Page 39 of Mountain Trial

Coach slipped his hand over his. “I’m sorry, Luc. That was a beautiful Cork 540.”

Luc shrugged, which led to a whole new kind of pain. He was going to need to ice the shoulder.

On the way to the tent, Luc looked up at the man’s nametag.

Melkopf.

The man’s first name came to him, then.

Jens.

“Why did he say he was sorry?” Jens asked.

“You lose your points if you don’t land a jump―and I didn’t land it.”

“So you’re not getting any points for that one?” Jens whistled. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay. I had a good jump yesterday, so I’ll get to keep that score, but it won’t be enough to win.”

“You’re favoring your right shoulder,” Jens said, letting Luc into the white tent. Inside, it was set up much like the inside of an ambulance.

“You’re here alone?”

“My colleague went to get some more equipment. We’ve had a lot of sprains today.”

“Kat’s in Annecy, though?” Luc asked.

Jens shook his head. “I’m here with Hiro and Bailey.”

“I’m glad she didn’t see that.”

“Word travels fast in these parts. You probably ought to give her a call. After I take a look at your shoulder.”

Chapter 16

Kat

Kat walked into the sports bar. Luc had called and assured her he was fine, and she’d heard the same from Jens, but she still needed to see it―to see him―with her own eyes.

There were screens everywhere around them, showing different sports. She hoped they weren’t showing that morning’s event―she didn’t want to watch Luc’s crash. Hearing about it had been bad enough.

Luc was sitting at a table with two men and a woman. He and another man were sitting in wheelchairs.

“Hi,” she breathed out, suddenly shy.

“Kat,” Luc beamed, bringing his chair out from under the table and angling it in her direction. “You made it.”

He pointed clockwise around the table. “Kat, meet Jong Su, from Seoul. His girlfriend, Chan-mi. And that’s Scott, one of my best friends and the winner of today’s race. We’re celebrating the win.”

“We’re celebrating Luc’s still sitting here with us and able to hold his beer,” Scott scoffed.

Kat felt herself pale.

“Jerk,” Luc said under his breath to Scott. The other man just laughed.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Kat asked, looking Luc over. He seemed fine, but Jens had told her his shoulder and ribs were bruised.

“I’m okay. Really.”