Me
I’ll be there in an hour.
GC
Can’t wait to see you.
“Hi,”I say, breathless from the cold when Brody opens his door.
“Hi.” He smiles and leans against the frame, looking me up and down. “I like your skirt.”
“It’s new.” I touch the pleated material and step close to him. “And it has pockets.”
“A genius invention, really.” Brody gestures me inside the warm condo. He helps me take off my winter coat and kisses the top of my head. “Want something to drink?”
“Are you going to have anything?”
“I need a whole handle of whiskey. I just finished a league-mandated anti-sports betting computer module, and I think my brain is going to explode.”
“Sounds irresponsible. I’m in,” I say, giggling when he swats at my ass. “Have you had dinner yet?”
“Nope. I’ll order us something later.” He threads his fingers through mine and leads me down the hall to the living room. “Tell me about your day.”
“I spent this morning finalizing the choreography for the program I’m going to perform at my upcoming competition. It didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, but what can you do?” I sit on the couch, folding my feet under me. “I’m nervous.Reallynervous, if we’re being honest, and I’m afraid I’m making a mistake.”
“Hey.” Brody pulls me into his lap, keeping me tight to his chest. “What are you nervous about?”
“Will you judge me if I say everything?” I laugh and bury my face in his shirt. “When we first started working together, I dreaded going on the ice. I wanted nothing to do with it. Now I’m… scared, I guess? Because I’ve felt so optimistic the last few months. Because I’m excited to skate again. I’m worried I’m one poor landing away from never skating again. And I’d rather be burnt out than walk away from the sport completely.”
“I’m going to tell you something, and it’s not because I’m sleeping with you. It’s not because I have any stake in your success, but because it’s the truth, and you need to hear it. I’m sure you’ve met a lot of people in your life who are starstruck by your accomplishments. They see your medals. They see the money you’ve earned. They see your social media following. But under all of that, you’re still Hannah Everett.” Brody kisses myjaw. “And Hannah Everett, the figure skater, Hannah Everett, the coach, and Hannah Everet, the regular human who is surprisingly good at bowling are all the same to me. You’re kind. You’re funny. You’re sarcastic as hell, and no matter if you wind up on your ass or winning first place at this competition, I’m still going to cheer for you.”
“That… is a very nice thing for you to say.” I clear my throat to fight back tears, trying to wipe under my eyes without Brody noticing. “I hope you know I feel the same way about you. I know you have, like, five Stanley Cups or something like that, but I don’t see all those championships. I see a devoted dad. A loyal coach. A guy who works hard for the people in his life, and it’s special. Makes me want to be a better person too.”
“You already are the best person.” His hand rests on my thigh. “Do you know how I know that?”
“How?” I ask, changing my position in his lap so I’m facing him, straddling his thighs.
“Because all the days I get to see you? Those are my favorite days.” He cups my cheeks with both palms. “I don’t have to spend two hours with you a day going over drills you could do in your sleep. I don’t have to get to Liv’s lessons early, but I do. Because it means more time with you.”
It feels like a confession without saying the words. A recognition of how this relationship between us has grown, has blossomed into something real, somethingwonderful, and I like this man so fucking much.
“Brody?” I whisper, brushing my nose against his.
“Yeah, sweetheart?” he answers, thumb stroking along my jaw.
“Will you come to my competition and watch me?” I ask.
For all the years I’ve spent spinning in the air with moves I’ve spent hours perfecting, none of them have ever made me feel as high as he does in this very moment.
His laugh is soft, surprised. He kisses my forehead, the corner of my mouth. “I’ll be in the front row, baby.”
“You will?”
“If you want me there, that’s where I’ll be.”
“You know, I’m starting to get a little freaked out,” I say, and Brody frowns.
“By what?”
