Page 177 of Wild Like Us

The last day that I can possibly free-solo in the Yellowstone region this year. The last day that we’ll even be here. Grand Teton will have to wait for another time. A cold front is rolling into Montana and Wyoming, and more than the winter conditions, we have to drive back to Philly for the wedding on November 1st. We leave tonight with plenty of time.

I seriouslycannotlet Team Apex distract me. If I bail today, there’s literally no other opportunity to complete my goal before next year. I don’t want to stall. I feel like all I’ve been doing is stalling out ofsafety, and I just want to climb.

Besides the unwanted campers, only Akara and Banks are my spectators. I called Moffy this morning because I honestly wasn’t sure if the weather would hold up enough. And I didn’t want him to fly back here just for me to pull the plug. He understood, but I could tell that he wishes he were with me.

It made me feel good that he’s still thinking of me. That being physically away again hasn’t wiped me from the minds of the people I love.

I chalk my hands another time.

Akara and Banks whisper behind me, and my stomach does twists and turns whenever I remember the end of the trip will mark the end of whatever we’ve been doing. And I’ll ultimately have to decide between them.

Concentrate, Sulli.

I smack my hands together, chalk pluming. I shake out my arms, then realize they’re both fixated on Team Apex.

Akara catches my wrist. “Wait before you climb, Sul.”

I frown. “What’s the plan?”

“We kick their asses,” Banks tells me strongly. “Then you climb that big rock.”

“What are you gonna do, just walk up to them and sayfuck youand deck them in the face.”

“Yeah.” He bobs his head. “Exactlythat.”

Akara detaches his radio on his waistband. “You’re not going to be a part of the ass-kicking, string bean. Just stayright here.”

I scoff. “I’m a lover, not a fighteranyway.”

And I want to maintain absolute focus on my climb. Revenge might derail me. It’s definitely set me back more than once this trip.

Akara smiles, flinging my hair at my face. “There’s my Sulli.”

My Sulli.

I instantly smile. “Go be my Kits,Kits,” I tell him, “and kick their asses.”

He bows, then picks up my hand, kisses my knuckles. “Will do, m’ lady.”

I shove his shoulder, and he smiles more while Banks is vigilantly observing Team Apex. But I notice how his eyes flit to me in a strong pulse of sadness.

I haven’t chosen yet.

I didn’t just pick Akara, but I can understand him thinking I might be on the road there.

“Did they make hot cocoa?” I question as Lincoln pulls out a thermos like they’re ready to watch a new theatrical release.

“Fuck them,” Banks says coarsely.

Akara marches forward, signaling Banks to follow, and I stay at the base of the crag, watching my bodyguards charge Team Apex.

Gaining distance on them, Banks approaches hotly and smacks a cup out of a hand. Hot cocoa goes flying.

“Hey, we have every right to be here!” Jordyn yells.

“Come backlater,” Akara sneers. “You know what you’re doing. That’slifeordeathfor her.”

“She’s choosing to free-solo,” Jordyn snaps. “That’s not on us.”