Page 20

KATERINA

I should have stayed in bed. I should have feigned sickness, locked my door, thrown my phone into the ocean—anything to avoid this moment. Because I know the second, I step onto the ice, he’ll be there. And I don’t know what’s worse—the fact that I kissed him or the fact that I ran. I ran before he could say anything. Before I could ruin it by letting myself think, by allowing myself want. Because I do.

I do want him. But I can’t. He will leave just like everyone else. So, I left. And now, here I am, standing in the middle of the rink, knowing that I have to face him. Knowing that I can’t take back what happened.

My skates scrape against the ice as I warm up, every movement feeling too sharp, too off-balance, like my body still hasn’t caught up to my brain. Like my body still remembers him. I take a deep breath, forcing my shoulders back, my face blank. It was nothing. I tell myself. You’ll see him, and it will be fine. Normal. But then Alexei skates up beside me, grinning.

“How’s your ego, Malyshka?”

I groan, already regretting everything.

“Shut up.”

“What’s wrong? Still thinking about your mistake?”

He makes air quotes, smirking. Last night, after lying down, I decided to call Alexei into my room and let him know what happened. I called it a mistake, even though I know it’s not one.

“You’re the worst.”

I glare at Alexei but he gestures to the rink entrance.

“Not true. He is.”

I already know. I already feel it. And I make the mistake of looking. Aiden is here, and he’s looking right at me. My stomach drops.

He strolls in, hockey bag slung over his shoulder, completely unbothered. His hair is still damp from his shower, his jersey slung lazily over his shoulder, and he moves like someone who knows exactly what he did to me last night. Like someone who’s not going to let me forget it.

Our eyes meet. A flicker of amusement, then something more profound—something that makes my breath catch. He smirks at me and I whip back around, my face burning. Nope. Not doing this.

“Angel Face,”

he calls, voice too casual, too smug. “You gonna be able to focus today?”

My grip tightens around my skates’ laces. I hate him. I actually hate him. Alexei laughs beside me, skating away before I can shove him into the boards. I take a deep breath, willing myself to ignore him. I can do this. I can skate. I can pretend last night didn’t happen. I push off, gliding into my first jump sequence— And fall flat on my ass. Aiden howls with laughter from the sidelines.

I groan, covering my face as Alexei skates back over, grinning. “You’re so fucked, Malyshka.”

Lying on the ice, cheeks burning, I know one thing for sure. This is going to be hell.

I don’t even make it to the locker room before I hear him behind me.

“Running away again, Angel Face?”

I spin around, ready to murder him, but he’s already too close, standing in my space like he owns it. My jaw tightens.

“Move.”

He doesn’t. Of course, he doesn’t. Instead, he tilts his head, smirk still in place, eyes too sharp, too knowing.

“You left.”

I force my arms to stay at my sides, fingers twitching.

“So?”

I ask in defiance. Aiden hums, his gaze flicking over my face like he’s reading every thought I don’t want him to see.

“Didn’t think you were the type to run.”

My spine locks. “I don’t run.”

“Really? Then what would you call last night?”

I cross my arms, forcing myself to meet his gaze, willing my voice to be steady.

“It was a mistake.”

Something in his expression shifts—just for a second. Then, his smirk is back, but it’s slower now, lazier. “Sure it was.”

“Don’t start.”

Aiden shrugs, infuriatingly relaxed, clearly amused by our conversation.

“I didn’t do anything. You’re the one losing your mind.”

“I am not—”

He leans in, lowering his voice. “You’re the one touching me, Hart.”

My breath hitches. My traitorous hands are fisted in the fabric of his hoodie, holding on like I forgot how to let go. Shit. I yank them away like he burned me, ignoring the warmth still lingering on my fingertips.

“I can’t stand you,”

I whisper as he invades my space, and I can breathe him in. His eyes flicker, his smirk never fading.

“Try again.”

Aiden pecks my lips fast with a smug look on his face. I glare, ready to tell him exactly where he can shove his arrogant attitude, but my brain is a mush from the peck— Someone clears their throat. Loudly.

Standing right there, arms crossed, eyebrows raised so high they might fly off her face is Alina. Beside her, Maddie is grinning like a lunatic.

“So… that just happened.”

I say nervously. Maddie lets out a squeal.

“Oh my God, finally.”

Alexei just shakes his head, smirking knowingly. “Took longer than I expected.”

I groan, covering my face with my hands.

“We are not talking about this.”

Alina snorts.

“Oh, we absolutely are.”

I drop my hands and glare at Aiden.

“This is your fault.”

He shrugs, completely unbothered.

“Happy to take the credit, angel face,”

I swear, I might actually murder him. Before I can launch myself at him, Alexei claps his hands.

“Alright, lovebirds. Let’s go. We’ve got a full day of practice today. We are going to be busy.”

I jump at the distraction, turning away before Aiden can say something else that makes me lose my mind.

“Yes. Great idea.”

Alina cackles. “You hate long practice days.”

I flip her off, storming towards the other side of the rink. I do not look back at Aiden.

Because if I do—if I let myself see whatever’s in his eyes—I might not walk away this time.