Page 280 of Well Played

Dell gives me a look that says he knows exactly what I’m up to but doesn’t call me out. “That’s Nicolette.”

We both look to the ice where Nicolette is just completing a near-perfect triple toe.

Shit. She can’t be competing against me. There’s no way I’ll rank as well if I’m up against her. If she’s already this good, what will she be like after months of Dell’s expert tuition?

“She’s good,” I manage to concede.

“She is,” he agrees. “But you’re better.”

“For now.” It’s impossible to keep the bitter taste of fear out of my words.

“Nicolette! I said twenty laps!” Coach hollers across the ice at her.

She scowls at us and folds her arms over her chest.

“I’ve done them,” she insists.

Bullshit. Even speed skaters couldn’t do twenty laps that quickly. But Coach doesn’t challenge her on it.

“Whoisshe?” I ask again, because I know there’s something he’s not telling me. There’s no way I could get away with pulling that shit with him. So who is she, and why is she so special that she can?

“Nicolette is my cousin,” he admits. “And my new student. I’m going to be training both of you this year. Together.”

My eyes widen in disbelief. “No. No way.”

“Vesper, I’ll split my time and attention between you equally, but?—”

“No. I train alone.”

“Vesper, be reasonable. With hockey season starting soon, you know how difficult it is to book ice time. I won’t be able to get enough sessions for both of you.”

“Then train her elsewhere. Does she even go to this uni?”

“She will in September.”

“Then she can use the arena rink until then.” While I try to figure out what the hell I’m going to do to get out of having to skate and train alongside her.

Coach sighs, and I immediately feel guilty for disappointing him.

“Let’s just give it a trial run, okay? I think you could really learn from each other.”

This time, it’s my turn to sigh, because, ultimately, what choice do I have? I can’t train without a coach, and if he takes Nicolette to the arena rink in town, I’ll be left on my own.

“Fine.”

I step onto the ice and skate over to the new girl. She gives me a quick, relieved smile and introduces herself.

“Hi, I’m Nicolette. I’m so excited to be training with you. I can’t actually believe I’m on the exact same ice as Vesper Miers. At the same time as you, no less! I was, like, your biggest fan when I was growing up.”

I give her a smile, which I hope is warmer than I’m feeling. “Thanks.”

Her gaze flicks to Coach, who’s distracted by his phone, and when it returns to me, her smile has turned sly.

“I’m so excited to skate with you. And overtake you.”

Fucking hell. What I have agreed to? I already knew I’d have my work cut out for me this year, but now it feels like I’m going to have to watch my back, too. In more ways than one. I can’t let anything oranyoneget in my way.

“Right, Vesper, warm up routine again. Nicolette, watch and learn. Join in when you’ve got the hang of it. I want to see what you can both do, side by side.”

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