“The point is, you went from an unknown to one of the most inspiring, interesting, talented women on the pro circuit, in less than a year. Brazen’s lucky to have you. It would be ridiculous if you didn’t negotiate for a better contract.”
Jordan holds my gaze, like she’s still uncertain whether I’m just being her devoted boyfriend or if there’s any truth to what I’m saying. Her agent must have voiced a similar opinion, because she turns to her parents and puts down the burger in her hands.
Jordan straightens in her seat, and I’m totally caught off guard with what she says next.
“So, with all these new sponsorships and an upcoming contract renegotiation with Brazen, I’m going to make a real living,” she explains to her parents, though I think they’ve just figured this out for themselves over the past few minutes.
“That’s incredible, honey,” Colleen says.
“But as part of the negotiations with Brazen, I’m going to need to commit to a lot more competitions and events, all over the world.”
“How exciting!” Colleen claps her hands. “I hope we can travel to come see you at some of them.”
“Well, the thing is, I’m considering taking some time off college in order to make this work, in order to go all in with pro skateboarding.” Jordan’s talking quickly without pausing, and I realize she’s nervous, not sure how her parents will react. I had no idea she was seriously considering this. “Or I could take some classes part time. But I wouldn’t be on campus a ton and it would be tricky.”
Ted shrugs. “That makes sense to me. You kids these days don’t do things like we used to. And what’s happening with your skateboarding is really something special.”
Jordan’s own jaw drops at this. “Seriously? You’re not going to try to talk me out of it?”
Ted shakes his head. “These kinds of opportunities don’t come around every day. I’m not going to be that old guy who’s too narrow-minded to see his daughter’s already a star and doesn’t need to take the safer more secure route to adulthood like the rest of us.”
Colleen’s smile gets bigger as her husband explains himself, while Jordan’s jaw remains halfway to the ground.
Colleen reaches over to stroke her daughter’s hair. “We’ve never seen you happier than you’ve been these past couple of months since you’ve started competing again. And now that we’ve seen you in person, we can confirm it. All after being held at gunpoint too. So we’re pretty convinced you’re onto something with this skateboarding stuff.”
Jordan finally snaps out of it and smiles at her mom. “Yeah, this skateboarding stuff seems to be working out, doesn’t it?” She tries to go for light, but her voice is thick with emotion. Jordan’s eyes are a little glassy and I reach over to give her leg a squeeze.
She’s finally figured out what she wants, and that means she’s finally believing she’s got more than just skateboarding talent. She’s ready to share that talent with the public, go after new challenges, and explore the world while doing it. I think it’s finally dawning on her too that she’s not the only one with faith that she’s cut out for this. Even her parents, the people most likely to want to protect her and push her in the safest direction to succeed in life, have faith she’s going to be a star. From my seat, she already is one.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jordan
I can’t believe I’m really at the X Games. When we first got to the arena, I thought I’d be in spectator mode and forget I’m a competing athlete. After all, I’ve never been to a sporting event of this proportion and it’s a lot to take in. But as we register, shake hands with event organizers and staff, and check out the expo, I feel like the pro I’ve apparently become. I’m sure it helps I’m with Beck, Taylor, Brie, Moses, and Lennon. This isn’t their first rodeo, yet I can tell they’re just as enthralled as I am with the anticipation of competing. This is close to as big as it gets for skateboarding. The X Games also hosts the world championships, but this contest is their biggest one behind that. Next summer will be the first time skateboarding is in the Olympics, and since that’s still kind of an unknown, the X Games remains the largest platform.
When we reach the part of the arena for the big air contest, Beck wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on my head. We take it in, and while I’ve looked at pictures online, it’s not the same as seeing it in person.
“You going to try the 720 tonight?”
“Tonight? At the practice session?” They open it up for all the competitors for a couple hours this evening and tomorrow.
“Yeah. You’ve been practicing at all the parks around home and it’s solid. But thought you’d want the chance to try it here before the judges are watching.”
“I wasn’t planning on it. Last time I landed it in a competition without practicing on the course first, so I don’t want to jinx it.”
“Ah, superstitious, are we?”
I turn and put my arms around his neck. “Not exactly, but you know how I feel about added pressure.”
“You know everyone’s already expecting you to do it, right?” Beck asks.
“I know, but somehow it seems like if they all see me practicing it beforehand, and if I fall, which I might, that expectation is heightened.”
“Whatever you decide, Hotshot. And you’ve got plenty of tricks to work with if you decide not to go for a 720 after all.”
I tilt my head up for a quick kiss. “Does it get easier? Handling the expectations and pressure?”
“Yes and no. The expectations only get higher the more you meet or exceed them. Once I won the X Games and the world championships there was the pressure to do it again. But after time, you just realize you can only do your best, have fun out there, enjoy it, and see what happens. Some runs, some days, it all comes together, and some days it doesn’t.”
I nod. “Yeah, that’s true whether there are judges and spectators or not. It was the same when I’d spend hours in the park by myself.”
“Right, and not every day, or every competition, can be exactly what you hope for. So just enjoy the challenge, you know?”
“I’m getting that.” I glance around, making sure no one’s close enough to overhear my confession. There are a few people watching us from afar, but that’s it. “When I first came back to competing, a big drive to perform well was to beat Sarah and Camila. I just needed to stick it to them after how they hit on you on Shred Live and generally not being nice to me.”
“And now you’re friends with Camila?” Beck says with a smirk, knowing that’s definitely not the case.
“Uh, no. And I do still want to beat them. Especially Sarah, since I always beat Camila anyway. But I also get that it’s not really in my control how they perform on a given day, and it’s not worth my energy to obsess over it. So I just want to have some sick runs out there, and to give the 720 a shot on a bigger stage.”
Beck leans forward until his forehead rests on mine. “It would be pretty cool if we both got to stand on the top of the podium this weekend. But if it doesn’t happen this X Games, there’s always the next one.”