Page 104 of Just Let Go

Jaden rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s where I draw the line, though I’m betting it’d be pretty fun to see you in a tutu.”

Grady shook his head. “Get to work.”

After ten minutes, sweat dotted his brow. He tried to pace himself because he knew he’d have to go on a trail run later. Happy had a theory that working out in the great outdoors was somehow better for people like Grady, who had to compete outside.

Jaden sat on a weight bench and stared at him. “This sucks, Grady. I just want to get up there and ski. Can’t we just meet out at Avalanche after school?”

For a moment Grady felt like he was looking in a mirror, but not one that reflected who he was today.

“Look, Jaden, I’m going to tell you something that you’re not going to want to hear,” Grady said.

The kid used his shirt to wipe his face dry.

“Do you want to compete?”

“Course I do,” Jaden said. “Which is why I don’t get why we’re here. I already went for a run this morning—isn’t that enough?”

“No, it’s not,” Grady said. “This is where you separate yourself from everyone else—not out on the slopes, but right here in the gym or out there on the trails. You’ve got so much natural talent, but unlike me, you’ll actually take correction up there.”

“But that’s not enough either?” Jaden asked.

“Not even close.” Grady might not have any business talking to Jaden about a lesson he’d only just learned, but suddenly the desire to spare him the wasted time seemed worth possible hypocrisy. “So are you ready?”

“To be the best?” Jaden grinned. “You know I am.”

Funny, Grady felt exactly the same way.

CHAPTER

25

GRADY ARRIVED AT FORGET-ME-NOTten minutes after 9a.m. on Tuesday.

Great,he thought as he pulled up.Show up late—way to let her know you’ve changed.

He’d received a call from Ryan on Monday after his workout, asking if he could report to him that day. He claimed to need his help building foundations for the Winter Carnival statues, but the timing made Grady wonder if maybe Quinn had requested the change.

Today, though, she’d have to face him. He’d asked Ryan if he could spend the day here, helping her get ready for her big day tomorrow.

From the sidewalk, he saw a flurry of activity inside. Who was he kidding? Quinn was probably grateful he wasn’t there, in the middle of all the people she actually cared about. He’d only be in the way.

But he’d given her his word. And he wasn’t going to go back on it, no matter how wounded his ego was. Bad enough he’d let her run him off the other day.

He pulled the front door open, and everyone seemed to shift into slow motion. Heads turned, eyes fixed on him.

He lifted a hand in a lame greeting, searching the only slightly familiar faces for Quinn, who was nowhere to be seen.

Beverly sat on the floor just in front of him. She glanced up. “Grady, we didn’t know you’d be here today. Calvin, did you see? Grady’s here.”

The wiry man popped out from behind a display on the ground.

“Grady, good to see you, son.” Calvin stood.

Grady’s eyes landed on the logo Quinn had been painting the last time he was here. She’d finished it—and it looked perfect behind the counter.

“It’s looking good,” he said. “Is Quinn around?”

The older woman’s eyes danced. “You and Quinn have been spending a lot of time together, haven’t you?”

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