“Connor,so nice of you to join us,” Grey says when I arrive. I’m eight minutes late for our last run before the event. Hardly cause for all the ire he’s throwing my way.
Vox raises a brow at me in question, clearly wondering what’s going on, but I shake my head. It’s not like I can tell him anything here.
“We need everyone locked in, ready to go,” Grey says as his eyes drift toward Vox. “Everyone will be getting individualized attention today to work on their weakest areas. Today’s lessons are not to exceed two hours. Once today’s lesson is over, you all are to rest and take it easy until you’re in the competition chutes. Tasha, you’re working with Connor on your switchbacks; I’m still concerned they aren’t tight enough. Vox, I’ve asked Montoya to run full-speed drills with you today.”
Immediately, Vox’s hand shoots in the air like he’s in elementary school.
Coach Patterson looks at him, already exasperated. “Yeah, Vox? What is it?”
“I don’t mean to sound like an arrogant asshole, sir,” he starts, and behind him I hear three or four of his teammatessnicker. One of them even says, ‘yeah, right.’ “But if you want me to run full-speed drills, I’m gonna need to do it with Coach Lang. He’s the only one who can challenge my top speed.” Quickly, he adds, “No disrespect to the others, though,” and my heart damn near leaps out of my chest.
Grey chews the inside of his cheek and looks like he’s going to argue, but then his eyes roam around the group, and he must realize Vox is right because he finally nods.
“Yeah, sure. You two go get started.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder before looking at me. “But Lang?”
“Sir?”
“Don’t forget the rules. I’d hate to see you trapped behind a desk again.”
Grey and I embark on a stare-down after his blatant threat, and it’s Vox who shakes us loose.
Tapping me with his board, he says loudly, “Come on, Lang, get a move on. I’ve got a mountain to dominate, and it’s time I kicked your ass once and for all.”
He’s much better at playing it cool than I am. The ease with which he falls into his expected personality seems to throw Grey off my scent, because he turns back to address the rest of the team.
Vox and I board away as quickly as we can before Grey assigns someone else to me. Not sure who it would be, though, since no one can keep up with Vox and me.
I feel intense relief as soon as we’re on the lift, being carried up the mountain, in our own little world.
“The fuck was that all about?” Vox asks as soon as he deems it safe.
I won’t keep things from him the way Grey does, but my timing to tell the truth needs to be decent, and right before we take a couple of competition-level runs isn’t it.
“Just Grey not-so-subtly reminding me that he’s keeping an eye on me…on us. I’m not doing a great job of hiding my feelings for you, Vox. I’m honestly surprised he let me ride with you today.”
“Hmm,” Vox hums. I’m curious about what it means, but I let it go, tabling it until the rest of that conversation can happen.
“What runs do you want to hit?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I’m a little tired of people, so I was thinking of somewherewayless crowded.” With a mischievous grin, he asks, “You ever gone off the backside?”
“No. I haven’t been comfortable enough to attempt the back.”
“Mmm,that’s not entirely true, Coach,” Vox says with a laugh.
Ignoring his innuendo, I press on. “If Patterson finds out I let you out of bounds in avalanche territory two days before the Games, I’m in deep shit.”
“Deeper shit than if he finds out you’ve been fucking his golden boy?”
I wince. “Touché.”
“Come on. Haven’t I earned a fun-run?”
I cave way faster than I should, but not only is Vox irresistible, this might be a great opportunity for me to tell him about his dad. The backside will be technical, but slow, and I can pretty much guarantee no one will be within earshot of us, especially no one from the Patterson team.
“Onerun,” I agree. “We’ll call it a day when we get to the bottom.” I already know that the terrain will take every bit of our two hours.
“Deal,” Vox says, that wicked smile still in place. “But bewarned. We’ve gotta schlep it back to base village, and it’s about half a mile.”
