I let out a shrill whistle in hopes to gain Emmie’s attention,and thankfully, it did. She was only a few hundred feet away as her eyes scanned the crowd before they landed on me. Her cheeks were flushed, chest heavy, green eyes sparkling.
I cupped my hands around my mouth and bellowed. “EMMIE JAMES!”
It drew attention from people around us, but I didn’t care. I let out another whistle, louder this time, making her shake her head like she couldn’t believe what I was doing. The grin on her face only grew.
It was the widest and brightest I’d ever seen.
Worth it.
29
EMMIE
My phone buzzed excessively, but I ignored it as I stuffed my ice skates into my duffle bag along with my outfit. My blood was still thrumming from my performance, the high so big that I almost didn’t want to come back down.
My first competition back, and I won.
I heard people say that it came as no surprise, but to me, it did. I’d spent the last few months wondering if coming back was the right choice. If I still had what it took to win.
Today proved that I did.
After that performance, I felt stronger than I ever had before. All these long, hard months of training paid off. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I actually had a lot more in me.
I slung my duffle bag on my shoulder, taking a quick glance around the room to make sure I had everything. I was impatient to leave. I wanted to celebrate winning the first competition back—and winning it with my boyfriend in attendance, as well as my father.
I was so focused before my routine that I missed the fact Mateo was sitting next to my dad. It wasn’t until I was off the ice that I let it sink in that my dad now knew I was seeing his quarterback.
I guess, in a weird way, my dad being here and learning about the two of us was like ripping off a Band-Aid. Quick and somewhat painful. I felt guilty not being there with Mateo when my dad found out.
Stepping out of the makeshift dressing room, I turned to the left, following the hallway that would eventually lead to the parking lot. I only made it a few steps before a familiar skater came around another corner and walked toward me.
Keira’s platinum blonde hair stuck out like a sore thumb. I didn’t miss the sneer on her face, eyes dipping to the medal hanging on my neck before she quickly masked it. Thank god Erin wasn’t here or this would be a lot worse.
“Nice skating, Emmie.” God, even her nasally voice grated on my nerves. “That program was…interesting. It’s good you found something that works for you.”
“Thanks. I had a lot of fun out there.” I shrugged.
Keira smiled like she expected more, like she was waiting for me to get upset at her dig. I held her gaze, letting the silence stretch a second too long.
“Enjoy your second place medal.”
For a moment, her smile slipped. Barely noticeable, if you weren’t looking for it.
But I was.
By the time she recovered, I was already walking away.
I left Keira behind me with a smug grin. She could make as many digs as she wanted, but I won first place and she didn’t. Not my problem.
I took a right down another hallway, spotting Marcy up ahead talking to another coach. As if sensing I was rightthere, she ended the conversation and swooped me into another big bear hug. The third one I’d gotten since I stepped off the ice.
“I know I said it already, but I am so proud of you,” Marcy gushed. “You did amazing.”
“Thank you,” I beamed. I truly couldn’t have done any of this without her.
“As we get closer to the Olympic trails, we’ll add more jumps, but as the first competition back, you nailed it,” Marcy continued. The two of us walked side by side toward a double set of doors that led outside.
The medal on my neck softly banged against my chest with each step. It only added to the excitement of the day. I wasn’t one to brag about my wins or wear my medals outside of the arena but today…today I was going to.
