***
Lenny came to a halt and pushed up her goggles. She was breathless and heated up from her ride so she removed her face mask and hat as well. She turned to watch Ben cut a smooth line very near hers. It made her feel good, she had blazed a trail to be proud of.
She watched in curiosity as Shane started his own run. He was a little further away from where she had started. She had never seen him ride big mountains before. All the time they were together, he had made it abundantly clear that he was not into that sort of thing. He was good in the pipe and that had always been his focus. She was curious as to what had changed his mind.
Ben slid up next to her, and pushed his coverings off his face. He had a goofy grin plastered on and he gave Lenny a high-five.
Shane made his descent with precision and Lenny was impressed. When he reached them at the bottom she impulsively patted his shoulder in congratulations. Shane took off his goggles and gave Lenny a warm look.
“Bet you didn’t think I could pull it off.” He said with a sideways smile.
“I’m not gonna lie, I was a little surprised.” Lenny tried to read his expression but he looked away from her inquisitive stare. Whatever had happened to Shane was a very big deal. He was like a brand new person.
“Damn, check out Serge…” Ben said with awe.
They all turned to observe the living legend take his turn raging down the face. It was a thing of beauty. Serge moved with the fluidity of a spider in an intricate web; in and out, back and forth. The snow bursting from beneath his board as if announcing his arrival to the rest of the world.
“Do you think he knows how good he is?” Lenny wondered out loud.
“He’s definitely fearless,” Shane remarked. “I’m not that brave.” He glanced at Lenny with adoration. “Lenny is, though.”
Lenny smiled wistfully, still staring at Serge’s perfect form and style.
“Sometimes,” she agreed noncommittally.
When Serge finished his run and humbly accepted the group's praise, he radioed the heli and Jack swung around to pick them up again. They flew a short distance away to a smaller slope where Nick and Smitty had helped the ‘youngins’ build a jump.
“You’re gonna fly a hundred feet off that thing!” Nick was hollering at Smitty. They were having an argument about the safety of the jump they’d just finished.
“That was the plan, dummy.” Smitty wiped the sweat off his brow and squinted up the hill. “It ain’t fun unless you can get hurt.”
“Maybe for you and me, that’s true. But they’re just kids.” Nick protested.
“Would you calm down?” Smitty was losing his patience. “They don’t have to try it if they don’t want to. No one is forcing them.”
Nick’s mouth twitched in agitation. Smitty was right, but he didn’t have to like it.
At the top of the run, the other riders were nervously preparing. No one was talking about their anxiety, they were all pretending like they had none. Lenny laughed to herself. She remembered feeling that way at that age too. Like, if you act like you’re invincible than maybe you will be.
“So, who wants to try it first?” Lenny asked with a grin.
“It’s Smitty’s jump, maybe he should go first.” Trucker suggested.
“I’ll go first.” Travis Jenkins suddenly spoke up. He wanted to prove his manhood, no doubt. The competitiveness surrounding the entire outing was thick enough to choke on.
Lenny sidled up to Travis as he tightened his bindings.
“Hey.” She took a knee next to him and gazed out over the stark white landscape. “We can do this run all day. Save your big stuff for after you get to know the run a few times.” Jenkins had a rep for being flashy and bold in the pipe and on the freestyle course. Lenny didn’t want his day to be cut short just because he didn’t find the right balance.
Travis frowned at her, trying to not to hear her words as a challenge.
“All I’m saying is,” Lenny continued, reading his hesitation, “This isn’t a park. It’s okay to be scared. If you’re not a little bit frightened, the mountain will eat you alive.” She patted his shoulder as he nodded at her words and got into a standing position.
As Travis traveled down the packed, slick run towards the ramp, Lenny watched in satisfaction. He was controlling his speed and making the slight adjustments that an experienced rider would make. He took the jump at a pretty strong velocity and spun into the air. She could see him tracking the landing already. He set down with a wobble but didn’t lose his balance. She was happy he had taken her advice.
Then it was Trucker’s turn. Jimmy Trucker was always reckless and never smart. He was addicted to the thrill and possibly the crash. He let out a loud whoop and took off going at a ridiculous speed. The moment he flew into the air Lenny knew he’d lost control. He didn’t just crash, he rolled and bounced and crashed repeatedly. His board disengaged and his body continued on, getting buried slightly in the snow he had disturbed on his way down.
Everyone waited for movement before rushing to him. He flopped over on his back and let out a loud moan.
“I’ll check him.” Lenny said, tightening her binders. She was cautious on the slick run but had achieved a good speed when she reached the jump. As she flew into the air she got the distinct impression that she was indeed flying this time. She did a quick method to please the onlookers and tracked her landing. The snow was rough and uneven from where Trucker had epically wiped out. She tried to place her board in as smooth a location as she could find at her altitude. Little wobble, nothing she couldn’t handle. She turned her board sideways and skidded to a halt near Trucker’s crumpled form.
Unhooking her bindings, she jogged over to him and peered down into his face mask.
“Some things never change, Truck,” she said with mock disappointment.
He groaned in response.“That’s not true. I’m a heck of a lot older this year.”
Lenny laughed and began to check his body for broken bones before trying to move him. Satisfied that it was just a couple of bumps, she helped him into a sitting position.
“Thanks, Len,” Trucker grimaced at the pain in his ribs as she helped pull him to a standing position.
“You’re done for the day,” Lenny said apologetically.
“Yeah, I hope I can move in the morning.” Trucker attempted a laugh and then held his side.
“Let me take a look at those ribs.” Lenny peeled off his coat and pulled his shirt up to expose his left side. It was red and already swollen; tender to the touch. “You might have a few cracked ribs, Truck,” she said with concern.
“You know what they say, big mountain thrills equal hospital bills.” Trucker tried to laugh again.
“Maybe you should go back to camp,” Lenny suggested tentatively.
“Nah, I’ll be fine.” Trucker dismissed her with a wave as he pulled his coat back on. “I wanna see how everyone else fairs.”
“Okay,” Lenny relented and trudged over to collect her board. “But stay down here, I meant what I said, you’re done riding for the day,” she instructed seriously.
“Whatever you say, mama.” Trucker smiled and walked over to join Travis who had been watching from a distance.
Lenny whirled, expecting to see Blake but no, it was still Trucker. No one had called her that in a few weeks and it ignited her repressed heartache. She shook it off as she climbed back up to the start where the others awaited.
“Is he okay?” Shelby Lynn looked scared.
“Yeah, he’s fine.” Lenny waved it off. “He’s just gonna be sore tomorrow.”
She took this as a teaching opportunity and addressed the remaining riders.
“Smitty builds some pretty gnarly jumps, guys. Take your first run easy. Learn it first before you trick it.” She pointed at Jimmy Trucker. “Or you’ll spend the rest of the trip watching. And that’s not why you’re here.”
They nodded like obedient children and Lenny suppressed a laugh. A few years ago, no one
would have taken her seriously. And now she was one of the ‘adults.’ Bossing around rock stars all summer had it’s benefits.
Ben went next and then Shelby Lynn. Eventually, everyone took a turn. All of them followed Lenny’s advice and kept it cautious for the first few runs. They started to get brave and added in little grabs, flips and rotations as they got more comfortable.
“Did I impart wisdom?” Lenny asked Serge as they looked on.
He only gave his quiet, knowing smile. Lenny enjoyed being near Serge. His energy was both calming and ferocious. He reminded her of a cat. He could be completely relaxed one minute, eyes half lidded, nearly asleep and then on the move, twisting and hurtling down the mountainside the next.
“C’mon, Lenny!” Nick called from the top of the slope, “Show us something special.”
Lenny smiled and removed her jacket. Even though they were surround by snow, the sun and extra activity was making them all warm. Travis had long since removed his shirt, much to the joy of Shelby Lynn, and Lenny decided to be more comfortable as well. She took off her hat and outer shirt, stripping to her black snow pants and orange tank top. She lowered her goggles and her blonde hair hung in sweaty strands down her back. Serge offered her a fist bump as she strapped in.
The slope was even more slick than before because of all the activity but Lenny liked the extra speed it provided. She would need it for what she was about to attempt.
***
“You have to cool it, Calloway.” Serge said from next to Ben. Ben turned, eyes wide with surprise and confusion.
“What?”
“You are not the one.” Serge said calmly, as they watched Lenny take off and head towards the jump.
“What do you mean?” Ben asked as he stared at Lenny flying into the air. She did a corked 180 backside, her body a swirl of color and skin, and landed gracefully. The trick was flawless and the other riders applauded.
“I am talking about Lenny.” Serge turned his pale, serious eyes on Ben. “You are not the one, do not waste your time.”
Ben forced a laugh, embarrassed by the reprimand.
“Who’s “The One”, Serge? You?” Ben asked, holding his mittened hands up to symbolize the air quotes.
“No,” Serge answered and bent down to tighten his bindings for his own run. “Not me. Not you.”
Ben watched Serge follow Lenny with an equally impressive run. He was befuddled by Serge’s comments. Did Lenny say something to Serge? As far as Ben knew, she was fair game. She wasn’t seeing anyone and neither was he. Flirting couldn’t hurt, right? Ben’s gaze drifted to Shane Brookings who was also watching Lenny. They’d been friendly with each other all day. That didn’t mean there was something going on there, did it? Surely I’m better than that guy! Ben thought defensively. Shane was a moron. Lenny had to have better taste than that. She wouldn’t want to be with someone who was a known womanizer, would she?
Chapter 21
No Way Back
Sway’s solution involved a lot of ass chewing, Luke found out very quickly. He had called the guys and with quite a bit of coercing and slight extortion, Sway got them to agree to meet at Blake’s loft.
It was like an intervention, Luke noted. His closest friends were there, along with Carl and Harrison’s sister, Miranda. It was similar to when they had all confronted Mike on his drug use.
They sat Luke down on the couch and proceeded to tell him all the things he had done wrong and how it had affected their lives. It would have been comical if wasn’t so tragic. Luke had been so wrapped up in his feelings for Lenny he never stopped to realize that she was very much a part of the rest of the band. She had been woven into their hearts and music.
How one girl could have such a lasting impact on one band was beyond Luke’s reasoning. He knew how she had affected him, but he was in love with her. He was finding out the others loved her as well, but in different ways. She had become equally important and vital to them. They missed her and they wanted her back. And now this thing with the tabloids…
“You’re an idiot,” Blake said disdainfully.
“Remember, Blake,” Miranda quietly reminded, “Use feeling words. I feel…”
“I feel that you are an idiot,” Blake restated in exasperation.
Miranda closed her eyes and sighed.
“It’s okay, Ran,” Luke said, “Blake’s right, I am an idiot.”
“So what are you gonna do about it?” Blake asked pointedly.
“Well, I was hoping you’d help me.” Luke looked around the room at his friends, settling on Sway. Sway nodded and took over.
“We are going to help him.” He started, giving stern looks to the eye rolls. “Luke has helped us all out of terrible things. This is simply an opportunity for us to return the favor.”
“What do you have in mind?” Mike hadn't stopped glaring at Luke since he'd arrived and Luke didn't blame him. Mike had tried to help him and Luke had slammed the door in his face. I'm an asshole.
“You know that song you wrote for Lenny?” Sway focused on Luke again and he nodded.
“We’re gonna record it and release it. Right away.”
The room was silent.
“How does that help?” Luke finally asked, feeling unsure. But not listening to his friends hadn't gotten him very far.
“She’ll hear it and it’ll soften her heart.” Sway rolled his eyes at Luke's absurdity and kept going. “And then you gotta go to Jackson Hole and beg her to forgive you for being a complete douche bag. You bring the biggest diamond you can find and you get down on one knee-”
“One knee? People still do that?” Miranda interrupted.
“Get down on one knee,” Sway continued, throwing a scowl in Miranda’s direction. “And you ask her to marry you.”
“You really think he can sing her a little song and she’s just gonna forget Skank-Gate and promise to love him forever?” Harrison had been relatively quiet during the whole event. Until now. He stood and grabbed his hair in both hands.
“You have pictures of you playing Who Can Be The Whoriest with a random floozy circulating through the general populous! Am I the only one who has noticed this?” Harrison’s voice continued to raise. “Lenny was supposed to be your soul mate! What the hell were you doing with other girls at all!”
Luke swallowed and hung his head. He didn’t have any words with which to defend himself anymore. He knew Harrison was right. And he didn’t deserve Lenny’s forgiveness let alone a second chance.
“I agree with Harrison.” Carl's gruff voice joined in. “Lenny is smart, and she's too good for you.” He shrugged and leaned back in his seat, his peace having been said.
The room fell quiet again as everyone stared at Luke. They all knew he had seriously screwed up big this time. Lenny was smart, she wasn’t going to let some guy treat her like a cheap novelty item and be okay with it.
Luke felt the hopelessness of the situation pulling his insides apart. It couldn't end like this! He had loved her with truth and passion and fury, how could it end with a kiss goodbye at the airport? No fight? No conviction? No effort?
Luke’s anger rose to the surface and he bolted to a standing position, making everyone around him jump.
“No,” he said forcefully, “It doesn’t end like this. Not yet. She might not want me but I still want her. And she needs to know that.” He turned to Sway, “Get the studio, tonight if you can.” Sway nodded and pulled out his phone. Luke pointed at Harrison. “Don’t stop pointing out what a dick I’ve been.” He pointed at Blake and Mike next. “You guys can both punch me if you want.”
Mike gave him a small smile and uncrossed his arms, “I’m just glad you’re gonna fight for her.”
“Me too,” Blake concurred.
Luke finally had the conviction he needed to fight for her and it might be too late. This plan might not work but he was willing to try anything at this point. He needed her more than he needed to feel sorry for himself.
***
The song
turned out as good as it could for the rush they put on it. The label agreed to release it immediately with no questions asked. Luke was hoping the song would reach Lenny before the photos. She was never one for reading tabloids but that didn’t matter. It would be all over TV soon enough. Luke called his manager and told him to set up a few interviews for the next couple of days. He’d try to get out in front of it as soon as possible.
The interviews went as expected. They showed the illicit photos and Luke tried to make it sound like it wasn’t as bad as they made it out to be. He attempted to avoid using the phrase, ‘we were on a break,’ but it came out a time or two. Mostly he tried to focus on the single and how much it meant to him and how in love he was with the person he wrote it for. They asked if it was for Lenny and he would neither confirm nor deny. Again, the hope being that Lenny would hear the words and not see the pictures.
Then he flew to Jackson Hole. He wasn’t sure what he’d say when he got there. He just knew that he didn’t want to say it over the phone.
The flight seemed to take forever. He rented a car and drove to the Lodge, parking in the empty driveway. He tried to still his flipping stomach as he approached the front door. What if she was angry to see him? What if she was with someone else? What if she was with Duke? He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
After a few minutes without an answer, he rang it again. Still nothing. No one was home. Luke looked up at the overcast sky. Maybe she was on a ride. She’d probably be back by dark. Luke got back in his rental and decided to wait.
***
Luke woke up, startled. Someone was knocking on his window. He must have dozed off. It was dark outside, he wasn't sure how long he’d been waiting. He opened his car door to find Duke frowning down at him.
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