This ismymountain.Myrace. Connor Lang told me so.
I pump my legs for speed as I drop in and sail down the first hill. There’s a little dip that I want to avoid because it’ll send me airborne and ultimately fuck up my speed for the first ramp.
Keeping my eyes peeled for the snowbank, I spot it right away and head straight for it. As soon as I’m airborne, I pull my knees up just enough to get light under my board, and immediately push my board back down. I land on the other side of the snowbank, which is fine, and immediately start into a curve.
Fuck, that felt good.
Finding the fall line, I ride it as long as I can before veering toward the right for the next jump. But even as I make the turn, I’m careful to ride my edges in a way that keeps me parallel to the imaginary line so I don’t inadvertently slow myself down.
My board bounces along the groomed trail, and I start to relax into the ride.
This one’s for Connor because he willbemine, just like this first-place finish.
Chapter 12
Connor
Ihold my breath for Vox’s entire one-minute-and-twelve-second ride.
He fucking crushes it.
Of course he does.
Effortlessly flawless, he hauls ass down this mountain, hitting a max speed of sixty-one miles per hour. I’m able to stay relatively calm during this run because no one else is on the course with him. As soon as potential collisions become a factor, I already know my stomach will be in my ass.
At some point, not only am I going to have to get on a board, but I’m purposefully going to have to put myself in Vox’s path as an obstacle. Teaching him how to anticipate the path of those sharing his slope is the only thing that’s going to keep him safe. And it can only be taught by someone who has the speed to get in front of him…meaning me.
Renner races next, and I feel terrible because my pep talk to him is lacking. I’m ashamed to admit my mind is already down the mountain, firmly on the snowboarder I know will be granted the first-place seed.
As soon as Renner is out of my line of sight from the gates at the top, I begin making my way down to the finish line. I ride the snowmobile path through the trees until I’m at the bottom of the slope, and when I dismount the vehicle, I see Vox wrapped in Grey’s arms.
Duh. Of course, he’d want to share this moment with Grey. Grey is his family. But after the night we spent looking over his contract, part of me had hoped he’d begin questioning that relationship just a little.
A pang ofloss…jealousy…hurt…all of the above…flashes through me, and I can’t help but feel like that hug should be mine.
Averting my gaze in an effort to get my emotions in check, I spot a man standing to the side of the media tent, also watching Vox and Grey. Not in a creepy way, but like he, too, wants to be part of the celebration. But that’s just Vox. He draws everyone in.
My eyes drift back to the stunning man, and he catches my eye over Grey’s shoulder right as Renner’s time is called out. Renner whoops in excitement at coming in only three-point-three-six seconds behind Vox.
He stops his board right in front of me, pulling my eyes off Vox and onto himself.
“Did you see that?” Renner asks excitedly. “That’s probably the closest I’ll come to him all season, but I’ll take it!” Looking over at Vox, who is now being passed around to media and fans, Renner yells, “Hey, Vox! You’re buying my beer tonight!”
Vox throws his arms in the air. “The hell for? I beat your ass.”
Renner’s grin grows wider. “I know…but it wasthis close.” The two share a look I don’t understand before bursting into laughter like they’re sharing some kind of inside joke, and I’mleft on the outside.
I fucking hate it.
“You’ll beat me one day, Gentry,” Vox says before being pulled back into interviews.
Looking at me, Renner laughs and finishes the conversation meant for Vox. “Not when it comes to sex appeal, popularity, or snowboarding.”
I realize I haven’t congratulated my other athlete yet, and quickly work to remedy that.
“Renner, that was a great ride. I’m proud of you. Your speed is really improving, and I can tell you’re less hesitant before catching air.”
It’s not atotallie. Ididsee his initial descent and his first ramp. For obvious reasons, we chose a more conservative route than Vox’s, but it was still a challenge for Renner, and he did amazingly well.
