Page 22 of Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“What’s going on?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. I put my bag down on the bench, then joined the cluster of my teammates huddled around the bulletin board. As I squeezed my way through the crowd, a buzz of excitement filled the air.

As I pushed my way through the crowd, eager to get a glimpse of what had captured everyone’s attention, my eyes fell upon a vibrantly colored notice that had been meticulously pinned to the board. The words were written in bold, elegant calligraphy:

FIGURE SKATING SHOWCASE

THIS WEEKEND

ICE EDGE SKI RESORT

I weaved my way out of the crowd again, letting other girls crowd in and see what is was while I made my way over to the bench again, where Blair was waiting, bouncing on her toes.

“Can you believe it?” She asked.

“Yeah, it’s pretty exciting,” I mumbled, busying myself with my skating gear. It was actually cool and I could see why she was looking forward to it. But personally, it was just another thing on top of the ever-growing stress pile that was taking over my life.

“What’s up with you?” Blair asked. “You should be excited about this! It’s going to be great.”

I forced a smile onto my face. “Yeah, I’m sure it will be. I’m just really tired.”

She frowned, clearly sensing that something else was wrong, but not sure what. Finally, she nodded and started putting her own skates on.

I stared down at my skates, lacing them up meticulously, trying to focus on the task at hand. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept drifting to the showcase. Getting an extra chance to perform should have been a dream. As Coach Irina kept reminding us, every competition we did now—even if they meant little to most of us—was another practice for the big competition with Bredstone. But the thought of just another performance in front of a large crowd sent shivers down my spine, and not the good kind.

Blair’s infectious enthusiasm was all around me as she chatted excitedly with the other girls on the team. They discussed their costumes, their routines, and the potential for greatness that awaited them at the Ice Edge Ski Resort. It seemed like everyone was caught up in the whirlwind of anticipation and pure joy, except for me.

I couldn’t help but feel an undercurrent of pressure building within me. The burden of expectation weighed heavily on my shoulders, threatening to crush the passion I once had for figure skating. It felt as if every step I took was being scrutinized, every turn under a microscope. The fear of failure had become so paralyzing that it overshadowed any sense of excitement or joy I once had for the sport.

As we stepped onto the ice for practice, I couldn’t shake off the heaviness that caused me to struggle in my every movement. The ice was bitterly cold every time I fell, but it couldn’t compare to the icy grip of self-doubt that clung to my heart. I watched in silence as my teammates effortlessly glided across the pristine surface, their grace and confidence shining brightly. In contrast, I stumbled through my routine, each jump lacking the height and precision it once possessed. With every passing day, I was getting worse at the sport I once excelled at.

At the end of practice, Coach Irina stopped us from getting off the ice right away. “Listen up, everyone!” Her commanding presence demanded our attention, stopping us all in our tracks. “I have an announcement to make.”

We all stopped and listened to her attentively. Coach Irina cleared her throat before continuing. “In addition to the figure skating showcase this weekend, I have just received some exciting news. The hockey team will also be at the resort this weekend for their own competition.”

A collective gasp filled the rink, and I saw many eyes widening with delight as girls exchanged knowing smiles.

Coach Irina continued, “There will be a joint celebration on Sunday night, where both teams will get together for a little celebration. It will be an opportunity for us all to come together, celebrate our accomplishments, and maybe even form some new friendships.”

Whispers and giggles filled the air and Coach Irina smiled a little, clearly aware of the effect her announcement had on her team.

“Now, now, ladies,” she added. “I expect you to focus on your performances and not get too distracted by those hockey players. Remember, this is a showcase, not a dating service.”

Amidst the nervous laughter and teasing glances exchanged between teammates, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation. The prospect of spending three days with Archer added an unexpected twist to an already daunting weekend.

As we left the rink, Blair’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Did you hear that?” she exclaimed. “We’ll be sharing the same resort with the hockey team!”

I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, but the idea of being in such close proximity to Archer sent a wave of both excitement and apprehension through me. I couldn’t deny the undeniable chemistry between us, but I also couldn’t ignore the walls that I had built around my heart. I knew I couldn’t let myself get distracted by thoughts of Archer, especially not now when my focus needed to be solely on regaining my confidence and finding the joy in figure skating once again. Blair nudged me playfully, a mischievous grin on her face.

“Oh, come on, don’t tell me you’re not at least a little curious about those hockey boys,” she teased.

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the flicker of interest was growing within me. “Please, Blair. I have enough on my plate as it is. The last thing I need is to get caught up in some silly romance.”

Blair’s grin widened mischievously. “You say that now, but just wait until you see those hockey uniforms up close.”

I laughed and shoved her shoulder playfully, even though I knew she was right. Oh boy, did I know it.

fourteen

“Can I ask you something?”I asked Archer one evening as we skated.

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