“You were saying something about me being slow?” I murmured, a grin tugging at my mouth. “Care to take that back?”
“Nope.”
“Fine, have it your way.” Still holding her, I turned and stared back the way we came, her weight barely noticeable in my arms. “There’s a nice ice bath down the hall we can visit.”
“Wait,” Emmie squirmed in my arms, “I didn’t mean it.”
“I don’t believe you.” I kept on walking, smirking as Emmie wiggled. She finally dropped the football, which was immediately picked up by Tucker, who took off down the field with it.
“I’m sorry! Okay, I’m sorry!”
I knew the threat of the ice bath would do the trick. I slowed to a stop, gently putting her down on her feet and twisting her around to face me.
“You should know better than to challenge me, Emmie baby.”
“Who else will put your ego in check?” she countered.
I bent my head down until my mouth was inches from hers. “You like my ego.”
“Eh, debatable.” She tried to come off nonchalant, but the widening of her pupils gave her away. As did her tongue peeking out to swipe along her bottom lip.
“Debatable?” I murmured, gaze flicking to her lips. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Before she could fire back, I closed the distance and caught her mouth with mine.
Like every single time I kissed Emmie, it was like returning home. Like nothing else in the world mattered but the two of us.
I should have known it wouldn’t stay that simple.
34
EMMIE
Nerves rattled my system as I paced in the side room, waiting for my turn on the ice. The music from another competitor drifted through the door. The dark blue carpet was worn beneath my skates, probably from hundreds of other competitions doing the same thing I was right now.
This side of the room was actually quite large. A few tables were scattered around, along with two couches for people to sit on while they waited. There was plenty of space to stretch without getting in anyone's way. Yet, the walls seemed to be closing in on me as the seconds clicked by.
This was the last competition before worlds, where I’d find out if I made it to the Olympics or not. The next two days weren't a make or break competition, but it was important to secure which order you skated in at the next one. Everyone wanted to come into day one at worlds in a good position.
The pressure to do well hasn’t been too bad so far. I’ve been able to shove it away and have fun out on the ice, but now with the biggest competition coming up, it suddenly hit me in full force.
I paced back and forth a few more times, ignoring the stares from a few other skaters, as well as Keira in the far corner.
After the first competition and our little interaction, she kept to herself. Although, by the death glare she gave me when I got first again a month ago, she wasn’t happy. I made sure to keep my distance from her during practice and on the ice so we didn’t have another tripping accident. I wouldn’t put it past her to try something, especially this close to the Olympics.
There were still three skaters left, Keira and me among them, with her going after me. My stomach tightened at the thought. I really didn’t like the idea of sitting there waiting to see if her scores were better than mine.
I slipped away to the small section I’d claimed earlier, my bag and skates tucked into the far corner. It was quieter there. Safer.
It wasn’t about shutting anyone out. I just needed a second to get my head on straight. Up until now, I’d been fine—talking, stretching with some of the younger girls, even smiling for pictures when they asked.
But now that it was close for me to skate, the noise started to fade, replaced by the steady thud of my heartbeat and the pressure settling in my chest.
I rolled my shoulders back, forcing a slow breath in. I bent over and grabbed my phone and headphones, needing music to distract me for the next ten minutes. Since this was the short program, it wouldn’t take long for it to be my turn.
I hit play on a random song, letting the music fill my ears. Turning it up to drown everything out, I clicked on my text messages. I smiled softly at the sweet and encouraging ones from Erin to Mateo’s family.
I sent off a quick reply to all of them before opening my dad’s and Mateo’s messages. My dad’s was encouraging andgrounding. A bit similar to team speeches he made before a big game. Oddly, the words managed to steady me.
