Page 14 of Ride with Zane

I can't lose it; I can't fuck my entire career over someone.

One fucking week and this stress will be over. Fuck you, Rock!

Skating to the edge of the rink, I choose a new song. I need to vent and get him out of my head.

Out of my system.

There's no room for bullshit.

The music plays and I can feel the rhythm in my bones.Yes, that's what I needed.

Skating around the rink, I move my hips at the rhythm and start with a simple loop, followed by an axel and then a jump. I speed a little more trying the triple jump and the loop skating over.

His smirk between my legs flashes before my eyes.Get a fucking grip, Ash!I jump, my arms behind me, my hips rotate in time as I land in a perfect balance. I made it!

When I pivot the edge of the rink is so close that I can't stop in time. The hit is so hard I feel the air leave my lungs.Fuck!

Laying back on the ice, I catch my breath, and start laughing nervously why tears stream down my cheeks. I don't even know why but after a while I feel way better.

Heading into the locker room, I take my bag and leave.

The ride back home is short since there's no traffic at this hour. I love when it's so dark outside and the city seems so quiet.

Once home I head upstairs for a shower and place some ice on my hip. Now that the adrenaline is out of my system I can feel the pain increase. On the fridge I still have Rock's note. Not sureif I'm keeping it as a reminder of how foolish I was or because I want to make sure it wasn’t just a dream. I miss him.

No, you don't!

It meant nothing to him and the same should be for me too. End of story.

Waking up in the morning is tough after a sleepless night and I don't want to leave my bed either. My back and my hip hurts as hell and if Rave finds out I over trained and get injured she'll kill me for good. I swallow down some painkillers and head out.

I missed Sundays with Dad. It's something I came up with to cheer him up and make him focus on me, giving him some spite from the demons I know they are lurking underneath. A day just for us, to watch movies, cook together and talk – mostly gossiping.

It took time but he got used to opening up with me and now he even talks about his work. I'm proud of Dad and how he has changed this town, making it safer. Nothing happens here and it may seem boring but it’s far from being so. We have everything we need to live like in heaven.

“Good morning, cupcake.” Dad greets me as soon as I set foot out of my car. Was he waiting for me on the porch?

“Morning, Dad.”

“Ready for breakfast?” He squeezes me in a hug before walking me inside.

“I’m starving,” I nod excitedly. Dad’s pancakes are the best ever. Even if I should be on a diet, breakfast calories don’t count, right?

Dad wears his apron while I take out all the ingredients he needs. “How was your birthday party?” He motions me to sit down.

Sinking in the stool opposite him, I find the napkins suddenly interesting. “It was great, we went to ZBE, and that place is fantastic.” Shifting in my seat an image of Rock pops in my mind, when he bit down on my flesh. His teeth were still there this morning as the sore part between my legs. I squeeze my eyes, dissipating every memory.

“I’m happy to know you had fun.” He peers at me. “What bothers you?”

“Nothing you can fix, Dad.” I sigh while he mixes all the ingredients together, adding his special touch to it.

Taking out a pan he awaits for it to heat it up. “So it's about a guy?”

“Yeah,” I get up and go to brew some coffee.

“Do I know him?”

Shrugging I take my favorite mug, and roll it in my hands. “I guess so, I mean you know everyone here, Newtok is not that big.”

---