Chapter 22
“Hey Princess, forgot anything?”
“Hope not.” She nervously says while we walk toward the locker room. The buzz around us is insane. People come and go, run to left and right like it’s the end of the world and honestly, I can see how this affects her. It stresses me out already figures her.
“Ash, they want you for a shooting and then an interview before the exhibition. Then four more at the end.” Raven stops and looks at us in turn with a fake smile on her face. “You two are too cute but she needs to get changed.”
I hand her the duffel. “Go and shine, Princess. I’ll be near her cheering at the top of my lungs for you.” Ashley blushes before pulling me in a tight hug. “Love you.”
“What have I forgotten?”
My lips crash on hers in a quick but passionate kiss. “This, now go.”
A group of girls giggle while we walk past them. “Stick with me and make sure to keep your eyes on her.”
I cock a brow. “Excuse me?”
“She doesn’t need a distraction, Rock.”
I follow closely. “Look, I’m here for her and if I’m a distraction I’ll step aside. I want her to chase her dreams.”
She stops and faces me. “That’s why you have put a ring on her, already?”
“Raven, I’ll never stop her from doing anything she wants to. Marrying her today, tomorrow or in twenty years it doesn’t matter.”
She shakes her head. “I thought you wiser than that, Rock, but clearly you haven’t put you in her shoes.”
“Care to explain?”
“Miss Verlander, are we ready for the interview?” a woman asks but it’s her name that resonates.
“We’ll be there in five.” Raven smiles.
When she turns to me, I find an icy woman. “She’s one of the best I ever had, and I promised her mom I’d do whatever to make her get here.”
“You got it wrong Raven, and I’ll tell you again: Ashley deserves the best and her dreams are mine too. I lived my life and want her to do the same, now stop acting like I’m trying to fuck up my woman’s life and do your job.” I walk past her and leave her standing there. My phone buzzes and I peer at the screen, nervousness washing over me. Denise doesn’t give up and calls again.
“Hey, Di, what’s up? Shouldn’t you sleep?”
“Not a chance. We’re waiting to see our Princess.” She giggles, shushing someone, but the buzzing background is more than normal.
“We? Where are you?”
“The mayor made sure everyone will watch the Olympics tonight. All of Newtok is gathered downtown. Like a cinema under the stars.”
Holy shit. Thank God Ash doesn’t know it. “Enjoy the show, I saw part of the choreography and it’s amazing.”
“We’ll be cheering from afar but make sure to tell her we’re proud of her. They say she’s one of the favorites along with that Chinese girl.”
“Yeah, heard that too…” I spot Raven and the woman I saw earlier talk with Ash, and she seems a bit confused. Or maybe I’m too tired. Truth is, the conversation with Raven messed up my head. She seemed to be okay with our relationship and now everything changed.
“Rock, are you there?”
“Yeah, sorry I have to go.” It’s a lie but I don’t want to stay over the phone with her.
I shove the cell phone in my pocket while Ash comes for a quick kiss and sits on the bench. “I want a hamburger after today.”
“Everything you want, Princess. Are you ready?”
She ties her skates while Raven stands next to me. “More than ready.” She shakes her arms and rolls her shoulders, stretching her muscles. “Do you like it?”
“You should have picked…”
“I was asking him.” She cuts Raven off. Something is off and I’m not sure if I should venture into it.
“You look amazing and ready to shine.”
She flashes me a smile and walks near the ice rink. I stand behind her to make sure she doesn’t feel cold.
When it’s her turn she takes a breath in and skates away.
“Ashley Harrison, twenty-one years of age from Newtok, Wisconsin. Her first attempt at Olympics 2019 even though she’s won several gold medals during competitions all over the world.” The speaker introduces her and the lights swirl around while she speeds up near the edge. I’m almost scared she will hit it.
“The numbers that she has posted are extremely high; they would challenge the top names here.” He continues.
Ash takes her place in the center of the rink.
The cheers stop.
Her chest rises with every breath while the music starts to play. I can’t take my eyes off her, and I’m mesmerized by her choreography.
“She has nothing to lose in this event but trust me, she’s putting the pressure on all the veterans.” The second speaker continues. “Look at that double axel so perfect for the opening.”
“I agree, her lines are exquisite and the deed knee into that degree even more of a spectacular finish.”
Ashley jumps and rotates so many times that the crowd applauds. I try to focus on her performance since I can’t wrap my head about what she’s doing.
Raven comes closer to the glass, worry painted over her face and makes my stomach knots too. “What?”
“She’s changing it, but the score goes up.” It’s more like a murmur. “What are you doing, Ashley?”
“Could you explain to me too?”
“Before the competition, she gives the judges the list of what she’s about to show them. The more perfect the figures are, the higher she scores, but that’s not the choreography she was supposed to do.”
“You sure?” She gives me a death look. “So far it’s what I saw her work on.”
“She should slow down, the triple triplets with arms over the head are not that easy.” She sighs. “Three Lutzes and three toe loops in the sequence.”
Still another language for me, but I try to play it cool without showing how idiot I feel right now.
“The four-step sequence is the best one she ever did, good job, Ash!”
Come on, Princess, bring it home, baby!
She keeps going, follows the rhythm while jumping and turning. It reminds me of those carillon with a ballerina inside.
“This is a quadruple axel… How…” I can see the surprise look on Raven’s face and somehow, I don’t like it, Ashley is risking over there. “I can’t even do it, let alone teach it.” Her voice fades in a mere breath.
I knew she was working on something specific and when she starts to spin her dress changes color and the white one becomes dark and shiny with a black panther on it. That’s Mac doing. My eyes wells up while she stops, and the crowd goes crazy. She waves at them, and skates over to us. I help her put on her jacket and she hugs me tight. I feel so complete right now and nervous as hell.
“Are you crying?”
“Figures.” I roll my eyes, wiping my tears off.
Raven and Ashely move to sit under a big screen, peering at it like life depends on it. When she turns to her left and sees I’m not there she motions me to sit even though Raven tries to say something. She grabs my hand and I kiss it.
When the scores come out and it shows a 229 points, she bursts into tears. I pull her in a hug and kiss the top of her head. “I’m proud of you, Princess. I told you, you’re the best, but you didn’t want to believe me.”
She lets out a hearty laugh. “Ashley Mitchell, I already love it.”
She scores one more point. A lethal one to me.
After the new shoots and a massive bunch of roses I can’t even hold, we move toward the locker room and I take my stuff. I don’t bother to change, I’m exhausted and I need to lay down as soon as I can. Every muscle I have and the ones I didn’t know existed hurt like hell. The adrenaline gives me the push to move forward but I’m so glad this madness has come to an end.
“There are interviews scheduled.” Raven’s annoying voice gets on my nerves.
“Already done them.” I sigh while spotting a familiar face. “Uncle Lance, so glad you made it.”
“Couldn’t miss it, cupcake.” He hands me another bunch of roses.
“Thank you.” I smile passing them to Rock. “He’s Lance, my mom’s brother and lawyer. And Lance, this is Rock, my future husband, and Raven.”
“Holy hell man, good luck with her.” He chuckles while shaking his hand. “I heard a lot about you.”
“Good things I hope.”
“Kevin adores you, but he may deny it.” He smirks and I know he will. “Here, you have the documents.” I shake my head and nod to him to give them to Raven.
“What’s that?”
“I’m off to bed, see you.” I wave to Raven.
“Will give you a lift and then I’ll head back to London.” Lance winks at me. “Congratulations, by the way. Jill would have been so proud of you, cupcake.”
“I hope so.”
Once in the car, the flowers alone fill the trunk and I may already have an idea on how to use them.
“I’ll wait for your wedding invitation.” He chuckles peering at us. “I was surprised when Kevin told me you’re getting married.”
I snap my head at Rock. “Dad knew?”
He kisses my hand. “Let’s say I’m an old fashioned man.”
“Did you ask him for my hand?”
“Something like that.” Rock flashes me a smile. “I wanted to be sure he wouldn’t come chasing my ass.”
“Nice move, Rock.” Lance pulls over in front of the hotel and turns to face me. “Are you okay, cupcake?”
“Will be.” I nod, getting out of the car. “Thank you so much for everything.”
The clerk comes over and I open the trunk. “Could you bring them to the reception please?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He nods and takes care of the roses.
“Don’t mention it.” Lance squeezes me in a hug while paparazzi shows up. “Hurry inside and let me know when you’re home.” He shakes hands with Rock and we go inside. The security comes over to shield us and we wave the paps before heading in.
We walk to the reception, and take out a blue rose. “You can use these ones for the hotel or guests if you want.”
“Thank you, Miss, and congratulations from all the staff.”
“Could you take care of them?” I point to the entrance and the people outside who seem ready to break in.
“Security is on high alert, Miss, you’re safe in here.”
“Much appreciated.” I nod at them and walk away with Rock.
“Why the blue one?” he asks while we head toward the elevator.
“Blue of your eyes and your favorite color.” I wink at him while breathing in its scent. “And now mine too.”
He pulls me up and I kiss him.
“What happened between you and Raven? She looked upset today and then with Lance she was taken aback.”
“Not tonight, I want to celebrate. Will explain tomorrow.”
He peers at me, but then smiles and carries me into our room. I know he’ll be back with why, but I don’t want him to worry about her. I have the lawyers dealing with her. I achieved everything I wanted and now I’m ready for my next dream. He places me on the floor and switches on the lights. We’re welcome with a trail of chocolates, an ice basket with a champagne bottle in it and a note.
Congratulations from all the Marion’s Resort staff.
“That’s so sweet.”
Rock takes off my jacket and hums. “I love this panther.” He growls against my neck. The cell phone buzzes in my jacket, and I pull it out. Kelly’s name flashes on the screen and I giggle, turning it to Rock.
“She can wait, doesn’t she?” He takes hold of my mouth scooping me up.
Yeah, she can wait till tomorrow.