I looked up at him, my brows coming together in a silent question, but he just smiled.
"I believe it's time for the awards," he said, changing the subject.
We all turned to face the front of the room where three trophies stood on display. The barrel-chested man with the beard from the skipper's pre-race meeting was tapping on a microphone to gather everyone's attention to the small stage. The lights dimmed as he began speaking, a spotlight focusing the attention of the room to him.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Champions Gala," he boomed out across the room. "Thank you all for coming to this time honored tradition. I won't bore you all with a speech on the history of the race or of this gala because I know you are all here just to have a good time and celebrate the end of an amazing racing season. With that in mind, I'd like to present the winners of the Champion of Champions Invitational with their trophies."
The room grew quiet. He looked out at the audience with clear eyes, appearing completely at ease with addressing a room of socialites and billionaires.
"This was a difficult race this year. Three vessels capsized, several were severely damaged, and many ended up returning to harbor. As such, the winners circle is small this year." He pulled a small piece of paper from inside his tuxedo jacket and read aloud.
"In third place, with a time of forty-five hours, twenty-seven minutes, and twenty-one seconds is: Seas the Day!"
Applause filled the ballroom as two young men sauntered up to the dais to accept a small bronze colored trophy. One of the winners raised it above his head in triumph before walking from the stage. The announcer waited patiently until the applause died down to announce second place.
"In second place, with a time of forty-two hours, thirteen minutes, and forty-seven seconds is: The Gauntlet!"
Polite applause sounded as Thomas Grant and the pretty Sarah Parish stepped up on the stage to accept their silver trophy. The lack of enthusiasm from the audience told me that most of the guests felt the same way as I did about Grant. Sarah smiled at everyone in the room, but Grant looked as though he smelled something unpleasant as he took the second place trophy and then stomped off the stage.
Silence filled the room as the announcer again took the spotlight.
"And in first place, with a time of twenty five hours, thirty three minutes, and two seconds: Avery's Hope!"
Robbie pushed me toward the stage, holding my hand in his and keeping me from tripping on my pretty green dress. Thunderous applause shook the room as the announcer handed me the giant silver Champion's Cup. Robbie's and my names was inscribed on the base below previous winners. Just seeing my name listed with the top names in sailing my head feel light.
I smiled out at a sea of smiling faces as camera flashes scorched my vision. My face was frozen into a smile, my brain unable to get any other emotion onto my face. My hands were shaking and sweaty trying to hold onto the trophy. I had won races before, but the crowds had never given me this level of attention. I was very glad Robbie was at my side, his shoulder against mine, giving me support.
"Thank you all for attending. Have a wonderful evening, everyone, and good luck for next year!" the announcer cried out over the applause. The lights came back on, but my eyes were still blurry from all the camera flashes. Robbie stepped off the stage and lent me his hand to help me down the stairs so I wouldn't trip on my dress.
Together we posed for several more photos with the Champion's Cup, and then a man with white gloves carefully took it from me to put back up on the display. People seemed to be coming from all directions to congratulate me on my win and tell me how much they were looking forward to seeing me race again in the summer. I felt Robbie's lips caress my head, and then he disappeared behind me, letting me enjoy the attention and glory of winning the Champion of Champions Invitational.
***
I finally broke away from the throng of well-wishers, darting off into a hallway and ducking around the corner. The hallway was cool and open after the warmth of the ballroom, and it felt good to have some space around me that wasn't full of satin gowns and suits.
At the end of a darkened hallway, peering out a window overlooking the lake, was Robbie. His good arm was up against the window, and he cast a fine silhouette with his dark suit and strong lines. Even with the sling on his arm, he looked handsome.
I put my hand on his shoulder and looked out the window, following his gaze. Boats bobbed peacefully in the harbor, a sliver of moon casting silver light across the waves. It was beautiful and serene. He turned and smiled at me, the soft light from an open door catching the green of his eyes.
"Enjoying your moment in the spotlight?" he asked, straightening from the window.
"Yes, but I'd like to have you with me. You won this race just as much as I did."
Robbie turned to face me, wrapping his good arm around my waist and pulling me in to him. His lips grazed my hairline, his voice soft and low.
"It's bittersweet for me in there," he said gently. I looked up questioningly, and he released me and turned back to the window. "The doctor says my arm will never be what it was. The tendon ripped, and he's not sure it's going to heal properly. He says I will probably never sail again like I used to."
I pushed gently at his shoulder to make him face me. "So get another doctor's opinion. This is a small town; there has to be another doctor who can do something."
A smile ghosted across his face as he shook his head. "Jack had this doctor flown in specifically for me. He's the leading specialist in elbow injuries, usually with football quarterbacks, but he knows what he's talking about. It was a bad break, Sam."
"Oh, Robbie..." I whispered. He turned back to the window to stare at the water.
I knew what sailing meant to him. I knew how much he loved to be out on the water by himself, reliant on only his skill and strength. The idea that he might never sail that way again, or even the time it would take to regain that independence, broke my heart. He was a bird with a broken wing, staring at the open sky and wishing he could once again fly.
"It's okay. We won, right? And I can still sail. I just won't be able to use my arm like I used to. I'll adapt." Robbie turned and put his hand on my shoulder, his face serious in the dim light. "I wanted to ask you something, though. Would you still be with me if I could never sail again?"
I put my hands on either side of his face, looking deep into his eyes so he would see the truth in my words. "Yes. I love you, Robbie. Not your sailing ability. If it were a choice between you and sailing, you would win every time." I smiled at him. "The reason I fell in love with sailing in the first place is because I got to do it with you. I would love anything as long as I'm with you.