I make an even bigger show as I start walking in the opposite direction as Tania. At the same time, however, I raise my voice.
“Their name?”
I chuckle.
“Yeah, I’ve got a name and photos and videos to boot. Just so you know it’s legit. Their name is?—”
“Okay, okay,” that melodious voice says behind me at the same time I feel a tug on my shoulder.
I twirl around to stare down into a pair of reflective ski goggles. Tania lowered the glasses over her eyes, along with the winter hat she’s again wearing that covers almost the entire half of her face.
“That’s enough,” she whispers harshly while glancing over her shoulder.
Since we’re on a part of the mountain for more advanced boarders and skiers, it’s not as populated as the area by the dining room. However, there are a few people around.
Though none of them pay us any attention.
“Hang up the phone,” she urges, still tugging on my arm.
“What was that?” I glare down at her. “Their name?”
She yanks my arm. “Okay, alright. That’s enough!”
I cover the phone with my free hand. “What did you say? I couldn’t hear you.”
Her lips poke out in a way that I know she’d be glaring at me if I could see her eyes. “You’re right, okay?”
“I still can’t hear you.” I move to place the phone against my ear again.
“I’m faking, alright? You’re right. I’m lying about my ankle. Now hang up the phone.”
I press the button to end the call and stand to my full height, looking down at her. Not that I tower over her by much. She’s around five-ten to my six-foot one height.
“That’s a great start,” I finally say. “But that wasn’t my question. I alreadyknewyou were faking the injury. What I want to know is why?”
Her shoulders noticeably deflate before she looks around.
“No one’s listening or paying attention to us,” I assure.
“How do I know that?”
The corners of my lips move upward. It’s a legitimate question. I did just threaten to spill her secret to a reporter. What she doesn’t know is that I actually called my dentist’s office.
There was never a reporter on the other end of the line.
For now.
“Because I said so,” I respond to her question before folding my arms across my chest. “Now talk.”
“I don’t even know you,” she sneers.
“You don’t need to know me to know that I’m the bastard who will disclose your lie to the world.”
She snorts and then sucks her teeth.
A muscle in my jaw ticks.
I like her little attitude. It reminds me of the fire she exhibits on her board.