Page 74 of The Groupie

“What? You don’t expect me to fly back to Park City now, do you?”

“No.” Sheila says, chewing her lip. “And this isn’t something you can do over the phone, so don’t you dare try.”

“It needs to be a romantic grand gesture, something she can’t ignore, somehow making her feel loved and feel the sincerity of your words when you tell her.” Candice sounds convincing and Finn and Sheila nod in agreement.

“Thanks, guys.” I push myself from the tool and turn to leave.

“Where are you going?” Candice asks.

I give her a wink and keep going. I have no idea where I’m going or what I’m doing tonight, but a plan forms in my head. My first and only grand romantic gesture to win Rylee over, to convince her I’m the one guy who’s not going to disappear because I keep turning up everywhere she goes, because she can’t get rid of me—because deep down she doesn’t want to get rid of me.

Finn walks in and sits next to me. “You’re unexpectedly chipper. What’s up?”

“Glad you asked. I have a plan and I’m going to need your help.”

He furrows his brows. “My help? Why don’t I like the sound of this?”

I slap him on the back and give him a grin which probably does nothing to reassure him, but since I’ve embraced the spirit of the tune stuck in my head, I’m truly not worried.

“I’m flying to Italy next week when the Olympic team is there and I’ll need your help to cover for me because I’ll miss two days of practice.”

“What the fuck?”

I whisper. “Keep your voice down. I’ve worked it out so I won’t miss any games or anything crucial. I just need you to back up Nowicki when I tell coach I’m went home for an emergency. Because once I’m in flight, I won’t be in touch. You have more creds with coach than Nowicki and I don’t want him calling home.”

“What happens if he does call home?”

“If you think he will, then you’ll have to call home for me and warn my parents.”

“Shit. What are you going to be doing?” He eyes me for a split second and then says, “Never mind.”

“Can I count on you?”

“You have to ask?”

One week later, I board an Alitalia flight for Marco Polo Airport in Venice with determination churning in my gut, a smile on my face and that song still playing in my head.