Page 180 of Tangled up in You

“Now, introducing from the United States of America, Ariel Rhodes and Wyatt Lane,” the announcer said as they skated onto the ice.

Sasha wore a pair of skintight bell-bottom pants with a tie-dye crop top sheer number bedazzled in millions of sparkling crystals. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with swooped bangs and curly ends. A smoky cat-eye accentuated her beautiful violet eyes, hidden behind a pair of rose-colored hippy sunglasses. Frosty purple, the same shade as Wyatt’s shirt, painted her lips. Gorgeous wasn’t even the right word for how she looked.

“I think I like this more than the body suit,” Brody murmured, sitting forward.

The lights dimmed low and the spotlight encapsulated Sasha and Wyatt. Both held up the peace sign, smiling at the crowd. With the first clap and strum ofCeciliaby Simon and Garfunkel,Wyatt spun Sasha around in a small circle and they were off. Their program started with a jaunty tune, allowing their dance to be more whimsical than structured and routine. He didn’t know what half the dance moves were called, but they did most of them side by side without touching until the last possible second. Then, once they clasped hands, they went into a twizzle and transitioned into something a bit grittier. The blare of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar echoed through the area and Archer knew the moment Sasha sank into the music disappearing into the liquid flow of the song. She was fluid, gliding on the edges of her blades, twirling and spinning before going limp in Wyatt’s arms as he lifted her before setting her down into the splits.

The whole display was effortless. Exquisite. Archer stared at her in awe as she flowed from one move to the other before the music changed again, picking up tempo. The crowd had gotten into the routine as well, clapping along to CCR’sDown On the Corner. Archer whistled at them, cheering them on. The intensity and freedom in their program rivaled everyone else’s dance. Then the song returned toCeciliaas they slowed down, going into their final side by side spins, pride welled in his chest. Emotions clogged his throat. She’d always been a damn good skater, better than most of their team, but this... This right here, Sasha belonged on the ice.

The music ended, and they returned to their original pose, holding up peace signs, standing in the middle of the spotlight, smiling for the crowd while trying to gather their breath. The roar of the crowd was deafening. Flowers and stuffed animals landed on the ice while Sasha wrapped her arms around Wyatt’s neck. Tears of joy filled her eyes and pink tinged her cheeks. Archer whistled as loud as he could while they bowed then exited the ice for the remaining pair. In his estimates, it was safe to say, they’d get the highest score. No, that wasn’t bias because he liked Sasha and Wyatt, either.

It was the truth.

“Holy shit! Holy fuck!” Cam breathed. “Did you see that? She was... They were... Holy shit.” He had his hands interlocked on the top of his head, continuing to stare at the middle of the ice, the etching still visible where Sasha and Wyatt skated.

“I think they broke him,” Brody teased. “That was fucking amazing.”

It was. “I don’t even have words.”

Wyatt and Sasha sat on a small couch with their coaches laughing and crying. They had to know by now how good their program was, right? They had to know they’d just won, even though they had to skate one more time.

“The scores for Wyatt Lane and Ariel Rhodes are 43.85 for the technical and for the artistic...” A shout rang out, turning into a ruckus cheer from the crowd. The artistic score popped up on the screen as 50.07, along with a little asterisk beside their name.

“What does that mean?” Brody pointed to their names. “Is that good or bad?”

“...and the new American record holder, Lane and Rhodes!” the answer’s voice cut through the exhilaration flowing through the crowd.

“Holy shit!” Archer muttered. “Holy fucking shit.”

Sasha stared at their score,afraid if she moved, she’d puke. How did that happen? She couldn’t believe their score. Stepping out onto that ice... Everything around her disappeared and for the first time in a long time, she remembered what it was like to have fun on the ice.

When she woke that morning, there was a sense of unease within her. The last ten years had left a heavy hand over her, no matter what she’d done, never went away. Until she slipped out of bed and grinned. The unease she experienced that morning was nerves. She always had them. However, it was the quiet in her mind. Gone were the what if questions. Gone was the fear of running into the one person she hated the most. The shame? Gone. The need to be vindicated? Fulfilled.

Even her knee felt better than it had all those years ago.

Then she stepped onto the ice, and it was as if pure magic infused her body and she became one with their routine. If anyone asked her what they did out there or how she did it, she’d never be able to answer their questions. Usually, she mental instructed herself through each motion and element. Today, it was like her muscle memory did the heavy lifting, allowing her to have fun. When she was done, elation filled her.

She giggled to herself.

Standing, with Wyatt at her side and flowers in her right hand, she turned and waved the modest crowd that joined them for the competition. Then she was escorted away to waiting reporters for interviews. She didn’t even think she could talk. Let alone express how she was feeling right at that moment.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement. She glanced up and came face to face with Brody, Cam and Archer. Each wore expression that matched her feelings. Pride filled their eyes while something else lurked there. They waved to her then motioned to the door. She nodded, understanding what they wanted.

By the time she made her way to them, she thought perhaps they had to leave. They were, after all, due on the ice for their first game before the evening competitions. Yet, as she went through the door, there they stood, waiting for her behind thecordoned off area. She hurried to them, Wyatt right behind her before she jumped into Archer’s arms.

“Holy shit, Rogue!” Archer murmured against her neck. “That was fucking amazing. You looked gorgeous out there. So fucking proud of you.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled, pressing her nose to his neck.

“You were amazing out there,” Cam said, pulling Wyatt into a hug. “Both of you. I don’t have the words, man.”

“Thanks,” Wyatt said. “It was all her. The second she let go, so did I.”

“You got the record too for highest score,” Brody said. “I’m lucky to get those on video games.”

Sasha laughed. “When do you have to leave?”

“Now,” Archer said. “Unfortunately. But I was hoping after everything is said and done, we could celebrate? The guys and me have something we want to discuss with the both of you.”

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