by Milly Taiden
A group of four of us hangs on a metal chair that dangles from a cable high above ground as it takes us up the mountain. The wind is strong today and we sway. Lyndsey leans out so I can see her past our teammates, Dan and Brian, while she speaks. “I heard the pipe is in awesome shape. They’ve been making snow on it for a couple weeks now.”
I pull my thoughts from Derrick and focus on what I heard, trying to comprehend it. Derrick and I have slipped into a euphoric existence. Unable to keep our hands off each other, we spend every free moment together. I know this feeling will fade with time, but for now I’m relishing every second.
“Yeah, that’s what John says. Is he already up there?” John is our coach, and he’s a tough one. I need to get my head together because he won’t put up with anything less than one hundred percent. My parka zipper hums lightly as I pull it up higher to block out some of the cold. The wind is even more brutal as we near the top.
Unfortunately I can’t seem to stop thinking about Derrick. I’m so infatuated I should be scared, but I’m not. I’m drunk on what we have, and I know he feels the same way.
The heavy metal safety bar lifts, and I jerk back to avoid it hitting my chin. I’m a mess. Derrick is at rookie training for the ski patrol today, and I’m supposed to focus on my half pipe skills instead of the delicious soreness between my legs.
Sliding down the exit ramp from the lift forces me to pay attention. The motion is familiar beneath my feet, and my legs respond to the action like an old friend.
We take off down the trail as a group. My hips lead me through the turns with ease, and my rhythm is flawless as I float over the smooth snow. About halfway down we cut left toward the half pipe.
At the top we all stop to check out this year’s design. A huge machine called a groomer creates a long gully in the shape of a rounded gutter. Stretched out a bit, it’s more oval in shape, and the lowest part in the middle is flat, while the sides are concave and lead up to a sharp lip with a flat landing section just beyond it.
Half-pipe competition is judged on the difficulty of the tricks we do, how well we utilize the pipe, and how fast we go. One of the first things I like to do is get a feel for the way the walls throw up to the lip. Rapping my helmet two times, which is my signal I’m going, I point my board down the slope and fall in.
Moving to my right, I let speed take me and propel me up the wall. My board scrapes and snow swishes under me until I’m in the air. I’m low and twist around easily. Landing high on the wall, I’m setting up to do a simple grab off the next lip. The rush of speed at its maximum makes adrenaline pump through my veins.
When I rise up in the air, I experience a moment of weightlessness before falling again. That moment is when everything changes. In competition, if you aren’t halfway through your trick, you could be toast.
I continue through the pipe, doing nothing more than simple grabs and twists as I learn the snow and map its inconsistencies in my brain.
At the bottom I’m a little out of breath and bend over with my hands on my thighs as my muscles burn comfortably with the exertion. Lyndsey stops next to me. “That was sweet.”
“I know. Hike up with me?” While we could ride down to the bottom and take the chairlift up, it’s quicker to hike the sixty or so yards. It’s also a great way to strengthen our legs and build up aerobic endurance.
Ignoring the guys, Lyndsey and I hike on our own. Our feet sink into the snow as we march to accommodate. Warm from our ride, it won’t be long before we’re unzipping and tying our coats around our waists. “Do you know who’s with us this year?” I ask. Lyndsey is my go-to person for gossip and news.
“We lost Eric, Kelly, and Wyatt, but gained a girl from Maine named Hannah, and did you hear about Cooper?”
“Cooper?” My heart soars for a second because having him around will be fun.
“Yeah. He decided to move here for John’s coaching.” And it lands with a thud, hoping John is the only reason he moved to Breck.
Lyndsey stops to remove her helmet, and I do the same. Her blond hair is loose and flows in waves down her back. While I know she enhances her color, she was probably a real blonde at one time in her life, unlike me. She says, “You guys must not be a thing anymore if you didn’t know, right?”
I chuckle. “No, Lyndsey. He’s fair game.”
She smirks. “Hey, I’m not going to swipe a friend’s guy, so it’s good to ask.”
“He’s looking fine; you should definitely go for it. Plus he’s a really nice guy.” And then I won’t have to deal with Derrick’s jealousy. My stomach sinks as I worry about the poster. No proof for us to see yet, I’m crossing my fingers the merged version didn’t work.
Lyndsey sighs. “I know. Every time he talks to me he’s so sweet, and I turn into a drooling idiot. I wouldn’t be surprised if he offered me a tissue to wipe it up.”
“Brace yourself. He’s here.” We stop to watch a guy coming down the half pipe like a summer breeze. Cooper has incredible grace and a distinct style that has served him well. I’m sure he’ll be going to the Olympics this year.
Lyndsey lets out an exaggerated sigh. “There goes my concentration for the day.”
Over on the trail, a flurry of red patrol jackets are pulling orange sleds in a training drill. Trying to figure out which one is Derrick, I say, “I know just what you mean.”
CHAPTER 39
Pressing hard, I rub my thumbs along the sole of Derrick’s foot in a rhythmic motion. Because he’s doing the same to me, our moans are in tandem.
Nika’s in the kitchen making coffee. The sputter of the machine announces the pot is done. She says, “You two are nauseating. I really have to get a boyfriend so I have somewhere else to hang out.”
Derrick says, “C’mon over here, we could have a three-way.”
I chuckle at Nika’s wide eyes. She says, “What a disgusting thought. With your sister? Gretchen, why do you put up with him?”
I stop massaging and stretch like a cat. “Ummm. He’s got magic hands.” Derrick’s massage moves up to my calves, and I sink further into the couch.
Nika says, “Coffee’s ready. But you have to come get it yourself. I’m not enabling your touch fest over there.”
Derrick stands to get us coffee, and Nika plops herself down on the couch next to ours. She tucks a foot under her and cradles her mug in two hands. I ask, “So how was rookie training? Any hot new instructors?”
The morning after the instructor-welcoming party, she gushed on about how many cute guys she would be working with. She ended up on Peak 8 with Casey, Megan, and Lori. I’m sure they pulled some strings to make it happen, and I’m glad. Derrick hands me a mug almost too hot to hold.
Nika leans forward. “There’s this one guy from California, Kelly. He has that surfer-dude thing going on, and oh my.” Ollie and Jake lift their head to find out what has her excited.
Derrick asks, “Kelly? What kind of pansy-ass name is that for a guy?”
I hit him on the arm. “Are you kidding me? Haven’t you ever heard of Kelly Slater? Because that guy is no pansy ass.”
Derrick’s eyes twinkle. “Maybe it’s him.” Ollie groans and lies back down.
I roll my eyes. “Maybe his parents named him after a famous surfer.”
“If he walks around in a wetsuit unzipped and hanging at his waist, I’ll call him mine.” Nika scrunches up her shoulders, shuts her eyes, and lets out a small sigh.
“That cute, huh?” I blow on the top of my coffee, but know better than to take a sip yet.
“He sat next to me at the orientation meeting, and I couldn’t stop smelling him. I seriously wanted to stick my nose in his shirt and take a deep breath.”
I snort just as I’m about to sip my coffee and a little splashes over the edge of the mug. Casey’s voice rings in my head. “Your pheromones are digging his testosterone.” I say, “You’re in so much trouble.”
“I know, right?” Nika slurps a bit of her hot drink.
Derrick asks, “Wait, al
l a guy has to do is smell good, and you fall for him?”
Nika nods, and from her smirk I think she’s hiding something.
I say, “Pretty much.” I turn to Derrick. “You didn’t think it was your looks, did you? Because I told you, I like guys rough around the edges. Tattoos, scars, day-old beard—”
Derrick’s mouth lands on mine, and he shuts me up with a kiss. A kiss so intense I’m breathless when he stops.
“You sure it was only the way I smell? Because I like to think I have other talents.” Derrick’s voice is low and works its way to my core.
Nika groans, “Take it to your room, please.”
I push Derrick away and say, “You should probably shower and make yourself smell good again. I’ve got chili to make.” He chuckles as I get up and go to the kitchen.
Nika moves to the counter so we can talk while I work. Her mug chinks on the granite, and I set the cutting board and knife before her. She asks, “You have a job for me?”
I grin at her ability to let me give her orders. “Cut. In chunks please.” I hand her the package of chicken. “Now that Derrick is gone, tell me more about Kelly.” I place a big pot on the stovetop and hear the tick of the burner when I light it.
“Okay.” She leans forward with a glimmer in her eyes. “So, after the orientation meeting we were on our way out to the trail. There are these metal steps that lead up to the snow, and I tripped. I slammed my shin really hard and dropped my skis. They fell down the steps, and it was a loud, embarrassing mess.” The dogs are up, and Jake jumps onto her legs wondering what fun he’s missing.
Nika pushes him down and continues while I place my small cutting board near hers. “Kelly was below me, and while I was trying to deal with my pain, he brought me my skis. Only I was kind of crying because my leg hurt so much.” She rolls her eyes. “I wanted to die because he had my skis and his board, and he still managed to pull me up by my arm while I was a weepy girl.” She stops talking for a moment and plastic pops when she punctures the grocery store package of chicken.
“He asked if I was okay, and then—” She pauses for effect. “He wiped a tear off my cheek with his finger.”
“Oh, my God. That’s so sweet.” My knife taps steadily as I mince shallots.
Nika says, “It gets better. Kelly went off with the snowboarders in the morning, and then we all met for lunch. I got up to go get a napkin and he pushed his chair out just as I walked by. I tripped again.” She snorts. “Only it didn’t hurt this time. But he pulled me up by my hands, apologized, and said he did it on purpose so I would fall for him.”
“That’s really corny, but so adorable.” The hand can opener grinds as I open beans.
Nika’s grin covers her face. “I know. But I’m such a dork. All I could do was turn bright red.”
“Well he clearly knows who you are now; you’ll just have to keep being your charming self.”
“That could get painful.” We both chuckle, and I remember the first day Derrick came to my bar.
I say, “Did you know Derrick fell off his stool the first day he visited me at the Grill?”
“He did? It must be a Hamilton thing. We get flustered and fall.”
“Must be, because he’s not a klutz.” I smile when it occurs to me that he really was nervous that day.
The corners of Nika’s mouth turn up and she says, “I’m not, either.”
“So Derrick really did fall for me?”
“Fall? Gretchen, my brother’s more than just in love with you. You’re his forever. I hope you like me, because we’re going to be family.”
“I, um. We haven’t even said ‘I love you’ yet.” I turn away and open the cabinet to rummage for spices. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the goats. He loves me in the forever way? When I turn back around to get the meat I can’t help the ridiculous smile I have.
Nika breaks into a grin, too, and does a tight clap of her hands. “Oh, goodie. You feel the same way.”
Derrick saunters down the stairs, and when he sees my face, he asks, “What are you two talking about?”
In unison Nika and I answer, “Falling.” We both giggle and Derrick just shakes his head.
CHAPTER 40
A rare occurrence, Lyndsey is silent, and the sound of our boards scraping snow is loud in my ears. She’s nervous because we’re headed over to the board cross course. Overcast, the world seems to be shades of gray. The deep green of the pine trees is the only other color, and I’m reminded of Haiku paintings.
While the half-pipe training is where I need the most work, Boardercross is where I excel. My years hanging with boys at the skateboard park taught me to be fearless. So when I fly down a trail that has a series of bumps similar to motocross with a group of women, the girls are afraid. I’m fast and let nothing stand in my way.
The light is flat today. Without the sun to create distinct shadows, it’s hard to see contours, making it more difficult to read the snow. Lyndsey’s breathing is quick and on the edge of panic. We train together because, while we’re competitors, we each have different strengths. She challenges me in the half pipe, and I scare the shingles out of her on the Boardercross course.
Truth? I love the rush of going fast. Standing in the gate to the course, the metal rail is cold enough to seep into my glove. There are four slots set up, and I glance over at Lyndsey in the one to my right, and say, “You stay with me. I want you to pee your pants.”
Her eyes are wide and she nods. The course is icy, and on our last run she bailed on me. I know once she gets past her fear she’ll start to matter in this event because she’s quick and has cat-like reflexes that rival mine. Besides, she’s the only girl I would want to be my roommate at the Olympics.
I yell so she can hear me as I rock my board back and forth across the starting line. “Three, Two, One!” Using every ounce of strength in my arms, I propel myself forward and crouch low.
Wind whistles by my helmet, and the roar of snow under my board deafens everything else. Lyndsey’s pink jacket is in my peripheral. I’m not holding back, and she’s hanging tough.
We suck up the first big roll and fly low. We land, and my stomach muscles flex, and I extend my legs to absorb the smaller bumps as we try to keep our boards on the ground.
Lyndsey wasn’t with me at this point during the last run, and I give her a quick fist in recognition. As we approach the final turn I don’t expect her to stay with me. The safety nets aren’t completely up, and there isn’t one for the dangerous curve. She’s knows I wouldn’t ask her to gamble with a serious injury.
I slow down a bit to keep from being out of control and am surprised Lyndsey is sticking with me. I keep my turn tight, and Lyndsey holds hers almost as well. I slow even more out of fear for her, and it’s enough that she gets in front of me.
Dang, girl! My competitive streak kicks in, and I crouch a little lower. I barely move ahead to cross our imaginary finish line first.
We do the snowboard version of a hockey stop, and I say, “Holy shitake mushrooms, Lyndsey! You rocked it.”
She hunches over and her face is as white as the snow. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“You almost beat me. C’mon we need to do it again.”
She attempts a smile and a little color returns to her face. “Right.” She shakes her head slowly. “You know what I think? I think we’re bat-shit crazy.”
I chuckle. “We probably are.”
When we get to the lift line, Cooper is ahead of us. Knowing Lyndsey needs a distraction, I call to him. He pulls out of the line and waits for us to catch up.
When we get close enough, I ask, “How’s Breck treating you?”
“Great. I saw you in the pipe yesterday. Lookin’ good.”
“Thanks. You know my friend, Lyndsey, right?”
He lifts his goggles and flashes his killer smile. “You were the one showing Gretch how it’s done.” His brown eyes twinkle at her. There’s the charm she needs to forget her fear for a while.
L
yndsey lifts her goggles too and says, “Thanks. Gretchen’s got it; she just needs someone to challenge her to get more.”
Cooper nods at her. “She does.”
I bend down, pretending to do something to my boot so they move ahead of me a bit. When I stand I scoot up to be beside Lyndsey so that she’s between me and Cooper. This way he’ll be turned toward both of us the whole ride, and I can make sure the attention is on her.
The whine of the chairlift engine is loud, and we stop talking to pull out to the loading ramp. The chair swoops us up, and the seat is cold on my thighs.
Cooper asks, “Have you seen our poster yet?”
“No, have you?” Did he say poster, as in one?
“Ted e-mailed me images a little while ago. You probably got them too. Hang on, I’ll show you.” Cooper pulls his glove off with his teeth and retrieves his phone.
I lift my goggles and take it from him. Wind stings my fingers, but the moment I see the picture I don’t notice. Cooper and I start at the bottom of the page, each in our own corner. The sensation of movement is depicted by our clothes peeling off on our path to meeting in the middle. We look stark naked with our entire bodies pressed together in what appears to be a kiss. Fuck.
My hand shakes as I move to give it back to him.
“Can I see?” Lyndsey asks.
“Oh, sorry.” I say and let her take the phone.
Horror on her face morphs to slightly strained. She’s pissed, and she’s not even Cooper’s girlfriend.
Cooper looks over her head at me. “Wow, huh?”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. Wow.”
Cooper says, “I think getting a girlfriend in this town might be kind of hard this year.”
Lyndsey squints at me like I betrayed her. “Not if it’s Gretchen. What are you going to tell Derrick?”
“The truth.”
She snorts. “Good luck with that.”
I glance at Cooper and he shrugs.
I force a smile on my face and say, “Heading to the board cross course?”
He doesn’t look at me and answers. “Yeah. I need to let loose.”
