Page 50 of Unrecognizable Player

He laughs. “I’m serious, I got you, I won’t let you get hurt. I swear on Gretzky.”

“I don’t know who that is, but okay.”

He tuts and shakes his head while I tentatively try to walk on ice.

Knowing Alexei is holding me up and won’t let me fall – or else something bad will happen to this Gretzky guy – seems to send some sort of signal to my legs to go in the right direction and stop freaking out all over the place.

“See, you’re doin’ it.”

I try to tamper the grin splitting my face. I fail.

No one tellsyou how exhausting skating is. I have a whole new respect for those guys running around on blades covered in padding while they chase a tiny rubber disc and try to beat each other up. It’s hard enough just trying to stay on your feet. I don’t know how they do it. Sweat pools under the layers I wore for the cold weather to the point where I’m worried Alexei will feel it where he still has me in a vice around my waist.

“I’m exhausted, how do you do this?”

He laughs, his cheeks and nose rosy from the cold and his eyes bright.

“Why do you think we take so many breaks? You wanna take a break and grab a hot dog?”

“Sure.”

Alexei leads me towards the exit, still holding me up. I think about how in pain he was last night from an old injury and hope I haven’t put any pressure on it.

My legs stop working and I freeze as I spot a familiar face making their way towards the ice.

“What’s wrong?”

Alexei follows my gaze and I swear to god, he growls. “This fuckin’ guy.”

When he helps me off the ice, he does it so gently, I’m surprised by the anger on his face when I look up.

“Hey, let’s go get that hot dog.” I tug on his sleeve, but he’s still focused on Dorian.

Dorian spots us, he’s with Eve and she gives me an apologetic smile and dips her head before walking over, Dorian trailing reluctantly behind.

“Hello Stef, how are you?” She asks. No ‘cute’ nicknames this time?

I force myself to speak, despite the pounding of my heart in my ears and the way my hands seem to have seized up. “Great, thanks, how are you?”

I’m pointedly ignoring Dorian, my heart hammering in my chest, waiting to see if he’ll say something or just stand there staring like an idiot.

A guy I don’t recognize comes up behind him and puts an arm around his shoulder before leaning down and planting a kiss on his cheek.Oh.

“And who’s this?” Eve asks, pulling my attention away from Dorian and his new boyfriend.

“Alexei.” Alexei introduces himself while I stand there mute.

He shakes Eve’s hand before pulling it back and glowering at Dorian. “We’ve met.” He says.

“Um, yeah, hi, good to see you again.”

Good to see you again? That fucking dick. That fucking dick of all dicks.

I’m seething, but nothing’s coming out when I try to speak. When Alexei puts his arm around my shoulder and gives it a squeeze, I squeak. He makes it seem like a familiar gesture, like we do it all the time. He leans in close enough for me to smell hisaftershave, the minty toothpaste on his breath. "Shall we go get that hot dog… babe?”

Ohmygosh,why do my insides feel like they’re turning to jelly?

Dorian’s nostrils flare, the gesture is almost imperceptible – almost. A little flicker of glee fizzles up inside, but I don’t think it’s just because I made Dorian jealous. In fact, I don’t think it’s about that at all.

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