Cold War: Figure Skating Gay Romance

by Keira Andrews

  “But Kisa still lives there?” Bailey asked. “Duh, obviously, since we’re meeting her flight from Russia.”

  “Yes. When we have no shows to skate in, she is with her family, planning her marriage.”

  “Whoa! She’s engaged? How did I miss this memo?” Bailey elbowed him playfully. “Tell me everything. Who’s the guy?”

  “Alexei. He teaches the little ones at the school in their town. He and Kisa have loved each other since they were young.”

  “Really? Huh.” Bailey cleared her throat. “I mean, it’s not that…I just…that’s great! I’m so happy for her.”

  “It is all right. I know how Kisa seems to people. Like a bitch.”

  Bailey opened her mouth and shut it again. “Well, we weren’t exactly braiding each other’s hair in the dressing room over the years, but I’m sure she’s very nice. That’s great that she’s engaged. Really.”

  “What about you? Dev says you have no boyfriend. This surprises me.”

  “Surprises my mother too.” Bailey shrugged. “I dunno. I can’t seem to find a guy who isn’t a complete loser. It’s a problem I have. I attract them in droves, like douchey bees to honey. But I live in hope that I’ll meet a guy who doesn’t completely suck.”

  “We all live in hope, B.” Dev appeared behind them with a grin. He stood close to Misha and gave his hip an affectionate pat.

  Misha smiled softly.

  “Okay, you realize you two are like, super coupley, right? You hid it on tour, but now that you’ve been living together the past few months, you are all up in each other’s space, and everyone is going to know in a nanosecond. Which I think is just fine, for the record, but since you guys want to keep it on the down-low, you’d better make like you’re at a Catholic high school dance and put some daylight between you.”

  “Catholic…dance?” Misha asked. He struggled to keep up with Bailey’s rapid-fire way of speaking.

  She waved her hand. “Just make sure you’re not brushing up against each other all the time. Sweet said she heard things were super tense between all of us on tour in Asia, so you guys pulled it off then, but you’d better try harder now.”

  Dev added, “She means Caroline Mortimer.”

  “Oh sorry. Yeah, Sweet Caroline.”

  “Like the song,” Misha said.

  “You know that song?” Bailey’s eyebrows shot up.

  “B, he’s from Russia. Not the dark side of the moon,” Dev said.

  She huffed. “I know. But it’s an old song, dude. Misha doesn’t strike me as a big Neil Young fan.”

  “Neil Diamond,” Dev corrected. “Ma would be pulling out her old records right now to school you.”

  “Right, right. I can never keep those Neils straight. Speaking of not being able to keep straight, seriously, if you keep looking at each other like that, you might as well forget it.”

  “Like what?” Dev asked as he and Misha glanced at each other.

  Misha smiled, and Dev smiled back.

  “Like that.” Bailey rolled her eyes. “You guys are such goners. Oh!” She pointed to the new wave of people streaming through from customs. “I think this is her flight. Look at all those fur coats.”

  Misha laughed at Dev’s frown. “She is correct. Some stereotypes are the truth.”

  Bailey eyed his black leather jacket. “Where’s your fur, Misha? Next time I see you, I expect you to be rocking a mink hat. Make it happen.”

  “I will do my best.”

  “But not really. I’d feel too guilty about the poor little minks. Faux fur all the way.”

  Dev smiled at them, and Misha knew he was pleased that they were being friendly. Misha hoped the friendliness would continue when Kisa arrived. Just then, he spotted her and waved. She edged through the crowd, pulling two huge suitcases behind her. As always, she was impeccably dressed and made up, with diamonds glittering in her ears and her blonde hair knotted at her neck. Her dark wool coat was cuffed in white fur.

  She dragged up her suitcases, and Misha lifted her from the ground and squeezed her close, her weight in his arms and scent in his nose so wonderfully familiar. He placed her down and gave her a kiss before telling her he’d missed her. “Ya skuchal po tebe.”

  “Ya tozhe.”

  Around them, there were murmurs, and he became aware of some of the arriving passengers from Moscow pointing to them excitedly. While in America he was only recognized very occasionally, in Russia it was quite different. He also became aware that some people were clearly discombobulated to see him and Kisa with Bailey and Dev.

  Kisa turned to Bailey and Dev with a tentative smile. “Hello.”

  “Hi.” Dev reached out uncertainly, as if torn between a handshake or something more. “It’s good to see you. Um…”

  Bailey gave him a nudge. “Come on, you guys. We’ve fake hugged a million times on the podium. We can do it for real.”

  Laughing, Dev and Kisa hugged briefly and Kisa kissed his cheek.

  “Hey, not just an air kiss! This is serious progress,” Bailey whispered to Misha. “Okay, my turn.” She hugged Kisa and stepped back. “Those gold earrings are fabulous. Now show me your rock.”

  Kisa’s brows drew together, and she glanced at Misha. “My what?”

  “Oh, sorry—I mean your ring,” Bailey answered.

  Beaming, Kisa lifted her left hand. A square diamond sparkled on her finger. “Alexei says he saved for it since our first kiss.”

  Bailey whistled. “Alexei has very good taste, and that’s incredibly adorable. I’m going to need pictures and all the details.”

  Misha and Dev glanced at each other. Dev gave a hopeful smile and reached for Kisa’s bags. “Come on. You must be exhausted.”

  With Misha and Dev each lugging a suitcase behind them, they escaped the crowds to the parking garage. Dev had borrowed his father’s Cadillac, which fortunately had a large trunk. Misha groaned as he lifted the first bag. “I see you still pack everything you own.”

  “A woman has needs, Misha. You men do not understand.”

  Bailey chimed in. “She’s right. You guys may be gay, but you’re still guys. A lady needs options.”

  “And Ded Moroz might have sent a few things for you, so don’t complain, Misha.” Kisa swatted him before climbing into the backseat.

  Misha paused and considered whether to get into the back with Kisa, but Bailey nudged him toward the front seat. Once they were out of the labyrinth of the parking lot, Bailey piped up.

  “Who’s Ded Moroz? Friend of yours?”

  Misha and Kisa laughed, and Misha said, “No. He is Father Cold…” He pondered the translation. “Father Frost. He is like Santa Claus.”

  “You have a different Santa over there? Does he still come on Christmas Eve?”

  “No, on New Year’s Eve. In Russia, this is the very big holiday. We have a New Year’s tree, and Father Cold comes to give us presents with his granddaughter, Snegurochka.” Misha paused again. “Snow Girl, you would call her. Christmas in Russia is not until January seventh.”

  “Really?” Dev asked. “Why’s that?”

  “We have a different calendar for religious days. So there is another New Year’s on January thirteenth as well. It is the old-style New Year.”

  Kisa added, “We have celebration for two weeks. Misha and I could hardly take part since we were practicing for European championships at that time. But this year I will do nothing but go visiting and laugh and eat tangerines and pelmenyi.”

  “Ohh, what’s that?” Bailey asked.

  “Little dumplings with meat. We eat them with thick sour cream,” Kisa explained.

  Bailey sighed dreamily. “Isn’t eating the best? Not that we can gain too much weight while we’re still doing shows. But man, how awesome is not having to count every single calorie?”

  “It is quite good. In a few years I will get pregnant and wonderfully fat.”

  “Okay, now you have to tell me everything about the future father of your children.”

/>   While Bailey chattered and Kisa answered her questions, Misha smiled to himself. He was grateful to Bailey for her kindness and the open way she could talk to people and make them at ease. He placed his hand on Dev’s thigh. Dev smiled as he pulled up to a red light. He opened his mouth to say something, but his phone rang. He held up his finger to Misha and quickly answered.

  “Ma? I can’t talk, I’m in the car. I’ll be back soon. Do you need me to pick something up?” He paused. “Got it. Of course skim. I can’t believe you finally got Dad off the two percent.” Another pause. “Yes, I told you I’ll stay over tonight. But rehearsal starts tomorrow. Ma, the light’s turning. Love you.” He tapped off his phone. “Sorry.”

  “No need.” Misha lowered his voice and leaned closer, sliding his hand higher on Dev’s thigh. The girls were still talking, and Bailey was laughing uproariously about something. “I will miss you tonight.”

  Dev glanced at him with bright eyes. “Me too. But even if I was at the hotel, we agreed we shouldn’t see each other. It’s a miracle no one caught us on tour. That night in Seoul was close.”

  “That night was also—”

  “Don’t say it,” Dev hissed with a laugh. He whispered, “But yes. Mind blowing. Now stop distracting me.” He took Misha’s hand from his leg and kissed it quickly before placing it back in Misha’s lap.

  With a smile, Misha tuned back in to the conversation in the backseat.

  Kisa was nodding. “Yes. I feel they are very bad at hiding.”

  “Right?” Bailey exclaimed. “Thank you. I think no one suspects because it’s so outside the realm of what they would ever have thought would happen. Ever. In a million years.”

  “I would not have bet on this happening, that is certain,” Kisa said.

  Bailey laughed. “Seriously, how freaking weird is this? We’re all hanging out here in Dev’s dad’s car. But you know what? It’s a good weird. Kisa, I think we should get drunk and dish about these two. This peace summit calls for vodka, and lots of it.”

  Misha and Dev shared a look, and Dev shook his head as he changed lanes. “Remember how we wanted them to be friends, Misha?”

  “A regrettable desire,” Misha answered.

  “Oh yeah, this is happening. Watch out, boys.” Bailey giggled.

  “Extremely regrettable,” Dev said with a smile.

  Misha glanced back at Kisa, who gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze. With a satisfied sigh, Misha settled back and watched the lights of Boston sail by.

  “Okay, everyone!” Alice clapped her hands. “Thank you all for being here right on time this morning. I know there’s a lot of jet lag going on, so we’ll ease into it. Take some time to warm up and get a feel for the ice, and then we’ll start with the group opening number. It’s a challenging program, but I know you’re all up to the task. We’re going to knock America’s socks off.”

  Kisa was already stroking around the rink as Misha took off his skate guards. The large arena was empty but for the NBC crew working on the lighting and many producers and production assistants. The young PAs scurried around with clipboards and perpetual frowns. Misha watched Dev and Bailey skate by before forcing himself to tear his gaze away.

  He pushed off from the boards and bent his knees, getting a feel for the ice. It was good—not too hard and not too soft. It had been months since he laced up, and he realized with a start that it was the longest time he’d been off the ice since he was a small boy. His shoulders tensed, and the old tightening of his chest returned as he stroked around the rink. He reached automatically for Kisa’s hand, but she was on the other side of the ice.

  Breathing deeply, he reminded himself that competing was over. No more judges, no more federation. He was free now, and the Russian officials didn’t control him anymore. Winning Olympic gold had been his ticket to this new life, and everything was all right.

  Kisa appeared at his side, and they joined hands. He smiled down at her. “Do you miss it?”

  “Competition, no.” She squeezed his fingers. “Skating with you, yes. Let us have fun, Misha.”

  As they skated around the rink, every so often they’d pass Dev and Bailey. Although he loved Kisa dearly, Misha couldn’t help but wish it was Dev’s hand in his. Caroline and her ice-dance partner Grant were skating arm in arm and gazing at each other with open affection.

  “Romance blooms,” Kisa noted.

  “Yes. Bailey said they finally…let me get the words right…” He switched to English. “They finally ‘hooked up’ in the summer.”

  Kisa chuckled. “You know, Bailey also said something interesting. That you and Dev hardly go out because you are both afraid your secret will be revealed.”

  He shrugged. “It’s not a problem. It is better to be cautious.”

  “For how long? Years?”

  Misha’s stomach churned.

  “It weighs upon you, Misha. I can see it plainly. So much more than it did when we were training. You came to America to be free, but you are still hiding.”

  “I must. At least until…”

  “When? When will the good time be?”

  “Can I get Kisa, Mikhail, Bailey, and Dev over here, please?” Alice called. She and her two assistants waited in one corner of the rink.

  He sighed as they skated over. “I don’t know. But I’m fine. Really.” He kissed her cheek and gave her shoulders a squeeze.

  Once they were assembled, Alice smiled. “Hello. First off, let me just say how excited I am that you all agreed to do this show. I was thinking we could do a number with the four of you. Switching partners, skating together as a group—that kind of thing. I understand you might not be the best of friends, but the fans really love seeing rivals skate together.”

  For a moment, the four of them were silent.

  Then Bailey piped up. “I think it’s a great idea! Right, guys? It’s cool, Alice. We’re all professionals here.” She unzipped her hoodie. They all wore plain practice gear—tank tops and spandex pants. “Let’s get started.”

  “Absolutely,” Kisa agreed with a slight nod.

  Misha and Dev nodded, and Misha was aware of the many eyes on them. Apparently their act on the Asian tour truly had been a roaring success, because everyone in the arena seemed to be waiting for them to brawl on the ice. Misha had thought he would be able to keep up the pretense, but the day had barely started and he felt frayed around the edges.

  Alice exhaled. “Wonderful. Let me take you through what I have in mind.”

  One of the producers nearby raised his hand. “Also? We’ve arranged a joint interview for the four of you tomorrow night at the hotel. We hope it won’t be a problem.”

  The four of them glanced at each other, and Misha answered. “We have no problem.” Except for pretending to the reporter we are enemies.

  With a bright smile, Alice nodded to her assistants. “Okay, we’ll show you what we were thinking for this routine…”

  An hour later, Misha held Bailey’s hands as she skated backwards and they prepared for a lift. Dev and Kisa would perform the same simple star lift in unison. He pressed Bailey up and rotated as she balanced her hip on his hand. When he swooped her down, she grinned.

  “This is fun.”

  “It is,” he agreed and meant it. He glanced at a skater who watched them avidly as they passed. “I believe you have an admirer, Bailey.”

  She followed his gaze and groaned good-naturedly. “Hi, Andrew!” She waved.

  Poor Andrew Quinn blushed to the roots of his light hair and spun around to skate off in the other direction. As they met Dev and Kisa in the middle of the ice, Dev waggled his eyebrows.

  “You know, B…he got his braces off.”

  She rolled her eyes. “He’s still a teenager.”

  “You could do a lot worse. You have, in fact,” Dev teased. “He was asking me if we’re coming to Nationals in January. He was really excited to hear that Sue invited us to be official ambassadors.”

  “He’s a great kid. Maybe I�
�ll consider it in a few years once he’s able to grow facial hair. Speaking of Sue, did you see she’s here with some of the other Feds?”

  Dev nodded. “We’ll have to go play nice after practice.”

  Misha followed their gaze, tensing. Would the American federation try again to convince Dev and Bailey to return to competition?

  Kisa motioned to a young girl at the other end of the ice. “They are very watchful of her.”

  The girl was barely five feet tall and skinny as a rail, with jet-black hair. She wore a pink leotard and spun in a blur, pulling her leg up behind her and holding it over her head with both hands in a Biellmann spin.

  “Sabrina Pang, the next great hope,” Bailey said. She pointed to the woman sitting in the stands watching Sabrina intently. “Her mom is intense. She skated for China back in the day but never made it. She was staring daggers at Hanako earlier. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s got a Hanako voodoo doll in her purse. Sabrina’s at our old training center in Colorado Springs. You remember our coach, Louise? She thinks it’s going to get ugly when Sabrina starts growing. She’s fourteen now, and you know how it is when girls get hips and boobs.”

  Kisa shuddered. “The jumps that were so easy suddenly feel impossible. Like you must relearn everything. It was a terrible time.”

  “Yep. And with a skating mom second guessing her coach at every turn, poor Sabrina’s going to be under a hell of a lot of pressure. She seems like a nice kid. I hope she makes it.”

  “It is easier, being a man,” Misha noted.

  Kisa smirked. “You are just now realizing this?”

  “Understatement of the millennium, Reznikov. Next you’ll tell us water’s wet,” Bailey teased.

  Laughing, Misha skated to Dev’s side. “Dev, you will give me backup? Do not let them band together against me.”

  Dev slung his arm over Misha’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. Back off, ladies.” A moment later, his smile vanished and he dropped his arm. He glanced around the arena nervously. “We should get back to rehearsing. Kisa, you ready to go again?”

  They skated off, and Misha couldn’t help but feel as though he’d been slapped as he watched them go.