Page 11 of Playing to Win

Oh no.

Katie appeared at Colin’s side. “He’s doing a goddamn handstand dive. Make him stop!”

He cupped his hands to his mouth and screamed, “Andrew, no! Gonnae no do that!” But his words were swamped by the crowd’s cheers and chants.

Andrew’s legs were nearly vertical now, his back to the dance floor, the spotlight catching the white outsoles of his black high-top trainers.

Oh fuck no.

“I cannae watch.” Siobhan covered her eyes. “He’s gonnae die.”

No no no no no NO.

Frozen with terror, Colin could only stare.He is gonnae die, he thought,and it’ll be my fucking fault.His next thought, though, wasMy God, Andrew must have the most amazing abs.

“Guess what, mate?” said the lad beside Colin, his phone raised to capture Andrew’s stunt. “You’ve just met your match.”

CHAPTERTHREE

ISHOULDBEfacing the other way, Andrew thought as he straightened his legs to a perfect vertical.Then I could see if anyone plans to catch me.

He considered putting his feet down so he could turn around, but that would ruin the effect. The crowd had caught Colin, and they would catch Andrew. He had to believe that.

He held the handstand for two seconds, three, four, hearing the screams and music rise in volume. Then he flexed his arms andpushed.

The world went suddenly silent.

As he tipped over, Andrew snapped his body to bring himself into a flip. The warehouse spun around him, disorienting in its darkness. Against all his diving instincts, he spread his arms and legs, letting himself go limp. Now it was up to the masses—either they would catch him, or he would die.

The landing was softer than water, yet still the air rushed from his lungs. His glasses flew from his nose and disappeared into the sea of bodies.

Sound crashed into his ears all at once—cheers, music, laughter. As the arms lifted him high in a flying position once again, Andrew felt connected to everything and everybody.

He had lived. He had won.

As his feet were lowered to the floor, a familiar voice shrieked his name. Then Colin was there, grabbing his shoulders, face white with fear.

“Andrew, you did it! You did it!” He shook him hard. “Why did you do it?”

“I had to. Why didyoudo it?”

“I’ve done it a million times. But never again, I swear.” Colin pulled him into a desperate hug. “God, I thought you were gonnae die. I’m so sorry. I didnae think you’d actually jump.”

“Of course I jumped. I was captain of the diving squad at Fettes.”But you didn’t know that when you left me up there, you mad bastard.

He wanted to kill Colin for making him risk his life, but also thank him for making him feel more alive than ever. Lacking the strength to do either, Andrew simply clutched him, feeling their chests heave together.

As they let go, they were mobbed by the crowd, patting their backs and taking their picture. Andrew put a hand to his face, remembering what was missing. “My glasses.”

“Gonnae no worry,” Colin said, leaning close. “You look nothing like a lord just now.”

Andrew tried to say, “I’m not a real lord, it’s just a courtesy title,” but the words were lost in a wave of maniacal laughter. Colin started cackling too, a high-pitched hysteria that fed Andrew’s own.

“All right, mates, show’s over.” The DJ’s voice crackled from the speakers. “Youse are here to dance, right? This is a rave, not Cirque du Fuckin’ Soleil.”

The song’s melody shifted then, distracting the crowd, who finally parted for Colin and Andrew.

After two steps toward the makeshift bar at the side of the warehouse, Andrew’s legs turned to water. He stumbled into Colin, who looped a supportive arm about his waist.

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