Page 56 of Ski You Later
His words are abruptly cut off as Rhys steps right in front of him, shoving him back and into the couch. Everyone stares in shock since no one had even seen him move from leaning against the wall.
He’s by far the biggest guy on the team, but more importantly, he never gets involved in anything. This behaviour from him is unprecedented, and no one moves a muscle.
“Sit down, and shut up,” he says with boredom as he turns his back to Calvin and walks away. To my biggest surprise, Rhys walks towards me and leans on the wall located right behind my couch.
Before anyone can process that, the front door bangs open and a furious Roman storms in. This entire night has been a tennis match of emotions, but seeing Roman finally makes me breathe at ease. I can’tdetermine why but having him in the room makes everything better.
He wears another of his chunky-knit sweaters, this time paired with a pair of medium-washed jeans. It’s easy to see the movement of his powerful legs through the denim as he eats up the space from the door to us. With frustration plain on his face, he stands at the front of the room and glares at everyone.
He does a quick scan of the room and stops when his gaze finds mine. He gives me a small smile, but then flicks his gaze towards Rhys, who stands behind me. Confusion splays across his face for a second, but quickly reverts to his usual bored expression.
“Alright, I’m going to say this once and post the notes on our Teamchat afterward. We have a three-day race coming up. Tomorrow and Saturday will consist of giant slalom, one run on each day. It is a co-ed course for these races; the girls will start in the morning, and the boys will follow in the afternoon. Sunday is our last day; it will be regular slalom, and you will have a run in the morning and one in the afternoon. There will be two different courses, boys are set on the right; girls left.
“Inspection will begin exactly one hour before the race start time. Do not be late. There’re fourforerunners for each race, and your racing bib will be given to you tomorrow morning. Any questions?”
So much important information has just been word-vomited on everyone, so I’m not surprised when Roman is met with silence. I mentally rewind to see if he missed any key points for the weekend, but I’m pretty sure everything was covered.
We’re responsible for everything when it comes to racing. We have to know the times for event starts like the back of our hands. Inspection start is when we’re allowed on the course an hour early so we can preview our terrain. Race start is an obvious one and the overall schedule for the whole weekend.
After everyone seems to process Roman’s words, Xander’s hand shoots into the air, and Roman quickly points to him. “Is this race a team inspection, or is solo allowed?”
Everyone nods at this question and faces back to Roman. Inspection is the time we are allotted to view the set-up of the course before the race starts. We can notice tempo changes in the course, as well as terrain changes, and we can overall try to memorize the entire course during this time. Certain ski hills demand team inspection as to keep all the athletes grouped together,but some allow solo inspection. This allows athletes to go at their own pace and look at everything.
“Sunray Mountain club said they don’t mind solo inspection as long as it starts twenty minutes before inspection closes.” Xander nods and goes back to absorbing everything Roman has said.
No one says anything for a couple of seconds, and Roman nods at the group. “Alright, if that’s everything, then we are done. Have all your skis tuned, bags packed, and be on skis at seven tomorrow.”
This is as good a dismissal as any, and chatter breaks out again. I notice Jasmine and her girls leave immediately, followed closely by Calvin. Kai, Grayson, and Nico make no move in following their buddy as they relax in their seats and turn back to their work. No one brings up the past thirty minutes, but tensions within the group hang heavy in the air.
I turn to chat with Aurora, but her eyes widen slightly, and she abruptly turns to face Liam on her other side.
My brow furrows in confusion until I turn to see Roman heading right for my couch. He nods towards Rhys behind me, and extends his hand to help me up.
I tentatively take his hand as he lifts me to my feet, and I watch as he plops into the seat I just vacated.Before I can express my outrage, his hand snakes around my waist, and he pulls me on top of his lap.
“I missed you this afternoon, Langley,” he whispers into my hair.
Since we’ve never displayed PDA like this in front of the team before, my face flames at his actions and kind words. As I try to get up, my attempt fails immediately, and Roman wastes no time as he pulls back to him. The rest of the team casts quick glances at us, but mostly leaves us alone as I’m pressed to Roman’s chest.
I do my best to relax, but straight adrenaline is coursing through me. Every inch of him is so warm and comfortable as I feel the pull to relax, but remain tense.
“You need to relax if you want to sell this, Langley,” Roman whispers in my ear.
I do another glance of the room, finding everyone preoccupied as I turn to him. As everyone seems distracted by Xander, I rest my head on Roman’s shoulder and whisper back.
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I won’t be offended or anything,” I admit to him. I give him my kindest smile, but I know in my heart that I am falling hard for a man who thinks this whole thing is fake.
“I don’t mind,” he says back to me.
I pull away to see him smiling sweetly at me, and my heart officially breaks. I’m no actress, and I need to let Roman know my feelings before this gets to be ridiculous.
“Roman, I don’t want you to make all these gestures anymore if they’re just going to be for the show.” I bite my lip as I say the words, but I don’t regret sharing my thoughts with him.
To my surprise, I’m pulled even closer, and he faces us both to the rest of the group. His lips press into my neck, and I try to suppress the shiver that wants to go through me. “I think we’re starting to get on the same page now, Langley.”
CHAPTER 21
I couldn’t be more proud of my girl.
