Page 9 of Rinkmates

“Excuse me,” Riley tries again, but Nina barrels on, her words tumbling out in a rush, forcing him to shut his mouth once more.

“You get to live here, train on the rink whenever you like, and all you have to do is keep an eye on him,” she finishes, her voice laced with a hint of desperation, as if I’m her last hope. It’s ridiculous.

“‘Keep an eye on him?’” Riley and I say as if from one mouth.

“What does that even mean?” I demand, struggling to process.

“You know Riley’s reputation,” Nina says. “This could be the perfect PR coup. Everyone loved you back in the day, and once you’re onGrace on Ice, you need publicity to—”

Riley scoffs. “You shit on the Olympics for a reality show? Are you kidding?”

I glare at him, my nerves giving way to a surge of anger. I know him from social media, and I’ve always hated him, with his cocky attitude and his belief that he’s invincible on and off the ice. The way he flashes his stupid, handsome grin every time a camera is on him. It’s just gross. I learned the hard way to stay clear of pretty boys.

“No, I’m sorry, Nina,” I interject, my voice firm. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t live with someone like him. Money isn’t everything in life.” I’ll sleep in a car. Whatever. But not here.

Without waiting for a response, I turn and practically sprint out the door. Nina calls after me, but I shake off her attempts to stop me. This was a mistake.

Riley Huntington is a violent prick. I can’t live with someone like him. If I wanted to live with an ass, I could go find my father. Or my ex-coach.

Just as I slam the door shut, Nina swings it back open again. I frantically jab at the elevator buttons, contemplating the merits of taking the fire stairs for a quicker exit. I just can’t believe my life.

“Nina, I—”

“Listen, I know this sounds crazy. But wereallyneed you. He’s on the verge of ruining his career, and he needs someone to keep an eye on him when we’re not around, and you’re perfect for it.”

“That’s what therapists are for,” I mutter under my breath, silently urging the elevator to move faster. How tall is this damn building?

“It’s more complicated than that, and this arrangement could benefit you too. We’ll make sure you have everything you need. Is there something missing here, Liora?”

“Yes, a half-decent roommate. I can’t live with someone who’s prone to violent outbursts. I’d like to wake up in one piece tomorrow, thank you very much.”

“No, he’s not violent, I swear. I wouldn’t offer you this opportunity if he were. He just struggles with anger issues on the ice, but there’s so much more to him. He’s actually one of the most genuine people I know, and deep down, he’s really sweet. I promise! I wouldn’t let you run into anything dangerous. Have you ever heard of fake relationships? It’s just pretend and he’s barely at home—” The elevator chimes and I step inside, but Nina holds the door open, her expression pleading. “Look, it’s New York. Finding a safe and affordable place to stay at such short notice is nearly impossible. You could be waiting months, even years, to find something decent.”

“I’ll figure it out, thank you but no,” I reply tersely. Sleeping in a car isn’t ideal, but it beats risking getting beaten up over a trivial disagreement, like looking at him the wrong way or whatever sets off this giant man-child.

As the elevator doors start to close, Nina jams them open again, cursing under her breath. “I swear, he’s helped me through so much. He’s genuinely kind and decent. Just give him a chance. Google him if you don’t believe me.

He just loses it on the ice when rival players provoke him. It’s a guy thing.”

“Just. Yeah,” I say. “I’m sorry, Nina, but I’m the wrong girl for you.” This whole situation is absurd. I can’t blame her for not mentioning it before, as any person with an ounce of common sense would have declined her offer.

“Liora, please. Let’s get in there and talk. Get to know each other?”

“Thank you for considering me. I wish you all the best.”

Nina pushes the doors open one final time. “You’ve got my number. Call me anytime, day or night. I’ll be there to pick you up, okay? The offer still stands.”

I scoff as the elevator doors finally close. Play chaperone for Riley Huntington. A fake relationship. Sure, they’ll probably ask me to sleep with him for money next. Yeah, not a chance.

Three

RILEY

Nina shuts the door, the sound louder than it should be.

“Careful there,” I say, sitting on my couch and googling Liora James.

There she was, standing in my living room like a forgotten relic from my past.

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