“Everyone ready?” Curtis says. His laptop is connected to the TV. He points the remote and drapes his arm along the top of the sofa. Not touching Jacinta. Yet.

I sip my drink. Brent is muttering about it but it’s not too bad. Like flat lemon soda.

Brent is up first, busting his trademark Backside Air. He sails so high it must have caught whoever was filming by surprise, because they’ve cut off his head. I note his line as he crosses the pipe floor. Lower down he slams his spin and everyone winces in unison.

“Aw, that looked brutal,” Dale says.

“I over-rotated.” Brent’s grinning but I saw the bruise on his hip earlier.

The footage continues and Odette drops in, followed by Curtis. I’m up next, and as always I’m devastated by how little air I get compared to all the others. I note my line. There’s the problem. That’s my goal for tomorrow.

Saskia appears at the top of the pipe. Until a gloved finger covers the screen, obscuring the view. My glove. The first time Saskia filmed me, she did the same thing to me.

From her perch on the sofa, Saskia’s head turns my way.

“The game continues,” I say softly.

Curtis’s expression darkens, so I hide my face in my drink.

The finger retreats from the screen as Jacinta drops into the pipe in her pink Roxy jacket. I hate that she’s better than me.

Curtis leans sideways on the sofa to say something in Jacinta’s ear; she nods and whispers back. Inside me, something twists and writhes. He’s giving her advice.

I can tell she’s into him from the way she tilts her body toward him. The way she looks at his mouth when he speaks. I can’t watch. Yet I can’t not watch either.

Curtis lowers his hand to his lap. Her hand is nearby and he hooks her little finger with his. I turn away.

On the screen, a beginner skier has somehow strayed into the pipe, apparently lost. Dale does a massive spin, comes down blind, and almost lands on top of him.

“Fuck off!” on-screen Dale shouts, and the room erupts with laughter.

God. Curtis and Jacinta are kissing. She pulls away with a soft laugh, then goes back for more. I don’t blame her. Curtis smiles through the kiss and touches her jaw. Whispers something in her ear. She nods; they stand and head upstairs.

I catch Saskia staring after them. Looks like I’m not the only one who’s jealous.

CHAPTER 27

PRESENT DAY

Over at the bar, Brent lifts bottles one by one to study the labels.

Please don’t start drinking, Brent. I need you sober and prepared for what might be about to go down. It’s not even noon yet, and we have a long day ahead of us.