Chapter 12 Hannah
TWELVE
HANNAH
Me
I’m doing something new.
Tierney
Is it bangs??
Me
I’m coaching someone for the first time.
Tierney
Like. An actual human?
Me
Yup! Grant’s coach has a daughter, and she needs someone for her lessons.
Through a weird twist of fate, I’m the one who is going to be working with her.
Tierney
Hannah, WHAT? Wait. I love this for you! You’d be a GREAT coach.
Are you excited?
Me
Yeah… but I also feel like I’m going to be sick.
Tierney
Deep breath. You’re a badass who is going to kick ass.
I can’t wait to hear all about it.
From the very first day I started skating, I’ve been confident stepping onto the ice. Today, I’m nervous as hell. I could barely eat lunch. I spent all day prior to arriving at the Stars’ practice facility making a list of things to discuss with Olivia.
I’ve racked my brain trying to remember what my coaches have taught me before we started working on program choreography.
I don’t want to assume Olivia knows or doesn’t know certain terminology.
I also don’t want to push her so hard she winds up like me, stuck in limbo about whether or not I see a future for myself in this sport.
Being a good athlete doesn’t mean you’ll make a good coach, but I’ve taught some Learn to Skate camps in the past. I’ve helped the younger skaters at the rink when they’ve struggled with some of their moves, and I’m going to rely on that directional instinct to help me get through our first couple of lessons.
No one will have any idea I’m flying by the seat of my fucking pants.
I fix my ribbon and walk down a long tunnel toward the players’ bench. I pull out my skates and take off the soakers protecting the blades, reminding myself to breathe. Brody and I agreed on a four o’clock start, and a quick check of the time tells me I have fifteen minutes to shake out my jitters.
The ice is smooth, and a quick lap has my shoulders relaxing away from my ears.
My legs are lighter, and this is what I’ve been missing: complete peace.
The ability to skate just to skate, not to perform for judges giving me scores.
The second lap has me smiling. I go through some of my favorite moves on the third lap, landing a double Axel more perfectly than I have in months.
“If I tried to jump like that, I’d be taken away in an ambulance,” someone yells.
I grin on instinct, finishing my turn to find Grant joining me on the ice in athletic shorts and a DC Stars Hockey hoodie. I move toward him, noticing freshly dried blood under his eye and a nick on his skin.
“What happened to your face?” I ask, stopping abruptly and spraying ice on his shins. He groans and tries to shove my shoulder, but in his slides, I’m much faster. “You weren’t good-looking before, but now you look like a troll. I preferred the inch worm mustache.”
“Glad I have such a loving sister who boosts my confidence.”
“Like it needs boosting. I know you saw that social media page dedicated to making thirst trap edits of you.”
“What can I say? I’m the people’s princess.” His grin is smug. “As for my face, I took a stick to the cheek during morning skate. I’m fine, and the battle wounds make me cooler.”
“It would be even cooler if you were missing some teeth.”
“Might happen in our next game. We’re playing the team we beat for the Cup two years ago. It’s shocking they’re not fans of us.”
“Are you all scheduled for an afternoon practice today? Please don’t tell me my lesson is about to be taken over by twenty hockey players.”
“Nah. Just wanted to stop by and say hi before your first official day as a coach. How’re you feeling? Not stressed, I hope. You’re going to knock this out of the park, Han.”
It’s impossible not to smile at his encouragement.
Grant’s always been that kind of guy, the big brother who came to every competition and wore a shirt with my face plastered on it.
Our skates were always the oldest ones on the rink.
We had to fundraise for games and competitions that required travel.
When the summer came where only one of us could go to camp due to finances, he declined a developmental academy’s invite to a prestigious event for select hockey players so I could spend two weeks in Boston training with a former Olympian.
He deserves every bit of success he’s earned, from the contracts and sponsorships with Bauer and BodyArmor to two Stanley Cups.
He doesn’t even mind that he’s not a starter, preferring to join the second line off the bench to give the team a spark when they need it.
A lot of my friends have sibling relationships that are stilted and sad, but that’s not ours, and I’m so glad.
“I’m a little stressed, but that’s because I’m trying something new. And I really want it to go well,” I tell him.
“It’s going to go well. Your triple dipper quadruple—”
“That’s an appetizer at Chili’s.”
“Whatever it’s called. It’s one of the best in the world because you’re one of the best in the world.”
“Even now?” I ask.
“Even now.” Grant snaps. “What’s that mantra you used to say? In the mirror, before a big event.”
“‘Inhale confidence, exhale fear?’”
“Yup. That. Here. I’ll do it with you. Deep breath.” He sucks in a long puff of air, and I mimic him. “That’s the confidence. And now we’re going to let go of the fear.”
I blow out the breath, feeling lighter after. “Okay. That might’ve worked.”
“Because you’re a genius.” He grins. “I should get going. We have a lifting session scheduled at the arena, then a team dinner. You still need to come to one of those, by the way.”
“I don’t have anything in common with the people there.”
“The girls that are part of the team come. Lexi, Emmy, Madeline, and Piper. You know most of them.”
“I’ll think about it.” I smile. “Thanks for stopping by, G.”
“Confidence, remember? You’re going to kill it,” he adds, jogging over the ice toward the tunnel. He almost slips, righting himself at the last minute. “Whoops. Pretend like you didn’t see that.”
I laugh and do one last lap, repeating the mantra until voices echo over the ice. There’s a deeper one, followed by a high-pitched laugh. I stop and fix my skirt, hoping I look professional enough. Brody comes into view, and beside him, there’s a girl who is the spitting image of him.
They’re a perfect pair, from her dark hair to the way she moves.
Not nearly as broad, but her nose matches his, and so do her eyes.
The only difference I can find after a quick once-over is her smile.
Hers is big and bold, full of life from someone who hasn’t been burned by the world yet while his is more subdued, like you’re lucky to catch a glimpse of it.
“Hi.” I wave and head their way. “I hope it’s okay I’m here early. I wanted to get a quick warm up in.”
“The ice is yours to use.” Brody pins me with a look I can’t decipher, his eyes briefly flicking to my legs before moving back to my face. “Hannah, this is my daughter, Olivia.”
“Hey.” I smile at her. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“I’m going to get this out of the way now before I fall and embarrass myself, but I’m, um, a big fan.” Olivia’s cheeks flush, and she adjusts the bag on her shoulder. “I promise I’m not going to stalk you or anything.”
“Liv.” Brody shakes his head. “Why would you even mention that?”
“It’s okay. I’m flattered. It’s so nice to meet you, Olivia.” I bounce my gaze over to her dad. “Are you going to hang out?”
“No. Liv won’t let me watch her practice, so I’ll be back in an hour and a half to pick her up.” He fixes the bill of his backward hat and clears his throat. “I’m also, ah, not available tomorrow like I mentioned. Can we do next Monday instead?”
“Of course. I don’t have a lot going on at the moment.” I gesture around us. “I’m flexible.”
“Wait.” Olivia glances between us. “You two hang out?”
“No,” Brody says. “But we are friends.”
“He’s helping me with something. I might try my hand at hockey next,” I joke.
“Please don’t. Their jerseys smell horrifying.” She wrinkles her nose. “Like, truly awful.”
“You’re so right. I think I’ll stick to figure skating.” I grin and hike my thumb over my shoulder. “Do you want to get started, Olivia?”
“Yes, please.” She beams and gives her dad a quick one-armed hug, hurrying to the bench to change into her skates. “See ya, Dad!”
“The second she’s on the ice, she forgets all about me,” he says.
“It’s good to know your place. We’ll see you later,” I say. “And, again, thanks for this opportunity, Brody. I can’t wait to work with Olivia.”
With a nod, he disappears down the tunnel. Olivia is already on her feet, leaning over the boards and waiting for my instructions, and I guess that makes me in charge.
“I’m so excited.” She puts on her gloves, and I grab mine too. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”
“Same.” I smile. “I hear your previous coach is pregnant?”
“Yeah. I’ve been training with Susannah Sharp. She competed for Germany in the Olympics.”
“We’ve been skating against each other for years. She’s fantastic.”
“You’re much better.” Olivia slaps a hand over her mouth. “Pretend I didn’t say that. I swear I’m not unprofessional.”
“Say what? I didn’t hear anything.” I grin and invite her onto the ice.
We head for the Stars logo, and I check to see how she stands when we’re not moving.
Her balance is superb, and her posture makes me jealous.
“Your dad mentioned the Potomac Memorial is your big upcoming event. What else do you have on the calendar?”
“Any competition I can enter, honestly. I want to be the best in the world. I know everyone says that, but I’m willing to put in the work.”
“I have a feeling we’re going to get along well, Olivia.”
“You can call me Liv.”
“Liv. I like that. You’re on the taller side for a figure skater, like me. Have you noticed any issues with aerodynamics?”