Étienne doesn’t live far. Our family is close and prefers to stay that way. If they could have bought a building to fit us all, I’m sure they would have. Instead, we have large houses all in the same neighborhood and take turns gathering at each other’s house once a month. Though, with Mémé and Pépé being ill, everyone has mostly been coming to our house.
Me: Tell me what it is.
Étienne: No.
Me: Then I’m not going.
Étienne: Trust me, you want to see this.
Me: Fine!
I roll my eyes, dropping my phone to the bench and squirting more water into my mouth. I glance up at the stands—the empty stands—shake my head and go back to practicing jumps.
Before I know it, Coach shows up, and after giving me a long pep-talk on how we still need to try hard even though I already won a gold medal, he brings the choreographer onto the ice, and we start to form and run through the new routine.
It’s good—of course it’s good. It embraces everything I am. I have one of the best and well-paid figure skating choreographers in the area. He works with only me and has signed a mile long contract to do so.
What he did last year won me the gold, so I trust that what he brings to the table moving forward will be just as good, if not better.
“I should have your schedule for you by the end of the month,” Coach says at the end of practice. “We’re hoping for two tours, plus we have the Grand Prix this fall. Nationals are in January. Worlds in March. We also need to sit down and figure outsponsorships because we’ve had a ton of new companies reach out.”
“I want to stick with the old ones,” I say.
“Nico, we’ve had some big names reach out to us.”
“Who are only interested in me because I’m a gold medalist. I’m loyal, and I will stay with those who have been with me from the beginning.”
He holds my gaze, blinking before shaking his head. “We’re leaving it open for discussion.”
I roll my eyes, knowing I’m not budging. He can fight with me all he wants. Sure, I could take on more, but I am not letting go of anyone who has been around the entire time… as long as they’re still interested in me, which I hope they are. Loyalty, of course, goes both ways.
“We also will be looking into a media tour, some galas and fundraisers, and there is a list of shows you’ve been asked to perform in, but we need to go over the rest of your schedule before we can fit these things in.”
“Sounds great.”
Coach narrows his eyes, tucking his clipboard under his arm and pinning me with a gaze.
“What’s up with you? You’re off. Did you not sleep well?”
“Slept just fine, Coach.”
“Then what’s going on? You done with this now that youthinkyou’ve reached the top? Because I can assure you—”
“No,” I say firmly. “Nothing like that. I love skating. I want to skate. I want to perform. This is my life. It’s just… personal. I’m fine.”
He glances at the choreographer, who shrugs. “He did great today.”
“My mood won’t affect my performance,” I argue. “Are we done here?”
“Sure,” he says and I take off toward the locker room. “See you tomorrow!”
I shower, the water running cold long before I’m ready to get out. There isn’t a single part of me that is interested in whatever surprise Étienne has for me, but I still drag myself over to his place instead of going home and faceplanting into my bed like I want to.
“Étienne!” I call once I’m inside. His parents’ cars are gone, so I assume they are both at work. I go right upstairs to his room. “This better be good!”
I let myself into his room and find him sitting at his computer. He looks at me over his shoulder, smiling.
“I didn’t think you’d come.”
