EXT. CABIN - EVENING
The sun is setting on the horizon. Cory and Lainey pull up in front of a rustic cabin.
Cory gets out and opens the passenger door for Lainey. She gets out and looks around and sees a lake that's frozen over.
Lainey stares intently at the ice.
CORY
Let's go inside. It's freezing out here.
They walk inside.
INT. CABIN - EVENING
Cory opens the door to reveal a small cabin with a fireplace, kitchen and two bedrooms.
CORY
This is my parents cabin, well, my Mom's now. My dad left us after Ashton... I live here when I'm not traveling and competing. Sorry it's cold.
He heads to a pile of firewood and tosses a few logs in the fireplace.
Lainey looks around. It's simple with a rustic, masculine feel.
LAINEY
It's nice. Thank you.
She sits down on the couch facing the fireplace. Cory builds a roaring fire.
CORY
I bet you're starving. I think I have some cans of soup.
Cory gets up and goes to the kitchen. He pulls out a can of soup and pours the contents into a pot.
CORY (CONT'D)
There's not much to do here. We could watch some old movies if you want.
LAINEY
Sure.
CORY
Reception is horrible so you'll have to pick from those DVDs.
Cory gets up and pulls the soup off the stove.
INT. CABIN - LATER
Cory and Lainey are laying on the couch watching a movie. Lainey has fallen asleep on Cory's shoulder.
Cory gently gets out from under her and picks her up and takes her into the bedroom.
INT. CABIN - BEDROOM
Cory lays Lainey down in the bed gently. He puts the covers over her.
INT. CABIN - MORNING
Cory enters Lainey's room. He carries a breakfast tray of food.
She's not there. He looks outside and sees her standing by the lake.
EXT. CABIN - CONTINUOUS
Cory walks up to Lainey who's looking out at the frozen lake.
CORY
Good morning!
LAINEY
It's pretty out here.
CORY
I think my Mom has a pair of skates somewhere if you wanted--
LAINEY
No, that's okay.
CORY
I brought you breakfast in bed.
LAINEY
I don't normally eat breakfast.
CORY
Well, I eat breakfast so let's do this before it gets cold.
They head back inside.
INT. CABIN - DINING AREA - MOMENTS LATER
Cory places the breakfast he made on the table and pulls out napkins for them both.
LAINEY
Where did you get all this food?
CORY
I ran to town this morning while you were snoring away.
This makes Lainey smile.
LAINEY
I don't snore!
CORY
I like to see you smile. You totally snore. (a beat) Come on, have some bacon.
Lainey tentatively reaches out and grabs a slice of bacon. She takes a tiny bite.
CORY (CONT'D)
So I was thinking I could take you on a snowmobile ride and show you around the mountain today.
LAINEY
Okay.
CORY
Cool.
EXT. VAIL MOUNTAIN - DAY
Cory and Lainey race along a mountain path. They get to a clearing and it gives a stunning view of the mountain range.
Cory stops so they can get off and look around.
CORY
That's the mountain where I train.
And where my brother...
Lainey reaches out and takes Cory's hand.
LAINEY
I wish I had met your brother too. Maybe I would have liked him better.
She smiles.
CORY
What?
LAINEY
You told me I would!
Cory laughs. He picks up some snow and throws it at her. Despite their physical weaknesses, they have a pretty glorious snow fight. It's downright sexy.
Drenched in show and laughing. They lie down and make snow angels. They both stop and look at the sky.
LAINEY (CONT'D)
I don't know how to stop feeling like a complete failure.
Cory sits up and looks at her.
CORY
You can't beat yourself up so much. You're human. Everyone has bad performances.
LAINEY
We're trained to deal with bad performances but I can't get it out of my head that I had my worst performance at the Olympics. How do I move on?
CORY
The Olympics aren't the end all, be all of your life. You have so much more in front of you.
Lainey looks at Cory.
LAINEY
I need help Cory... both mentally and physically...
CORY
I know.
EXT. GOODWIN HOME - THE NEXT DAY
Cory says good-bye to Lainey.
LAINEY
You promise we won't give up on each other.
CORY
You have my word.
He kisses her one last time and she turns and heads inside.
INT. DENVER HOSPITAL - DAY
Cory makes it through his surgery. He lies in bed recovering.
KAREN
May I come in?
Cory looks over at his hospital-room door and it's KAREN, the team's sports psychologist. He sighs.
CORY
I don't have much choice, do I? I'm a bit trapped at the moment.
KAREN
That's how I like it--chasing after my patients who don't want to see me can be exhausting.
CORY
Is this when you try to figure out how to get me to love skiing again?
KAREN
You don't love skiing right now?
CORY
I didn't say that.
She writes something down in her journal and looks back up at him.
KAREN
I'm very sorry about what happened to your brother.
Cory doesn't say anything. He shifts around, uncomfortable. He closes his eyes.
CORY
I think we're done here.
KAREN
Does it make you uneasy to talk about your brother?
Cory shrugs.
KAREN (CONT'D)
Have you taken any time for yourself to grieve?
CORY
There's no time to yourself when you're preparing for the Olympics.
Karen nods.
KAREN
I think it would be good for you to take some time now and think about your brother. You could write your feelings down or write him a letter. Or do something to commemorate his memory. Or talk to me.
CORY
Thanks doc. I'll do that.
KAREN
I'd like you to think about forgiveness.
CORY
Forgiving my brother for dying?
KAREN
That and forgiving yourself for surviving.
YOU ARE READING
Olympic Conquest
Romance"You already are the person I want you to be. I see so much more in you that you won't allow yourself to see." Lainey is on her way to her first and probably only Olympics. At twenty-two, she has finally made the U.S. Figure Skating Team after yea...
