It’s clear he wants to take me head-on. He couldn’t give two fucks about my coaching him. He wants to race me. Beat me. Be known as the best.
I recognize the fire in his eyes, and I know, without a doubt, Vox Montgomery is going to be the most dangerous run I’ve ever attempted.
Chapter 3
Vox
Was it kind of a dickish power move to buy Connor Lang’s dinner?
Eh.Maybe…butmyturf, remember?
The idea came to me as I watched him intentionally ignore our table after making eye contact with me. He’s about to be my fuckingcoach. There’s no way he didn’t recognize me. Besides, it’s not exactly like I blend in. If my face didn’t give me away, I have bright purple tips in my hair that definitely would, and anyone who’s as ingrained in this world as he is knows exactly who the fuck I am.
So, if he wanted to act all high and mighty, I thought I’d knock him down a peg. Buying his meal seemed like a good way of subtly letting him know that he can ignore me all he wants, but I’ve got my eye on him. Plus, I knew I could pass it off as nothing more than a welcoming gesture if he had decided to make a scene.
This morning, the team is meeting for breakfast in the lodge restaurant for our officialwelcomeand introduction to the coaching staff.
This ought to be interesting.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen,” Grey says, clapping his hands as he steps in front of the tables we’re occupying. “First of all, to those of you who are new to us, welcome to the Patterson Performance team. For those of you already a part of the Patterson family, thank you for your continued trust in us to represent you. I’m so happy to have this group here, and I know our representation at this year’s Winter Classic is going to be incredible. I’ve done my best to set you up with a coaching staff that will match your talents and has the knowledge and experience to get us to the top, but first, a few rules before we get started. None of you are new to the professional world of winter sports. With that having been said, this is the first year the largest games competition is hosting teams…co-ed teams at that. So, I want to be very clear that undernocircumstances are you to hook up with your teammates or anyone wearing a Patterson logo. This includes my coaches, my administrative team, my social media coordinators, etc. It creates division within the team, and we don’t have room for that kind of drama or distraction. Anyone caught in violation of this rule will forfeit their sponsorship and be sent home. Do I make myself clear on that point?”
Everyone murmurs yes, but I offer a silent nod of my head instead.
“Everyone on the team is over twenty-one, and as such, you are allowed to drink alcohol…occasionallyandresponsibly.My entire coaching staff has the ability to suspend you from practice, require additional practice, or pull you from this competition entirely if they see you being unsafe on the slopes or off. I can promise you no drink is worth losing this sponsorship. Obviously, you will be tested by the governing body of this competition for any form of doping. Just like with the other two rules, there is a zero-tolerance policy. If you’re caught, you’regone.” He takes a minute to make eye contact with all six of us before continuing. “Now, with the basics out of the way, let’s move on to the incredible staff that is going to help secure this year’s wins. Our technical skills coach, Coach Leon Montoya, comes to us from Salt Lake City. He has twelve years of coaching both skiers and snowboarders under his belt. Everyone will spend some time with Coach Montoya.”
We all clap dutifully before Grey moves on.
“Next, I’m pleased to welcome Coach Randolph Fuller. Randy and his wife just had a baby, so treat him well because he’s probably not getting a ton of sleep at home, and he’s offered to sacrifice time with his newborn in order to be out here with all of you. Coach Fuller is our big air coach, and those of you needing power and precision will be training with Coach Fuller.”
Another round of applause rings through the cafeteria.
“Last,” he moves to stand behind Connor Lang, placing his hands on the man’s shoulders. Connor is wearing a stoic expression and actively avoiding looking in my direction.
I know whyI’mconflicted about him being here, but what the hell doeshehave againstme? I’m not the one who abandoned this sport at the top of my game and let my fans down.
“Connor was a hard man to find, but I’m nothing if not persistent,” Grey laughs, looking proud of himself as he continues. “Connor will be our speed coach. He will also be focusing on balance, terrain reading, and control.” Grey looks right at me as he says the last part before allowing his eyes to wander to the others in the room. “Connor still holds the world record for parallel slalom and?—”
“Not for long,” I mutter with a cocky grin, just loud enough to make their eyes snap to mine.
“Cool your jets, Montgomery,” Grey reprimands. “You could learn a thing or two from Coach Lang.”
“Bet I can teach him a thing or two also,” I smirk.
Grey rolls his eyes as he presses on, but it’s Connor’s clenched jaw and flared nostrils that have my attention now.
“As you know, you all will be training halfpipe, slopestyle, big air, parallel giant slalom, and snowboard cross according to your designated disciplines. If you have any questions or concerns, please come talk to me,” Grey finishes.
“Holy shit,” Renner mutters under his breath next to me. “I can’t believe we’re going to be coached byConnor-fucking-Lang.”
“He’s just a normal guy,” I reply, more for my benefit than Renner’s.
He scoffs. “We both know that’s not true, dude. Maybe he’ll tell us where he’s been all these years,” he says, sounding hopeful.
Connor Lang is five years older than me. I’ve watched him compete since I was a thirteen-year-old, acne-covered adolescent. I was watching when he won his first pro event. I saw his Olympic time-trials. I saw him take gold. Twice. And then, just asIwas starting to hit my stride,hedisappeared.
And I took that disappearance personally. Connor Lang was the only role model I ever had…until he became another reminder of why it’s better to work alone. It’s somehow easier to accept disappointing myself than it is to be disappointed by others.
Besides, we met once, two years later, and he made me a promise that he broke two weeks after that.
