Page 94 of Ice Dance Hockey

“Don’t worry, we’ll work on it together,” he says. His expression is soft, and his tone is kind. I believe him. I recall all the critiques Rhett took the day he faced off with Jack. He didn’t take them personally. He considered them. Even the ones he didn’t agree with. He rejected the ones he knew he didn’t need, but he tried the ones he was unsure of. That’s confidence. That’s when I adore him.

Ugh, stop thinking about Elkington, Lo.

But—and I can’t believe I’m doing this—I’m taking a page from his book. Otherwise, I’d just nod along and seethe quietly to myself. “I totally get the note about my tight hamstrings, but I don’t lack confidence doing anything.” On the ice is what I mean. It’s the place I feel the most at peace.

He shrugs. “Okay, sure.”

I exhale. That went okay, I think. It felt good to say it even if he doesn’t agree, but I don’t like the prickles of doubt that crawl over my neck. He reaches over to brush the longer strands of hair from my eyes. “You’re pretty,” he says.

My cheeks heat. Did Scott Orser really just tell me I was pretty? “Um, thanks.”

Ugh, I’m so lame.I end up blinking my eyes like a fucking doe.

“Is it too soon to kiss you?”

Rhett and I did decide on boundaries—guess that was a good thing to do after all—and well, he isn’t my boyfriend. I’m one hundred percent on the market—um, but not in public.

“You can kiss me.” Maybe he’ll kiss better than Rhett and that will get my brain to stop fixating on him.

Scott’s gentle. He slides a hand up my nape and sinks it into the hair there. His lips attach to mine and yep, we have lift off. My dick perks up. It’s interested. Most nineteen-year-old dicks do that for men they find attractive.

But the kiss is … just a kiss. It’s nice. There’s nothing wrong with it. I have notes for him. Too much tongue. Not enough roughness. If I said he “felt wrong” is that a thing? Overall, it’s bland.

Zero fireworks.

Anger ignites. Now Rhett’ll be right.

He pulls away, panting. “Wow. That was … shit, Wescott. I could get addicted to that.”

“No notes?” I raise a brow.

He laughs. “Not for that.”

We get to work, cutting across the ice, working on speed and landing jumps simultaneously. He’s a little more hands on today. We’ve gotten used to touching each other, it’s a must, but he lingers a little longer than he needs to. Unless I’m imagining it. Maybe I’m imagining it. Kissing before practice may not have been the best idea.

Fuck. Kissing my ice-dancing partner period may not have been the best idea. That I’m only thinking about it now, proves what everyone’s been saying; I make terrible life decisions. I should swear off men altogether.

I’m sweat-drenched and exhausted after a practice like that. I don’t notice Rhett until I see him in his designer tracksuit, hopping over the boards, assisting himself only with the hand that’s holding his stick. In the other is a green smoothie in a clear plastic to-go cup.

Fucking hell. His broad smile does something to me.

Scott ceases to exist, and I’m arrested in place while he slides to a stop in front of me, angling the spray in Scott’s direction. “Hello, my heart. I brought you breakfast.”

It’s hard not to roll my eyes at him. He’s over the top, but I know he’s working that Elkington charm, and I must be a sucker like the rest of the world because I’m breaking like thin ice. Without thinking, I grip his tracksuit and pull him to me. I stand on the toes of my skates to press a kiss to his lips, wanting to wash away whatever that was with Scott.

“Oh? Am I already forgiven?” he says.

Oh, yeah. I was supposed to be mad at him. “I doubt you’re stupid enough to dothatagain.”

“I’m not, butthat’snot what I was referring to.”

Scott clears his throat. “In the doghouse, Rhett?”

“Not anymore.” He pulls me to him. My heart races, and I didn’t know it was until now as it pounds against Rhett. I don’t even know why it’s racing, just that it has nothing to do with ice skating and something to do with feeling protected.

But protected from what?

I force myself to pull apart and face Scott. “Good practice, see yah tomorrow?”

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