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After leaving the car, we stepped inside the “Derby Stadium,” and I smiled. I think someone on Spitz Hollow’s town council had ideas of grandeur the day they named it. The space was only a little bigger than our high school gym. It also had wooden bleachers, and its red skating track markings wove with those from countless other sports. The polished wooden floor looked like someone had spilled a bowl of rainbow noodles on it.

The noise of chatter mingled with the squeak of rubber soles, echoing in the clammy room. Two giant fans slowly whirled overhead, barely shifting the air.

As Brody and I walked onto the floor, a few jaws dropped. People who stood around talking or lacing their skates, nudged each other and smirked. Brody didn’t seem to notice. He was probably used to grabbing attention wherever he went. Then the same folk saw me, standing behind him in my green tank top and jeans, looking like nobody in particular.

Smartly kitted-out skaters assessed me, their eyes sweeping over my body. I swear I’d never felt so short and scruffy. Eve had been right. I should have dressed to make a good firstimpression. Wowed my competition. Maybe I should’ve worn my rodeo outfit. Added some sequins.

A tall, wiry man with curls and a glittering smile stepped toward us, extending a hand. “Brody Flockhart! How long has it been? You’re looking great.”

Brody straightened his shoulders, taking the man’s hand and pumping it up and down. “Dean. It’s good to see you too, man.” He turned to me like an indulgent parent, with the biggest grin on his face. “This is Ro. The one I told you about.”

A tiny gnawing pang pulled at my gut. That the two of them knew each other was obvious, but they’d talked about me? Why?

The man extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ro. Brody told me all about your skating. I’m excited to see what you can do.” He swept an arm around the track. “The girls will make you feel right at home.” Based on some glares aimed my way, I highly doubted that. They’d more likely lock me in a cupboard or loosen my wheel nuts.

“This is Dean Millan. He manages the derby team,” said Brody.

The man grinned, shaking his head. “Not just the Derby. I manage the junior hockey team in Robin Springs, too. The one where Brody cut his skating teeth.”

Brody huffed a laugh and shifted on his feet.

“And I’m trying to get him to come back. Convince him to leave the bright lights of the NHL behind.”

Brody looked at me, then gestured at Dean. “Dean thinks I should coach when I burn out of the pros. Help get his team to the state finals.”

“There are a lot of juniors on my team that could benefit from Brody’s experience. I just need to sweeten the deal somehow. I’ll get him one day.” Dean turned to me now, guiding me forward into the hall. “So you want to be a Scalper, eh?” He glanced overhis shoulder at Brody. “Maybe I can take you both on. Kind of like a double deal.”

The gentle tug in my gut morphed into a full-on lurch. Was he kidding? Did Brody know about this? Had the two of them talked about Millan putting both of us on his teams? When I’d agreed to him helping me train, it was as a friend, not a potential deal sweetener. I was here to try out on my own merits, not because of Brody.

I tried to meet his eyes to get some clue what the hell was going on, but a jiggling kid with a bright red face had asked the almighty Flock for an autograph.

Someone blew a whistle, making me jump. “Looks like we’re about to get started,” Dean said. “You better get yourself ready to knock my socks off.” He strode away, calling out to a gruff-looking woman in a Scalpers sweatshirt.

A second later, Brody was at my shoulder, but I didn’t have time to ask questions about any “deal” with Millan.

“Do you have my kit bag?” I asked.

“What?”

“My bag. With my clothes. My pads and helmet.” Eve and I had planned what I’d wear today and as well as my green skate bag containing my crochet, we’d packed a special hold-all with my pads, some red gym shorts, red knee-high socks, and a fitted black T-shirt. Nothing flashy, but something that showed I meant business.

Brody grimaced, and my heart dropped. “Fuck! I left it behind in the hallway at your Gran’s.”

“What?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s on the side. I had it all ready to go, but I got a text.”

I rolled my eyes, and my blood rose to a gentle simmer. “Oh, that’s okay then, so long as you got your text. No need to worry about me.” At least I’d carried my skates.

“That’s hardly fair.” His face took on an odd, distant look, and a furrow etched the space between his brows.

At any other moment, I would have asked him if he was okay, but today wasn’t about him. It was about me. “What the hell am I going to do? I can’t go out like this. I look like I’m going on a hike. And they won’t let me skate without a helmet.”

Brody scowled, and then his face cleared. “Hang on! I’ll be back. Wait for me outside the locker room.” With a squeak of his sneakers on the floor, he turned and headed back out to his car.

The other fresh meat had already changed and stood in groups, waiting for the trial to start. As I crossed the track to the locker room, I hung my head low, feeling every eye that must surely be on me.Iwas the reason for the delay. Some nobody.

When I got to the locker room door and explained my predicament, one of the team assistants helped me find some pads and wrist guards. They were all different colors and had seen far better days, but I couldn’t have been more grateful. Mis-matched gear beat broken wrists or missing kneecaps any day.