But then…he wouldn’t be Vox.
“Control comes from therider, not theboard.I need a board that will give the control over to me.”
“Finish practice. We’ll talk about this later.” Looking at me, Grey says, “So will you and I.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply. As soon as he’s out of earshot, I turn on Vox. “Why the fuck did you have to say that?”
Vox shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“Because it’s true. I owe Grey a lot, but he can be a stubborn jackass sometimes,” Vox says, rocking on his board. “Your board is fucking insane, and it’s the one I want.”
“Wait…you want to race withmyVertigo board?”
“That’s what I said, isn’t it?”
“No,smartass. You said you wanted to rideaVertigo board, notmyVertigo board. And now Grey thinks I put you up to it.”
As we get closer to the competition, every sports broadcaster will want face time with Vox. He’s the reigning champion as well as the expected winner this year. The first thing they’ll ask him is what board he’s riding. Someone willmake the connection even if he doesn’t say my name, and I’m not sure either of us is ready for that.
Deciding I need to pump the brakes on this decision, I tell him, “Let’s table this conversation for another day.”
“Fine. But it won’t change what I want.”
“Fine,” I parrot. “But it doesn’t mean I have to grant you access.”
I’m talking about my board, but his eyes darken as he leans in.
“What if I promise to make it worth your while?”
It’s the first sexual comment either of us has made since that day on the bunny slope, and it catches me a little off guard. Dumb, I know. But today is a new day, and I can’t keep allowing this to happen between us. So, I do what I should have done that day on the bunny hill.
“Vox, I fucked up. I crossed lines and blurred the boundaries. We’re making progress, and with me finally able to get on a board again, I think I can really help you. Can we please just put the rest behind us?”
His jaw clenches like he doesn’t like what I’m saying.
Neither do I, but it has to be said. Hell, it has to bedone.
“Sure,” he says in a clipped tone. “Consider it allbehind us. Grab your board. We have a ride to take.”
If I survive this man, it’ll be a miracle.
Chapter 19
Vox
Connor’s hot-and-cold streaks are giving me whiplash. I barely got a chance to be the friend he clearly needs before he started shutting down again. Our days are back tohimgiving me clipped orders while he throws lust-filled glances my way, andmedoing everything I can to piss him off and prove once and for all that I got to the top on my own, and I’ll continue to stay there whether or not he’s in the picture.
It’s not that I don’t understand where he’s coming from and why he’s hesitant, but I’ve proven I can keep a secret, and it isn’t like I’m asking him to fall in love with me. But Christ, we came in our pants just fromdry humping. If that’s not enough to tell someone the actual sex would be mind-blowing, I’m not sure what would.
I’m dreading another awkward-ass practice as I clip in and slide over to where Grey is handing out assignments with the coaches today. At least the rest of the team is back. More than half of them went to Tahoe last week for another competition. It sucked being left behind. It sucked even worse because it wassuch a wasted opportunity since Connor’s currently in thecoldphase of this bullshit he does.
“Vox, you’re riding with Coach Fuller today for speed work. You’ll be training alongside Trent and Tasha,” Grey says when I join the group.
It’s fucking crazy how I can feel relieved and disappointed at the same time. Like, yeah, working with Connor is a bitch, but it’s stillConnor, and I prefer him to these other guys. Besides, it feels like forever since Renner and I got to practice together, and I’ve grown to like the guy. Hell, I kinda miss him.
I stay quiet, already devising a plan to get out of this.
When Grey dismisses everyone, I pull him aside.
