Page 28

KATERINA

I knew this morning was going to go to shit when I woke up and found out Grayson drank my coffee. I was late for practice because I couldn’t find my damn leg warmers, and the first thing I saw at the rink was Alina yelling. She is fuming. Roman stands across from her, arms crossed, jaw clenched, while Alina paces before him like she’s seconds away from losing it.

“I don’t get you,”

she snaps, throwing her hands in the air. “One second, you’re fine, and the next, you shut down like I’m some stranger.”

Roman exhales through his nose, visibly restraining himself.

“Alina—”

“No,”

she cuts him off, her voice shaking. “I don’t understand why you can’t just talk to me.”

His expression hardens, but beneath it, I see it—hesitation. Fear. My best friend likes Roman. She’s scared to lose him. The look in her eyes, I’ve seen it before on her.

“This is getting ugly,”

Aiden mutters, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I nudge him on the ribs to get him to be quiet. “Stop talking. I can’t hear.”

Roman shakes his head, exhaling harshly. “Because it’s not that simple, Alina.”

She scoffs at Roman, rolling her eyes.

“No, Roman. It is. You just don’t want it to be.”

A heavy silence stretches between them. Roman’s fingers flex at his sides like he wants to reach for her but doesn’t dare. Alina’s eyes shine with frustration, lips pressed tight like she’s holding back something deeper than anger.

She steps back. Not much. But enough for Roman to notice. His jaw ticks, his entire body stiffening, but he doesn’t say anything. Alina nods once like she’s just made a decision.

“I can’t keep doing this, Roman.”

She walks away before he can respond, her shoulders tense, her hands balled into fists. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until she’s gone.

Aiden blows out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Damn.”

I elbow him.

“Not the time.”

I spat at Aiden through gritted teeth.

Roman stands there momentarily, staring at the spot where Alina disappeared, his fingers tightening into fists before he turns and storms off in the opposite direction. I sigh, rubbing my temple.

“That’s gonna be a mess.”

Aiden nudges my side, wiggling his brows, while he rubs his hands together in anticipation.

“Wanna make a bet?”

I glare at him, annoyed at his reaction.

“You’re insufferable.”

He smirks. “And yet, you love spending time with me.”

I roll my eyes but don’t argue. Because he’s right. Ever since my shoulder injury, my thoughts have shifted. Don’t get me wrong—I still want to be a gold medalist in the upcoming Olympics. Scratch that. I will be.

But this past week, focusing on my studies and having Aiden help me skate just enough to stay prepared for my return has made me realize something. I wasn’t living. I mean, sure, technically, I was, but not really. I was so consumed by figure skating, so obsessed with winning that stupid gold medal, that I lost sight of why I even started. I used to skate because I loved it, it made me feel alive. Not for a medal. My new goal? Reignite my passion for figure skating.

I shake my thoughts off and skate around the rink, gaining speed with each glide.

“Bend those knees, angel face,”

Aiden commands, his voice firm but laced with something that makes my stomach flip. I bend my right knee slightly, casting him a grin.

“Just like that. You’re doing so good.”

A rush of heat spreads through me at his praise. My core tingles and I have to fight the sudden urge to press my thighs together. What the hell is wrong with me? One compliment, and I’m in shambles.

“You’re such a—”

“Aiden, stop it.”

I come to a sharp halt, skidding on the ice, and turn to face the devil himself. Aiden stops and smirks at me, knowing exactly what he’s doing. My heart slams against my ribs. I hate this. I hate how he makes me lose control.

“Stop what?”

I glare at his stupidly attractive grin and shove him with my left arm, but my balance wavers. Before I can fall, two strong arms wrap around my waist, steadying me.

Suddenly, being held by Aiden is far worse than the teasing. His scent—clean, woodsy, intoxicating—wraps around me, making my head spin.

“Stop what?”

he asks again, his tone lower this time. I press my lips into a thin line, looking everywhere except his eyes.

“You know what. Stop with the compliments.”

Aiden’s smirk widens, a knowing glint sparking in his gaze.

“I didn’t know you had a praise kink, angel.”

My jaw drops. The audacity—

I slap his chest with my left arm, attempting to wiggle out of his hold, but he only tightens his grip, keeping me close.

“I don’t,”

I say, my voice firm despite the warmth creeping up my neck. “I think we’re done for today. I want to go home and take a bath.”

Aiden quirks a brow, licking his bottom lip. “Ugh, yes, you can join. Let’s go.”

He gives me a full-blown smile—the kind that could make me collapse if he wasn’t holding me up. Aiden doesn’t smile often. Most of the time, he walks around with a resting bitch face or an annoying smirk, but when he does smile, I want to take a picture, print it out, and lock it away in a safe where only I have the key. So I can look at it whenever I want to.

“Are you and the girls coming to the game tonight?”

Aiden asks as he effortlessly intertwines our hands and skates by my side toward the bench.

“Yeah. Roman is still being an ass to Alina, and I don’t like it, but I’m pretty sure she will still go to support him.”

I sit on the bench as Aiden kneels in front of me and starts undoing my laces.

“I promise you, he cares about her,”

Aiden says. “Roman’s been through a lot. It’s just… hard for him to express himself. Meanwhile, your best friend? She’s very expressive.”

I chuckle, nodding in agreement. Aiden finishes with his skates first, swaps them for slides, and then kneels again— this time to put mine on.

“Aiden, it’s just slides. You don’t have to do that.”

He ignores me, grabs our bags, slings them over his shoulder, and reaches for my hand.

This man will be the death of me. I stand and let him take my hand, a soft smile tugging at my lips.

“Let’s go take that bath.”

I roll my eyes, chuckling. “You’re such a guy.”

Twenty minutes later, we step into the house, and my jaw drops when I see Will and Maddie cuddled up on the couch. Aiden freezes beside me, equally stunned.

“When she’s gone, he’s dead,”

Roman announces from the staircase. I grin at how stressed he looks. The vein in his forehead is ready to pop, and if it does… I want front-row seats.

“This fucker came up to me and said, I like your sister. You can do whatever you want to me, but I won’t stop wanting her. I punched his dumb-ass, and he just grinned at me like a damn psychopath.”

I bite my lip, fighting back a laugh, and glance at Aiden, who looks just as amused.

“We’re right here, Roman. I can hear you—”

“I don’t give a fuck, Will.”

Roman spits the words out, and this time, I laugh. Roman glares at me, so I shut up, pressing my lips together to stop laughing. I love how protective he is of Maddie. I often wish I had a sibling, someone to share all my joy and sadness with, someone who could be there for me when I feel lonely.

“Sorry, Rome. Maybe you should call my best friend and have her come over,”

I say, placing my right hand on his shoulder for comfort. His glare fades into something softer and sadder, and my chest tightens.

“She won’t answer my calls,”

he mutters. “I think I fucked everything up.”

I sigh, stepping forward to wrap my arms around his waist.

“It doesn’t hurt to try. The Alina I know would come here in a heartbeat if you needed her to.”

Aiden claps a hand on Roman’s back.

“Go get her, tiger. Stop acting like a little bitch and get your girl.”

Roman shoots him a glare before turning to me.

“Please tell him to shut the fuck up. He just ruined a great bonding moment.”

I glare at Aiden, who raises his hands in mock innocence, taking a step back. I swear Aiden has no filter whatsoever.

“We’re here if you need to talk. Bye!”

Aiden snaps, grabbing my hand and dragging me upstairs to my room. He shuts the door behind us and locks it, slamming me against the door. I gasp as his hands trap me on both sides.

“God, he talks too much,”

Aiden mutters, his lips brushing against mine.

“All I wanted was to have you all to myself.”

His mouth trails down my collarbone, his lips grazing the sensitive skin. I tilt my head, giving him more access, and he takes it.

“Aiden…”

I whisper, my breathing erratic. A deep sound rumbles from his chest, and I feel it everywhere. My left-hand sneaks into his hair, fingers curling as I pull. I force his head back and meet his gaze with a teasing smile.

“Are you going to fuck me?”

I ask my voice barely a whisper. Aiden’s pupils dilate. His eyes flick to my lips, dark and dangerous, as if I’ve just awoken

something untamed inside him.

“Do you want me to?”

Aiden asks, as his eyes analyze my face for any sign of hesitation. A whimper escapes me when he pulls me to his front, our bodies meshed together.

“Y-Yes.”

I manage to get out as his hand slides up, cupping my breast, squeezing just enough to make me arch into him. Then he grips my thighs, lifting me against him. I wrap my legs around his waist, crashing my lips against his, swallowing the groan he lets out. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, claiming, devouring—

“Guys, I need to talk to you.”

That was no Aiden. Fuck. I groan, hitting my head against the door at the sound of Roman’s voice.

“No,”

Aiden whispers. “Pretend you’re sleeping.”

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “Aiden, he’s your best friend,”

I whisper, pulling his bottom lips between my thumb.

“I don’t care. I want you. Right now.”

“Please.”

Roman pleads, his voice cracking at the end.

Aiden lifts his fist to his mouth and bites it in irritation, his entire body stiff with frustration. His eyes are dark, still clouded with desire, and I don’t miss the way his jaw clenches, his patience running razor-thin. I chuckle, amused despite the heat still coursing through my veins. My heart is racing from what almost happened— what would have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted.

With a sigh, I turn and open the door. Roman practically barrels into my room, not even waiting for an invitation.

“Oh, thank God,”

he mutters, running a hand through his hair before dropping onto my bed, shoulders slumping forward. His whole body screams exhaustion like he’s been carrying the weight of something heavy for far too long.

“I need help,”

he admits, his voice rough and strained. I exchange a glance with Aiden, who still looks like he’s debating whether or not to kick Roman out. Roman exhales sharply and leans forward, elbows on his knees.

“I can’t lose Ali... She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m—”

His voice cracks, and he shakes his head in frustration.

“I’m self-sabotaging and don’t even know how to stop. I don’t know how to love her, right. I’ve never known how to love someone right, Kat.”

My chest tightens—my poor friends. You can see how much they care about each other. Maybe this is a right person, wrong time situation. Roman doesn’t do vulnerable. He doesn’t let people see him break. But right now? He’s breaking. I step closer, sitting on the bed beside him.

“Roman,”

I say softly, “Just talk to her. You know what Alina has been through. She needs communication. She needs honesty. You can’t keep shutting her out.”

Roman lets out a hollow laugh, rubbing his hands over his face.

“And how do I even do that? Open up about what?”

He looks up at me, eyes guarded yet desperate for an answer. I hold his gaze.

“Your past. Your fears. Why you act the way that you do. She doesn’t need perfection, Roman—she just needs the truth.”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.

“I don’t want to hurt her. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I get angry? What if—”

“You won’t,”

I interrupt.

“Not if you go into this remembering that she’s on your side. She just wants to know you.”

Roman stands, pacing the room, dragging a hand through his hair.

“I don’t want to blow up on her. Especially when she asks questions I don’t want to answer. I want to be able to talk without—”

His hands tighten into fists.

“Without shutting down.”

I stand, too, trying to place myself before him so he stays grounded in the conversation.

“Then start small. Tell her that it’s hard for you, but you’re trying. She’ll understand.”

Roman stares at me for a long moment before nodding.

“Yeah… okay.”

Then, without warning, he wraps his arms

around me in a tight hug. Before I can even return it, Aiden clears his throat—loudly.

“Uhm, yeah, take your hands off her now,”

he says, his voice

laced with warning. I glare at Aiden, but Roman just smirks, unfazed. He squeezes me one last time before pulling back.

“Jealous much?”

Aiden doesn’t deny it. Instead, he grabs a pillow from my bed and launches it at Roman’s head, which Roman quickly catches, laughing.

“Seriously, man?”

“Seriously,”

Aiden deadpans. I roll my eyes. They act like they are ten years old sometimes.

“Roman, just try, okay? Talk to Alina after the game. Take her out to eat, spend time together, and then bring her back to talk.”

Roman nods, determination flickering in his eyes. I hope he understood what I said and really tries to open up to Ali.

“Yeah. Yeah, I can do that.”

He exhales, shoving his hands into his pockets before giving me one last hug—purely to piss off Aiden, I’m sure. Aiden retaliates by hurling another pillow at him, this time nailing him right in the face.

“Fuck you, you jealous prick,”

Roman mutters, dodging the next pillow. “She’s like my sister.”

I smile, shaking my head as he heads for the door.

“Thanks, KitKat. I appreciate it.”

He yells through the hallway.

“You got this,”

I ye. He throws one last glare at Aiden before disappearing down the hallway. The moment the door clicks shut, I spin on my heel, arms crossed.

“Why would you do that?”

Aiden shrugs, unapologetic. “Because he ruined our fun time.”

I sigh. Of course.

Aiden flops onto my bed, stretching his arms above his head, his shirt lifting just enough to reveal a sliver of skin. My eyes betray me, flickering downward before snapping back up. He notices, and a smirk tugs at his lips. “But let’s go get that bath,”

he says, voice smug. I grab a pillow and smack him in the chest. “You’re impossible.”

Aiden laughs, but before I can move away, he grabs me by the wrist, pulling me down onto the bed with him. His hands frame my face, his touch warm, steady—

possessive.

And then his lips are on mine. It’s slow at first, teasing like he’s savoring how I melt against him. But then something shifts, and suddenly, we’re not just kissing—we’re drowning in each other. His hand slips to my waist, fingers digging in, pulling me closer. My hands tangle in his hair, nails scratching lightly against his scalp, making him groan into my mouth. The sound sends a shiver down my spine.

I need him. But just as his hands start to roam, a familiar fear creeps in. I want to keep him, and I want this. But what happens when he learns about my past?

What happens when he sees the parts of me I’ve kept buried? Will he still look at me the same way? Will he still want me? The thoughts are suffocating as Aiden pulls back slightly, brushing his lips over my jaw.

“You okay?”

he murmurs, his voice low, gentle. I force a smile, pushing the doubts away—for now.

“Yeah,”

I whisper, pressing my lips to his again.

Maybe I can hold onto this a little longer before it all comes crashing down.