Page 24 of His Last Fall

“It was you. You did it, Knox,” I yell back at him, continuing to shake.

The noise level is crazy. The fans from above the hill cheer. The announcers yell over the loudspeakers in a language I can’t begin to understand. The rest of Knox’s team and coaches congratulate each other onthe sidelines like they’re the ones who just won.

The entire race takes less than two minutes to determine so much of their futures.

He looks me dead in the eyes and tightens his grip on my arms. “Are you sure? Was it me or Norway?”

His continued questioning stops me in my tracks.

I don’t know.

The race happened so quickly and my eyes were on Knox the entire time. I watched his snowboardcome across the finish line. I didn’t pay attention to the other. It wasn’t important to me. The confidence of my claim drains away, and my face shows it. For the first time since he finished I look around and notice the rest of his team, family, coach, and all the television cameras are trained on our shared moment.

Like he’s suddenly hot, I jump off and stand. His coach takes his hand and helpshim up. He steps in between Knox and me, wrapping his arm around his shoulder.

“It was a great try, Knox. A great run,” he says to Knox before leading him off the sidelines.

His coach has never been overly emotional, but you’d expect more if Knox took first. The noise is incredibly loud. To the point I can’t make out anyone’s conversation to find out who won. I searched the crowd for a tallwoman with the same hair color as Knox and find her standing off to the edge, having moved out of the way after his coach took him to where reporters do official interviews. Knox’s mother never is one for the limelight.

My boots are heavy and make a hard crunching sound, but I jog in her direction. “Was it Knox or Norway?” I ask when I get to her side.

**

“This silver place medal is awardedto the United States of America team and Miss Charlie Wilson.”

The crowd goes absolutely insane as Charlie, the snowboarder Cyrus went on and on about at the lodge a few days ago, steps up to the podium. The American flag waves behind her and the event official slips a silver medal over her neck. I guess she did turn out to be pretty awesome after all. Not many people go home with a win.

“That’smy cue. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you on the other side?” Knox asks, leaning down to give me a kiss.

I beam with pride. After they finish with the women’s snowboarding cross medals, they’ll award the men’s.

“I’m so proud of you.” I’ve seen Knox on the winners’ podium many times before, but this time he’s there as my boyfriend.

He’s not giving up this life like Remi has promised Marley, so Ihope to see him in this position many times in the future. But this time is special. It’s our first time.

“It’s all because you are with me. I couldn’t have done without you, babe.”

I shake my head. “That is so cliché. But I like it.” My smile grows and I quickly give him one more closed kiss on the lips.