I pulled off my gloves and wiped her tears with my thumbs. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” she said.
I took it all in. My second-place finish. My surprising top score. Giselle’s love and support. The camaraderie of my friends. I truly felt like I was on top of the world.
Giselle
On stage, Kason stood between Thayer and Ousterman. The official moved to Ousterman first. As he bent down, the official slipped the bronze medal around his neck. When he stood, the crowd cheered. The official moved to Thayer next and slipped the silver medal around his neck. When he stood up, the crowd around me cheered. My smile couldn’t have been any wider as I watched him glance down at the medal and then his eyes immediately sought me out. His knowing smirk hit me deep. A year without competing, and he was back. And, he was all mine.
Finally, my brother bent for his gold medal, and never the humble one, he held it up for all of us to see. Such an ass. But I will admit, the moment he lifted Thayer into his arms after his run, I knew that they’d made amends. And, if they hadn’t, that moment sealed the deal.
“And here you have it,” the announcer’s voice echoes. “Your Big Air medalists, moving one step closer to the Olympics.”
All around me, cheers erupted as the three of them leaned together on stage, holding their medals out for the photographers. Thayer looked so happy, laughing and boasting his silver medal for the cameras. I was so proud of him. He deserved this. And so much more.
33
GISELLE
We gathered for dinner at a nearby pub after the award ceremony. Thayer’s arm was draped over the back of my chair as he talked to my parents, Kason, Shay, and Jesse. I hadn’t seen him this happy and carefree since before his mom passed away. I was so fortunate to witness his return because I’d missed out on so much by keeping him at a distance for so long.
“So, Switzerland?” Jesse prompted.
“Yeah, I did say I’d go if I medaled here, didn’t I?” Thayer said.
Everyone at the table laughed.
“This sealed the deal, bro,” Kason added.
“I’m only going if Giselle makes the trip,” Thayer said.
I gave him a sidelong glance. “Like I won’t be there?” There was nowhere in this world I’d rather be than watching him compete again.
He pulled me into his side, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
My parents smiled while Kason’s eyes shot away, looking less unhappy with us than he had been before.
“I’m glad you two kissed and made up,” Jesse said to Kason.
All eyes moved to Kason.
Shay, who was seated beside him, bumped him with her elbow because this was his chance to let everyone know we had his blessing.
“Yeah, well,” Kason began on an exhale. “The kid was lost without me.”
We all groaned at his sarcasm. He couldn’t be serious for even one minute.
“All kidding aside,” Kason continued, quieting the table. “I started this journey with Thayer by my side. And it sucked being on this journey alone. He’s always been my biggest support, and not having that at the beginning of this weekend showed me I’m only the snowboarder I am today because of him.”
Tears glazed my eyes at my brother’s honesty. He didn’t change his mind because I asked him to. He changed his mind because deep down he knew he needed his best friend in his life more than he needed to stay mad at him. The guilt I’d been feeling suddenly lifted, and I didn’t have to carry that weight anymore.
Thayer didn’t respond, though I knew it meant a lot to hear that.
“Now,” Kason continued, unable to keep his mouth shut, “if he thinks he’s going to beat me out for gold in Switzerland, he’s got another thing coming.”
“And there he is, ladies and gentlemen, Kason McCloud,” I said. “He always shows glimpses of sincerity until he doesn’t.”
“Shut up,” Kason said, balling up his napkin and throwing it at me.