6. victoria
SIX
victoria
W hen I come out of the bathroom—after thoroughly flushing my mouth with water because, wow , was that gross —there’s a hockey player standing at the water fountain. I glance around, looking for Leo’s smug face, which is conveniently missing.
“Are you looking for someone?” the guy asks.
“Nope. I’m here to use the rink.”
His grin widens. “You play hockey?”
I laugh. “Not even close.” I unzip my bag to show him my figure skates.
“Ah, the classy kind of skater.” He nods in approval. “Figure skating is the only dignified sport on skates, right?”
“Dignified?” I raise an eyebrow. “I never thought I’d hear a hockey player say that.”
“I’m Rourke,” he says, holding out a hand.
“Victoria.” I move closer to him and shake his hand.
We head back inside to the rink, and Rourke waves down a man with dirty-blond hair who is still on the ice. “Hey, Lucian! We’ve got someone here needing the rink. Could we move it along?” Then he turns back to me. “Lucian’s our team captain. He’ll take care of getting the rink cleared.”
Lucian shouts instructions to his teammates, and before I know it, another player skates over, smiling warmly. “I’m Vale—Sloan’s husband. She coaches at the university, and she’s mentioned you in passing.”
“Oh, right!” I say. “I sometimes use the rink for kids’ skating lessons after she finishes with the college skaters. I didn’t know she was married to a hockey player.” Except for Leo and me, I’ve never met a figure skater and a hockey player who ended up together. “It’s kind of funny, I thought skaters and hockey players didn’t exactly... mix.”
Vale chuckles. “Oh, we mix just fine—we got back from our honeymoon recently. Took a while to convince her, though.”
“That’s a long story,” another skater pipes up. He looks like Vale, except with shorter hair. “I’m Brax, Vale’s better-looking brother.” He elbows Vale out of the way.
“Good to meet you,” I say, glancing down at the rink. “My dad is the coach.”
Rourke’s eyebrows rise. “Coach’s daughter, huh?”
I nod, though I don’t love admitting it. Sure, there are a few extra perks, but being under constant scrutiny has its own price. Some people assume I’ve coasted through my career thanks to Dad’s connections, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My father has no clout in the figure skating world, and I’ve fought hard to get to this level, enduring more embarrassing falls than I care to count. Six months ago, I moved out of my parents’ house and started managing everything on my own. I’m proud of that, even if it means living in a run-down apartment and refusing their help to prove I can stand on my own two feet.
“Coach Jenkins’s daughter only deserves the best,” Rourke calls out, then turns to one of his teammates. “Jaxon, get Leo to wrap it up for the coach’s daughter!”
My stomach drops as Leo looks over. The last thing I need right now is Leo turning this into another opportunity to embarrass me. He doesn’t say anything, but he also doesn’t look happy about me getting friendly with his teammates.
“So,” Rourke says, ignoring Leo’s glare, “must be nice having the coach as your dad, right? All the free ice time?”
“I moved out when he got assigned to the Crushers. The only thing he arranged was my rink time.” And my new skating partner, which I conveniently don’t mention.
Leo glides over with a dark look aimed mostly at Rourke. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was jealous. “Victoria,” he says with a clipped tone.
“Leo,” I reply, giving him a curt nod. “You look absolutely thrilled to be here today.”
“I am,” he says, then adds, “How’s the gum?” He’s not even attempting to play nice in front of his friends.
I narrow my eyes. “I spit it out in the bathroom trash. Everyone knows you can’t chew gum and skate.”
He lifts an eyebrow, clearly amused by this game. “I’m sure there’s more if you want to crawl through the rest of the arena.”
Rourke frowns slightly. “Wait, do you two know each other?”
“Yep,” Leo says. “Why don’t you give her some space to warm up?”
Rourke smirks. “Who made you the rink monitor?”
Leo’s jaw tightens. “Just keeping you from annoying her.”
I clear my throat, throwing Leo a pointed look. “Actually, he’s not annoying me. He’s been...” I turn to Rourke. “ Friendly . Unlike some people I know.” I put just enough sweetness in my tone to get on Leo’s nerves.
When I glance up, Leo’s scowl is hard enough to drill a hole in the ice. So, he does have a jealous side.
“Yeah, Leo,” Rourke says, flashing a wicked grin. “Maybe take notes for your face—you look extra scowly today.”
Leo’s frown deepens as he looks at me, waiting for me to back him up. After forcing me to chew old gum, he’s on his own.
I nod in agreement. “That sounds right.”
Vale lifts his eyebrows at Leo. “Didn’t think I’d see the day when you’d keep quiet after that comment.”
Leo forces a tight smile. “Just trying something new. It’s called ‘kill ’em with kindness.’” His eyes cut to mine. “I just wish it worked.”
“Well...” I glance around at the guys and give an apologetic shrug. “Sorry to leave, but I need to start practice. Thanks for the warm welcome—you guys are pretty nice.”
Rourke smiles. “Did you hear that? We totally fooled her.”
I laugh, surprised by how normal they all seem. Hockey players are supposed to be intimidating, and Leo has it in spades, but these guys are almost delightful—except for Leo, who currently looks like he’s debating knocking someone out.
Rourke leans toward me. “You should come to one of our team events sometime, see us off the ice.”
“I’d like that,” I say, avoiding Leo’s glare. “But right now, I need to let my practice partner get his hours in.”
Rourke looks at Leo. “Wait—she’s your punishment?”
Leo frowns. “Correction: community service, not punishment.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Rourke says, then he turns to me. “Can I arrange community service with you too?”
“Knock it off.” Leo pushes Rourke away from me. “If we’re all done here, she needs the rink,” Leo snaps, before skating off toward center ice.
As the rest of the team files out, Rourke skates backward, keeping his eyes on me. He’s not even trying to hide his interest. “I meant what I said about coming to a team event. I know Sloan and Jaz like to throw a New Year’s Eve party at their place. You interested?”
“Sure,” I say with a shrug. If Leo’s going to act like I’m invisible, I might as well make friends with someone else. It’s bad enough to be single over the holidays, but it’s even worse when you know your ex isn’t going to invite you to anything.
I glance back at Leo, who’s staring down Rourke like he wants to punch him in the neck.
“Victoria!” a voice calls from behind me. I turn to see Sloan approaching with another woman, a brunette with a warm smile. “I heard you’re practicing with Leo since your partner’s injured.”
“Who told you?”
“Leo,” she says, then leans forward and whispers, “You’re a brave soul.”
“Trust me, I’m aware.” I shake my head. “I have a feeling I’m making his life miserable.”
“Don’t be fooled,” she says. “Leo’s a good skater—if you can get him to smile a little, he’d be even better.”
“I don’t know how to train him. Any advice?” Since Sloan is married to a hockey player, she’s one of the few who could help me.
“Leo is one of the fastest learners on the team,” Sloan says. “That’s kind of perfect—if you can ignore the attitude.”
“He’s got attitude in spades,” the other woman says with a laugh. “I’m Jaz, by the way, Sloan’s sister.” She reaches out to shake my hand. “I work as the community relations manager for the Crushers, so I get to see Leo shine. Surprisingly, he’s the most wonderful volunteer with kids.”
I blink. “Are you talking about the same Leo I know?”
“Yeah, we require all the players to volunteer reading in a local elementary school. Leo has been phenomenal. He hasn’t missed a weekly visit since we started. And he’s especially great with kids who get in trouble.”
The idea of Leo working with little kids makes my stomach feel funny—in a good way.
“He can make you a stronger athlete if you can work around his grumpiness ,” Sloan says.
I laugh. “It’s more like an incurable condition.”
Jaz raises her eyebrows. “Believe it or not, I’ve seen him smile. Once or twice. Mostly around kids.”
“He’s already made it pretty clear he’s not a fan of figure skaters.” I glance over to where Leo has moved to the bench, looking like he’d rather be swarmed by hornets than practice with me.
Jaz gives me a sympathetic smile and pats my shoulder. “That’s because you’re winning everyone over so quickly. It probably drives him nuts that you’re suddenly a team favorite and he’s not.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I say. “I’m amazed my dad has the patience for him.”
“It doesn’t hurt that he’s helped win more than a few games,” Jaz says. “And he’s conveniently single.” She gives me a not-so-subtle grin.
“Um, no. Leo and I dated before and proved we don’t work together. He’d never consider dating me after how things went down.”
“You might be surprised,” Jaz says. “If you can get past the grump on the outside, he’s got a good heart underneath... if you can find it.”
“Like the Grinch?” I ask.
“Exactly,” Sloan laughs.
Even though I know Leo used to be my ride or die, he seems like a different person now. More reserved and less fun, like being a professional hockey player changed him—and not in a good way.
“Two and a half months of Leo the Ego?” I say. “I just hope I survive.”
“If you need a pep talk, feel free to stop by my office,” Jaz offers. “I’m in the Crushers’ building most days.”
“Ooh, I know... you should join us for girls’ night at our place,” Sloan says excitedly.
I smile. “I’d love that. Most of my skating acquaintances treat me like competition, and making friends in Sully’s Beach has been a struggle.” I nod toward Leo. “Any advice before I face off with him?”
“Good luck?” Sloan says with a laugh.
I turn to find my partner watching from the bench. He looks away quickly, but there’s something there—a little spark that tells me he’s not totally uninterested in me.