Chapter 24
Ledger
“And the winners of the Peppermynt Twist Showdown are…” The audience falls silent. I squeeze Kaisa’s hand as we wait. The announcer seems to want to drag out the reveal as long as he can. I hope he calls our names for Kaisa’s sake. I know she needs this win.
But for me? All I can think about is the strong connection I felt as we danced and the words she whispered in my ear. I do not want to leave her in the morning.
“…Kaisa Halberg and Ledger Bishop!”
Our mouths drop open and we look at each other in shock. To the roar of applause, the announcer hands us a trophy. Kaisa straightens before dipping low in a curtsy. She gives me a pointed look, and I bow hastily before escorting her off the stage.
“We actually won,” I chuckle, holding up the snow globe trophy.
It’s got a brass plaque on the base that reads: Peppermynt Twist Showdown Champions, with a blank space for our names.
Kaisa runs a finger along the plaque. “They’ll have our names engraved.” She meets my gaze, and we’re both still out of breath. “Want to step outside?” she asks.
We’re broiling under the lights, and with all the dancing, we need air.
As the announcer introduces the members of the live band ahead of the audience’s dance, Kaisa and I head down the dark, backstage steps.
We push open a door and take a short hallway that leads to the door to the courtyard.
A blast of deliciously icy air hits our skin as we exit the building and make our way to the stone wall.
Kaisa laughs and examines our snow globe trophy.
Her breath forms condensation in the air.
“It looks like us.” She points to the little model of a ballroom dancing couple inside and then shakes the globe to watch the glittery snow fall all around inside the dome.
“Are you cold?” I ask her. She’s wearing barely anything, the sparkly, pink dress not large enough to insulate anyone.
A surge of protectiveness overcomes me. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman times a thousand. If she’s cold, hot, hungry, tired, sad…I want to do anything and everything that I can for her.
“Not yet. This air feels amazing,” she says, taking in a deep breath, her face tilted to the clear night sky full of glittering stars.
A commotion at the door startles us apart.
“Congrats!” Malia’s voice echoes as the rest of the dancers and athletes follow her. “Oh, you guys had the right idea, coming out here. It feels so good.”
They join us near the wall overlooking the resort’s many chalets and outbuildings.
“Our muscles are probably going to stiffen up out here, but right now, I do not care,” Isla says with a soft smile. The group crowds around us, offering well wishes and asking to see our trophies.
“You guys were hot out there,” one of the male pros says. “The audience loved it. Your chemistry was incredible.”
“It’s why they won,” Pavel says smoothly, his hands on Isla’s waist. “The showmanship. Not the technique, obviously.”
Isla gasps and pushes Pavel away. “That was unkind.”
“No, he’s right,” I say, my gaze flicking to Kaisa’s before returning to the other dancers and athletes.
“I’m not oblivious to my poor technique.
I know I had skulking shoulders.” I laugh as I demonstrate, pulling my shoulders up to my ears.
“But that’s the thing. None of that mattered in the end because Kaisa was unstoppable out there. ”
Malia grins. “You two are so cute.” She shakes her head as she eyes us carefully. “And they’re right. The chemistry was insane.”
“Thanks.” Kaisa giggles and turns away, not meeting my eye.
“Did anyone catch a glimpse of Wynn’s face during the show? Do you think we all get to keep our jobs?” Isla asks.
Groans and chatter start in as speculation abounds. “I don’t understand why we haven’t gotten our contracts yet,” someone says. And another one commiserates with, “My agent said he’ll contact the production company after the holidays.”
Kaisa raises a hand to catch everyone’s attention. “No matter what, though,” she says, her face somber. “Thank you, everyone, for making it an incredible night. I’m really proud of each of you.”
“Here! Here!” one of the guys shouts, plastering another dancer with a big snowball.
Screams and snowballs fly. But it’s cold, so before long, everyone drifts back inside the resort, and Kaisa and I are left alone again.
“Kaisa,” I reach for her hand, my eyes taking in her face. “Your nose looks cold.”
She shakes her head. “I’m fine. I just wanted to apologize—”
“Sorry to interrupt.” It’s Steve at the door, holding it open. His brow is furrowed and he winces. “Ledger, can I talk to you right now?”
I wave him off. “I’ll be inside in a minute.”
“I hate to be that guy, but I need you to come now. Sorry, Kaisa.”
Steve’s expression is so serious that I step towards him. Has something bad happened? I turn back to Kaisa, “Come inside with me while I talk to him. And then we can get back to our conversation?” Deep fatigue hits me. The adrenaline from the performance is starting to leave my body.
Her expression tightens and her arms fold across each other. “I’ll come inside in a minute. You go talk to Steve.”
“You sure?” On a whim, I tug her close with one arm and plant a kiss on her forehead.
Her smile is wistful as her gaze goes to my lips before meeting my eyes. “Yes, I’ll see you soon.”
I hand the trophy to her, and once inside, I growl at Steve. “What’s going on?”
Steve motions to the elevator. “Again, I’m sorry, but we have wheels up in an hour and a half. We’ve got to leave for the airport now.”
“I’m not flying to Indiana until tomorrow morning.” Steve steps inside the elevator.
“True, but you’re flying to San Antonio right now.” Steve punches my floor number. “We gotta get you packed.”
Unease hits my chest. “What? Why?”
He places his arm on the edge of the door so it can’t close. “Coach wants you to be at the Christmas Gift Drive first thing in the morning. The team is gathering at seven. The charity heads think it’s best if you came.”
I step inside as if I’m sleepwalking, unable to believe what I’m hearing. “They didn’t want me there a couple of days ago. Why now?”
“All this media attention you’ve been getting? Well, apparently, there’s no such thing as bad publicity because the Christmas Gift Drive has gotten so many more donations this year than last. So they’re bringing in a film crew as the players fill the bags with the gifts.”
I wince. “We’ve never had a camera crew there before. That’s tacky. We’re just trying to help out. No need to film it.”
“I see your point,” Steve concedes. “But with all the pub that your dropped pass and post-game comment have gotten and the interviews you’ve done since then, the organization has gotten tons of attention. It seems the public wants to see you make restitution, not just say pretty words, you know?”
I thread a hand through my hair but stop short. It’s stuck in gel and hairspray.
“I can’t leave. I need to talk to Kaisa.” I press the lobby button, hoping to direct the elevator back down.
Steve scowls. “There might be a minute to talk with her after you pack.”
“And what about my family? I made a commitment to them.” Not to mention the commitment I feel to Kaisa.
“Coach understands this. Which is why the team’s plane will be flying you there right after the event ends at ten a.m. You won’t miss much.”
“My mom is going to freak.”
“Probably, but I’m sure she also wants you to fix this.”
I nod. With a sinking heart, I realize he’s right. We step out of the elevator and towards the door of my suite.
“Okay, pack up,” Steve says. “I’m arranging us a ride to the airport. Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?”
I’ll be packed up in five. And with the time I have left, I’m finding Kaisa.
I’m back downstairs in minutes, my luggage ready to go. I check the courtyard and she’s not there, so I dial her number. The call goes to voicemail. I text her and explain the situation, how and why I have to leave, but that I really want to see her before I go.
When there’s no response, I call again to no avail. I try knocking on her door, but she doesn’t answer, so I check the ballroom and backstage.
“Where is she?” I groan as I stand with my luggage in the lobby with Steve. Our ride to the airport will be here any minute. The Christmas music coming from the Mynt to Make a Difference Ball is still going, so I step to the ballroom.
“The car’s arriving in sixty seconds,” Steve warns, tracking it with his phone.
“I just need to check for her one more time,” I say, shaking my head.
I peer into the ballroom again. The performance is over, but the lights are dim, and the floor is crowded with couples dancing to an upbeat, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Doubtful that I can find her in this crowd, I scan the room one more time. I hope she’s okay. Pain of missing her already wells up inside of me. My throat clogs. I hope she knows I don’t want to leave without seeing her. I hope she understands that I have no other choice.