"I would have to think about it," she says carefully. "That sounds like a lot. I just started school yesterday. I am still figuring out where my classes are and whether the cafeteria serves food that is actually edible."
She pauses, chewing her lower lip in a way that betrays the internal battle between wanting to say yes and being terrified of commitment after years of having everything she committed to ripped away.
"But as long as it does not conflict with my classes or anything, I am open to discussing it."
Coach Lizzy nods, her expression pleased.
"The official auditions for the figure skating tournament will be right before Valentine's Day, and the final game for the initial hockey playoffs will be the day before that. Aside from those dates, there should be no scheduling conflicts."
Mae considers this, her gaze going distant for a moment as she runs calculations behind those hazel eyes.
"Can I get back to you?" she asks. "Both of you? I just need a day or two to think it through."
"Take all the time you need," Miss Phillips says, and Coach Mercer nods in agreement.
The moment feels settled. Decided. A reasonable conclusion to an extraordinary afternoon.
And then Rafe crashes into it like a wrecking ball.
He skates up to the group with the aggressive energy of a man who has been silently stewing on the sidelines and has finally reached his boiling point. His gray eyes are sharp, his jaw set, his scent flaring with leather and burnt cedar in a way that screams territorial agitation.
"Y'all see her do some flashy moves once and now you are offering her positions left and right?" He gestures at the group with his stick. "Strategy coach? Figure skating team? What is next, a statue in the lobby?"
I chuckle, unable to resist.
"You sound jealous, Beaumont."
His jaw tightens.
"I am not jealous. I am realistic. She is fast, fine, I will give her that. But fast does not mean she can beat me. I am the fucking captain. I have been training on ice since I could walk. I can outskate her any day of the week."
Etienne lets out a low whistle, crossing his arms.
"You better not challenge MaeMae, Rafe. You will be disappointed."
Rafe's chin lifts, pride and stubbornness colliding in the set of his shoulders.
"I can beat her easily. Bring it on."
Every set of eyes in the vicinity lands on Mae.
She blinks, her expression shifting into wide-eyed innocence that I am beginning to recognize as the calm before her particular brand of storm.
"Um..." She tilts her head, pretending to consider the offer like it is a mild inconvenience rather than the challenge she has been waiting for since she arrived at this school. "I guess I can do a quick race."
She pauses, glancing at the clock on the scoreboard.
"But after that, I need to leave in like three minutes. Library closes soon and I want to check out some books before they lock up."
She just agreed to race the hockey captain and her primary concern is the library closing time. This girl is clinically insane. And I am completely, irreversibly fascinated by her.
Coach Mercer grins.
"Perfect. Get to the other end of the ice, you two."
CHAPTER 16
Collision Course
