“Good, because I don’t expect you to pretend you’re thrilled about this.” I move in front of her, blocking her path. “But know this—I’m not quitting. There’s nothing I won’t do to get back on the ice. So, either you put up with me or find someone else.”
“Believe me, I would if I could,” she mutters before looking away.
“So why don’t you?” I ask, genuinely curious. “You’re the one who agreed to this. I don’t have a choice. You do.”
Her expression falters for a second, and she looks away. “It’s... complicated.”
I frown. “You’re a grown woman, Victoria. Seems like there’d be plenty of guys willing to skate with you.”
She huffs a small, bitter laugh. “Well, maybe not when they find out I’ve fallen in every major competition in the last three years. Not exactly a lucky charm, okay?” Her voice has that same frustrated edge I know all too well—because it’s how I feel every time I get benched after a fight. Once people see you a certain way, it’s nearly impossible to change their minds.
“I want to do this on my own,” she says. “Prove I’m still worth competing for at least one more year before they slap me with the ‘too old’ label. I can’t afford to slack off on practice if I want to make it to the big events next year. Plus, I need to keep up my sponsorships to cover my expenses. If I don’t train, I lose the funding. I’ve already lost so many sponsors in the last few years from all my falls, I can’t afford to lose any more.”
I blink and put my hand up to stop her from saying more. “So—let me get this straight—you actuallyneedme?” I’m full-on gloating over this fact. The Ice Queen needsmeto be her partner.
Her jaw clenches, and she shoots me a withering glare. “No, Leo, I need a practice partner who can keep up until myrealpartner recovers.” The way she emphasizesrealis like rubbing hand sanitizer into a paper cut. Of course I’m just temporary. Just like in college.
“Like I said.” I nod, a slow smile spreading across my face. “You can’t do this without me.”
She lifts an eyebrow defensively. “That’s not what I said.”
“Yes, you did. Because without me, you couldn’t skate this final year of your career.”
Her eyes flash with indignation, because she knows it’s true. “This is temporary, Leo, not a partnership. I only need you until Ben’s back.”
I cross my arms. “Well, then, if I’m so necessary for your skating comeback...” I give her the most irritating grin I can muster. “I want you to ask me to stay.”
She narrows her eyes. “Ask you?” A laugh bursts out of her. “You’re delusional if you think I’m begging you for anything.”
“No, really,” I say, savoring this moment. “If you want me to stay, all you have to do is ask. Because let’s face it, you don’t have any other options.”
“Ha! Never,” she scoffs, crossing her arms defiantly.
“Really?” I frown. “Too proud to admit you need me? Suit yourself,” I say with a lazy shrug. “I’ll just stand here and wait until you’re ready.” I lean casually against the boards, smirking.
Her mouth drops open in outrage. “But you were ready to throw your skates across the rink two minutes ago!”
“That was before I realized how much your career depends on me,” I say, dragging this out because it’s the highlight of my day. “So here’s the deal: I’ll stay, butonlyif you ask nicely. Andnot just ask—you have to beg me to stay. Those are the rules, or I walk.”
Her eyes widen as she throws her hands in the air. “You’re ridiculous! Do you even hear yourself?”
“Loud and clear.” I gesture to the ice in front of me. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“You’re such a—” She spins away, muttering to herself as if deciding whether to strangle me, throw me out of the rink, or both. “This is insane! I can’t believe you have the audacity to even suggest this.”
I shrug. “You can always walk away. I’m sure your dad would love to hear you passed up his generous solution.”
She whirls around, glaring at me like she’d like to murder me with a hockey stick. “Fine!” she snaps, the words coming out through clenched teeth. She props one hand on her hip and juts her chin out. “Leo, would you skate with me?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is that the best you can do? Because it sounds like you’re choking on your pride. Want to try again, maybe with some sincerity this time?”
“UGH. You’re impossible!” she groans.
“I know. It’s part of my charm,” I say. “And since I’m so delightful, it would help if you got on your knees.”
She scoffs. “I wouldnever.”
“Victoria, you shouldn’t say things you don’t mean. We both know those knees aren’t going to bend themselves.”