Crashing Waves (15 page)

~ ~ ~

The next day, they attended the Women's and then the Men's Giant Slalom Finals. Austin stood in the same area that she'd been in the day before, freezing and cheering on the USA riders. She drank more hot chocolate than she ever thought humanly possible and had still been cold down to the bone. Rory had stayed at the top of the hill most of the day, talking with the riders and other sponsors, as well as doing interviews and taking pictures for other countries that had had riders using her equipment.

Austin was intently watching the snowboarders race down through the flags, carving back and force with lightening speed and almost missed her cell phone vibrating in her pocket.

"Hey it's me, what's up?" Lori said as Austin answered.

"Oh my God, you wouldn't believe it if I told you what I was doing right now."

"Hmm….if it involves that hot blond you're hanging with, I'd like to know all of the details."

"Yeah you wish. I'm standing in the front row of the finals for the downhill snowboarding event. It's awesome! They haul ass down this mountain, racing around the flags and carving back and forth."

"Cool, take pictures and send me a postcard."

"I sent one out yesterday, and I'm taking pictures, probably too many."

"I miss you, man. It's been off the wall down in Lunada and Redondo. I was out there with Paul and Shannon yesterday. The sets were almost all overhead!"

"Damn, that sounds tight! We'll hit it up when I get back. Save me some waves."

"Yup, bring me back some snow."

Austin ended the call and watched closely as the last set of male riders came down the hill. Randi Mitchell had already won gold that morning for the women and Stacey Holbritton followed closely behind her with the silver. She watched as the results were displayed on the big screen. Ezekiel Jones had won the men's gold by a fraction of a second. The crowd was roaring with excitement. A few minutes later, the podium was set up and the national anthem was played. Afterwards, Austin spotted Rory standing off to the side with Ezekiel and his coach for a photo.

The mob of spectators began leaving the stands when two guys wearing bright yellow security jackets walked up to Austin. Both spoke to her briefly in English with heavy accents to let her know they were there to escort her safely through the crowd. She saw Rory and Mathias in the direction they were headed, talking to some of the snowboarders.

"Hey, sorry about the goons. I asked them to make sure you made it through the wild people in the stands without being trampled."

"Thanks, they were fine, besides I looked important being escorted through the crowd."

"Well then, Mathias, I think it's time to take Miss Tinsley back to the hotel before her head swells too big for her to get into the car," Rory teased.

Austin playfully slapped Rory's arm as they all walked off laughing.

~ ~ ~

When they arrived back at the hotel, Rory went to her room. She took her jacket off and checked her watch as she sat lazily on the couch in the living area.
You had better get it over with. There's no time like the present to get your ass chewed out.
She sighed, reaching into her pocket as she pulled out her cell phone. She scrolled through her address book until she found the person she was looking for.

"Well if it isn't Princess Charming," Martie answered.

"Cut the shit, mate. I've had a long day and I really don't have the energy to argue with you."

"Too bad, you deserve to hear it, Rory. Having her there with you is not a good idea at all. People will talk. Are you ready to be outed?"

"Damn it, Martie, I'm not with her like that. We're just friends. Besides she's straight and between the security guy in Aspen and the one I have here, everyone must think I change boyfriends like underwear."

"Ha-ha, I never thought of that. Maybe we should hire one to travel with you on a regular basis."

"Hell no! I've had enough of it and this is only my second trip. The media hasn't been bad at all here. I think people are starting to realize that I'm old news."

"It'll get worse when you start traveling with the Surf Tour. Those are the ones that are out to get you, and for what, I have no idea. But having your little play thing with you really isn't a good idea. Someone will catch on, especially if you take her to surfing events with you."

"I'll deal with that if it happens. I'm just friends with the girl I swear, Martie. She's in her own hotel room and everything. During the last three days, she's been in the stands watching the events, while I've been up on the hill with the officials and our riders."

"Be careful, Rory. You don't need this kind of publicity right now. Eden Boards is taking off faster than we ever imagined it would and we really don't need it to go in that direction. It's bad enough Adler Troy is waving the rainbow flag all over creation. We've received some hate mail since we signed her."

"I know. It's not like I haven't thought about that, Martie, but it's her life and I respect her for living it the way she wants. I'll deal with the repercussions of having Austin around, if it comes to that."

"The fact that you're going to personally train her is enough of a problem without you dragging her halfway across the globe with you."

Rory rubbed her eyes with her free hand.
Trust me, Martie, I know what I'm doing or at least I think I do.
There was no way she was going to tell her best friend that she'd developed feelings for the young surfer. She'd just have to learn to control them.
She finished her call and walked over to the door to Austin's room, knocking softly. Austin answered, wearing a small t-shirt that barely touched the top of her thin jogging pants, allowing the tanned skin of her stomach to play peek a boo when she moved. Her hair was pulled up off her neck with a clip. Rory's chest tightened and she was unsteady on her feet as her temperature rose drastically. Sweat began to bead up on her brow.

Austin looked quizzically at Rory who was still dressed in her heavy clothing and shoes.

"Hey."

"Were you sleeping?" Rory asked.

"No, I was just watching TV and talking to Lori on the phone. Did you go somewhere else?"

"No, why?"

"You've got to be uncomfortable and you look really hot."

Rory laughed. It hadn't occurred to her that she'd forgotten to change out of her heavy snow clothing. "Yeah, I guess I am getting a little warm. I just got off the phone with my office, so I haven't changed yet. I'm assuming you don't want to go to dinner since you've obviously gotten comfortable."

"I was hoping we could order room service or if you're going out to eat, then I'll just order it myself. I think I've had enough cold for the day. I need to thaw out."

"That's fine. I'll go change and we can eat together if you want, unless you want to be alone."

"No, of course not," Austin smiled.

"Order whatever you think sounds good. See you in a few minutes," she said, backing out of the room.

Rory was overheated and sweating profusely as she peeled out of her snow pants and turtleneck. She took a quick shower to rinse off the sweat and cool her core. She pulled on a t-shirt and sweatpants and towel dried her short hair. Austin was lying on the couch watching TV when she walked back into the room.

"I snuck into your room while you were in the shower," Austin said, nodding towards the two steaming cups of hot chocolate on the table.

Rory reached for one and walked over to the sliding glass doors for the balcony. "It's snowing again," she said.

"Yeah, I noticed. It's so beautiful here." Austin walked over, standing next to her. "Everything is so pristine and untouched."

"I think the moon looks bigger here. I guess it's because of the mountains and the snow, but it just looks closer to me. The stars seem brighter too," Rory said, sipping from the warm mug in her hand.

"Maybe you're just seeing things differently now," Austin murmured.

Rory shrugged. "I have a meeting in the morning and then I'll be back around ten to get you. Dress really warm."

"Cool, where are we going?"

"Just be ready to go at ten or you'll be pissed at yourself, trust me," Rory said as the waiter arrived with their dinner.

Chapter Ten

Rory awoke the next morning and dressed in the warmest clothes she had packed. After a quick cup of hot chocolate to warm her even further, she figured it was time to inform Austin of her plans for the day. The door opened as she reached out to knock, startling both women.

Rory shrieked and Austin nearly smacked her.

"Jesus, Rory!"

"Well I wasn't expecting you to open the bloody door before I knocked."

"You scared the shit out of me."

"I'm sorry. You scared me too."

"Are you going to tell me where we're headed?"

"Actually, that's why I was coming over. We're going snowboarding. That is unless…"

Austin couldn't believe her ears. "No way!"

"Is that okay with you?"

"I could kiss you, Rory Eden. Yes! Yes, it's okay with me," Austin gleamed.  

"Calm down." Rory laughed. "Come on. Let's get going before they rent out our equipment."

~ ~ ~

It was a few degrees below zero outside. Rory pulled her ski cap down and tucked her ears up under it.
Eden, you can do this you chicken shit! It'll be fine; it's a snowboard on top of snow-covered solid ground. Get your head out of your ass before you make a fool of yourself in front of her
…"Okay okay, leave me alone. I can do this. I'll just close my eyes and hold my breath. That's just great, stupid, you'll run into a tree and kill yourself. Here they come—it's too late to talk yourself out of it now. God, just let me get through this. Please!"
Piece of cake. If I could surf fifteen foot Pipeline waves with no fear, I sure as shit better be able to ride a dinky little board down a mountain. Bloody hell!
Rory paced in the snow next to her board.
 

Austin had stopped off for one last bathroom break while Rory secured lessons with the private instructor and went in search of the additional equipment that Rory's company had sent for their sponsored riders to make sure it was available for their use for the day. Austin examined all of the gear as she walked up. Rory stood off to the side, still invisibly fighting with her conscience.

"Are you okay?" Austin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Fine. You?" Rory buzzed around like she was on speed.

Austin laughed.

Their tall, dark-haired private instructor walked up before Austin could reply. She had a thick Italian accent, but she spoke perfect English. "Let's get you girls ready to tackle this mountain. Shall we?"

"That's a lot of stuff," Austin said.

"Yes, but when you fall you'll be glad you had this stuff on. Oh and trust me, you will fall."

"That's just great to know." Rory stepped into the conversation. "Hi, I'm Rory Eden, and this is Austin Tinsley. Mathias highly recommended you to me."

"Ah, Mathias. He's a good guy," she said, smiling. "I'm Nikkola Franchino."

"Yes, he's been very helpful so far. It's nice to meet you, Miss Franchino," Rory said, shaking her hand.

"Welcome to Stockholm and please call me Nikki. It's very nice to finally meet you. I am a huge fan of yours and I actually ride one of your boards, as well as use your boots and bindings. You make great equipment. I see that you've brought your own equipment with you. It's much better than the rental stuff," she whispered with a smile. "So, how often do you snowboard, Ms. Eden?" she asked.

 Austin stood back with her eyebrows furled together, watching the dark-haired woman flirt carelessly with Rory. "I used to go every year," Austin replied, glaring at the woman.

"Please, call me Rory, and I hate to say it, but I've never learned to snowboard. One of my sponsored riders keeps promising to take me out on the snow, but she's busy winning gold medals." Rory smiled. "I actually haven't ridden one of my surfboards either. I spend too much time in an office these days." Rory smiled again.

"Great, I'm glad I can be the first person to teach you to snowboard. Believe me, if you can carve snow like you rip waves, you'll pick this up pretty easily. Are there any questions before we get started?"

Rory and Austin looked at each other and then back at Nikki, shaking their heads. Austin's blood was boiling. She couldn't believe the boldness of the woman flirting with Rory and the way Rory was eating it up made her sick in her stomach.

"Okay, here is your board and your boots. Make sure your pant legs are on the outside and then close your boots up tightly. They're a little funny to walk in at first, but you'll get used to it," Nikki said, watching Rory get her gear on. "Put your helmet on over your ski cap and snap the buckles together under your chin and put your goggles on your helmet so that you can slide them down over your eyes easily."

"I had forgotten how much crap you have to wear. I definitely prefer surfing. At least I can wear a bathing suit or a wet suit and be fine. I feel like I weigh over two-hundred pounds with all of this shit on."

Rory shook her head, laughing at Austin.
I guess I can't say anything. How would my riders feel if they found out I complained the entire time? Forget about wearing all of this shit, I'll be doing good to make it to the bottom of the mountain.
 

"Now before you strap onto the boards there are a few basic moves I want to show you. Before anything, you need to learn how to stop. Basically, you turn so that you're facing forward rather than the side and lean back so that the edge of the backside of the board catches the snow. This will slow you to a stop." Nikki strapped on her board and began showing them each move as she explained it.

"Whatever you do, don't lean forward or you'll plant head first into the snow and barrel roll. The second thing is how to turn and maneuver around obstacles that might be in your way. This is called carving and basically it's similar to the way you carve on a surfboard, except your weight is almost evenly distributed on a snowboard instead of on your back foot like on a surfboard. You lean in or out with your body so that you're carving the snow with the front side or backside edge of the board. A small trick that you can do is called a tail-wheelie. This is where you put your weight on the back foot and the front of the board comes up. Once you get the hang of this, you can rotate one-hundred and eighty degrees and ride fakie. This similar to the way you would do it on a surfboard, which is basically with your other foot out front. After you learn that trick, we'll go up on the lift and go down one of the trails. Are you guys ready?"