The three words reverberated through Tasha.
I told you.
Drew hadn’t been lying about speaking to Elias. Once again, she was the last to know.
I told you.
It had happened again. Her heart had rushed the take-off and under-rotated, ending up falling hard against the ice.
Splat.
Her breath hitched. Hot tears burned in her eyes, but this wasn’t the place to show emotion. Not when everyone there was watching and listening. Tasha wouldn’t drag this wonderful town of Berry Lake into her drama with Drew Maddox.
That meant Tasha was stuck.
Stuck holding herself in.
Stuck with Drew and Savannah.
Stuck not being able to find out what kind of game Elias was playing.
“What do you say, Tash-tash?” Drew knew she hated when he called her that. “You’re going to put us in the show, right?”
Most people only saw the talented, charismatic Drew Maddox, not the controlling narcissist beneath the handsome façade. She would love to expose his ugliness and gaslighting habits, but this wasn’t the time or place.
Unfortunately.
Tasha could tell them no, but the questions people would ask weren’t ones she wanted to answer because that would require dredging up the past. She didn’t want to do that. Oh, how she didn’t want to bring that up ever again.
Pain at her temple sharpened and expanded to take over her entire head. Getting kicked with a toe pick would’ve hurt less. She massaged her temples.
It didn’t help.
Drew scoffed. “She must be rearranging the numbers in her head.”
Not even close. But no matter what had gone on between Elias and Drew, Tasha held the power for this show. She would wield it.
“You and Savannah can open the show,” Tasha announced. “Give your music to the sound person. Hurry because you’re on in five.”
Drew’s lower lip stuck out in an enormous pout. “We’re not a warm-up act.”
Tasha was through dealing with Drew. She glared at him. “Then you don’t have to skate.”
“But—”
“I’m not changing the order of the show.” Her voice remained firm when her insides trembled. She glanced at her clipboard to compose herself. “Take it or leave it.”
With that, she headed to the rink.
“Tasha,” Elias called out. He ran after her. “I’m sorry. He said you were friends.”
She stopped. “Drew’s not a friend. Never has been. But I thought…”
“I told him you were in charge.”
That didn’t make her hurt less. All eyes were on them. “Not now. The dress rehearsal is starting. We can talk later.”
Though she had only one thing she wanted to say to Elias.
