Downhill From Here (#1)

48. Old Flames

January 3rd

3:08 pm

Nathan's POV

My stomach was in fucking knots.

I grounded my teeth as I watched Bowie miss her third rotation and come down too early. The front of her board missed the edge of the deck and she landed on her side before falling on her back with a sharp thud.

I took a step forward, and my breath caught in my throat.

She grumbled and slid forward, pulling herself up by her hands. Pulling off her helmet, she unclipped her board and moved to stand up.

Bill was already on his way over to her and I sighed in relief, my eyes shutting for a second.

"She's fine," Arthur said under his breath.

It was freezing today, the wind chill making it feel even colder than it actually was.

But it didn't really matter how cold it was, I was so worked up that I was sweating just standing here. It was so much easier when I was the one doing it. Watching her was harder than I thought it would be.

I was giving myself an anxiety attack and we'd been doing this for 2 hours already.

The Resort was packed with guests outside but we had reserved this ramp for a few hours. Even though people were doing their own thing, there were plenty who were watching. It wouldn't take long until everyone knew that Bowie was attempting the Downward Drive in the Games.

"We should break it down again," I offered, looking down at my Ipad.

"No, she's gonna get it. She's fine."

"Arthu---"

"Nathan," He looked up at me with unwavering eyes. "She's fine."

I watched as Bowie and Bill walked up the snowy hill, heading to the start section. She looked fine I guess.

My stomach churned and I sucked on my teeth. "Maybe we should---"

Arthur placed a gloved hand on my shoulder this time. "Man, you need to relax. We did this sequence a million times with you and you were fine."

"I know but that was different. She could really get hurt," I wiped my brow and my teeth clenched as I watched her catch her breath.

"Well, that's expected." I reared my head to the side and furrowed my brows at him, feeling sick to my stomach. "But we're all here to make sure that she won't."

I was feeling light headed this time.

"Relax," he breathed placing a hand on my chest. "I know you're stressed but you need to get it under control man. You're gonna make her nervous."

I exhaled through my nose.

Arthur knew me well enough to know what I was feeling right now. He'd been with me for 7 years before retiring from coaching. And as much as I hated what he was saying, this was exactly why I needed him to be here.

I had agreed to teach Bowie the DD with Bill because at first it was broken down and much simpler. Now that we were doing the full trick from beginning to end, I could feel my old nerves coming back.

I knew the movements like the back of my hand and there were plenty of times when the wind had been knocked out of me when I was practicing it. That shit nearly killed me.

If it was up to me I would've just wrapped Bowie in bubble wrap and taken her home.

But I cooled my features and turned as Bill and Bowie approached.