Brazen Tricks - Ali Dean Page 0,34

my instincts were right. You’re not ready to share it with the world, huh?”

It’s hard to be irritated with them for accidentally seeing what was meant to be a private moment between me and Beck, between me and my skateboard. I’d thought everyone was at work and the house was empty. But they’re being so cool and understanding about the whole thing, I can’t really bother with feelings of annoyance.

“I’m not ready yet. You haven’t told anyone else, have you?”

They both shake their heads. “No way,” Moses tells me putting out a fist for me to bump. “But I couldn’t hold back congratulating you.”

“It’s really incredible, Jordan,” Lennon adds. “Are you planning to tell the world someday or are we keeping this a secret forever?”

I puff out my cheeks and blow out air, figuring I might as well spill the rest of the beans. “I want to keep practicing until I get it down. And then I’m hoping to go for it at the X Games for the first time.”

“Nice,” Moses says with obvious respect.

Lennon’s eyes go wide and her voice is practically a whisper when she says, “That would be epic.”

“But don’t mention it again because honestly my heart is racing just telling you this and I don’t want any added pressure in case I change my mind. It’s just kind of a goal right now, or maybe more like a dream. I’m not a big fan of trying tricks at contests if I’m not confident I can nail them.” I laugh and roll my eyes at myself. “I say that as if I’ve been at a ton of contests. I’m still a newbie and playing it conservative.”

“I wouldn’t call a 720 conservative,” Moses says slowly, like I might be a little delusional.

“Nothing about the way you skateboard is conservative,” Lennon tells me and I hear the admiration in her tone.

I’m now swaying firmly on the confidence side, far away from imposter syndrome. As we make our way out of the water to grab some food, I know that those insecurities are losing their pull on me. It hasn’t happened overnight and maybe they will always be there on really bad days, but most of the time, I’m walking in confidence that I might actually be worthy of some of the respect and admiration from people like Lennon and Moses. People I look up to.

I was okay taking a chill weekend but now I’ve got the itch to get back after the 720 on vert. With Griff sharing his thoughts that I can do more than just show up at the X Games, that I can make a real impression, and Lennon and Moses confiding they know just what I’ve got up my sleeve, it’ll be a struggle to fight that tunnel vision the rest of the night.

Chapter Thirteen

Beck

I miss Jordan. Badly. Ever since she returned to California, our longest stretches without being together were three days while she was in classes and I was working. It’s already been three days, and I’ve got four more to go. A full week. Brutal. I said goodbye to her on Tuesday morning before she went to class and I went to work. She left for Fusion Bowl in Vancouver on Wednesday after classes and I left this morning to drive to LA for Eileen’s show. We film today, Thursday, and the show airs on Saturday. I’m staying through the weekend though so I can meet with Eileen’s girlfriend Whitney about Brazen partnering with her foundation.

It’s never fun being apart from Jordan for long, but instead of the normal annoyance that usually accompanies my foolishness for that girl, this time it’s a bit of satisfaction. Yes, that’s right, satisfaction. Over the past few weeks, or months, or who knows exactly the timing, I’ve accepted that when it comes to Jordan, I am absolutely 100% that guy. A fool. Whipped. Whatever people call it that makes it sound like a bad thing. But I know it’s not a bad thing. I’m lucky. I found my person, I’m devoted to her, and while it might cause me a bit of agony, it’s also something others spend their whole lives searching for. For Jordan and me, it’s simple. We’re happiest together.

And now here I am, sitting in an armchair beside Eileen Delarosa, cameras around us, and an audience watching. I’m not really paying attention to our surroundings though. As my younger sister informed me, Eileen will make me feel like it’s just the two of