Vivian Arend - Falling, Freestyle

Alpine Responsibility Code

Rule #1Always stay in control

The bright yellow safety marker passed behind them as Dara leaned back on the solid wood boards of the chairlift, easing her skis onto the rests. She relaxed and drew in a deep breath of icy air, turning her face toward the sun to soak in its warmth. Heat radiated off the bodies on either side of her. Jack and Kaneher best friends in their ski-crazy town.

Which run do you two want to hit next? Kane elbowed Dara in the ribs, his bright blue eyes flashing with amusement. Dark curls stuck out from the edges of his helmet to frame his boyish good looks. You warmed up enough yet for something other than the bunny hills?

The man was merciless. Screw you. Just because I dont like starting the day with double black doesnt mean its a bunny hill. And I kick your butt when we ski trees, so chill.

Shes got you there, Jack taunted. His blond hair was hidden under a woolen toque with long braided ties hanging down on either side of his face. Combined with the rest of his features, the image reminded her of ancient Viking barbariansbeautiful, strong.

Dangerous.

Kane winked at her. Bull. I just like to watch the lines you take. Its the only chance I get to admire your incredible talent since I spend the rest of the time with you on my backside.

Dara laughed, tucking herself a little farther into the shelter of Jacks broad body as their chairlift crested the first major rise. He adjusted his position to completely shield her from the wind.

She was so grateful their local ski hill had a couple of triple chairs. The twelve-minute ride to the mountaintop was never as long, or as cold, when both her guys were there. The ride up was a chance to take a break from the wild downhill rush of swooshing through knee-deep powder, snow flying in her wake. She snuggled in tighter against Jack, nudging the walkie-talkie in his pocket out of her way. While his rule that they each carry one as a backup for if they ever got separated was smart, she didnt need it poking her in the back.

The chair rattled over another of the tall towers, setting them swinging slightly. Theyd all arranged to play hooky from their evil day jobs to take advantage of the lesser crowds midweek. A bad day skiing beat a good day at work anytime. Kane made a satisfied noise, then turned his grin her direction, obviously as pleased as she was with their impromptu Wednesday getaway. Your pick, Dara, which run will it be?

Diamond Drill. I want to hit the jump.

Jack swore. Already? You dont need to prove anything to Kane. Hes just being an ass, teasing you about being a bunny.

She had to laugh. I know hes a shit, thats not why I want to do it. She wiggled her brows at him. I think youre the one whos a bit of a chicken. That jump still freaks you out, doesnt it?

Kane laid a gloved hand on her shoulder. Dont you worry, darling. You want to sail off into the wild blue yonder, Ill be there to catch you.

The banter continued back and forth until they reached the top of the lift. They slipped off and glided to the side where Jack and Dara waited for Kane to buckle on his snowboard. The first runs of the day were always magical. The cloud-free sky allowed the sun to flash blindingly bright off the fresh powder, individual snow crystals sparkling everywhere she looked. With clean uncut snow to track up, the thrill of exhilaration made being out of doors in the freezing weather worth it. Of course, getting to spend the day with her two best buds added to the pleasure.

Four years ago theyd found her struggling to bring her personal items into the apartment unit before a blizzard buried her. They had worked together to carry in all the boxes and bags stuffed into her ancient Volvo, ordered a pizza, and theyd been the three musketeers ever since.

Not only could they keep up with her on the slopes, they were a hoot in the ski lodge. After their time together, they had developed rituals and routines that made her smile. Simple things, like they always brought their own lunches, but splurged and shared the biggest plate of fries the cafeteria made. Hot chocolate from a thermos, and a cold brew or two when they got home. Yeah, life was good and Dara couldnt imagine any way it could possibly get better.

Well, except having the two of them actually notice she was a girl. That would be nice.

Dara glanced between themJack adjusting his goggles to cover his chocolate brown eyes, Kane waving lazily to another local sliding past. Yupthey were the best friends shed ever had, and if there was a tiny piece inside her that longed for more, well

There was too much at stake to risk changing their current state of affairs.

Kane whooped as he rose to his feet, propelling himself straight down the hill to pick up enough speed before cutting across the slope to the run they wanted to take. Dara smiled at Jack and they took off after him, their poles and skis making it easier to maneuver at the top of the run. Jack telemarked, with a ski and boot combination that left his heels unattached, forcing him to bend low on each turn. His strong legs moved rhythmically as he bounced between the upper moguls.

Dara was the ordinary one, with her freestyle skis and poles. She didnt have the stamina to spend the whole day doing lunges, like Jack would as he telemarked, and the one time shed tried snowboarding shed spent more time on her ass than on the hill.

Kane shrieked with laughter as he raced down the hill and Dara joined in, letting out her own cry of delight. She flew past Jack as she accelerated around the corner and headed toward the jump. The only time shed seen Jack completely lose his eternal cool was the day he crashed, rolling limbs askew for a good twenty-five meters before coming to a stop at the base of a tree. Luckily nothing had been broken, but Jack still freaked every time she headed for it. She crouched in preparation, then extended her knees at the apex of the jump and let herself soar into the air. She flung her arms to the side to rotate herself in a three-hundred-sixty-degree circle. The dark green of the trees and the blue of the sky blurred together as she spun, the snow-covered ground a million miles awayfor all of four secondsbefore it rushed to meet her. She absorbed the impact of the landing, catching her balance with her legs wide apart.

Awesome. She let out a howl and Kane answered back from below. One more swoosh and she slid to a stop at his feet, spraying him with a wash of fine snow crystals.

Holy crap, girl, that was the most height Ive ever seen you get on that jump. Some day you might even be as good as me.

Dara punched Kane in the arm and they turned to watch Jack. He wove his way toward them, stopping with an extra bit of flair and coating them both with snow. Okay, Im officially pumped for our holiday. Three back-to-back days of skiing? Watching you two is going to put me into cardiac arrest.

Kane gestured down the hill. Then go first so you dont have to see it, because its only going to get better from here on.

They spent the next hour assaulting the fresh snow, the crowds slowly growing as people realized the weather had turned for the better. When they stomped into the lodge for lunch, Dara took a side trip for a bathroom break.

Yeah, Jack and Kane were the perfect ski partners, kayak buddies and best friends for watching movies and kicking back butdamn.

Dara stared into the mirror. Ordinary stared back. She was nothing like the women they dated. She was solid and plain, and tended to let other people speak for her far more often than she should. She even had a freaky dusting of freckles across her nose that made people who described her use words like cute and wholesome.