by Denise Bower
Toward the end of the practice, he and Shelby were in some sort of competition, darting in and out of the orange cones I’d stationed on the ice. I stood off to the side and observed them. When Carter offered her advice on the placement of her hands as she entered a jump, she shouted at him. But when he turned away from her, she tried his suggestion and seemed genuinely surprised that his advice was sound.
Carter busted her following his directions and goaded her for a few minutes. She scowled at him before she unloaded a beautiful double axel in front of him.
“Can you do all the triples yet?” he asked.
“Yes, but they’re shaky,” she said. “I’m in the process of switching coaches.”
“You need more than a double axel to be competitive,” he said and skated away from her.
“I know that,” she said.
“And relax your shoulders. Not only do you drop one during takeoff, they sometimes end up around your ears when you’re in the air,” he said.
“How can I drop one and then have them up around my ears?”
“Different mechanics of the jump,” he said.
I rolled my eyes as they continued picking at each other. When my phone buzzed, I was almost gleeful for the interruption.
“Soy Sauce. How are you?”
“Am I interrupting something?”
“Just the beginning of a headache.”
“I lied the last time we spoke,” he said quickly. “Things are terrible here. I want to come see you to talk to you face-to-face about my next career move.”
“I would love to have you. You’re always welcome,” I said.
“Oh, thank god,” he said. “I’m sitting outside your door.”
“What?” I shouted so loudly Shelby and Carter stopped what they were doing. “Hang on a second.”
I set my phone on the ledge.
“I’m sorry. Practice is over. I have to go,” I said.
“But I need to do some run-throughs,” Shelby said. “You said I needed to start competing. Sections is just around the corner and I’m not prepared.”
“Um, just a second,” I said to her as I grabbed my phone.
“Soy, I’ll be there as soon as I can get out of here.”
“I can hang with the kid,” Carter said to me when I hung up. “We’ll be fine.”
I looked from him to Shelby and back again. “Can I trust you two?”
They both solemnly nodded.
“I really want to stay on the ice,” Shelby said, giving Carter the side-eye.
“Find Paulie when you’re done,” I said.
Shelby grinned and went back to racing around the ice.
“Uh?” I stared at Carter. “Thank you? I think.”
“It’s fine,” he mumbled.
“Before I forget, your girlfriend was looking for you this morning.”
“I don’t have a girl— Oh, holy shit! Was she about…?” He waved his hand mimicking someone who was slightly taller than me. “With red hair and….”
I nodded and watched as his face paled.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, she’s not my girlfriend nor has she ever been. She’s a crazy fan.”
“How nice for you,” I said. “Take care of Shelby.”
I shook my head, stripped off my skates, and ran stocking-footed out to my car, which was dumb because the parking lot was covered in snow.
When I was safely behind the wheel, I called Sawyer and told him I was on my way. It didn’t take long to get to my apartment building. I raced up the stairs, listening as he continued apologizing for not telling me he was coming.
I turned the corner and stopped. He was still chattering on the phone, so I took the opportunity to study his appearance. Gone was the black eyeliner that brought out the intensity in his stare. Missing was the vibrant streak of red or purple or orange normally residing in his long bangs. He’d stripped off the nail polish he regularly wore. He still sported an earring, but it was only a stud instead of the long dangly things he used to wear. In some ways, he looked like he wanted to blend into the background of the world, and it made me feel weird.
“Look at you,” I said.
“Vika,” he said as he jumped to his feet. I dashed toward his open arms and leaped. He caught me and spun me around. I wrapped my arms and legs around his wiry body, squeezing hard.
“God, I missed you,” I said.
“I quit the show. I want to start my own skating academy and train skaters instead of choreographing numbers for bears,” he said.
“Holy shit, really?”
He released his grip on me and I slid down his body.
“I’d like to do it here,” he said. “I researched a bunch of places, but I kept coming back to your new arena, and seriously, it would be a great place to work. Plus I have a secret weapon.”
“Secret weapon?”
“You, dummy,” he said, nudging me with his shoulder.
“Uh, I don’t know how much pull I have with the people who run the building.”
He snorted. “Please, doll. Whatever you set your mind to lately seems to happen. I just need a good word from you if they ask. Plus there are two sheets of ice. The team can only practice on one at a time. I’ve even composed a proposal for the rink owner. I’m trying out this new thing called adulthood. The video you sent me of that kid skating cemented my decision.”
“Well, shit,” I said. “Come on in and we’ll have some coffee while we discuss our life goals.”
He laughed and slung his arm around my shoulders, chattering happily as we walked into my apartment.
“Er, sorry about the mess,” I muttered.
“Nothing new.”
Instead of coffee, we settled on a calming tea since we both felt slightly crazy. We also decided to wait on discussing specific life goals because the conversation was heading toward the somber side of things. To lighten his mood, I asked him to fill me in on the latest gossip from the skating world.
“Well, the big rumor is Viktor and Chelsea are trying to convince Leo to coach them,” he said. “After the disaster that was Skate America, they need to do something. I haven’t heard if he’s agreed.”
Hearing the news didn’t really surprise me, but it did make my chest ache. Leo didn’t owe me anything, and coaching was his livelihood. Viktor was probably waving a huge lump of cash in Leo’s face. I wouldn’t blame him if he took the money.
“Also, people think you showed up with your new boyfriend to make Viktor crazy jealous.”
“Oh for—”
“You asked for the gossip. Are you going to be okay?”
“I have to be, but next time I ask, ignore my pleas,” I said and took another sip of tea, hoping the calming effect would happen quickly. “Do you need a place to stay?”
“If you wouldn’t mind. I really don’t want to sign a lease until I figure out if this is going to work.”
“It’ll work, but you’re welcome to stay with me.”
“I’m glad someone is confident, and just so you know, I was serious about only needing a good word from you. Character reference, really. I already have a meeting scheduled with the rink management tomorrow. I just wanted to gauge your reaction to make sure you’re okay having me around.”
I grinned. “I always want you around, Soy Sauce.”
“Well, good because I’m planning on having all this shit fall into place. I’m very determined.” He stretched out his legs and leaned back on my new couch. He opened his arms, so I settled against his side, enjoying his warmth. “So, tell me about this Carter Murphy guy who’s here to ruin your life.”
“It’s weird. He doesn’t really need my help. His skating is almost perfect, he’s in excellent condition, and his hockey seems solid. His big problem is he’s an egotistical jerk, who doesn’t know how to play nice with his teammates,” I grumbled. “I don’t want to talk about him.”
“Then help me carry my bags up here.”
“I’m comfortable.”
On the fourth trip to my apartment, we ran into a grumbling Alex, carrying several duffle bags. Apparently Carter had enlisted him to find a suitable hotel. When none met Carter’s demands, he decided to stay with Alex.
“Fuckin’ hell! How did this become my life? I’m now a concierge, a bellboy, and apparently, I’m running a bed and breakfast.”
I bit my lip to stifle my laughter. “You could’ve said no.”
“The asshole didn’t give me a chance.” Alex dropped the bags in front of his door and dug out his keys. “Maybe he can stay with you.”
“Sorry, my hotel is booked,” I said.
He sighed and shoved his door open. “Shelby is going to freak out. Apparently she spent the afternoon skating with him or arguing with him. I thought you were skating with her? I don’t know what the hell is going on?”
“Is he here?” I asked, peeking around the corner.
“No, he dropped off Shelby and his bags, then went out for dinner with Cam.”
“Uh, see you later,” I said. Sawyer elbowed me. “Oh, this is my friend Sawyer Jones. He’s staying with me.”
“Nice to meet you,” Alex said. “What difference would one more person make? I could carry these bags to your place.”
“I only have one bed.”
He arched an eyebrow, so I flipped him off and dragged Sawyer down the hall before Alex could open up a discussion about my lone bed.
“He’s a cutie,” Sawyer said.
“That’s Shelby’s brother,” I said.
“I can still think he’s nice to look at.”
“Of course you can, baby, but he’s only eighteen.”
“Oh, good grief.”
Between Sawyer showing up on my doorstep and knowing Carter was staying down the hallway from me, I had a very restless night, filled with strange dreams and a good amount of time spent staring into the dark.
The lack of sleep made me grumpy. My bad mood was amplified when I discovered Carter Murphy sitting in my office, messing with my cup of pens.
“What do you want?” I asked, dropping down into my chair.
“Another conditioning coach,” he said, smirking at me.
“Can’t help you there,” I said. “Now get out of my office.”
“You’re easy to rile up.” He leaned across my desk, and I scooted my chair back until it hit the wall. The blue of his eyes and scent of his cologne enveloped me.
“What do you need?” I asked.
He twirled a pen and I wanted to snatch it out of his hand. “Some extra time on the ice without the skating brat.”
“And when would you propose we do that? I have no desire to be at this rink all night and day. It’s best for us to be on the ice at the same time.”
“It’s annoying.”
“Deal with it. Shelby is a good kid.”
“She needs more speed to get more height in her jumps.”
“I know that. The question is how do you know that?” I pulled my chair back to my desk again and stared at him.
“I just do,” he snapped and abruptly stood. “I have to go.”
He was almost out my door when he smashed into Sawyer. They stared at each other for a few seconds until Sawyer narrowed his eyes, and Carter let out a gasp and shoved Sawyer out of the way.
Sawyer leaned against the doorframe and stared at Carter’s retreating form.
“Hello, Soy Sauce? What’s going on?”
“Not sure yet,” he said. “Déjà vu, maybe?” Finally he shrugged and sat in the chair Carter had previously occupied.
“That guy can ruin my day in five seconds flat,” I said.
“Was that?” He furrowed his brow and picked up the pen Carter had been twirling in my face.
“Yep, Mr. Carter Murphy, asshole extraordinaire.”
“Hmmm.”
His reaction was a bit confusing, but when he said nothing, I changed the subject. “So … welcome to my grand office,” I said, spreading my arms wide.
He snapped out of his stupor and swiveled in his chair. “It’s interesting. I particularly like the half-dead plant. Adds so much to the décor.”
“I don’t know why that’s in here. I do not have a green thumb. I’m more like the frost queen. I kill plants by walking past them.”
“Yes, darling, that you do,” he said. “So that was the bad boy?”
“He’s driving me mental,” I said. “I’ve barely been around him and I want to kill him.”
“I think you want to jump his bones.” He leaned back in the chair and yawned. “I’d like to grab those blond curls and….” He fanned himself.
I opened my mouth to disagree with his statement, but thoughts of straddling Carter’s lap and tangling my fingers in his hair filled my head.
“Rink management okayed my project,” he said nonchalantly.
The pornographic dream popped as I focused on his statement. “Huh? Say that again.”
“I need a name for my new academy.” He smiled broadly, a twinkling in his eyes.
“Oh, Soy, that’s so awesome. We should celebrate tonight,” I said.
“What’s your schedule look like?” he asked.
“Practice in a few minutes. A short session of dry-land training, lunch, some weight lifting with a couple of the players, and then I have Shelby and Carter.”
“About her—”
“Why don’t you come on the ice with us,” I said before he could continue.
“Ok. I could use the workout.”
“Stop by at three, and I’ll show you around the arena.”
“Sounds great. I have to go see Margo, and then I’m going back to the apartment, if you don’t mind. I have some things to take care of, and I also need to go do a little shopping.”
The day sped by, and before I knew it, I was racing up to my office to meet Sawyer. We did a quick tour of the arena before heading into a small dressing room where we changed and talked about his new venture. As we neared the ice, I could hear Shelby arguing with Carter about music.
“You should try something different,” Carter said to her. “This is a total moldy oldie.”
“What do you know about music?”
“You’d be surprised,” he shot back.
“I need to warm up,” she said. “Get off my side of the rink.”
“Then I’m picking the music today,” Carter said.
“Fine,” she said and left him in the penalty box fiddling with the music. He finally settled on a mix of today’s hits.
I glanced at Sawyer, who was focused on Shelby stroking across the ice.
“They give me a headache. They barely know each other, and they fight like brother and sister,” I said to Sawyer.
“Let them,” he said.
“Let them?”
“Maybe she’ll put a fire in his belly. Isn’t that why the Hawks sent him down?”
“Are you following hockey now?”
He shrugged and sat down to get into his skates. I bumped his shoulder, grinning and silently rejoicing that my friend was here.
“Carter Murphy,” he said under his breath.
“Yes. That’s him,” I said sarcastically.
“Holy shit. I don’t believe it,” Sawyer gasped and leaped to his feet. “It really is him.”
“Are you a secret fan or something? Please don’t tell me you want his autograph. Did you know when he showed up at the rink for the first time, there was a battalion of women pawing after him?”
Before he could answer, Shelby and Carter got into another argument about crossovers, of all things. I sighed and dragged Sawyer on the ice with me.
“Shelby, go with Sawyer. Carter, come with me,” I ordered. “You guys, stay on that half of the ice and we’ll stay over here. The lines are already drawn, so if you cross the line, I will make you both do a bag skate with a parachute attached to your back.”
They tried to argue their cases, but I shut them d
own with a stern glare.
“What is it with you and her?” I asked Carter.
He shrugged but said nothing. I half expected him to say she started it, and then I would’ve hauled off and punched him in the gut. I was slightly disappointed.
“Let’s get to work,” I said.
We went through several skating drills before I came to a quick stop. He completed the sequence and folded his arms over his chest, giving me a look that sent a shiver down my spine.
“You really don’t need one-on-one skating lessons,” I said. “There’s nothing wrong with your skating. It’s fluid and strong and….”
I didn’t finish my sentence because my brain woke up and supplied me with images from long ago.
“Holy shit,” I gasped, feeling the flush of embarrassment flood my face. “Uh, that’s enough for today.”
Confusion settled on Carter’s face, and I decided it was a good time to bolt. I raced down the hall and ran smack into Hank, making him drop an armload of sticks.
“Jesus, Vika, did you see a ghost or something.”
“Yes,” I said and pushed past him. I slipped into the dressing room, slammed the door, and clicked the lock. I had no idea why I felt the need to run away. I wasn’t a shy thirteen-year-old girl anymore. I shuddered at the thought and hoped I might be mistaken.
I ignored the banging on the door, but when my phone rang, I answered.
“Hello?” I said, even though I knew it was Sawyer.
“Carter Murphy,” he said.
“Used to be a figure skater,” I shot back.
“You knew?” Sawyer gasped.
“Oh shit. Is it true? It just hit me. Did we know him? I think I knew him? Am I losing my mind? Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Oh, baby doll, are you sitting down?” he asked.
I jumped up on the small counter next to the sink, swinging my legs and frowning at my reflection in the mirror to my left. “Sitting now.”
“He was more than a figure skater. He was a junior champion, slated to be the next big name in US men’s figure skating. I mean, if I hadn’t been in his way. And then he disappeared, only to show up as a top-ten draft pick when he was eighteen. The only reason I remembered is because he could’ve seriously challenged me for the US title, and at the time, no one had any idea why he quit. I guess he wanted to play hockey.”
