Page 2 of Off the Edge

You were amazing on the ice tonight.

My father glanced over. I tucked my phone back into my pocket and went back to staring out the window.

Nerves fluttered inside. I shouldn’t have sent it, but it was too late to take back now. He probably wouldn’t reply. I needed to stop dragging up the past as though we had a future. The notion that we could meet up again was a fantasy that was doing more damage than good.

I should forget Camden Navarro and what he’d taught me about who I was, how he’d taught me my heart could not have what it wanted.

If he didn’t reply, I’d forget him. That would be my line, then. If he didn’t reply, I’d know this abstract thing between us hadn’t been anything at all.

I shouldn’t want him to reply.

But I did.

TWO

CAMDEN

The routine in Sheffield left me breathless and buzzing, just like old times. No pain, just the thrill of the dance.

As I came off the ice, Casey grabbed my shoulder and gave me a whole-body shake. “He’s back!” Color touched his handsome, golden-boy face.

The team gave a small cheer. More backslapping and big smiles all ‘round while we de-skated and cooled down. It had not been easy, getting here. A whole lot of physio to fix the hip that had taken me off the ice for too many months, and then getting my body back in good enough shape to put it through the wringer every time I trained. There had been lows, times when I’d almost given up, but the team had been brilliant, Casey and Jen especially. Late-night calls, frantic text messages, much-needed downtime at the bar. Saga too, always ready to hear me bitch and moan. They’d gotten me through it.

I was only now beginning to feel like the person I’d been before the Meridian had almost cost me everything. And that person was on his way to the Olympics.

The team packed up their gear, and we were about to leave the rink for the hotel when my phone buzzed.

Ice Prince:

You were amazing on the ice tonight.

I stopped dead in the rink corridor. Someone collided with me from behind. I stumbled out of the way, apologized, and waved for the team to go on ahead. “I’ll catch up.” And before I knew why I was doing it, I headed back into the rink.

Ren was here?

He’d have performed with Team GB. I’d been in the ready rooms and missed their performance. It hadn’t even crossed my mind to step out to watch him. Or maybe it had, and I’d kept my head down and my heart off the ice instead.

His text after two months of silence had broken all of that open. I hurried back to the rinkside, but another team were in the center of the ice. I scanned the seats, looking for his stern face among the rows of people.

Nothing.

Damn. I’d missed him.

Again.

I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d almost seen me on purpose.

Months ago, he cancels the Ontario meet, and now, here, he texts after he’s gone?

I hung back at the rinkside. The buzz from the show turned into frustration, then sizzled into anger. Was he deliberately avoiding me?

u were here?

I sent back.

His reply came in less than a minute.

Of course.