Page 113 of Just One Night Together
Kyle nodded, then indicated Nate’s prosthesis. “How strong is that thing?”
“It’s not. I need The Hook to really get stuff done.”
Kyle lifted a brow. “Does it look the way I think it does?”
Nate sighed and nodded. “Sent my fiancé running for the hills.”
“Well, you didn’t need her, then,” Kyle said, his tone dismissive. “Look. I’m thinking about the rock climbing wall.”
“So am I!” Nate admitted. “It looks awesome.”
“Could you do it?”
“Of course.” He winced. “With The Hook.”
Kyle nodded, some decision made. “Okay. I’ll race you to the top. Meet me there at 10:45. We’ll get rigged up and race at 11.”
“But I’ll need The Hook.”
Kyle looked at his watch. “Does it take you longer than that to gear up?”
“No, but...”
Kyle leaned closer. “Sort the wheat from the chaff in one go, Nate. The women who matter will be more interested that you kicked my ass than that you did it with The Hook.”
Nate smiled. “All right. You’re on. Get ready to lose.”
* * *
Nate didn’t expectan audience but they had one. By the time he walked to the base of the wall, there was a crowd gathered to watch. Kyle was beckoning to more members as they passed and Nate realized he’d been telling everyone about their challenge.
He had The Hook locked on and he thought it looked pretty boss. Nate knew that opinion wasn’t universal, though.
The guy supervising the wall got them both rigged up, and showed Nate how each handhold had a little depression in it. His name was Thom and he was really built. There was a black woman dressed in pink with a camera and another woman with short dark hair taking a zillion pictures.
So, there would be evidence. He was good with that.
Nate was glad that The Hook had a textured grip on the inside. He stood at the bottom and looked up the wall, amazed to find such a tall one in the city.
“Okay?” Kyle asked in an undertone.
“Your ass is going to get kicked so bad,” Nate said and Kyle laughed.
He turned to the crowd. “Did you hear that? Nate thinks he’s going to beat me!” There was laughter and cheering. “Choose your climber: Kyle or Nate.” People started to chant names, most of them chanting for Kyle. Nate heard a few people saying his name and glanced over his shoulder.
The cute redhead was in front. She gave him a thumbs-up.
She must not have noticed The Hook.
Nate turned his attention to the wall, choosing his course even before they started. Thom did a countdown, then blew a whistle, and they were off.
He took to the wall like a spider, almost catapulting up the height of it. He knew his next three moves at any point in time, but was surprised that Kyle fell behind. He heard Kyle swear and knew that the partner had no intention of losing. This wasn’t about pity. It was a clean fight, and Nate was going to win it.
He surged up the wall. His grip slipped but he caught himself and kept from falling, although the harness wouldn’t have let him drop. Kyle gained a bit on him in that precious moment. They were halfway up the wall, with Nate only slightly ahead. At two-thirds of the way up, he pulled into a clear lead. He heard a cheer from below and his name being chanted.
He lunged for the top of the wall, moving faster than he could have believed possible and seized the lip at the top. He pulled himself up and gave a roar without thinking about it. “Oooo-rah!”
The crowd below took up the cry.
