THE FALL LINE: Chapter Seven

Thank you for being here—for reading this story slowly, week by week, like it deserves.

Chapter 7 of The Fall Line is now live for paid subscribers. This one is quiet. The kind of quiet that follows something you can’t take back. They don’t talk about it. Not really. But Mia’s packing. And Cole is pretending everything is fine. And Jamie’s trying to figure out if that silence is safety—or the next storm rolling in.

If you’re just joining us, Chapter 1 is still free to read. And if you’ve been here from the beginning—thank you. We’re past the ridge now.

Chapter Seven: Heat

Jamie was already up when Cole came back.

The van door creaked open just after dawn, cold air curling in before Cole ducked inside. He looked like he hadn’t slept. No helmet, no jacket—just the hoodie from the night before and boots caked with half-melted snow.

Jamie set his phone down and picked up his scraper. Started waxing his skis, even though they didn’t need it. Even though the edges were fine. He just needed something to do with his hands.

Cole shook off the cold, knelt to unzip the gear bag. Pulled out his beacon, his gloves. Kept moving like it was any other day.

Jamie cleared his throat. “So?”

Cole didn’t look up. “We’re done.”

Jamie blinked. “You and Mia?”

Cole nodded once. “Yeah.”

He zipped his pocket, stood, stretched his arms overhead like he hadn’t just cut the cord on a months-long relationship.

Jamie tried again. “What happened?”