Read Carve My Heart Online Free by Mara J. Ova

Then comes the steep.This is the fun part.

The guys before me dug ruts in the terrain, edges cutting deep into the ice.If I follow their lines, I'll bounce and rattle just like they did.But not me.

I stay tighter to the gates.Straighter.Faster.

One gate slams into my arm hard.Even through the padding, it hurts.It'll bruise.Good, a mild reminder of the stakes, not to get too cocky with the mountain.

Another roar from the crowd.That means I'm still in green.

I push harder.

I don't need to look at the board as I stretch forward and cross the line.I know.

I’ve won.

The crowd says it.The guys who'll share the podium say it too, their congratulations laced with disbelief.

I unbuckle my boots and glance up at the scoreboard.

1.78 seconds.

Not bad.

Actually, amazing.

Funny what a little motivation can do.

I'm still catching my breath when I step onto the provisional podium.The adrenaline fades, and the pain in my arm starts to burn.

As the commentator leads me to the leader's chair for the post-race interview, I spot Katharina, phone in hand, already working as a shield against the press swarm.

I look into her eyes.She beams at me.

Not a calculated smile.Not a smirk like before.Just pure happiness.

And that look is still there.

That's when I know.This season is going to be fun indeed.