Page 176 of Tangled up in You

“Break a leg, you two,” Julian stated, before going to Jenny.

“Did you know he still worked with her?” Sasha whispered, skating to the middle of the ice with Wyatt at her side. Usually, when they trained or practiced for a competition, they did so alone, without the other ice dancing couples being on the ice.

Julian wasn’t in pairs nor ice dance.

“Evgeni,” Wyatt muttered. “No, he wouldn’t normally show up like this because we’re always with Jenny, not both of them at one time.”

They settled into their positions, waiting for the music to start.Danse Macabrefilled the rink, and they swayed to the music. The waltz was made for spins and long extensions. Their curved lifts flowed into a stationary lift, each one lasting only until the count of five. However, what Sasha prided herself on was their footwork. The steps added to the intricate way they danced together to tell the story.

The world slipped away once they synced up. They glided on the ice, flowing from one required element to the next while adding the artistic flare guaranteed to garner attention and hopefully earn a spot on the Olympic team. Sasha couldn’t wait to slip into her red and black cat suit and paint half her face as a skull.

When they came to a stop in the middle of the ice, ending the program, she froze, panting for breath. They’d only been on the ice for an hour, but already she felt better about the piece than she had in weeks. Which wasn’t new for her. Sometimes when she got on the ice wearing her figure skates, Sasha felt like a moose instead of a swan. Other days, she glided across the ice as though she didn’t have any issues. The closer she got to an event, the more often moose feet stole the show from the swan. Right then, she’d danced like a majestic swan, spreading her wings.

Sasha glanced over to where Jenny watched them, with Evgeni at her side. Her smile was bright. Jenny bounced on the balls of her feet. Relief surged through her. Sasha worried her brief run in with Trent would really mess her over. So far, so good.

Bonus points for her.

“Alright,” Jenny said when they joined her at the boards. “The update from Nationals is we’ll be skating tomorrow. Everything will be done in one day. Rhythm program in the morning. Free at night. It’s not ideal at all, but this is the only chance we’ll get. No one wanted to postpone until Monday. It would mess with everyone’s schedules.”

“Are we going to have spectators?” Wyatt hedged.

“Whoever is here, is here,” she replied. “Snow’s not letting up, so it might be slim pickings.”

He grunted. “Nothing we can do about it now, I guess.”

“Exactly.” Jenny frowned. “Let’s run through your rhythm program then I want you both to grab a good dinner and get to bed early. Don’t need you tired when you arrive in the morning.”

Right, dinner and bed. They could do that.

An hour later, they stepped off the ice, prepared for the competition in the morning. On the way to the locker room, Sasha made her move. She had to know the truth. Something stood between her and Wyatt. Whatever it was, if they didn’t clear the air, they’d be dead in the water come tomorrow’s competition, no matter how good they seemed during practice. Plus, she couldn’t stand the widening chasm between them.

“Hey,” she said, taking his hand. “I know something is bothering you. What happened? What aren’t you telling me? Did you not like what happened this afternoon?”

He shook his head. “No. It was amazing. Wish I could have gotten in there with you.” He exhaled, running his fingers through his hair. “I did something stupid the other morning. A moment of weakness. Fuck... I don’t even know why I did it.”

“Julian,” she said with a nod of understanding. “Now it makes sense why he’s acting so smug.”

“He cornered me the other morning and... No. I won’t act like a victim when I’m not. Nor will I make excuses.” Wyatt took bothof her hands as if he was worried, she’d walk away. “He gave me a blow job.”

“Explains your aggressiveness in the shower,” she replied. “What I don’t understand is why you didn’t tell me. You’ve never hid your exploits before, neither have I.”

He frowned. A sheen of tears glistened in his eyes as he dropped his head forward. “I was afraid. Angry. I hated myself. I thought if I told you, you’d leave me. Stupid right? That’s such a cop out.”

Sasha’s heart ached for him. “We’re not in a relationship, Wyatt.” He winced. “We’re a situationship. I understand you have needs I can’t satiate. I’ve never told you not to experiment or have fun. What I have asked is for you to be safe and keep me in the loop.”

“I know,” he whispered. “I guess... I was so angry at him. At Trent. I let my emotions get the better of me. I felt like I could punish him and instead, guilt ate me up.”

“He hurt you. Now he wants to gloat.” She frowned. “He’s trying to hurt me too.”

“Yeah, I saw.”

“Are you upset about this afternoon and what happened with Archer, Brody, and me?” She quirked a brow.

“No.” He let out a shaky breath. “It was so hot. Cam was also amazing.”

“You guys...” she said. “Watching you...”

“There they are,” Trent said, coming down the tunnel with the US team. “The budding couple.”

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