“You can be so cynical sometimes, you know that?” he said as if he could read my mind.
“I am not cynical; I’m realistic.”
“Whatever you say, buddy. While you’re working out what deep, dark secret she’s harboring, I will be making the most of her company, because she’s nice.”
“Are you trying to get into her panties or something?”
“And if I was?” Jack said with a mischievous smirk.
“I can’t win this show if I have a heartbroken, crying skating partner when you inevitably end things with her.”
“Well, then, you’ll be pleased to know I’m not looking to get into herpanties.” He said the word with a fake American accent and slapped my shoulder, turning me toward the café area. “She’s just a good person, Luca. Lightenup.”
By the time Taylor andI finally made it back to my flat, showered, and had something to eat, my limbs felt like lead, and I could barely keep my eyes open.
We had pasta and meatballs because it was what she requested. If Lauren wanted to treat me like a lackey, then I was going to feed Taylor whatever she asked for and not make her feel guilty forit.
I hadn’t bothered pushing Lauren on if anyone else could pick Taylor up earlier. I already knew the answer, so there was no point in fighting it. Our father and her ex-husband would be too busy with work, and our mother, who didn’t really like children, avoided them whenever possible. Lauren knew how much I loved Taylor, so she used me as a babysitter whenever she needed one. I adored spending time with my niece, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t add more pressure during an already stressful time of year.Oh, well.
Despite her jam-packed schedule, Lily had joined us, and Taylor’s face had lit up the moment she walked in. She idolized Lily, copying how she dressed and begging for her hair to be cut shorter like Lily’s. It was adorable.
“Do you have any homework?” I asked Taylor, collecting our plates and placing them in the sink.
“Not today. Miss Lawrence said we didn’t have any until next week.” A pleased smile spread across her face.
“I thought you liked homework?” Lily asked Taylor, who was unusually bright for her age and actually enjoyed school. I picked Taylor up from school at least once a week, and we’d spend hours huddled together with coloring pencils and glue sticks, working on school projects.
“Uh, obviously,” she said in a sassy eleven-year-old tone. “But I have to pretend I hate it.” She rolled her eyes atus.
“You can’t fool us, Tee,” I hummed back. I moved behind the sofa, pulling Taylor’s hair over the back and splitting it into two sections. “Fishtail or French braids?”
Taylor beamed up at me, a knowing smile crossing her face. French plaits it was, then.
“I still can’t believe you’re skating with Luca Vasvault this season! You’re the coolest auntie ever, I swear. Everyone at school is so jealous,” Taylor squealed, but kept her head still as I wove the strands together.
“It’s cool, right?” I replied, ignoring Lily’s pointed look. Taylor continued to gush about Luca, while I nodded and laughed at the right moments. I certainly didn’t let on how standoffish he was and how I worried I’d dread going to work, more so than in any other season. At least my other celebrity partners had been friendly.
“Right, it’s time for us to head home soon, Tee,” I told her, securing the second plait with a hairband. Lauren was supposed to collect her from my place but had said she had to finish a few bits of work when she got home, so I was taking her back.
Taylor groaned and collapsed onto Lily’s lap in protest. “Can I at least come skating again with you soon? We haven’t been in ages.” Her eyes sparkled as she sat back up and bounced in her seat.
I loved it when Taylor came to the rink, but it would be hard during the season. My schedule was intense as it was, and my sisterwouldn’t exactly be willing to help out, meaning it could result in almost two hours of driving to pick Taylor up and drop her off. But as I glanced at her eager face, any thought of refusal vanished.
“Sure, sure, of course,” I said, smiling.
A familiar weight settled over me, pressing on my shoulders, as another task found its way onto my already full plate.
—
When we hadmade it to my sister’s house to drop Taylor off, Lily and I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek before she ran up to the door.
Lily spun in her seat and turned the radio down. She wanted the gossip, obviously. We hadn’t been able to talk much yesterday.
I dropped my face into my hands and moaned.
“What have the producers done this time? Who do I need to hurt?” Lily had always had my back, but she’d become a whole lot fiercer since the Mark-and-Lauren debacle.
“No one, Lils. It’s fine, I just—”
