident?”
Drew stood still. Startled by Harrison’s calculations. He’d picked Thandie to get back at Ari?
“You would be that petty?”
“Not petty. Strategic.” Harrison shrugged. “What better way of showing her what she’s missing out on than by making it clear how quickly I can replace her?” Harrison smiled. It was ominous. The type of smile Drew could tell he used in equal parts to charm and disarm. But Drew didn’t bow down to bullies, so he removed the lens from his camera, switched it off, and packed it away.
“I think we’re done here,” Drew said with an air of finality.
Zeus wanted photos, but Drew didn’t need to endure another moment with this guy to fulfill his assignment.
“Be careful, it’s icy out there. Wouldn’t want you to slip,”Harrison said, his voice dripping insincerity. “I mean it, Drew. Break up.”
“Or what? You’ll try andruin my life?” Drew mocked.
“Fuck around and find out.”
29Ari
DAY SIX OF THE 2026 OLYMPICS
“If I tell you something, will you promise not to get mad?” Izzy asked from the other end of the phone. Ari was in her Village bedroom, packing her kit bag before heading out for training.
“Okay, but why would I be mad?” Ari said, pausing as she folded her jersey.
“No reason… but could you come to the medical center?” Izzy asked sheepishly. Ari closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
When she got to the medical center, she saw her teammates crowded around Natalie, a defense player. They all looked over at her with guilty facial expressions. Now Ari understood why Izzy had made her promise not to get mad.
“She sprained her ankle doingwhat?” Ari asked in disbelief as she approached them.
“It was just supposed to be a bit of fun,” Izzy said, grimacing.
“Iz, why are you always at the scene of the crime?” Ari said,dropping her bag as she walked over to Natalie, who was trying and failing to hold back tears.
“Are you in a lot of pain?” Ari asked, taking her teammate’s hand. Natalie just nodded, her cheeks damp and her eyes red. Ari wanted to be mad at her, but she’d promised not to. So instead, she leaned forward and gave Natalie a hug. She didn’t need to berate her, the injury itself was enough to remind her that she’d messed up. That they’d all messed up.
