21. leo
TWENTY-ONE
leo
W hen I arrive at the rink, Victoria skates toward me, her ponytail bouncing, and a light in her eyes that seems hopeful. Her smile is softer today too, like she’s actually glad to see me, which feels like a step in the right direction.
I wave at her, then sit on a nearby bench to lace up my skates, a goofy grin tugging at my lips before I catch myself. Agreeing to be Victoria’s pretend boyfriend sounded easy enough a week ago. But what I didn’t anticipate was how impossible it would be to shut off my feelings every other moment I’m around her— especially at practice.
With Eugene watching from the stands, I know Victoria won’t cut me any slack today.
“Alright, Leo,” Victoria says, stopping close enough for me to catch the faint scent of her strawberry bath gel. “Eugene told me we’re going to try something new—side-by-side skating with a dance hold.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Dance hold? Like ballroom dancing?”
“Of course,” she says, as if that’s the easiest thing in the world. “It’ll help with timing and rhythm.”
I stand, testing out my skates before I join her on the ice. “I can’t dance. I’m an athlete, remember?”
She rolls her eyes. “You want to be a good partner, right? This is basic synchronization. And all athletes can benefit from dancing. You’ve heard about football players who take ballet, right? It’s the same idea.”
“I’m not a football player, Vic,” I remind her. “I have two left feet.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll lead,” she says.
“Oh, I have no doubt about that,” I say with a grin. Teasing her is the only thing keeping me from losing my focus completely around her.
“Alright, you two,” Eugene calls, “less banter, more skating. Show me you can get along on the ice this time.”
I let out a breath and enter the rink, following Victoria to the center.
“Okay, Ego,” she says. “Are you ready to dance?” I turn to face her as she moves closer, watching me with the same intensity she always has when she’s performing—all business. “Take my hand. Right hand on my back.”
I follow her instructions, one hand holding hers, my palm pressing against the small of her back. Her body tenses slightly under my touch, and I force myself not to think about how soft and warm she feels—or how dangerously close my hand is to her waist.
“Pull me in closer,” she says, glancing down at the gap between us. “This won’t work if you’re holding me like a middle schooler at his first dance.”
“I just don’t want to trip you again,” I say, which is only half true. The other fact is that it drives me crazy to have her soft pink lips only inches from mine and try to pretend I’m not affected. Ever since our last kiss, I don’t have to imagine how it would feel for my mouth to crash into hers—I’ve already experienced it firsthand. With one kiss, she made me forget the world existed.
“You won’t trip me. You just need to loosen up,” she says, pulling my wandering thoughts back to the moment. She shifts slightly, her body brushing against me. My shoulders tense, and it’s all I can do to keep my head in the game. “You’re holding on to me like you’re afraid of dropping me.”
“I’m not scared of skating with you, Victoria. I’m scared of falling for you again—and this time, not being able to get back up.”
Her eyes flick up to mine and she pauses. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“Why? We’re supposed to be dating.”
“ Pretend dating,” she adds in a whisper. “What if somebody hears you?”
“You mean Eugene?” I frown. “There’s no way he can hear us at his age.”
“Be nice.” She gives me a look of warning. “And no more flirting while we’re practicing. We’re going to skate forward, then backward. Try to keep your movements in sync with mine.”
“No promises,” I say. “Just remember, I’m no dancer.”
She glides forward and I focus on the ice and move in time with her. Our strides fall into rhythm quickly, almost like we’ve done this before, and I can feel the subtle press of her hand guiding me.
“Better than I expected,” she says after a few smooth strokes. “Maybe there’s hope for you yet.”
“Careful,” I say. “You keep complimenting me, and I might start thinking you like me.”
She laughs before her gaze flicks to Eugene, a subtle reminder to get back to business. “Now, let’s try it backward.”
I follow her lead, mirroring her movements as we pivot into a backward glide. Skating backward has never been difficult for me, but now that I’m responsible for her balance too, there’s more pressure not to mess up.
For a brief moment, we get out of sync, and I tighten my grip on her back, shifting her body against mine. Her breath hitches for just a second as she quickly adjusts her footwork. It’s a tiny gasp—the same sound she made when I kissed her at Boots and Buckles—but it’s enough to send my brain spiraling into dangerous territory. I want to hear that sound again. But only when my lips are on hers.
“You’re tense,” she says. “Relax. You’re supposed to glide, not hustle for a puck.”
“Relax?” I shoot back, raising an eyebrow. “I’m trying not to crash into you.”
Her lips curve into a smile. “You’re not that bad. Here—” She stops abruptly, pulling away from my arms and skating behind me. Her hands land on my shoulders.
“What are you doing?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.
“Let me guide you,” she says.
I don’t know if it’s the warmth of her fingers or the fact that I’ve spent the last few years trying to forget how it feels to be close to her, but I can’t turn my thoughts off when she’s touching me like that. “Victoria?—”
“Shh,” she cuts me off, squeezing my shoulders tighter, sending more electricity through my body. “Just skate.”
I obey, pushing off the ice with smooth strokes, but it’s hard to focus with her hands on me. Her fingers grip the curve of my shoulders, and it takes all my effort not to stumble since I’m distracted.
“There,” she says softly. “See? You’re getting it.”
I turn my head slightly, catching a hint of her smile and feeling the pull between us. Before I can think better of it, I grab her hand and spin her, twirling her out and pulling her back in, close enough that her body crashes into mine. I want her as close as possible, even if that means I’m improvising on the spot.
“Leo!” she says, her tone a mix of exasperation and surprise.
“What?” I say innocently. “I thought we were dancing.”
Her eyes narrow, but there’s a flicker of amusement underneath. Not frustration. I’d even say... affection ? I stop and slide my hand to the curve of her waist, holding her body against mine like we’re about to practice the tango. Instead of pushing me away, she stays against my chest, unmoving.
“That wasn’t part of the drill,” she whispers, her voice losing its edge.
“Maybe not, but you didn’t fall,” I say with a grin. “Which means I’m getting better, right?”
“You are most definitely getting better... at everything .” Her lips curve, and for one moment, I’m caught in her wide eyes.
“I see someone took my advice and went out on a date,” Eugene says, a smile playing on his lips as he stands at the edge of the rink. “That moment was very... unexpected . If you can bring that passion to the ice, you’ll be unstoppable.”
“Really?” Victoria asks. “That wasn’t planned.”
“I know,” Eugene says. “Keep practicing, and keep doing... whatever just happened between you now.” Then he turns and walks back to his seat.
Victoria looks up at me, her cheeks tinged pink. “You might be cute,” she says with a grin. “But you’re still insufferable.”
“Maybe,” I say, tipping up her chin. “But let’s face it. You like that I’m insufferable. That’s why you’re still here.”
For once, she doesn’t have a comeback.