Page 46 of My Best Bet

She gave me a hard look. “Umm… excuse me, but what did I just say about jumping to conclusions?”

A pathetic laugh escaped me and I wiped at the corner of my eye. “Okay, I’ll try.”

“Good,” she clasped her hands together, “that is all I ask. Sorry for saying all this right before I leave, but I just wanted you to be mentally prepared in case you run into him again. Now, have a great time while I’m gone.” She pulled me in for a hug. “And make sure Natalia doesn’t roll her shoulders forward and make sure Rosie works on her twizzles– leftandright. Got it?” I was taking on some of her students while she was gone.

I smiled. “Got it.”

“Perfect.” She stuck her sunglasses on, even though it was completely overcast outside, and shot me a wicked grin. “I’ll see ya soon, girl.”

She gave me one last wave before scampering off in her bright pink clothing, looking like a movie star with those sunglasses shielding her face.

I waited until she disappeared inside O’Hare before pulling away from the curb.

On my way back to the rink, I splurged for a warm latte because I was about to freeze from the inside out for the rest of the day.

As I sipped, her words replayed in my head. While a part of me wanted so badly to talk to Colt again, she wasn’t there when he saw me. She didn’t see. He blamed me for all of it, which wasn’t fair at all, but I couldn’t change that.

She was right about moving forward though.

I was a far cry from the hurt, heartbroken 21-year-old version of me. Now I was a 31-year-old coach with determination to make sure girls could enjoy figure skating and succeed in the sport without losing themselves the way I did.

That was my mission. That’s what I had to focus on.

When I finally walked into the Coliseum, Hans waved me over to the front office where he stood, shuffling flyers.

“Did you check the master schedule?” he asked quietly.

My eyebrows scrunched in confusion. “No, why?”

“You have something new this afternoon.” He gave me a knowing grin.

Hope rose in my chest over the prospect of one of the girls from last week signing up. My fingers trembled as I opened my phone to look over my schedule.

My 4:30’s were now booked out for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but that wasn’t even the most shocking part.

I stared at the names written there: Sophia Estera, Charlotte Englewood, and Lucy Conover.

My eyes flicked up to Hans in question.

“This is a good start,” he said encouragingly.

“Yeah,” I breathed out, wondering what had changed.

Hans gave me a wink and I immediately knew he had something to do with it. My heart was tugged in a million directions, not quite knowing what to feel, but gratefulness won out. I needed students, I needed the money. I’d have to box up any old lingering feelings I had for Colt and shove them aside so I could be the best coach possible for these girls.

I immediately hugged the old man and he let out a surprised “oof.”

“Thanks Hans,” I murmured.

He let out his familiar deep chuckle and rubbed my back. “You’re gonna make a great coach,” he said, a look of determination in his old eyes. “Don’t let anyone make you think differently.”

I hoped he was right. I tried to memorize the moment so I could mentally look back on his words when I needed encouragement.

With a nod, I strode to my locker room with a newfound confidence in my step.

By the time I made it to my afternoon lesson with the three girls, my limbs were heavy with exhaustion and my knee was starting to throb, but I was excited to get started.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” I told each one of them, and I meant it.

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