Chapter 28
October 4th
Today’s Schedule: Dallas Blogs! Networking Lunch, noon
Surprise Swiss Date for JP, 4 PM
“This is epic,” JP says, staring at the bouldering walls before us at the indoor climbing gym. “I can’t believe we’re going to boulder.”
I study the wall facing us. I picked up JP for our surprise date and told him to change out of his dress shirt and pants and get ready to hit the gym with me. Happiness surges through me as I remember how his face lit up when I also told him to grab his chalk bag and climbing shoes because we were going to boulder this afternoon.
Now we’re in a climbing gym in Dallas, facing a wall designed for boulder climbs, painted in varying shades of green. Huge windows are behind us, letting in lots of natural light. A thick, light-gray mat covers the surface, providing a safe place to land. It’s a fantastic design, and I always enjoy it when I come here to climb.
JP turns around and faces me, his face full of wonderment. “I never thought I’d meet a girl who would want to boulder with me.”
“You hadn’t met me yet,” I say, flashing him a flirty smile. “This mermaid likes the land, too. I love bouldering because it’s climbing at its basics—just using your hands and feet.”
Which is why bouldering walls are shorter in height, so you can’t fall very far—and you will fall. The ones at this gym range from thirteen to sixteen feet high, and no ropes are involved.
“This is called my Swiss adventure date,” I continue, “because while I can’t bring the Alps of your homeland here for you, I can climb boulders with you.”
“That would be faux Swiss, wouldn’t it?” JP teases.
“Shut up,” I say, giggling. “Don’t poke holes in my logic.”
JP loops his arm over the top of my shoulders and draws me close. “What level are you going to climb?” he asks, kissing the top of my head.
“I’m intermediate,” I say. “I think I’m going to go with a V3. What about you?”
“I’m flirting with advanced, but I’ll go V4 to start.”
I cock an eyebrow at him. “Are you trying to one-up me?”
JP lifts one back in return. “Are you trying to make this competitive?”
“Maybe. I thrive on competition, you know.”
“So, we both climb a V3 and see who can solve the problem?” JP asks, referring to the route up the boulder, which has a sequence of holds marked by tape.
“I can solve it,” I say confidently.
JP throws his head back and laughs. “My mermaid is so modest.”
“Let’s time it after we warm up. Unless you don’t think you can solve it.”
“Oh, I can,” JP assures me. “Time me.”
First we go to a V0 wall and take turns climbing. Then a V1. Once we’re warm, JP goes up to the wall I’ve selected for the climb. He takes a moment to study the problem, seeing how the course is marked. Then he goes to the starting hold and begins his climb.
I watch his athletic body move up the wall, slowly and carefully considering his placement as he goes. His body is so beautiful in motion like this. In hockey, I see his quickness, but here, I see his muscular calves and quads. The powerful forearms and biceps as he changes his grip.
I love bouldering.
JP is about halfway up the wall when he goes for a far reach and his fingertips just slip off the next hold. He falls backward onto the thick mat below landing with a soft whoomp.
He smacks his fist against the mat in frustration and puts his hands over his head, groaning.
“Dang it,” he groans.
Oh, JP is so cute. He’s so competitive, I know he hates that he fell.
And I love him for it.
I kneel next to him.
“V4, huh, Batman?” I tease.
“Shut up,” JP says, laughing as he sits up.
I lean over and kiss him on the lips. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
I stand up and move past him, facing the wall. I do the same thing JP did and study the problem, tracking the markers to the sequence of holds I need to use.
Then I get to work, taking my time and following the markers. I’m in my element now. Using my body. Using my brain. Facing the challenge and seeing how my core and my arms and my legs are all working together to solve the problem.
This is what I love about athletics: the mind and body connection. What obstacles can you overcome when you train? How can you push yourself? Nothing is impossible with hard work. Believe you can accomplish goals. Trust your body and brain.
Before I know it, I’m at the top.
“That’s my girl!” I hear JP yell out from below.
I’m beaming as I come back down. Around the halfway point, I let go because I know how to fall. The mat is underneath me and will cushion me, it’s safe to do so.
I hit the mat with a whoosh and sink into it. “Victory!” I call out, laughing.
“Two climbs out of three,” JP says.
I roll onto my stomach, facing him.
“No,” I say matter-of-factly.
“No?”
“That wasn’t the deal.”
JP sits down on the mat next to me.
“We’re pretty good at breaking deals, you know,” he says, gazing down at me with affection in his hazel eyes, which have taken on more of a green hue here in the gym. “I mean, I didn’t want a girlfriend when I came back to Dallas.”
My heart holds still.
“And luckily for me, you agreed to break that rule,” he says softly.
JP is staring at me seriously now.
Is he going to tell me he loves me?
“Reese?” he says, his voice quiet.
He is. I know he is.
“Yes?” I say, my heart pounding.
JP pauses for a moment. He clears his throat.
I bite my lower lip.
“I’m happy,” he says.
“Me, too,” I say, pushing myself up so we are now sitting face-to-face.
Another pause.
I wonder if he’s nervous.
Should I say it first?
“I—” I start.
“I—” JP says at the same time.
We both laugh.
“You go first,” I encourage.
“No, you can,” JP says.
“I insist,” I say.
JP clears his throat again. “Okay. Reese, I . . . I’m happy with what we have, are you?”
“Yes,” I say, waiting for him to continue.
“The way it is,” he says, but I can’t tell from his tone if it’s a statement or a question on his part.
“Yes,” I say, nodding. “I’m happy with the way it is.”
JP blinks.
Silence.
All I hear are the sounds of other climbers and people falling on mats.
He coughs.
“Good,” he says, leaning over and kissing my lips. “I’m happy, too.”
He lifts his head, and I realize that is all he is going to say.
I can’t help but feel disappointed. JP is happy with us being what we are, and I am, too, but I do want to have those words said to me by the only man I want to say them.
I want to hear him say he loves me.
“Come on,” JP says, standing up and offering me his hand. “Let’s climb again.”
As he holds my hand in mine, I know this is what matters. What we are building together. I’m ahead of him, that’s all.
“Wanna go V2 so I can take it easy on you?” I tease.
“No. I’m going to crush you this time,” JP says. “Go ahead. Ladies first.”
“I just went.”
“I know, but I get to admire your sexy body when you climb, and I’m already missing that view.”
I blush as I playfully smack him on the chest.
“Pervert.”
“Only for you,” he responds, swatting my butt with his hand.
I laugh and head back toward the wall, reaching into my bag and getting some chalk for my hands.
What we do have is wonderful and perfect in its own way, I think as I place my foot on a hold. Whatever wall JP has to climb to get to the top where I am, I know he will.
I’m sure of it.