Page 29 of Revolve
“That’s great,” says Lidia. “Because you two will be skating together.”
This can’t be happening to me. I whip my head toward Lidia. “Is this a joke?”
“Coach, I thought this was about my reinstatement,” Dylan says.
“It is,” Kilner says firmly. “They’ve agreed to lift your rink restrictions, but only under one condition—you need to be a part of a sanctioned program.”
Dylan furrows his brows, skepticism written all over his face. I look between Coach and Dylan in confusion. But then Lidia interjects, and it hits me all at once, because this isn’t a sick joke or nightmare. With the way things have been going for me, I should have known.
“Sierra needs a skating partner before the deadline,” Lidia explains, her voice clipped. “And this late in the season, no one else is available. We need someone to help her qualify for next year, andsince she’s brought Dalton such positive accolades, they’ve made an exception.”
In other words, the USFS couldn’t find anyone to partner with me. Or worse, no one wanted to. My last flicker of hope swirls away like water down a drain.
“And,” Coach Kilner continues, “since you’re suspended and need to prove your discipline, the dean approved this partnership. You’ll skate with Sierra to help her qualify, and in return, you’ll work toward reinstatement while keeping your ice time. You’ll undergo periodic drug tests, and based on your behavior, it’ll determine your NCAA eligibility and release you from the NHL hold before graduation.”
Dylan leans back in his chair like that’s the last thing he expected.
I don’t want to make a scene in front of Kilner and have him think that I don’t appreciate his help, but this is insanity. I can’t possibly bethisdesperate.
“But he’s a hockey player!” I blurt. From my periphery, I can see Dylan looking at me.
“Actually, I’m suspended,” he says matter-of-factly.
“You know what I mean. You could never keep up with me.”
“Oh yeah? You want to test out my stamina, princess?”
“Dylan,” Coach scolds, and he shuts his mouth. My cheeks are burning when I look between Kilner and Lidia.
“We don’t have much time. Yes or no?” Lidia asks, her bluntness catching me off guard.
“No way.”
“Sure,” Dylan says.
My head snaps to Dylan. His lips are tight, fighting a laugh, but the way his eyes dance with amusement gives him away.
Lidia pins me with a scary look. The last time I got one of those it was because I was training on my off day. “This is not the time to be picky, Sierra. You said you wouldn’t.”
“I know, but—”
“Sierra.” Kilner’s voice is steady. “I understand how much this means to you, and Lidia is well aware of Dylan’s experience. Still, you’re free to require a tryout and decide from there.”
He’s got that fatherly stare he’s given me plenty of times, and I can’t do anything but nod. Then he turns to Dylan with a look sharp enough to cut glass—a silentDon’t fuck this up.
Dylan throws his hands up in mock surrender, but his smirk remains intact.
My gaze ping-pongs between the two of them. I can’t quite read Dylan beyond that or find any cracks in the way he wears the confidence of a god.
“Tomorrow, six a.m. sharp. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Dylan glances at me briefly. “Done.”
“But, Lidia, what about the people you reached out to?” I have to ask.
“I’ve made calls, posted on every forum, and reached out to colleagues. So far, no one has shown interest, and we’re running out of time. If we delay this much longer, you’ll risk missing the qualification window and having to delay your entire season.”
So, it really is true—no one wants me.
