Page 30 of Pivot Point

If anyone could understand my situation, it was her, considering that what she’d been through with her mother had been even worse.

“My dad,” I said finally. “Whenever Quentin lays into me, it reminds me of the kinds of things my dad would say. He hated that I wanted to pursue this as a career so much—it practically broke up my parents.”

Lou winced in sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“We’re past that now.” I hung my head. “I’ve just always had this doubt in the back of my head about whether it was really worth it. If I’m going to accomplish enough to justify the stress I put them through over my choices.”

“Jasper.”

Lou raised her hand to touch my cheek. When I met her gaze, her dark brown eyes shone perfectly clear.

“It’s already been worth it. You inspired me—you must have inspired hundreds of other skaters, maybe thousands, with your past performances. And all the people who’ve been touched by seeing you skate… I know you’ve got tons of fans.”

“People I let down by not showing up at all last year.”

“You didn’t owe them anything if you weren’t in the right place to compete. And now you’re back.” She beamed up at me. “And we’re going to be amazing.”

More of the ache melted away, but the tension didn’t disappear completely, even as she tugged me toward the entrance where Niko was waiting.

She hadn’t been there for all the fights and the cold silences and the snapped remarks. She hadn’t seen the one person who’d always been there to support me break down in tears because of where that had led.

Maybe I’d accomplished enough already, but I didn’t feel like I had. And if I failed now, I’d let down not just myself and anyone out there who still believed in me, but the incredible woman beside me too.

TWELVE

Luciana

As I heftedmy equipment bag over my shoulder and stepped out into the fading late-afternoon sunlight, my stomach grumbled in anticipation of an extensive dinner that would make up for all the energy I’d burned on the ice. I’d hung back for an extra hour during one of the group practice times to work on some of my forms while Jasper and Niko headed out to search for a final embellishment Jasper wanted for our costumes.

He’d better show me what he’d come up with soon. I’d only caught glimpses and gotten a vague idea from the measurements he’d taken.

I set off toward the apartment, picturing the heaps of pierogies I could be shoveling down soon if I could convince the guys to go for Polish tonight. But I hadn’t even reached the end of the block when a hand caught my shoulder.

I jumped half a foot in the air and spun around with my fists raised, only to see Rafael looking both tense and sheepish.

“Sorry,” he said. “I thought you’d hear me coming.”

I shook away my nerves and lowered my hands. “I was dreaming about dinner. What’s going on?” The turmoil roiling in his burgundy eyes set my pulse thumping double speed.

His mouth pulled even tighter. “The motion detector went off.”

My heart outright skipped a beat with a jolt of chilly exhilaration.

“Perfect. Let’s go catch that fucker and put him in his place.”

Rafael gave me one of his patented long-suffering-bodyguard frowns. “I’mgoing to put the prick in his place. But first I’m going to putyouin a room at the nearest hotel. I don’t want you anywhere near him or on the streets where he could find you.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Are you kidding me, Rafael? This asshole has been harassing me, so I’m damn well going to be there to take him down. Don’t start treating me like a kid again.”

Rafael let out a huff of breath. “It’s not about seeing you as a kid. I’m still going to do whatever I can to keep you safe.”

“Only as much as I’m going to let you. We’re together in this. Now come on. If we stand around arguing any longer, we could miss the guy!”

Rafael glowered at me, but I stared right back at him with my chin raised. He knew I had a point.

With a growl of frustration, he turned on his heel. “Fine. But I’m going in first.”

“No arguments here. I can play backup this once as long as I’m still in play.”

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