Page 33 of Love On the Ice

Chapter 17

Ginny

“So how did it go?” Melina asks as she picks up a slice of pizza and takes a bite. A string of cheese hangs from her mouth, connecting to the pizza as she lowers it back to the plate.

“How did what go?” I opted for a salad. My stomach groans at what I’m placing inside of it, longing for some of the gooey goodness that Melina’s enjoying. But time to get back in training mode.

“No, nuh uh, Missy. There’s no way in hell you’re playing dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” I knew precisely what she meant. However, I was trying to avoid having the conversation.

She pulls her leg up into the chair she’s sitting in opposite me at the bar in the kitchen.

“I didn’t tell them,” I mumble softly as I take a bite of the bland salad that’s doing nothing to appease my appetite.

She jumps up from the chair, stumbling over, and grabbing hold of the bar to keep from falling as she glares at me. “What the fuck, Ginny?! You need to tell them.”

“I know, but I didn’t want to ruin Christmas. It’ll be one last night with them and then it’s over, and I’m back to being Daddy’s perfect little girl.”

Melina looks at me, pity and love in her eyes, if you can have both. She cares about me and she’s the one person who knows how I’ve been struggling. Skating used to be fun. As a kid, I had a natural talent, one my dad saw from the get go.

He always encouraged me to do anything I wanted, but he especially loved that I found joy in skating. Immediately, he had me in a skate club, partnered with Antony and a coach who began running us through drills. We were the dream team, and a bright future was ahead of us.

But soon, skating became a chore, the love I once felt for it slowly dying, turning into something I was beginning to loathe. But I’m the good girl, always doing what my father wants. How is it any different now? I knew I would never have the strength to fight him.

“I’m sorry, Ginny. I wish there was something more that I could do.”

“I know. You just being here for me is enough.”

Deciding to say fuck it, I reach over my bowl of salad and open the pizza box, picking out the largest slice in it and take a huge bite.

“Well, that’s why I’m taking you out tonight. It’s Christmas Eve and Malachi is having a party at his place. It’s invite only, and we happen to have two. So we eat, chill, then get ready to dance the night away. Then tomorrow morning we open presents.”

I force a smile on my face, but inside I’m not smiling. All I want to do is curl up in bed. I wish I had the guts to truly stand up to my father.

“Can’t we just stay home, watch a movie and chill? Let’s do an us night?” I plead with her, even going as far as giving her my most pitiful puppy dog eyes.

“Nope, not falling for it. You’re not guilting me, Missy. We are going out and having fun. Now I’m going to take a nap, so you can’t work your voodoo on me and convince me otherwise.” She picks up another slice of pizza and stands from her chair, heading straight to her room, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

Guess the rest of this pizza is mine. Pushing the bowl of salad to the side, I slide the box closer and continue to eat until I feel like I’m about to puke. When I’m not able to eat another bite, I pick up my phone and move over to the couch. Getting comfy under the warmth of the flannel blanket on it, I begin to scroll through my phone.

Since I came back today, I’ve not opened it. I’ve heard it buzzing, letting me know there’s a new message, but chose not to look, needing the time to come to terms with my choice.

I can’t help but smile at the messages from the guys. Each of them telling me to have a great night and how they can’t wait to see me tomorrow. My fingers hover over the keyboard, itching to type a reply—to beg them to come get me and take me back to their place. My body yearns to be near them, but I don’t. It’ll only be harder when I have to say goodbye.

Just as I close out the group thread with the guys, my phone vibrates in my hand, startling me, and I yelp. I wait for Melina to come running into the room, some random object in her hand, ready to defend our home and protect me. But she doesn’t. Guess she didn’t hear.

When my heartbeat returns to a normal rhythm, I open the message, which just so happens to be from Antony

Antman: So your dad messaged me.

Me: See he didn’t waste any time.

Antman: Did he tell you he moved the date?

This gets my attention right away and I shoot up off the couch, the blanket falling off of me onto the floor.

Me: What?

Antman: Yeah, he messaged me and told me he was sending me the flight information. He has me booked to fly in on the 1st. Really killed my New Year’s plans.

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