Line / Copy Editors: Bud Ugly, TheMikeBomb, Zom, and Old Rotorhead
Continuity Editor: Rusty
Last One Through: Bud Ugly
Chapter 51
David
Lexi had booked what looked like a fun activity for the afternoon, bobsledding, and had gone ahead while David talked to Joey. The Whistler Sliding Centre was home to the world’s fastest Olympic track.
The rest of the group was on the mountain, either skiing or snowboarding, so Joey and David caught the bus to the resort. The sliding center was a short walk from the Excalibur Gondola, so they opted to take that. When they walked in, Joey and David found everyone who’d planned to go, waiting for them. Lauren, Lindsey, Jamie, and Kirk had decided to stay on the hill and ski.
David spotted Lexi and pulled her aside so they could have a quick moment. He wanted to be clear about how everything had happened.
“Did you know what Joey planned before this morning?”
Lexi was a smart girl, so she didn’t try to lie.
“I did.”
“In the future, I expect you to give me a heads-up. If I’d known, I could have avoided the whole mess,” David said.
“Did something go wrong?” she asked, suddenly concerned.
David sighed and gathered his thoughts.
“Lexi, I’m not mad at you; I’m mad at myself. I let my desires override my common sense. You know better than I do that if I start doing stuff like that, it will damage my brand. More importantly, it will change who I want to be. And even more important than that, it could damage my family. That’s why I want you to help me not get into situations like that. I just proved that under the right circumstances, I’m in danger of making the wrong choice,” David explained and then added, “Thanks for stepping in afterward.”
“You’re only human. No one’s perfect,” Lexi said to help salve his conscience about almost sleeping with Joey.
“The problem is, people expect me to be just that. When they unmask me, they’ll have a field day.”
“Then, you might want to quit trying to be perfect so they don’t have that to hold over your head.”
“Maybe I can become the next Justin Beaver or Miley Circus,” David joked.
Lexi shivered at the thought of that, and then she got a worried look.
“Did she say anything about ... uhm...”
“The foursome you all have planned?” he asked.
“Ah...”
“Do what you want, just don’t include me. Phil might be a good substitute. He brags he can go five times in an afternoon,” David said to try to lighten the mood.
“I would only do it if you wanted me to,” Lexi said.
He got a pained expression.
“When it comes to stuff like that, I have no say in the matter. Lexi, you’re a big girl with a good head on your shoulders. If you want to have some fun with my brother and Joey, go for it. That goes for anyone. I won’t be the one to tell you what you can and can’t do in your personal life,” David said.
“Before you go too far, Greg and I talked, and we agreed this would never happen. Joey suggested it so that Greg didn’t feel left out. I probably should have said something at the time, but Tami overheard us and offered her insight. I didn’t think it was right to say anything in front of her,” Lexi explained.
“Oh,” David said.
“Nice speech, though,” she said as she gave him a speculative look and then let it go.
He knew when to shut up.
David could tell it was going to be a good day when they made everyone sign one of those ‘death waivers.’ All his best times had come when he’d had to sign one. Then again, he almost died most of those times. They all had to sit through a safety orientation before gearing up.
During the presentation, he learned that the Whistler Sliding Centre was a nonprofit organization. The money it raised, including what David and his friends had paid today, went directly towards growing the sports of bobsled, skeleton, and luge. It allowed up-and-coming Olympic hopefuls to train for free. The young girl driving David’s sled was hoping to qualify for the next Winter Olympics.
Once they geared up, they were shuttled in groups to the top of the run. Then they watched a pre-ride video and were fitted with helmets. That signaled it was time to make their run down the hill.
They were using a four-man bobsled, and David had been grouped with Tami and Cassidy. Their driver gathered them around before they began.
“Are you nervous?” she asked.
“A bit,” Tami admitted.
“Don’t be. These things hardly ever crash. I might clip a wall, which will jar you, but if we flip, duck your heads and pray. We’ll probably slide halfway down the hill before we stop,” she offered, just a touch too chipper.
David could tell she was putting them on. He wondered how many decided to bail after her little pep talk. What she didn’t know was that of everyone in their group, she had the most adventurous trio in David, Cassidy, and Tami.
“Danger is my middle name,” David said.
“It’s actually Allen,” Tami shared.
Talk about a buzzkill. Tami had the other two girls and herself laughing at him.
The bobsled they were using was the same model as the ones used by the Canadian Olympic team. David was a bit disappointed when the staff didn’t have them sprint as they pushed the bobsled and then jump in like he’d seen when watching the Olympics. They had everyone get into the sled, and a man who worked there pushed them to get started.
The first few seconds were spent getting the bobsled up to speed. Gravity began to play its part as they came to the first turn. The first thing David noticed was the sound. The blades sliding over the ice rumbled, but it was the wind that was the loudest. It was like sticking your head out a car window when you were doing 80 on the interstate.
On the first turn, they experienced what four gravities felt like. David was glad he had his helmet on as it cracked against the side of the sled. As the bobsled catapulted out of the turn, they rocketed down a short straightaway. Their Olympic hopeful had them take a high line in the next corner, putting them almost horizontal to the ground. It felt like they were pinned to their seats in a giant centrifuge. That one had the girls screaming.
When David had boarded the bobsled, he’d thought it would be like riding a roller coaster. He hadn’t taken into account that most roller coasters don’t reach speeds close to 80 miles per hour. Their driver had described it as a ‘sporting experience,’ and David had to agree. The ride helped David understand why this was part of the Olympics.
Their driver guided them through 10 twists and turns. The last one was intended to bleed off speed as it did a complete 180 and sent them up the hill to the finish line. The whole ride lasted only 42 seconds, but everyone was glad they’d done it.
With their bobsledding adventure behind them, everyone hit the slopes for more skiing. Afterward, they met at a bar called GLC for dinner. David thought Lexi had lost her mind when he found that they were going to sit outdoors to eat. He found out that GLC had tower heaters spaced around the dining area, and each seat came with a blanket, but he still thought it was too cold.
Lexi saw everyone giving her funny looks.
“Just wait. You’ll soon be happy you have the best seats on the mountain,” she explained mysteriously.
Everyone decided to make the best of it and settled in to enjoy each other’s company. It was a comfortably relaxing time. David noticed that his group wasn’t the only one crazy enough to be out there; the place was packed.
They’d just finished their meals when everyone froze for a moment at the sound of three loud, deep thumps. A moment later, fireworks burst over their heads. Lexi was right about them having the best seats on the mountain because it was as if the fireworks were exploding right on top of them.