It’s my first time at the Olympics and of course both of my parents wanted to be here, but they stayed behind to care for my grandparents, who both seem to have gotten worse at the same time. Of course, I understood why they stayed, and even told them to; but it does suck not having them here. Especially because we have such a large family and others could have stayed to help, but my mother is the oldest and it’s her parents that are sick. So, I understand her need to stay behind.
Étienne was more than happy to come with me. We’re close in age, him being only fourteen months older than me. We’ve been close since we were little because of that. He’s both my cousinand my best friend, even though he annoys me to no end on most days.
He leads the way to our building. His sense of direction is wonderful, where mine sucks. So, if I stick by him, I won’t get lost. See, he is good for something, even if he is only my fake personal assistant so he could room in the same building and stick by my side.
“Pay attention,” he says.
“The buildings all look the same. I could record where we are and still get lost.”
He groans, hooking his arm in mine and we walk down the sidewalk. The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries wafts through the air and my mouth waters, but it’s not time for that. I already ate today, and I need to stick to my diet to be ready to perform.
I’m not surprised that Étienne gets us to our floor without being turned around once.
“This is you,” he says, gesturing to the door on the left.
I glance down the hall, then back at the door. “Never going to remember that.”
He rolls his eyes again. “I’m at the end of the hall—that way.” He points away from the elevators. “With the rest of the team staff.” He starts to walk backwards. “Call me when you’re done so we can explore.”
I give him a thumbs up and use my key for the door.
“Hello?” I call out, but I get nothing in return. I’m sharing a room with Percy and Marshall, my teammates, but I’m not sure how often we will see each other. Though we work together and practice together, we aren’t exactly friendly outside of that. They have their own group of friends and will be out doing their own thing. We have to be seen together at certain times, for media purposes, but we aren’t competing for a couple days yet. Theteam competition comes first, so once that’s done, practices will be only for me.
I get all my things organized, and then I call Étienne to see if he’s done yet.
“Why does it take you so long to doeverything?” I complain. “I want to go check everyone out.”
“You just want everyone to checkyouout.”
I grin. “You know me so well. Are you almost done or what?”
“I’ll meet you at the elevators in twenty minutes.”
“Ten,” I counter.
“Fifteen.”
He ends the call. I laugh, heading to the bathroom to make sure my hair is okay. I run my fingers through it, messing it up in a stylish way that somehow works. My hair is lighter than most in my family, almost a dirty blond, compared to their light brown hair. Even Étienne has the signature Laurent hair color. He’s joked more than once that I was adopted—which I’d consider if I didn’t look exactly like my mother.
I wait at the elevator for five minutes before Étienne shows up, waving and smiling at other people from Canada who are also residing in this building. I recognize some of them, but most of them I don’t know. Still, I don’t hide my elation over meeting them and networking.
Étienne looks like he couldn’t care less that he had me waiting. Consideration clearly skipped this bloodline.
“Don’t say a word,” he says as he stops beside me.
“You’re late.”
“I said twenty.”
“We agreed on fifteen.”
“Don’t push me, Nico. I tried to tell you, but you didn’t want to listen.”
We get into the elevator, and I push the button for the bottom floor.
“What is the plan?” I ask. “What are we doing?”
“Figured we could watch the hockey players.”
