Page 100 of Ice Bet

I caught her by the waist. But this time, she tightened her stomach and pulled up quicker than before.

“Again,” I said, letting her go.

Three more times, and every time she got better.

“Don’t wear yourself out, Ry.”

I almost slipped at the sound of her dad’s voice. There was a pain behind my ribs, and it very well could have been the sign of a heart attack.

Riley’s shocked gape found me, and I shook my head, silently telling her to calm down.

“Skate for you,” I mouthed.

She nodded before looking over my shoulder.

“I’ve almost got it,” she shouted to her dad. “This is the last time.”

I skated away, giving her space. He walked farther down the stairs and met me near the penalty box.That damn penalty box.I refused to look at the bench where I had tasted Riley for the first time, because this wasnotthe place.

“I can’t believe she’s on the ice.” Coach used a tone that I was certain he only reserved for her. I understood it, though. Riley had a way of bringing out a softer side.

“You sound proud.”

I kept my gaze on her.

“I am.”

I couldn’t help myself from stating the obvious. “You know she wants to be the best to make you proud, right?”

Coach’s hands dropped to the edge of the sin bin, and his white knuckles caught my eye. “That’s what got her into this mess in the first place. Her desire to be perfect. Thebest.”

I nodded, understanding her more and more as time went on. “She let the control take over.” And it all started with that little shit who took advantage of her.

“Too busy trying to prove something to everyone else.”

“Except herself.”

We both followed her spin, and I stood straighter, knowing she was gearing up for the triple.

I sighed before shouting across the rink. “Do it for you, Riley.”

Her father said nothing.

We stood in silence with too many unsaid words shared between us.

I held my breath, and my knuckles grew white with tension, just like his.

The jump was breathtaking. Her dark hair was a halo around her head with the angelic spin. The arch of her back and gentle landing had me drowning in satisfaction.

“Yes!” I shouted, elbowing her dad, forgetting that he was my coach. “Did you see that?”

He was smiling, and I was thankful he was too blinded by Riley landing her turn to notice how proud I was.I couldn’t hide it even if I wanted to.

“I did,” he finally answered, shaking his head with astonishment. He turned around after giving Riley a thumbs-up. Before he left, he looked over his shoulder at me and said, “Thank you for keeping her away from Gray the other night.”

I nodded.

“Who knew that having you keep an eye out for her would lead her back to herself?”

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