Then my phone vibrates.
I check the screen.
Kat: "It almost looked like you wanted to impress some girl.Wouldn't want to be the reason you finish in the nets."
I stare at the message, then back at her across the fence line.
She's not looking.
Not anymore.
I type back.
Me: "Didn't know you cared."
She doesn't reply.
But I catch the ghost of a smile flicker across her mouth as she walks away.
That's enough.
That's more than enough.
***
Katharina
The finish's fun zone lives up to its name.I can feel the booze taking effect and just go with it.It's been a long time since I felt this relaxed, this free.
I know I'll regret it tomorrow.The work I ditched, the alcohol I drank.But I wouldn't miss this for the world.Thomas deserved this.I knew he was sorry I wasn't there to celebrate his last win in Beaver Creek.Not that he'd say so, but I could tell.
We're friends after all, aren't we?
Niko shows up with a round of beers and a wine for me.Lukas and Martin stayed in Reiteralm to prep for the next speed weekend, and the slalom skiers present in Val d´Isére already left to get some sleep before the slalom tomorrow, so it's just us.
"Do you think that girl in the corner might fall for a guy who finished sixth?"Niko asks, nodding toward a tall, lean blond across our table.
"I don't know, buddy," Thomas says, grinning."How's your French?"
"I guess I'm about to find out."
And just like that, he takes my glass of wine and strolls off.
"Hey, that was mine!"
"Sorry," he calls back without turning."I need an offering."
"And what about me?"
"You're taken already, aren't you?"
I stare at him, mouth slightly open.Thomas laughs and gets up.
"Don't worry, Kat," he says."I'll get you your wine."
"Okay, I want—"
"I know what you want."
