Chapter 17 Orion
ORION
Idon’t understand the scoring in figure skating. There’s something about how hard the tricks are and how well she does them, then they add it together… but there are also deductions for faults. I don’t know. It’s so subjective. Nothing like curling.
If you ask me, Raven was perfect. Those limbs of hers that were lanky and sharp in high school became graceful and fluid while she danced.
Because that’s what that was, dancing on ice.
Her musicality was exceptional, the emotion she brought to the routine hit me square in the chest. I knew Raven skated in high school, but I’d never seen her on the ice before.
None of us had. And I can’t help thinking that Vann was right to insist we come.
We needed to be here for her, even if she doesn’t know. And we needed to see this side of her.
Tanner’s grip on my hand strangles the circulation, his jaw tight with tension.
I can actually hear him grinding his teeth.
He’s pissed that we’re here and upset with Vann for even attempting to come on his own, but I can sense the awe and attraction he’s feeling through the bond. It’s good for him to be here.
Vann hasn’t moved an inch since the moment Raven skated onto the ice, the man who’s constantly moving is as still as a stone. Like he’s holding his breath or afraid any movement will distract him and cause him to miss something. His obsession is written in every line of his face.
Rhodes is harder to read. He sits back, watching the rest of us as much as Raven. It’s not the first time I’ve wished I could get into our beta’s head.
“Can’t we just go say hi?” Vann says the moment Raven finishes and the crowd roars.
He’s bouncing in his seat like all the energy he contained during Raven’s performance needs somewhere to go now.
“She’s right there. Maybe she’s forgotten all about what we did in high school and will be glad to see us. ”
Tanner’s laugh is dry and bitter. He doesn’t have to say anything.
“Ugh, fine. I know.” Vann slouches back in his seat. “But all the more reason to go talk to her. We’ve got to apologize.”
“No.” Tanner turns his hat around. It was on backwards for the performance, but now he’s got the bill pulled down, covering half his face. Hiding. “We agreed we wouldn’t bother her. She’s still got one more event tomorrow, and she doesn’t need to be distracted.”
In Tanner’s book, being distracted is the greatest sin.
Focus is the highest goal. His dad drilled that into him with harsh words and a stiff belt.
I don’t think it’s Raven he’s worried will be distracted.
We’ve still got another game before the semi-finals, and we’re neck-in-neck with the Italian team.
“Let’s just get out of here.” Tanner stands up, still holding my hand the way he has been since he first saw Raven again.
I know this is stirring up some strong insecurities for him.
He was always the cruelest to her. I’ve never asked him why, but I just know there was something that instigated it.
One day she was a classmate he barely noticed and the next, he was tormenting her every chance he got.
Pushing her to the outskirts. Making sure she was alone and no one went near her.
“Let me at least get someone to give her this.” Vann pulls a little box out of his bag.
“What is it?” Rhodes asks.
Before Vann can answer, something flashes on the big screen over the ice that has all of us letting out low growls. There’s another man—another alpha—holding our girl.