Scotty stands three rows up, half-shadowed by the dim house lights, wearing a Covey Crushers hoodie. His cheeks are flushed, his hair’s a mess. He was supposed to be at practice. How is he here?
“I'm her skating partner and coach,” he says, stepping down the rows toward the ice to address the judges directly. “I have fifteen years of skating experience in a mix of figure skating and hockey. I would be more than happy to audition with Laura.”
My jaw nearly hits the rink.
He… what?
He’s volunteering?
For me?
The judges lean toward each other, conferring in urgent whispers.
Finally, the middle judge straightens. “Okay, Miss Conners. We’ll put you through the first round, but we expect an improvement in your skating performance with a partner.”
“And that’s exactly what you’ll get,” Scotty says, his voice steady, sure, and protective.
He looks at me, just for a second, and something in me shatters and comes together all at once.
“Thank you,” I manage, even though my voice cracks. I push off and skate toward the exit—quickly, carefully, trying not to fall again now that the entire universe seems to be watching.
My legs are trembling so hard I’m not sure if it’s from adrenaline or the fact that Scotty Hendricks just walked into my audition…
…and claimed me.
Chapter 24
What the hell happened in there?
I’m sitting in Scotty’s truck in the very back corner of the rink parking lot, fiddling with the string on my sweatpants, unsure of what to say. The auditions finished hours ago, but they wanted to go through a few things with me before I left.
Unbeknownst to me, Scotty waited.
When I walked out, he was sitting in his car, one of the last in the lot, just waiting for me to come out here.
I came and sat in his car about twenty minutes ago, and we’ve been sitting silently ever since. All the cars are gone now. It’s just us in the darkness and the neon glow of the parking lot lights in the distance, which I’m thankful for.
I did terribly in that audition, and I in no way deserved to get through, but Scotty was there to save me…again.
“Were you serious in there?” I finally whisper. My cheeks burn so hot I keep my eyes glued to my lap. I can’t look at him—not when I’m still replaying the fall in my head on an endless loop.
He takes my hand and pulls it across the bench seat toward him. Then he lifts it and kisses the back of my hand.
“Of course I was,” he says softly. “I want to help you, Laura. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. You deserve for people to see how talented you are.”
My throat tightens. “Thanks, but this isn’t just an audition, Scotty. This is… if you auditioned, you’re part of the act.”
“I’m aware,” he says, not even blinking.
“B-but how would that even work? You’ve got hockey and—”
He shrugs. “The tour dates are during the winter hockey break. It means I can do it.”
“But what about practice?” I ask, scooting back slightly, pulling my hand from his.
“There will be rehearsals, choreography, blocking… you’ll need to be there for all of that.”
His mouth lifts into a slow, warm smile that hits me square in the chest. “Guess I’ll have to spend more time with you.”
