Chapter 33 Giselle
GISELLE
We gathered for dinner at a nearby pub after the award ceremony.
Thayer’s arm was draped over the back of my chair as he talked to my parents, Kason, Shay, and Jesse.
I hadn’t seen him this happy and carefree since before his mom passed away.
I was so fortunate to witness his return because I’d missed out on so much by keeping him at a distance for so long.
“So, Switzerland?” Jesse prompted.
“Yeah, I did say I’d go if I medaled here, didn’t I?” Thayer said.
Everyone at the table laughed.
“This sealed the deal, bro,” Kason added.
“I’m only going if Giselle makes the trip,” Thayer said.
I gave him a sidelong glance. “Like I won’t be there?” There was nowhere in this world I’d rather be than watching him compete again.
He pulled me into his side, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
My parents smiled while Kason’s eyes shot away, looking less unhappy with us than he had been before.
“I’m glad you two kissed and made up,” Jesse said to Kason.
All eyes moved to Kason.
Shay, who was seated beside him, bumped him with her elbow because this was his chance to let everyone know we had his blessing.
“Yeah, well,” Kason began on an exhale. “The kid was lost without me.”
We all groaned at his sarcasm. He couldn’t be serious for even one minute.
“All kidding aside,” Kason continued, quieting the table.
“I started this journey with Thayer by my side. And it sucked being on this journey alone. He’s always been my biggest support, and not having that at the beginning of this weekend showed me I’m only the snowboarder I am today because of him. ”
Tears glazed my eyes at my brother’s honesty.
He didn’t change his mind because I asked him to.
He changed his mind because deep down he knew he needed his best friend in his life more than he needed to stay mad at him.
The guilt I’d been feeling suddenly lifted, and I didn’t have to carry that weight anymore.
Thayer didn’t respond, though I knew it meant a lot to hear that.
“Now,” Kason continued, unable to keep his mouth shut, “if he thinks he’s going to beat me out for gold in Switzerland, he’s got another thing coming.”
“And there he is, ladies and gentlemen, Kason McCloud,” I said. “He always shows glimpses of sincerity until he doesn’t.”
“Shut up,” Kason said, balling up his napkin and throwing it at me.
“Only if you do first,” I shot back.
“It’s like they’re in elementary school all over again,” my father said and laughed.
“No, if they were back in school, Giselle would’ve retaliated with a glass of water in his face,” my mother laughed.
Thayer moved the glass of water that was in front of me away, and I smiled. “I wouldn’t have done that.”
“Oh, yes, you would’ve,” Thayer said.
Yeah. I probably would’ve.
“Excuse me,” a small voice said.
We all turned to find a young boy and girl standing at the end of our table holding a phone.
“What’s up?” Kason asked.
“Can we get a picture?” the boy asked.
Kason stood, but the girl said, “With him.” She pointed at Thayer, and our whole table laughed, knowing Kason was not going to handle that well.
I looked to Thayer, who was already jumping to his feet to take the photo with them.
“Kase,” I called since he was still standing. “Why don’t you take the picture for them.”
“Eff off,” Kason said, likely for the kids’ ears as he took the phone from them and waited for Thayer to step between them and smile.
“That move was unreal,” the boy said to Thayer before getting the phone back from Kason.
“Thanks,” Thayer said. “Do you snowboard?”
“I do,” the boy said.
“So, maybe I’ll be competing against you someday?”
The boy shrugged, and the girl giggled.
Yep. He was pretty damn irresistible.
“I think she has a crush on you,” I said once the kids were gone, and Thayer slipped into the seat beside me.
He leaned in close so only I could hear. “Well, that’s too bad because I’m already crushing on someone else.”
“Lucky girl.”
He smiled before speaking softly again. “There’s someplace I want to take you when we get home.”
“Where?”
He shook his head, and I wondered why he wouldn’t tell me. But I trusted him and knew wherever it was, I’d be safe with him.
My heart just about stopped when Thayer pulled through the cemetery entrance the next day. We hadn’t even gotten back to his house yet; he drove directly there. He pulled his truck to a stop near a big tree and killed the engine. He started to open his door, but I didn’t move.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Do you want me to wait in here?”
His face scrunched. “Why would I want you to wait in here if I brought you with me?”
I shrugged.
“Silly girl,” he said before swiping his medal from the center console and stepping out of his truck.
I suddenly realized what we were doing there. Tears pricked my eyes as I opened the door, joining him outside while trying to keep my impending tears at bay.
We stepped in front of a plain gravestone with the last name Caruthers in all caps across the top, and a deer with its doe etched beneath it.
“I know it’s not fancy,” he began.
“It’s perfect,” I said, slipping my arm around his back and holding onto him.
“I didn’t want my father paying for it, so it’s what I could afford,” he admitted.
“I’m sure she loves it.”
He nodded, and a long silence passed. I wondered if he normally spoke aloud to her when he was alone. Worried, I was ruining his moment, I said, “Are you going to tell her about this weekend or should I?”
He chuckled. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to hear it from you.”
“Well, then allow me,” I said, resting my hand on the top of the gravestone. “Hi, Mrs. Caruthers.”
“You know she always told you to call her Selene,” Thayer said.
I nodded. “Okay. Hi, Selene. We’re just heading back from Steamboat, and I want to be the first to tell you that Thayer was amazing.
” I peeked over at him and saw he was watching me.
“He pulled off this move that had the crowd around me gasping. I wanted to close my eyes because I was so scared of him getting hurt, but I just couldn’t.
It was so beautiful, and I was mesmerized by him. ”
Thayer pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
“And even though my brother was competing too, I was rooting for Thayer because there’s just something about him out there on the mountain, flying through the air, that looks like he’s at home.
And, I know you couldn’t be at the bottom of the mountain to greet him after he crushed his run, but I assure you, I was.
And I hope my hug gave him the same support and love that yours always did. ”
“It did,” he whispered so softly, I wasn’t even sure I was meant to hear it.
I turned to look him in the eyes. “I’m going to get in the truck so you can have a moment alone with her.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Thanks for taking me here with you.”
“Thanks for making me sound awesome.”
“It’s easy when it’s the truth,” I said.
He pressed his lips to my head. “I won’t be long.”
“Take all the time you need,” I said, stepping out of his arms and going back to his truck.
Thayer stood out there for a few more minutes.
I hoped he was giving her the play-by-play because it was so damn spectacular.
He should have been proud of himself because she would’ve been so proud of him.
And, even though I’d been there for him at the end of his run, I knew it was her he was hugging.