Jagged Edges

by Denise Bower

  Alex had asked me if she’d talked to me. I told him it was just teenage girl angst and not to worry. My answer seemed believable. But now I had the opportunity to fix her current situation, and I wanted Shelby to know that I kept my promises. Besides if someone didn’t help her on the ice, she wouldn’t stand a chance in the world of competitive skating.

  I gathered all of my courage, jumped in my car, and drove back to the apartment building to see about a kid who needed my attention.

  “Shelby,” I said when I strolled into her apartment where she was doing homework.

  She grunted at me but didn’t look up from her books.

  “Would you like to skate?”

  Her head snapped up.

  “Would you like to skate?” I repeated.

  Her eyes widened and then narrowed. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. The ice is available now.”

  She shrieked and sent her books and papers sailing to the floor as she scrambled out of her seat to get to me. She hugged me, then raced down the hall, returning in a few minutes clad in her skating gear and lugging her bag.

  “Let’s go,” she demanded. “I don’t want to give you a chance to change your mind.”

  She almost slammed the door in my face and didn’t even wait for the elevator. Instead she took the stairs two at a time. She was waiting impatiently by my car, chirping me for being slow.

  When I parked at the arena, she jumped out of the car before I could pull the key out of the ignition and was inside before I could unhook my seatbelt. I found her standing rinkside, staring at the freshly cleaned ice, bouncing on her skates. I had no idea how she dressed so quickly.

  “Do you ever miss it?” she asked.

  “I try not to think about it,” I said as I sat down on the bench to put on my hockey skates.

  “You were on TV last night.”

  “Great,” I muttered. “Did they say anything?”

  “Er, they wondered if you showed up because you were angry with Viktor and wanted to disrupt his program.”

  “Of course they did,” I grumbled.

  “You should talk to the media and set them straight?”

  “You sound like Cam.” I ran my fingers through my hair and rubbed my temples. I really didn’t want to talk about this anymore. “Go warm up, Shelby.”

  “Are you okay?” she asked in a timid voice.

  I conjured a smile. “Yes, I’m fine. I really want to see you skate.”

  The moment her blades touched the ice, her entire demeanor changed as she zoomed around the rink with a wide smile plastered across her face. A long time ago, that same fire burned in me, and I wondered if Viktor had extinguished it.

  I leaned on the boards and scrutinized Shelby’s skating. Her technique was raw, but the talent was there.

  “Okay, show me the dreaded axel. Try a single first,” I said as I stepped on the ice.

  “I haven’t done it for a while,” she said. Most of my lessons consist of skating around in circles while my coach stares at her phone. She’s having boyfriend problems.”

  “No excuses will be tolerated unless you are sick or injured,” I said, sounding like my old coach. “Are you sick or injured?”

  “No,” she said.

  She clenched her fists and took off across the ice, building speed until she stepped forward and jumped. She promptly fell, sliding on her butt until she hit the boards. She slapped the ice with her hand but quickly stood and tried another axel.

  After several attempts, I stopped her. It would’ve been so easy for me to demonstrate what she was doing wrong, but I didn’t think it would be wise to try an axel wearing hockey skates. For the first time in a long while, I thought about lacing up my figure skates.

  I shook my head and talked Shelby through the jump. She attempted it three more times before she nailed it. The moment her blade hit the ice, she screamed, held her edge, and raised her arms in triumph. To make sure it wasn’t a fluke, she raced across the rink doing several more single axels.

  “Do the double now,” I said. “Same technique, just a bit more drive in your arms and spring in your jump.

  She clenched her jaw and furrowed her brow as she headed into the jump. She fell but she was close to landing it. I directed her to try again. It took her fifteen minutes and a number of falls before she finally landed a perfect double axel. She successfully completed the jump six more times, and the smile on her face lit up the entire rink.

  “Wow!” She fist pumped the air several times. “That was great!”

  “Can you show me one of your competitive programs?”

  “Sure. I have music in my bag,” she said.

  “I don’t even know where the sound system is located.”

  “It’s in the penalty box.”

  “Of course you would know that,” I mumbled.

  I started the music and sighed when a stuffy recycled song I’d heard dozens of skaters use filled the arena. It wasn’t something I would choose for her, and as I watched Shelby skate, I could see it written across her face. This music didn’t inspire her, didn’t fit her personality. But before I started to worry about music, she needed to refine her jumps, spins, and connecting moves. In truth, she needed a completely different program.

  I recorded her exhibition, and when she finished, I clapped and sent the video to Sawyer.

  “I know you said no excuses, but I’m rusty,” she said. “And winded. I think you should set up a training regiment for me.”

  “I can do that,” I said. “You’re a good skater, Shelby. You have strong basic technique, and when I made suggestions, you were able to correct what you were doing wrong.”

  “I know I’m good, but I want to be better,” she said, skating several circles around me. “So will you help me?”

  I moved to the boards and gripped the edge tightly. Helping her would mean getting back into the game, and I didn’t know if I was ready to be around the skating world again, even if it was only with a junior skater. Skate America had been a circus, and when the media found out I was coaching, they’d go nuts. But Shelby beamed and it triggered a memory of the excitement I’d felt when Leo said he believed in me.

  “Okay, I’ll help you, but you know the team has to come first,” I said. “You’re also going to have to work hard, and sometimes you will be expected to do it on your own. I won’t be here all of the time. Can you do that?” I asked.

  A strange sensation of loss flooded my stomach, so I skated to the boards, opened the door, and sat down on the bench.

  “What’s wrong?” Shelby asked.

  “I’m pretty sure that’s almost the same speech Leo gave me when he took me as a student. Some days I really miss him.” I closed my eyes and swallowed, fighting to keep my emotions in check. “Never mind. So, do you want to put the work in to be a better skater?”

  “Yes,” she said without any hesitation.

  Her enthusiasm overwhelmed me. Before I could think, I jumped over the boards and took off across the ice, pushing hard until the breeze I created ruffled my hair and made me feel free. Without thinking about the skates I was wearing, I launched into a double axel and landed perfectly.

  “Holy shit,” Shelby shouted. “You did a double axel on hockey skates. That was awesome!”

  “God, that felt great,” I said. “Working out with hockey players has given me more power. Let’s go get a milkshake and discuss your lessons.”

  “Not really on my diet,” she said, giggling.

  “Not on mine either, but sometimes you just need ice cream.”

  When I stepped off the ice, Hank was leaning against the wall grinning.

  “Good to see you out there again,” he said.

  “I’ve been here for weeks.”

  “It’s not the same and you know it.”

  My phone rang, ending my trip down memory lane. “I need to take this.”

  “Can I stay out here while you talk?” Shelby asked.

  “Sure.”

  S
he immediately launched into a series of axels, squealing louder each time she successfully landed one.

  “Hi, Soy,” I said into the phone.

  “She’s fabulous,” Sawyer shouted.

  “I know,” I said.

  “I can’t talk right now, but text me when you’re free. I really need to discuss life matters with you,” he said.

  Before I could tell him I knew nothing about life, he hung up on me. I stared at the phone, wondering what was going on in his corner of the world. My corner was crazy enough. Adding his freak show to mine might cause the world to implode.

  Being busy had its merits, and adding Shelby to my schedule meant I was going to be overrun with work. It also meant I would eventually be forced to consider returning to the world of figure skating. Just thinking about it made my skin prickle.

  The thought of the media getting in Shelby’s face made me nervous. By showing up at Skate America, I had opened up a huge can of worms. I knew I should watch the broadcast, but I wasn’t ready for it. Hearing Shelby talk about the announcers and their theories made me nauseous. Contacting them to offer an interview would probably set the record straight, but I didn’t know if I cared enough to correct them.

  Right now I had more important things to worry about. My hockey boys were demanding and sometimes annoying, but the world of figure skating had prepared me for some diva behavior from the players. I’d seen it all before and, so far, nothing really rattled me. Except for the captain who had a habit of surprising me every time I turned around.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, and when I took it out to answer, I hesitated, staring at the name on the screen. I didn’t really want to talk to my dad yet. Our relationship had always been strained, but now the rubber band holding it together was so tight I was afraid it would snap and take my eye right out of my head.

  “Sort of busy right now, Bradley,” I said, voice full of sarcasm. “It’s game day.”

  He sighed heavily into the phone, and I resisted the urge to hang up on him.

  “I know the Ravens don’t have a game today,” he said.

  “Must mean I just don’t want to talk to you.”

  The line was quiet for a few moments, and I crossed my fingers, hoping he had decided to hang up on me.

  I need a favor,” he finally said.

  “Seriously? What part of ‘I’m busy’ didn’t you understand?”

  “It’s hockey related,” he said, like that was supposed to make everything okay.

  “Can I be trusted with such a thing?” I swear I could hear his teeth grinding.

  “I’m not apologizing anymore, Victoria. I said I was sorry, and I meant it. I’ve tried to call you several times, but this is the first time you’ve answered. Right now I need you to listen.”

  “Is that the favor?”

  He muttered something that I didn’t understand. “The team is sending Carter Murphy down for a conditioning stint with the Ravens. I’m hoping you can do more than just get him back in shape. A small attitude adjustment would be welcome. The guy is costing the team a mint and not performing.”

  “Oh well, if that’s all⁠—”

  “Just do what you can, and I’m warning you, the guy is an asshole.”

  “I’ve had the privilege, and I’m surrounded by assholes,” I said, but my dad had already hung up on me.

  I could barely handle my own life at the moment. Just when I thought I was getting control of things, someone tossed another problem into the mix. I figured I had a choice to make. I could drown myself in a bottle of booze, quit this stupid job and slink back to Leo, or call Sawyer and get his opinion on the whole situation.

  “Baby doll,” Sawyer said.

  I let out a long moan.

  “Are you dying?”

  “Maybe,” I said.

  “Good grief, whatever shall I do? Have you called to give me your last will and testament?”

  I snorted. “I don’t really have anything of value to offer you. I called to whine. Do you have a moment to spare,” I said dramatically.

  “Ah, one of my favorite calls,” he said. “Tell me all your troubles, but it has to be under seventeen minutes. I have practice with a dancing bear. Unless you’re coming to take the part.”

  “Not yet, but you might want to make a costume to fit me.”

  “Okay, spill it, doll.”

  So I did and I laid it on thick by giving him a detailed description of all my woes. Sawyer had a few well-placed oh my gods and several holy shit, the nerve of that guys scattered throughout the conversation. When I finished the story, he was silent until I prodded him for his opinion.

  “Your dad can be a major prick,” he said.

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “Prove him wrong,” he said.

  “I think he’s still trying to find a way to force me back to skating. I’ve done a little research on the guy, and Carter Murphy seems like a lost cause. I think dear old Dad is hoping to frustrate me to death,” I said. My phone beeped. “I have to go. Johan is on the other line, and if I ignore his calls, he sends Margo after me. I’ll call you if I need bail money for killing Carter.”

  “You behave. I know how you like the bad boys,” Sawyer said.

  Before I could defend my honor and dislike of bad boys, my phone rudely beeped again and someone started shouting at Sawyer about choreography and costumes.

  “I have to go,” I said again.

  “Call me later, babe. Loads to discuss. Bye.”

  Being friends with Sawyer was a lot of hard work. I’m sure he felt the same about me.

  At six o’clock in the morning my phone rang, and when I saw it was Sawyer, I answered and swore at him before hanging up. My phone chirped again, over and over and over, until I wanted to chuck it into Lake Superior. Sawyer finally gave up on me answering and left a voicemail.

  “Baby doll. I know we just spoke, but we need to connect again. I am in desperate need of a chat with you,” Sawyer said in a singsong voice. “Call me when you have a free moment. It will be worth your while. I promise.”

  Free moment? In my world, free moments didn’t exist. And why did Sawyer have to be so cryptic all the time? He could’ve just given me the information, instead of leaving me floundering.

  Throughout the day I tried to call him, but his phone went to voicemail. I figured he was paying me back for hanging up on him and being a jerk in the morning.

  “Shoot,” I mumbled and headed toward the locker room to get everything ready for the end of the first period.

  When the game ended, I thought I’d be able to call Sawyer, but the team forced me to go out to dinner with them. And by force, I mean they stole my car keys and hauled me like a sack of potatoes out of the arena and dumped me in Cameron’s vehicle.

  I unrolled the window and whined loudly to anyone who would listen, “I have to be back at the arena at six in the morning. It’s already ten. I’m exhausted.”

  “Johan said you don’t have to be in until eight,” Cam said, laughing.

  I glared at him because there was no way Shelby would allow me to miss her lesson.

  “Alex called Shelby. You’re rescheduled for three thirty with her. Practice ends early, and then we have a team meeting so the ice is yours,” Cam said.

  “I swear everyone knows my business,” I said, shaking my head.

  “I’m the captain. It’s my job to know everyone’s business.”

  “Nosy hockey players.”

  “I heard Carter Murphy is joining the team and you’re in charge of him. Your dad is something else,” he said.

  “Yeah, and I’m not sure what the something else really is. I think he’s trying to drive me crazy. I’ve run into Carter, and he seems like a big jerk. I might need some help from you.”

  “I can try, but Carter isn’t going to listen to me. I’m beneath his pay grade.”

  “You’re the captain.”

  “He didn’t listen to me the four years I was his captain. I doub
t anything has changed.”

  I whined a bit more, begging Cam for help while reminding him I still didn’t think we were even for his actions when I first arrived. He grimaced and tried to apologize again for being a dick. Nothing was settled, but he did get me to agree to stay for dinner and have one drink with the team.

  These negotiations were going to kill me, but I appeased Cam by ordering dinner along with a Screwdriver. When Cam turned his back, I quietly told the waiter to forget the vodka. I didn’t need a repeat of my last alcohol-fueled evening with the captain.

  Hanging out with the team was always interesting. To be completely honest, I enjoyed watching the boys mingle with their fans, their groupies, and each other. The players who were underage, including Alex, hung out with me. We occupied our time by playing an elaborate form of Bingo that didn’t use numbers. Instead we had squares that included who left first with a woman and various other things, like who ended up drunk and alone for the evening or who made a fool of themselves on the dance floor. Alex and I had created several interesting cards, and we’d each blindly picked one for the evening.

  Tonight it was only Alex and me at the table. Olli and Theo had almost fallen asleep during dinner, so Cam sent them home. Anders didn’t come out because his parents were in town.

  “Does the captain ever take anyone home?” I asked.

  “Not that I’ve noticed. In fact, I’ve only seen him with you. Maybe he’s taking you home,” Alex said, chuckling.

  “Whatever.” I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t sleep with him.”

  “He sort of polices everyone,” Alex said as he scanned the room, periodically checking his Bingo squares.

  “What about you?” I asked.

  He sneered at me and checked a square on his card when Z-man was coaxed onto the dance floor. “I’m sure my sister would love to have strange women in her apartment.”

  “Well, if you ever wanted an evening to yourself, I can hang out with Shelby.”

  “You do enough for us already.”

  “I like hanging out with her.”

  “I heard Carter Murphy is coming to the team tomorrow for a conditioning stint. Cam spoke to everyone and warned us. Maybe you could have a contest with him and make him submit by embarrassing him like you did with the rest of us.”