It washim.
JPwashere.
My mind reeled as I untied my skates and slowly took off my costume. In the next couple minutes, this room would be blasting with music and packed with all ten of us skaters. I tried to calm mymind as I stepped into the shower, hoping the hot water would ease the rink chill and relax my muscles. Ijusttexted Piper last week that I wanted her to visit because I missed everyone, and nowhewas here. Could that be a coincidence? Could Piper have sent him?
“Ali!” Val’s voice boomed in the concrete locker room, making me bump my elbow against the shower wall and drop my shampoo.
“Yeah?” I called weakly, rubbing my elbow.
“Some guy tried to come see you. Is that the guy? He said he’s from Michigan. Do we need to call security? Is that why you were being weird?”
“No, no, he’s fine.” I stuck my head out of the shower curtain to see his face was red with stress. “It’s nothim. JP is a friend.” I swallowed hard. “And I wasn’t being weird.” I tried to laugh, but it sounded strained even to my own ears.
Brandon stood next to Val, his eyes darting between the two of us, clearly confused on what was going on.
Val was like everyone’s big brother out here on tour, but especially mine since I knew him from back home. He was about five years older than me, but we both remembered each other from training back at Centre Ice. Val had originally been Mer’s partner on tour, and when I was trying out, he worked with me every day so I could add pairs experience to my resume, which made me more employable to tours. We grew closer over the years, and he was actually one of the few people who knew about my ex and all the trouble he caused.
“You promise?” Val asked, his dark eyes locked on mine. “We’ll stay with you tonight. If you don’t feel safe, just say the word and I’ll—”
“I promise.” I smiled. “He’s a friend from back home.” Which was true. Of course there were times I wished we’d been more than friends, but that never happened.
He nodded. “I recognized Mer in a photo he showed me, but I couldn’t be sure, so I turned him away. He said he’d be up on the deck waiting for you.” His eyebrows drew together. “I can go with you if you want?”
Desi wagged her eyebrows as she walked to the shower stall next to me wearing a towel. “Ooh! Someone’s waiting for you?”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t deny the way my heart picked up speed. “No, it’s okay,” I told the guys. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
With a firm nod, Val turned. “Let me know if you need me.”
“Thank you,” I said again before quickly ducking back behind the curtain to finish my shower.
After stepping out, I washed off the rest of my show makeup and brushed out my short, wet hair. My hands trembled with nerves as I threw on my comfy, light pink, spaghetti-strap dress and a zip-up jacket. It was probably ridiculous to wear a jacket in the summer heat, but my body had a hard time adjusting after show nights, it was like the cold got stuck in my bones.
Staring at myself in the mirror, I willed myself to calm down.He’s probably here with someone else,I told myself again. But I couldn't completely squelch the hopeful voice that whispered,But what if he’s here to see me?
Trying my best to shove my thoughts aside, I made my way up the steps to the elevator that lead to the deck. I shivered as I waited, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the nerves or the cold. One downside of living on a cruise was how they seemed to blast the AC at all times.
When I finally reached the deck and walked out into the warm night, JP was nowhere to be found, and I wondered if I already missed him.
Sighing, I slumped on a deck chair and stared up at the immense sky full of stars.
Maybe it was for the best if he didn’t show up. It would hurt too badly to see him with another woman. If that were the case, I’d rather not even—
“You look so different.”
His voice startled me, making me almost fall off my deck chair.
“Ah, shit, sorry,” he said, walking closer.
“I’m good, I’m good,” I said, trying to center myself. I’m not sure if my face was burning from embarrassment or attraction.
Becausewow.
Up close, JP looked different, too—older, andhotter, to be honest. His sandy scruff covered a strong jaw, and his body filled out. He looked strong, with more mature muscle. Solid. Like nothing could shake him. His chiseled cheekbones stood out even more thanks to his short hair. But I was thankful to know that he still exuded the same calmness he always had. A calmness that settled me. And I was even more thankful that he was up here alone. I wanted to reach out and hug him, but I wasn’t sure if I was allowedto, so I stayed seated.
“Ah.” He gave a sheepish grin and offered me one of the beers he was holding. With his free hand, he pulled at the back of his neck. When he let go, I spotted a small tattoo that looked to be coordinates going down the left side of his neck. “I’m sorry, that was a dumb thing to say, I shouldn't have—”
“Good different or bad different?” I tried for a playful tone, but my voice came out a little shaky.
