"Like who?"
"Dain knew." I whisper, "Harlow probably knows too."
Leon's voice echoes across the rink, accusing Asher of using me. My brother's words sting, even though I know they're fuelled by misinformation.
Whatever he read or was told is fake. It has to be, and I know it is.
"No, it's all twisted. Asher and I... it's real, not some points game." My defence of Asher is vehement, a reflex against the hurtful words thrown around.
"it's not what you think, Leon." Asher says strongly, looking towards the team holding him back. "Let him go and hit the showers, practice is over,"
"Asher-" Justin starts but Ash shakes his head, "I'll be fine. Hit the showers." he says once more with finality and the team listen, albeit slowly.
"What the hell are you doing with my sister?"
We make our way further onto the ice, the cold seeping through my shoes, adding a physical chill to the emotional tumult. Leon's furious, pacing like a caged animal and his eyes swing to me as I get closer.
"Leon, you've got it all wrong." I say to him, trying to bridge the gap his anger has created. "Whatever you read, it's a lie."
"So, Asher isn't sleeping with you?" His eyes move between the two of us and we don't answer so he scoffs.
"I'm dating him." I mutter, looking into Leon's eyes so he can see the truth in the words.
"No!" His rejection is visceral. "You can't date him, Ivy! I won't let you."
"You can't stop me."
"I'm your legal guardian since dad left." He says softly. "You can't."
"I'm twenty-one, you were only my guardian until I turned eighteen. You don't get to make those calls for me," I fire back, frustration colouring my tone.
He turns to Asher, betrayal written all over his face. "How could you?"
Asher's response is quiet, filled with a sincerity that even Leon can't ignore. "I love her. I've loved her for years."
The confession hangs between us, stark and undeniable. Charlotte stands beside me, her presence a silent support as we navigate the icy confrontation.
Leon looks between us, his anger ebbing as the truth of the situation sinks in. Charlotte squeezes my hand; a wordless gesture of solidarity that helps steady me.
"I'm not going to let my sister be one of your little playthings."
Asher finally looks angry, "You must be getting me confused with you, Leon, because I don't have playthings."
I squeeze Charlie's hand in mine when her grip spasms.
"Let's talk about this, Leon. Not here, not like this," I suggest, hoping to calm the storm of emotions swirling around us. "You need to calm down."
Leon finally nods, the fight draining out of him as he glances back at Asher, then at me, staring at me for ages before he nods, looking down in shame. "You've been lying to me? both of you?"
"Say that again, Leon." I mutter, squeezing Charlie's hand again. "Tell me I've been lying to you?" I glance at Charlie briefly to see her eyes wide before I look back at Leon to see his jaw tensed before he nods.
"How long?"
I sigh, "two months." His eyes widen and he pins a glare Ashers way, but I interrupt whatever words he's about to say. "We've been seeing each other for months and now we're dating officially and you're going to get over it,now."
"Ivy-"
"No, Leon, get over yourself. I'm allowed to date, and I'm allowed to date Asher. Even you have to admit once you get over your misplaced anger that Asher will always treat me right, or are you as bad at picking your best friends as you are at picking girls?"
