“Eloise,” I scolded. “Zara told me all about her brother—how he takes her to all the competitions, is her biggest supporter. She’s…she’s like my number one fan apparently.”
“Well, It was warm at best. I’m sure he’s fine. But maybe he should learn not to vomit in a way that screams ‘I'm a stalker’.”
I sighed and let my head fall back. The sun had fully set, the sky a mix between the darkest blue and black. Stars were showing up in full force—even despite the lighting around The Lodge. I’d never admit it, but it was nice not being home, to see a slightly different sky.
“I kind of wish you hadn’t dumped my hot chocolate,” I said.
“Can you just imagine what that mouth is capable of?” Eloise said.
I laughed truly this time, and also wouldn’t admit that I could imagine, and my brain was already betraying me and wondering justexactly whatLukas could do with his sinfully sexy mouth. And for a moment, the guilt abated, a weight lifted and for just one more moment, the future seemed brighter.
But just for a moment.
I knew the fall from this height would be brutal.
CHAPTER 8
aimee
Music haunted my dreams.
A song about waiting a thousand years for love, the scraping of skates on ice, the near deafening thrum of people’s anticipation—their breath held as we looped around.
I could feel his hands on my waist as we geared up for the lift, the strength of his grip, the warmth of his body seeping into mine as I rose into the air.
We soared as darkness leeched in from the corners, starting to slither across the ice.
My heart started jack-hammering in my chest. I gripped his hands, trying to signal for him to put me down.
No, no, no, nonononono.
I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t relive it.
My breaths sawed in and out of my mouth in ragged gasps. I wiggled and squirmed, but he held firm, unmovable—acting as if I wasn’t doing everything in my power to wrench myself from his hold. The course was unalterable. It was set, and we’d see it through no matter what. This was the final moment, the last thing we needed to do to secure first place and a spot at the Olympics. This one lift.
The shadows drew closer, the lovely melody became discordant, angry and disjointed. Panic filled me to the brim, choking me.
Heavy with guilt and pain.
So much pain.
We spun and swirled and the shadows rose up around us, weaving around and between our bodies. I glanced down and saw a shadow wind its way around his skate.
His dimpled smile flashed in the darkness.
Then, the jolt.
The world being yanked out from under us.
Falling.
The shadows receding, pulling away as if stuck.
The echoes of the music, our laughter, the roar of the crowds.
The still silence.
The sound of tearing pain.
