Page 65 of Back On Ice

The morning should be easy, relax and take a break ;)

Kerry

Shit. With the rink closed and not having to worry about Jordan, all I’vebeendoing is taking a break. I know she means well, and she’s trying to get me to relax, but how does she not realize by now that Ineedthis? The work keeps me busy so my thoughts don’t spiral, especially with Carter being gone.

Fine. If all the work for the shop is taken care of, I’ll start a financial plan for the rinks once they reopen. Hell, while I’m at it, I’ll run some numbers for expanding the flower shop’s business like Kerry and I planned too.

I’m determined to not think about Carter one more second than I have to, and if I have to drown in numbers to achieve that, then so be it.

The sound of a knock on my door has me placing my laptop on the coffee table where I had been knee-deep in numbers for the rec center. Who’s knocking on my door on a Sunday evening? I swear, if it’s Mrs. Allan next door complaining about how I parked my car again?—

“Abbie?” She has two containers of Chinese food in her hands, looking me up and down with an assessing gaze.

“Hey girl, I brought dinner—your favorite, Chen’s Palace. I know Tom and Jordan are on their little father-son vacation and thought you could use some company.” She holds the food up and grins, but there’s a glimmer of concern in her eyes.

“You’re the best.” I give her a smile. “Sure, come on in.” After shutting the door behind her, I walk to the couch and pick my laptop back up. “I’ll join you as soon as I’m done working on this set of numbers.”

“What is it?” Abbie asks as she settles into the couch next to me.

“Just some figures for the rink once it opens again. I want to be ready.” No point in telling her that if my brain stops concentrating for too long, it goes straight to Carter. I’d just get an “I-told-you-so” look, and I don’t want to deal with that right now.

“I don’t know why you don’t go into business for yourself, Soph. You know that the members of this town would much rather come to someone they know and trust than have theiraccounting handled by some suit in Boston.” She passes out the containers of Chinese food, making sure I get my extra spring roll.

Ever since my date with Carter when he asked me what I would do if nobody needed me at the shop or the rinks, I thought about working for myself, putting my business degree to use on my own accounting business. The thought of it had always filled me with unease. I’m used to being the one helping, not the one needing help. Knowing how many people I have at my back, it doesn’t seem so scary.

“Maybe… maybe I will.” My smile is genuine, and I imagine myself in a little office on main street, people that I’ve known for years coming to me for help with their taxes, finances, or even just budgeting advice.

“Really?” Abbie nearly squeals, sitting forward. “What changed? I’ve been trying to get you to do something for yourself for years.”

“I don’t know,” I shrug, but I can’t keep the smile off my face when I think of Carter’s words. “Everyone is always telling me to do something for me. Kerry only needs a bit more training to take over the shop, and things with the rink are changing. They might need a full time manager after they reopen. I’m not sure I can commit to that. Plus, Jordan is getting older, and before long, he’ll be too old for a babysitter.

“It just… finally feels like the right time.”

My phone rings, and I pick it up from the coffee table, checking the caller ID. “Fucking Oscar,” I mutter, promptly hitting the “ignore” button.

“Girl, he’s still trying to get you to go out with him?” Abbie asks incredulously. “Guy’s got some balls.”

Tossing my phone on the couch next to me, I turn to her. “The calls have only gotten more frequent since Carter left. It’s like he thinks I’ll be into him without Carter here or something.”I snort. “When in reality, every time Oscar calls, I miss Carter a little more.”

Abbie gives me a sympathetic look. “You want me to tell him to fuck off for you?”

Shaking my head, I grab the container of honey sesame chicken in front of me. “No, he’ll stop eventually. If you get involved, it might cause problems for your dad on the council. We don’t know if Oscar is petty enough to bring it up.”

This time, Abbie snorts. “I’m pretty sure he is, considering he’s petty enough to try to call a council meeting about the rink just to see you.”

A shiver runs through my body at that memory. He’s always been persistent, but he’s really creeping me out now. Last week, Oscar attempted to call in an “emergency meeting” regarding “issues with the rink construction” that I know for a fact Carter already took care of. One call to George to verify was all I needed to refuse to attend. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable without Carter there anyway, but at least I had the information George sent me in case he happened to concern other council members.

Pushing the frustrating memory away, I open the container of my favorite chicken from Chen’s Palace, but instead of the mouth-watering, sweet, tangy smell I was expecting, I’m met with a sickly sweet stench that makes my stomach curdle. Bile rises in my throat, and next thing I know, I’m in the bathroom, on my knees in front of the toilet, heaving my guts out.

Hair gently lifts from my shoulders and I look up to see Abbie standing above me, with concern in eyes. “Holy shit, are you okay? Obviously, you just barfed, but have you been feeling sick otherwise?” She comes over and presses the back of her hand to my forehead. “You look a little peaky.”

“Yeah,” I wipe my mouth, “I think maybe I’m just off, you know? Stress and all that. I slept terrible last night”

She eyes me carefully as I take a deep breath, waiting for my stomach to settle so I can stand up. Turning on the sink, I stick my mouth under the faucet and swish some water, trying to get rid of the taste of bile before getting out my toothbrush.

“So, I feel bad for kicking you out when you just puked your guts out, but like… I really need to pee,” Abbie says, grabbing her purse and rummaging through it. “Shit, do you have a tampon? I left mine at home.”

“I’m not sure, I haven’t…” My blood runs cold, my heart pounding out of my chest. I haven’t been paying nearly as much attention to my cycle since Carter’s been gone.

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