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“I think you’re forgetting he’s a professional athlete,” Charlie, her co-host said. “He’s got all the athletic prowess in the world, and he’s been on the ice since he could walk, too.”

“True. She just floats into these lifts like they’re the easiest thing in the world for him. It’s amazing to watch.”

“And every time they master a pass, they make eye contact and smile. I like that,” Charlie added.

“They really are a great team. I can’t wait to see what they have cooked up for the Free Dance,” Sasha said.

“Same. I mean, they’re doing these technical skills, but they’re actually dancing and having fun with it, and that’s what’s setting them apart,” Charlie noted.

“Yeah, that, and maybe a little something else…” Sasha hinted.

“What’s that, Sasha?”

“I think there might be a little chemistry going on there,” she said with a light laugh.

Charlie chuckled. “I didn’t want to be the one to say it, but…you might be right.”

Yeah, they might be right, I whispered to myself, feeling my heart warm in my chest.

_________

The next afternoon, I shook out my legs and cracked my neck. The crowd exploded with applause for the couple ahead of us.

“I think that means we’re up.” Kappy gave me a wicked grin. “Ready?”

Jittery energy coursed through my veins. “Ready,” I confirmed with my own grin. My body was itching to get on the ice, to feel the high that only skating could give me.

Holding hands, we walked down the long hallway. Seeing our pictures displayed on the LED walls, pride skyrocketed in my heart.

Broadcasters, fans, coaches, and judges would later point to this program and use words like “explosive”, “romantic”, and “technical excellence.”

I just called it pure love.

For skating, and for him.

We nailed a perfect program.

As soon as the music ended, he held a hand to his chest, catching his breath and laughing. “We did it. We really did it.”

So much happiness and triumph coursed through me that I threw up my fists and shouted, “Yes!”

Still laughing, Richard picked me up, wrapping his arms right under my butt. My hands went to his cheeks.

His brown eyes shined. “It’s our time, baby.”

We sealed it with a kiss while the crowd roared around us.

“We better book our flights to Italy,” he said.

I was so overwhelmed with pure joy that I couldn’t get the words out. I just nodded. All our hard work was worth it.

I didn’t need to sit in the kiss-and-cry to know that we just won Nationals.

We were going to the Olympics.

_________

When we finally got back to our hotel room, Kappy quickly passed out for a nap—still wearing his gold medal around his neck.

After such a crazy day, I actually enjoyed only listening to the sound of his even breathing while I steam-ironed our outfits for the Gala Exhibition.

For these outfits, I tried to match Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” music video, so I dressed him in a black vest over a white button down and slacks, and I designed a white flowy dress for myself.

A knock sounded on my hotel room door, waking Kappy with a start.

As soon as I pulled the door open, Patrick pushed past me and stalked in, a solemn look on his face .

Coming to a stop in the middle of our room, Patrick’s hands went to his hips. “We hit a little snag.”

My stomach bottomed out. “What? How?” They couldn’t take this win from us. We earned it. The whole world saw us earn it.

Patrick’s face was grave. He hooked a finger for Kappy to follow him.

Taking off his medal, the color drained from his face.

“What? What’s going on?” I asked, but they both ignored me as they moved to the hallway.

I tried to go with them, but Patrick blocked me. “Just give us a minute, Piper. Please.”

Confusion slammed into me. Kappy wouldn’t make eye-contact with me. Stepping back, I almost lost my balance.

After the door clicked shut behind them, I stared at it for a beat, shocked at what was happening. Tiptoeing closer, I listened as best as I could, but their voices were all muffled. All I could make out were the words: Health check. Positive. Amphetamines.

When the door popped back open, I didn’t even hide the fact that I tried to listen.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Patrick said in a low tone.

Kappy walked past me, looking defeated. All the light was gone from his face, and it looked like he was running on empty.

Tense silence filled the room. He stared out the window. I stared at his large back.

“Are you taking a banned substance?” I whispered.

He stayed silent.

“What did you take?” The worst possibilities swirled in my head.

He slumped on the edge of the bed and dropped his head.

“Richard,” I snapped. “What did you take?”

He was silent for a beat. “A beta-blocker.”

Shock rocked into me. Not only were beta-blockers prohibited, but they could test false positive for other drugs. “Why?” I whispered. “Why would you do that?”

His eyes dropped to the floor. “I don’t know.”

My eyes darted across his tired face, trying to read him. “You’re lying. You do know. Now tell me,” I demanded.

In his silence, everything slowed around me. I could feel my heartbeat thrumming loudly in my ears. Dread gripped my whole body. He would never take something like that unless…unless he needed it .

“What’s wrong with you?” I whispered.

When his sorrowful brown eyes met mine, my knees buckled.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” I repeated, my voice going pitchy. “You have to tell me, Richard.”

His eyes went glassy, making my whole body tremble with panic. In all the years I’d known him, I’d never seen him even close to tears. He closed his eyes. “You asked if I had a concussion in the spring.”

I stayed silent, waiting for him to explain.

“I didn’t lie to you. I just…didn’t leave the ice because of a concussion.”

My whole world tilted on its axis.