The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 29- And the Winner Is...

Almost as soon as Michael and I finish our heart to heart, an announcement from the judges' table tells us that they're about to crown the winner. I approach with all four boys in tow, and find my place next to Lindsay. We stand eagerly awaiting the announcement.

Norm steps up onto a platform with a microphone. He makes a few introductory statements and then starts in on the important stuff.

"We are very proud of all of our contenders for the athleticism shown this year, but we have made our decisions on the winners. In third place, we have Raj Singh." Raj's friends and family cheer as he takes to the stage, accepting his bronze medal. "These final two riders were some of the most difficult to judge. Both men are exceptional talents, but in the end, one showed a little something extra. That being said, in second place we have Tyler Wright." Tyler walks up and accepts his silver medal, smiling to his supporters. "And lastly, we have our champion. With a final score of 9.25--Cody Anderson."

People cheer, and before I realize it, I am cheering and clapping as well. Lindsay bumps my hip and gives me a wink as Cody accepts his medal and a trophy. He scans the crowd, and finally lands on my face. With a hug grin, he holds up his finger as if to point out that he's number one, and gives me a somewhat smug smile.

Well, he's fulfilled his end of the deal...

After the ceremony is over, the boys and I follow Lindsay to a tent where she has already set up everything we need for the shoot. Soon after, she leaves me to prepare while she goes to interview the other medalists.

"So, want to hang out tonight, Steph?" Calum says, walking beside me.

"What did you guys have in mind?"

"Movie night? You're invited too, Lindsay!" he says.

She gives him a thumbs up and calls an, "I'm in!" as she goes to conduct her interviews.

"Okay, I'm down," I agree.

"Also, there's this radio show tomorrow morning. Do you have to work or...?" Luke says, trailing off.

"You guys want me to come to a radio show?"

"Yeah, it'd be cool," Ashton joins in.

Michael nods his head. "We usually get free food."

I smile at him. "Alright, Mikey sold me."

While I get set up in the tent, the boys run around doing God knows what in the sand. I'm startled, while hooking my camera into the tripod, when strong arms cinch around my waist, pulling me off of my feet and spinning me around. When I hit the ground again, I whip around to find Cody's smiling face. He leans in and gives me a big kiss on the cheek, startling me even more.

"What was that for?" I ask, smiling, but feeling the color rise in my cheeks as I pull away.

"For the good luck charm," he says, pointing to the headband still in his hair. "I'm never competing again without one!"

I can't help it; my smile gets even bigger. That's when four figures appear out of nowhere, hovering on either side of me.

"Hey, man, great job today," Ashton says, stepping forward with his hand extended.

Cody takes it and nods with an easy smile. "Thanks, bro. You guys came to watch?"

"Yeah, and to support Steph," Luke pipes up from directly to my left. Cody stares at him for a moment without smiling, then after an awkward silence, a smirk spreads across his face.

"Yeah, I get that. She's a special girl," Cody says. "So listen, I hate to ask you guys this, but my little sister is a huge fan. Could I maybe get a picture with you?"