“He always tells me his dad is his favorite player. I know he’s lying. It’s really me.”
“Yes, he is telling you exactly what you want to hear then.”
More than the game, this is what I missed. These guys. They really did become like family to me. They took me under their wing when I was a lowly rookie and accepted me into their fold. Four established captains taking me in? I don’t know if I would’ve lasted as long in the league without them.
“What are you looking at?” Colin asks, a smile on his face.
“I missed you guys.”
“Who wouldn’t miss us? We’re the fucking best.”
“Why don’t you come to the game next week?” Alex asks. “I know Carter and the kids would love to see you.”
“Maybe next time.”
Because there’s a girl in Canada that’s more important than anything else right now.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
AUDREY
“Conditions aren’t ideal today.”
“That’s an understatement,” I mumble.
I’m huddled in the competitors’ tent at the top of the mountain, and the wind is howling. It started snowing a little while ago. Not just snowing, but the makings of a blizzard. But they won’t cancel the event for a little weather. Their words, not mine. The first events have already ended, and they’re grooming the mountain for us.
“You’ve trained for this, Audrey. You’ve raced in worse.”
I want to believe him. But ever since I got here, it’s been nothing but nerves. Not just because this is one of the last qualifiers to make it to the Olympics, but because of the way I left things with Logan.
Sure, his words said he was happy for me, but it felt forced.
Off.
I wish I had time to see him before I left, but I didn’t. I’ve talked to him a few times, but I need to see him. If only to settle everything that’s racing through my brain.
“I don’t think I can do it.”
The mountain looms large around me. Every other skier before me has either wiped out or crushed this run. With the swirling snow and wind, it makes visibility low.
Exactly like last time.
The time I crashed and tore my ACL, resulting in months of rehabbing in order to get to this point.
Fear fills every nerve I have.
What if it happens again?
What if I don’t have it in me to recover this time?
“Maybe I’m not cut out for this anymore.”
I kick off the snow that’s gathering on my skis.
“What the hell, Audrey? Where is this coming from?”
“This is exactly like last time,” I snap. “I’m sorry if it’s getting in my head.”
