Page 43 of Nothing But Air

“Ignore him,” Eden murmured.

“I’m ignoring.” Teague shrugged.

“You’re grinding your teeth.”

“That’s my ignoring face.”

Eden’s mouth curved. “You need a better ignoring face.”

Teague studied the second pitch. An overhang dominated the center—not extreme, but enough to require careful technique. The crux. Where he could pull ahead for good.

“I’m taking the left route,” he said.

Eden moved to his side, tracking the same line. Her brow furrowed.

“The left route’s unstable.” Her voice was quiet but firm. “See the discoloration? Water’s been seeping through—weakening the sandstone.”

“The holds are bigger on the left. Faster.”

“Faster doesn’t matter if the rock gives out.” She pointed again. “And you’d have to place anchors at an unsafe distance. One slip and you’re looking at a twenty-foot fall before anything catches you.”

“I climbed this route in June.”

“And that was before the earthquake and before the early monsoons last month.” She held his gaze. “Both of which no doubt weakened that sandstone. The route you climbed weeks ago isn’t the same route today.”

He knew she was right. Could see the logic in everything she said.

But Kyle was already starting up Team Two’s second pitch. And the competitive fire burning in Teague’s chest drowned out reason.

“I’ll be careful.”

“You don’t know how to be careful. It’s not in your DNA.”

“Then I’ll do what I do best.” He flashed her a grin that felt forced even to him. “Not fall.”

“Teague—”

“I know what I’m doing.”

The words came out sharper than he intended. He watched Eden’s expression shift—hurt flickering across her features before she locked it down behind professional neutrality.

“Your call, leader.” She stepped back.

Teague immediately wanted to take the words back. To cross the narrow ledge and tell her he was sorry—that he’d listen, that he valued her input, that winning some stupid bet wasn’t worth hurting her.

But Kyle was making progress. And Teague’s pride was louder than his sense.

He clipped into the rope and started climbing.

The first fifteen feet went well. Solid holds. Positive feedback. His confidence built with each move.

Below, Marcus called encouragement. Xander added his voice. Eden stayed silent.

Teague committed to his planned sequence. Reach for the jug—solid. Heel hook on the small ledge—good purchase. Transfer weight to prepare for the dyno?—

The rock shifted under his foot.

Not much. Just a subtle grinding sensation.