Chapter Twenty-Six
January
"What a way to kick off the new year, here in California for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.”
“This has to be my most anticipated event of the year, Jessica, and one I know the skaters work endlessly to leave with a medal around their necks. Team USA is looking strong with three pairs competing this year, Pippa and Evan and Molly and Zach being the two favorites to be announced for the Worlds in March. Giving them a greater chance at being chosen to compete in the Olympics.”
“Absolutely, Luke, and after winning the bronze at the Grand Prix Final at the end of last year, Pippa and Evan will be looking to make an even greater impression on the judges. The stakes are high, the competition is intense, and the heat is on."
“Ready, babe?” Evan asks, and I nod. His eyes move around the spectators, looking for someone before they land back on me. “Did he come?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper, my voice betraying my nerves. “I left a ticket at the box office for him…”
“Away from your family?”
“Of course, away from my family,” I hiss, taking a deep breath and shaking out my hands.
“Chill, he’ll be here,” Evan says as he squeezes my shoulder. “After what you’ve told me, he’d be a dumbass not to.”
I grimace, remembering running to Evan’s apartment as soon as I’d landed back in Colorado after the winter break, telling him everything. From crossing the line months ago to the night Evan sent him to my hotel room in France. Everything up until this point.
Everything but the small, teeny-tiny issue of me developing feelings for my sexy pilot.
Glancing around at the other athletes, I step closer. “Lower your voice.”
“What? No one else knows you’re having hot sex on the reg with your pilot, right?”
I shake my head. “You’re the only one who knows about us.”
“I love that for me. Your secret is so delicious I could nibble on it all day long,” he teases.
“You’re an ass.”
“And you’re uptight. He will come.”
My lips pull into a tight line as I nod, even though I doubt he’ll show. Embarrassment coats my arms as I think about our text exchange this week.
Pippa
I got you a ticket to the championships.
If you want it.
Mr. Sexy Pilot Man
I’m not staying in Cali. I’m just dropping off and picking up.
Pippa
So? Fly the plane out and come watch. I could only get tickets for the first day, but it’s better than nothing.
I sort of like the idea of you being there, watching me compete.
Mr. Sexy Pilot Man
And what would your father say? I can’t exactly ask to fly his plane to come watch his daughter skate.
Pippa
You forget, you fly me . Not him. So technically, that makes me your boss, too, and your boss wants you to fly out to California and watch her skate.
Maybe you should change my name back to The Boss.
Mr. Sexy Pilot Man
Nah. You’re still a brat. Even if you are “my boss.”
Pippa
Is that a yes?
Mr. Sexy Pilot Man
I’ll see what I can do.
“The pair have been training throughout the Christmas break, Luke, tweaking and fine-tuning their routine, working on perfecting those elements that have the potential to be the deciding factor between gold or silver.”
“I did have the opportunity to catch up with their coach, four-time World Champion Camille Diaz, when the team landed in California earlier this week, and she did mention they’ve been focusing on the jumps that proved to be a bit of a struggle for them in the Grand Prix.”
"It’s all about consistency now, though, Jessica. They’ve proven what a formidable team they are, performing under pressure, but the U.S. Championships is a whole different ball game. What would have been a non-issue before could cost them a medal this weekend.”
“Not to mention that competing on home soil adds a different level of pressure. The crowd is cheering for them, wanting them to do well, but that means the expectations are higher for the duo."
“Hey,” Evan says, concern etching into his forehead. “We’ve got this.”
“I know.”
We turn and watch Molly and Zach finish their routine, the crowd going wild as they hold their hands up, their faces stoic as the music comes to an end.
“Guess you’ll have to do better than that if you want gold, Ice Princess,” Molly hisses, before turning on the fake cheer and niceties, as she passes the other athletes, waiting for their turn.
Evan’s hand snakes into mine, his touch calming. “Ignore her.”
“I’ve already forgotten what she said.”
“That’s my girl,” he murmurs, then presses a kiss to the side of my head. “Let's beat her ass.”
“ The crowd goes quiet as we wait for Pippa and Evan to start.”
“And they begin with the triple throw loop, a move that is undoubtedly becoming their signature, a highlight of their routine all season and an absolute marvel to watch.”
“Evan gets himself into position, they’re skating backward, and Pippa is in the air, spinning once, twice, three times, with a solid landing. And that, Jessica, is why it’s their move.”
"Beautiful execution from both Evan and Pippa. But now they move into their side-by-side triple-toe loops, a move that caused a bit of a problem at the last competition, but they look confident on the approach... and they nailed it! Perfect synchronization, not a second out of time."
"One thing you cannot deny about this partnership is that their chemistry on the ice is palpable. Watch as they transition into a series of complicated footwork, the way they hold each other and skate as one. It’s spectacular.”
“It truly is. We are watching greatness being born today, that’s for sure. And this section really showcases their technical skills and their ability to move together, shadowing each other, fluidly moving as one."
"I think what you’re looking for, Luke, is that they are moving effortlessly across the ice. Next up is that lift they perfected at the Grand Prix Final back in November. Can Evan lift Pippa as seamlessly as last time? And he’s done it. Up she goes, striking that beautiful starfish pose, their angles perfectly aligned.”
“Honestly, Jessica, the strength and control required for this lift is incredible. Not only from Evan, but from Pippa too."
“I could watch these two all day, Luke. And the way Evan lowers her back onto the ice… They make it look so easy, like you and I could get on that ice and recreate that move.”
“Bambi on Ice, featuring your hosts, Jessica Cummings and Luke Armstrong. I don’t think we’d be selling out tickets the way the professionals here today manage to.”
“We can dream. But what a dream it’s been for the pair on the ice this evening. It’s like we’re watching a different couple from the one that competed only a few short months ago. As they move into the paired spin, they’re spinning is everything. Perfect unison that they were missing the last time they competed.”
“Whatever they’ve done in between these competitions is working… the hard work… the countless hours of practicing we know each and every athlete does… Seamless, Jessica. Seamless.”
“They’re not just performing. They’re telling a story, and it might just be the most beautiful one we’ve ever seen."
"They are finishing strong here in California, with barely anything to be penalized for. I’d be putting my money on these two taking home the gold. You can feel the energy in the arena tonight, Jessica. The crowd is captivated by them."
“They aren’t the only ones, Luke. And would you look at the satisfaction on their faces as they strike their final pose? Delight, Luke. That is pure delight on both their faces. They’ve delivered an exceptional performance, and what a pleasure it was to witness them compete."
My hands tremble as I lift the gold medal from around my neck, the weight a solid reminder that this is not a dream.
This is real.
Evan and I are going to Worlds in March.
Evan and I are one step closer to potentially being chosen to represent Team USA at the Olympics.
I’m still shaking as I walk back into the locker room and pull out my phone, biting my lower lip when I see my notification.
Mr. Sexy Pilot Man
Now, that was a girl who loved to skate. So damn proud of your gold. I knew you could do it.