Page 102 of Against All Odds

“Don’t die!” Juno yelled, laughing.

“Not helpful, Juno!” I shouted back, but I couldn’t help laughing, too.

The wind rushed past me, cold and biting but exhilarating. I tried to remember everything Heath had taught me about turning and leaning into the skis, but honestly, most of it went out the window as I focused on just staying upright.

My heart pounded, and I felt like I was hurtling toward certain doom. But then, it clicked.

I shifted my weight, and the skis obeyed. I turned, sliding smoothly to the right and then back to the left. The fear that had gripped me so tightly began to loosen, replaced by…excitement.

“I’m doing it!” I yelled, laughing as the realization hit me. “I’m actually doing it!”

“You’re skiing, Bambi!” Heath roared.

I could hear the cheers from Natasha, Casey, Mackenna, and Ben. Juno zipped past me on her snowboard, giving me a thumbs-up as she flew by.

Show off!

By the time I reached the bottom of the hill, my legs were trembling, my face was frozen, and my lungs were burning. But I was smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.

I came to an ungraceful stop, half-skidding intoHeath, who caught me with a laugh. “I did it!” I threw my arms around his neck.

“You did it.” He held me close.

I felt like I’d just won an Olympic medal, climbed Mt. Everest, or done something equally impossible. The rush of pride and adrenaline coursing through me was delicious.

“You looked so sexy coming down that slope, babe, that now I need to fuck you,” Heath said huskily, his voice soft in my ear.

I pulled back slightly, still holding onto him. “I think that’s a great idea.”

Behind us, the others were clapping and cheering again. Natasha was laughing, Mackenna was still filming on her phone, and Casey was holding up what looked like a thermos of hot chocolate in celebration. Ben nodded appreciatively, his ski poles planted firmly in the snow.

These people—this group of friends who had somehow become my family—were here for me. They cheered me on, lifted me up, and made me feel like I belonged.

I turned back to Heath, my arms still wrapped around him. His blue eyes were earnest and full of love, and I basked in their warmth.

“I love you.” He brushed a stray strand of hair from my face.

I believed him.

Maybe I didn’t win an Olympic medal today, but I’d conquered something bigger—my fear. And I had doneit with the people I cared about most standing by my side.

“I love you, too. Now, what was that about fucking me hard?”