Page 71 of The Fall

“Yeah, I guess maybe it is,” she agrees.

I settle in next to her and wait for boarding. Since the flights were booked weeks ago, Max and Savannah are sitting next to each other, and I’m across the aisle. Part of me wants to ask him to switch seats with me, but I know that if this is going to work, I need to respect their partnership. I also can’t monopolize all of her attention just because I want to.

The flight to Atlanta isn’t too bad. I nap for most of the flight.

Now that we’ve got one competition under our belt, I think we all feel a little bit more prepared. When we get to the rink, I sign them in so they can get warmed up. I have to talk to people in the industry, some of whom I saw at the last comp and some of whom are new. I don’t mind chatting, but my eyes are always looking for Savannah. I love to watch her skate both as her coach and as a spectator. Even if I know she’s nervous, she always looks confident on the ice. That’s what makes a good skater.

After their practice session, we’re ushered to the press room. I make it a point to stand at the back of the room so that none of their interviews focus on me. This competition is about Savannah and Max, not me. Of course, like last time, they get a few questions about what it’s like working with me. This time, I notice Savannah blushing. She stays professional, but I know what that blush is for.

After a long day at the rink, we head to dinner just like last time, except now, Savannah sits on my side of the table instead of Max’s. We all have one drink, but Max deviates by ordering a second and a third. At that point, I know I have to cut him off and remind him he has to perform tomorrow, and skating with a hangover would not be good for any of us.

He takes a last sip of his beer and smirks as he puts the bottle down. I can already tell he’s about to say something stupid.

“I have a proposal for you two.”

“Max, what are you doing?” Savannah asks. She sounds irritated, and I don’t blame her. I think his feelings are starting to catch up with him now that he’s seeing Savannah and me together.

“I have a proposal,” he repeats.

“Let’s hear it,” I say with a sigh. Might as well humor him.

“The three of us,” he says and then stops like we’re supposed to understand what he means. Savannah and I look at each other, but it’s clear she doesn’t know what he’s talking about either.

“What about us?” I ask.

“The three of us together. Tonight,” he repeats.

“We are together,” I say slowly. He can’t possibly be suggesting what I think he is. Can he?

“No. Savannah and I have a tradition. We always sleep together the night before a competition. I know the two of you are together now, so how about we all do it together?”

“I need you to be perfectly freaking clear here, Max. Are you suggesting a threesome?” Savannah whispers. She doesn’t sound too happy about this, so I decide to let her handle it.

“Don’t look like that, Sav. You admitted that you thought it would be hot. Remember? That morning we went on the hike?”

Oh. This is news to me.

“I didn’t admit anything,” she responds quickly.

“I mentioned it, and I could tell you got turned on. Don’t lie.”

“I’m not lying about anything,” she leans over and whisper-shouts across the table.

“Come on. Think about it. The two of us have had sex. The two of you have had sex. What’s the problem if we all do it together? Two men pleasuring you. What could be better?”

“Max…”

He leans back in his chair and smirks at her. She sits back too, glaring at him with arms crossed over her chest.

“Think about it, Sav. Think how good it’d be for you.” It seems like she might be considering this since she didn’t flat-out say no, and I don’t know how to feel about this. I wouldn’t consider myself a jealous person, but I’ve also never felt this way about a woman before. I’m not sure how it would feel to see her with another man, even if I were there. But hearing the revelation that she thinks it would be hot intrigues me. The last thing I want to do is deprive my girl of her fantasy.

Max looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Coach?”

Fuck. “I’m not going to decide what Savannah does with her body.”

Her head turns in my direction. “You’d be ok with it?” There’s a hint of hesitation in her voice as if she thought I would be the one to say no.

“I’m willing to try anything once, as long as it’s something you want. Max is right. It would be all about you.”