Chapter 21 #3
“I have to go,” he said in a quiet voice.
I pushed myself upright. “I’ll see you on the ice.” His eyes held mine, and I nodded. “You’re going to nail it tonight. And I’ll be rooting for you every second.”
Warmth flickered across his face. He reached out and brushed his fingers along my jaw, the touch feather-light.
“You will win tonight,” he said, his voice warm. “And your father will be watching.”
God.
My throat seized, and my heartbeat raced. For a second I couldn’t get a single word out. Luka never dressed those moments up. He didn’t reach for speeches or comforting clichés. He just handed you the truth, like he trusted you not to drop it.
I swallowed. “Yeah?” My voice cracked on the syllable.
“Yes.” His absolute certainty rang out. “I think he would fight the doctors personally to make sure of it.”
That startled a real laugh out of me. “Yeah,” I admitted. “That sounds like him.”
Luka smiled before leaning in to press a sweet kiss to my forehead. “And I will give you something pleasant to think about. A… distraction.”
I laughed. “Tonight is definitely not the night to distract me.”
“It might improve your performance.”
One look at his flushed cheeks had me intrigued.
Luka cleared his throat. “You promised to continue my… education. So if we both win medals tonight, I know what I want.”
I had a feeling I knew too.
He glanced toward the desk. “It is time to deal with your condoms.”
I blinked. “Do they need dealing with?”
“Oh, yes.” His tone was so serious, so deadpan. “They shout at me every time I come to your room.”
I bit my lip. “Do they do it in English or Velkaran?”
“English, but with an American accent that is so bad I struggle to understand them.” He pointed to the bright yellow packets. “They mock me every time I tell them I will not require them.”
I tried not to laugh. “Well, we can’t have that, can we?”
Luka nodded. “I agree. That is why I am going to take one of them and tear the wrapper savagely, as a warning to the others.”
I grinned. “Have you always been this weird?”
“I do not know. Maybe I am… evolving.” His eyes twinkled.
Dammit, he was fucking adorable.
I cocked my head. “Although I should say there’s something you haven’t considered. As soon as you tear that wrapper? The condom starts yelling ‘Free! Free at last!’”
Luka blinked. “And you think I am weird?” He stood.
I watched him walk to the door, aware of a new truth I was only now beginning to realize.
Every time he left, part of me was already waiting for him to come back.
No sooner had the door closed behind him than my phone rang. I hurried over to grab it.
Mom.
“Hey.”
“Hi, sweetheart.” Her voice sounded lighter, steadier.
“How’s Dad?”
“He’s doing really well.” I heard movement in the background, a zipper, wheels across carpet. “The doctors think they caught things early.”
Air finally moved properly through my lungs. “Okay.”
“He’s already driving everyone insane,” she continued, her tone dry. “Apparently he’s developed very strong opinions about hospital oatmeal.”
I laughed, more from relief than anything else.
“Also, he says he wants to be there for the final on Friday.”
I froze. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh, I know.” She snorted. “And before you start yelling, I already told him only if the doctors clear it. But Dean…” Her voice dropped. “He wouldn’t let me cancel my flight tonight. He said one of us has to be there.”
That hit a tender spot. Even from a hospital bed, Dad was still trying to make sure I wasn’t alone.
My throat tightened. “I want you here too,” I admitted.
“I know.”
God, I was tired.
“Okay. Call me when you get to the hotel and we’ll figure out where to meet tomorrow.”
“We will.” A pause followed. “Are you okay? You sound…” She hesitated.
“I don’t know. A little… strained.” Before I could answer, she suddenly snorted.
“Of course you are. Honestly, silly question.” Her tone turned briskly affectionate.
“Your father scared ten years off my life, and probably off yours too, tonight you’re skating for Olympic gold—yes, Dean William Foster, don’t argue, you are absolutely going to win gold for America tonight—so naturally you’re under pressure. ”
Despite everything, I smiled.
“Get some rest before you skate,” she continued. “And I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll be the one requiring intravenous coffee.” Another pause. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” I ended the call.
Across the city athletes stretched, trained, focused, and prepared to step into moments they’d spent entire lifetimes chasing.
Me? I felt exhausted.
Dad was in the hospital.
Mom was flying to Milan.
I was skating for Olympic gold in a few hours.
And somehow, I was happier than I’d been in years.
I lay on the bed, closed my eyes, and let out a slow breath. Then I rolled onto my side and dragged Luka’s pillow closer. It still smelled faintly of soap.
Outside, somewhere beyond the Village, the city carried on preparing for another Olympic night.
I closed my eyes.
For the first time since Mom’s call after the short program, sleep didn’t feel impossible.