Page 1 of No Promises, No Lies

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AGAIN

RORY

“Again.”

Karina’s harsh tone echoes through the empty arena. So loud that even though she’s across the ice, there’s no way I can pretend I haven’t heard her.

I lay where I fell, failing again to land the triple-triple combination I’m known for.

Leaning my head back against the cold ice, I close my eyes. It’s been months since the accident. It shouldn’t be this hard.Cold leeches through the thin body suit of my skating dress and I soak it in. It feels good. Despite the thin material, I’m burning up after racing through my routine over and over.

A door slam interrupts the brief moment of peace.

Shit.

Reluctantly, I open my eyes to find my coach glaring down at me. The thick fur of Karina’s winter coat tightly hugs her chin. Thin lips turned down in a frown of displeasure. She’s painted them a crimson red, a close match to her fiery auburn hair, which is pulled tight against her skull in a severe bun.

“Get up Aurora.”

It’s Rory, I hiss in my head, begrudgingly pushing myself up off the ice while avoiding Karina’s eyes. I busy myself brushing the snow and sleet from my velvet skirt.

I don’t bother correcting her. Karina’s been my coach for over a year now. She knows what I prefer?—

She just doesn’t care.

As the most sought after skating coach on the East Coast, she can call me whatever she pleases. She’s the best in the business. And probably my last hope of making the national team this year.

“I will see it again.”

There will be no argument. I’ll do it again.

And again.

And again.

As many times as she wishes, I will do it. And maybe... just maybe... one of those times, I’ll land it..

Jaw locked, I skate back over to the corner, settling my breath and straightening my spine.Get your shit together, Kostalova.

This time last year, I was the reigning national champion. I was as solid as the ice I was skating on, a favorite for this year’s Olympic team. Now look at me…I’ll be lucky to land the wildcard bid to evencompeteat nationals.

Karina remains on the ice this time, watching me with pursed lips and folded arms.

My music starts again—an excerpt from Swan Lake. But movement at the top row of the arena draws my attention and I miss my cue.

Far back up in the stands, in an area of the arena mostly veiled in shadow, a figure rises. The weight of his gaze heavy on me before turning away and disappearing out into the concourse.

Awesome…

“You’re a disappointment.” Karina’s eyes have followed mine. Her words hold no emotion. She’s not trying to taunt me; she’s just stating facts. “Your father spending all this money for you to fail.” Karina clicks her tongue in disapproval.

My cheeks burn with both my frustration and embarrassment.

“Perhaps if you would take advice and lean out more, we would see you complete rotation.” Her Russian accent and stunted English do nothing but sharpen the already harsh criticism. My coach stares down at me like I’m nothing but a waste of her time. We both know my father’s money and influence are the only reason she even took me on.The nineteen-year-old has-been.

I don’t react and she sighs loudly. Something akin to disappointment flashes across her face before she waves her perfectly manicured hand in my direction. “Again.”

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