Page 35 of Rinkmates

“From what I know, we’ll start with dance classes together. They’ll pair us up and test different combinations.”

“Dancing?” I say, looking up at him.

“Yeah, we have the chemistry check on the floor, and the second one is on the ice.”

“The chemistry check?”

He winks. “If we look good on camera together. If some sparks fly.”

I nod. I know how this goes.

I remember what Ethan told me that night. I need to choose the most attractive partner so that people become obsessed with us and the media will cover me and Riley extensively. He said if I can make people believe I’m falling for my skating partner while still being with Riley, the media buzz will boost my chances of winning. But I’m skeptical—people need to like me, not hate me. Still, he might be onto something. There could be two factions: Team Riley and Team Whoever I’m paired with. Whatever happens, we need to play it smart.

But Ethan also said not to fixate on media coverage.

The focus is on the star, not the skater.

We both earn a hefty sum per episode, and if we win, financial worries will be a thing of the past. Even if I don’t win, each episode gets me closer to freedom. I just need to do whatever it takes to advance as far as possible.

“There she is,” Aiden says as Priya comes running at us.

“I’m in!” she screams and basically runs into my arms.

I hold her tight and we jump up and down together. “Oh shit! Priya, we made it!”

We keep on jumping for quite some time, but since both of us just gave it our all with our routines, we stop before we fall dead to the floor.

It doesn’t take longbefore they start announcing the names of who made it and who didn’t.

They kick out some skaters I thought had major potential, but in the end, we are down to twenty. With only twelve stars, it means we still have to narrow it down, but Priya and I got intothe chemistry stage. That’s all I need. Now it’s up to us to flirt the crap out of these pop stars.

And just like Aiden said, we start with dancing.

We were told to change into a ballet skirt and a matching leotard, and once we hit the dance room, we were split into two groups—ten skaters and six stars in each.

The setup is like speed dating but with waltzing.

We pair up and dance while being filmed, then switch partners and repeat until we’ve danced with all the stars.

Stacey practically throws herself at Aiden, desperate for his attention. I can’t help but roll my eyes when she ignores the smaller actor and forces Aiden to dance with her for the second time in a row. I catch Aiden’s gaze and he makes a face at me. It’s satisfying to know that he isn’t a fan of Stacey either.

Also, I have no clue why Priya likes this Mason Stone. He was my worst dance partner, constantly standing on my feet and telling me I should let him lead, even though he didn’t lead at all. Prick.

By the time we are done, my head is spinning.

I don’t even remember getting home.

All I know is I fall headfirst onto the couch and I’m out like a light.

Eleven

RILEY

The apartment was dark, save for the glow of the streetlights filtering through the blinds, casting amber shadows on the walls as I silently close the door behind me. I thud my gear bag to the floor, and peel off my jacket, wincing as my shoulder protests the movement.

Man, the game had been intense.

I was allowed to play, but our rival team, the North Carolina Thunderhawks, had a target on my back. Despite not throwing any punches (thanks to biting down hard enough on my tongue to draw blood), I still ended up in the sin bin more often than I wanted. But I didn’t let those assholes get the best of me. They wanted to get me back on the bench. But we won, and I scored, baby. Fuck the shoulder.

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