Page 76 of Well Played

“Forgiven,” I said, as he held me close to his chest, the pain of the past five months dissipating in an instant. “How are you?”

“Well, it took me a while to learn to walk again. Skiing took a bit longer. Lots of falling and swearing. I couldn’t let you see me like that. Pitying me. Plus, I was terrified I could never pleasure you again.”

“I loved you. I would have been there for you every step of the way.”

Owen flinched at my use of past tense, but I wasn’t letting him off easy. “I was an idiot. I was wrong, and as soon as you left the hospital, I regretted it every minute of every day. You are my everything Sophie. My life has no meaning without you in it. At the time, I wanted to die, and I didn’t want you to watch me become the shell of the man I was.”

“It didn’t matter to me,” I whispered. “Not being able to help you was the hardest thing I have ever faced. Leaving you destroyed me.” It was true. I could forgive, but I wasn’t sure I could forget.

“I’m so sorry,” Owen said, pulling me into him again.

“Why are you here?”

“First, I want my woman back. Whatever it takes, I will do it. Will you give me a second chance?”

I paused, my heart filled with joy, but scared of being hurt again. “Maybe. What is the second reason?”

“Did you hear Jeff was fired?”

“I saw the standard company email about his retirement and guessed it wasn’t his choice, but didn’t ask why. What happened?”

“There were several complaints received from the female team about fat shaming and other fairly nasty comments he made. One was caught on camera. There were threats to leak it to the media, and the executive decided they didn’t want the negative publicity, so they quietly paid him out.”

“Who replaced him?”

“They are yet to announce their replacement, although they have made an offer.”

“Wow. Who?”

“You are looking at him.”

My mouth dropped. “You?”

“If I choose to take it, you are looking at the new Head Coach for the US Ski Team.”

“Why wouldn’t you choose to take it? This is your dream. Helping people be their best, teaching kids. I don’t understand. Or do you want to go back to the World Cup circuit?”

“My racing days are over. They called when I was in Michigan, flew me over to Vail and made me the offer. It took me by surprise, I can honestly say. But I had one condition. The leadership team agreed instantly. Even the Board of Directors and even the International Ski Federation endorsed the deal.”

“FIS approved? That is a coup. What was the condition?”

“I agreed to take the job under the condition that two people would share it. The other being a woman. It is time to recognize all genders in the sport, and that means a man and a woman jointly hold the position.”

“And she said no? I’m confused. Who did you ask? Jodi? Amy? I would have thought they would jump at the chance.”

“I’m looking at her.”

It took me a moment to process what he was saying. “You are asking me if I would share the head coach role with you?”

“I can’t imagine anyone better.”

My mouth dropped. “Seriously?”

“Think about it. You are a technically strong skier, and a brilliant teacher. Patient, calm and you can break each skill down into teachable steps. You never shame anyone and that is what US Ski and Snowboard want. A coaching team who will promote the sport positively on the world stage and encourage juniors to be their best.”

“But I am Australian,” I stammered.

“Aren’t you a dual citizen?”

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