Page 45 of The Roommate Game

“I—no,” I confirmed.

“So why not help each other out? We’re both really good at what we do,andwe’re good press for Smithton. We’re also in the same position. I need a place to land after graduation that’s worth a crap too. Spots are limited for the championships, but if we play our cards right, we could make everyone happy. Be a team within the team. Think about it.”

Celine was waiting for me in the lobby. She motioned for me to follow her to the exit and into the pouring rain.

I pulled my jacket over both of us. “Run!”

We slid into a booth at Bear Depot, half-soaked. And hungry, too. I ordered a burger, fries, and a diet soda much to Celine’s dismay.

“A burger? What’s that all about?” she asked, tucking the laminated menu into the sleeve at the end of the table.

“I have a little extra money in my budget this week, so I’m eating my feelings.”

“Gus is still overbuying to get in your good graces, huh?”

Confession: That was the only piece of information I’d shared with Celine regarding the change in dynamics between Gus and me. I would probably share the sexier bits at some point, but not yet. I didn’t want the lecture. I didn’t want to be reminded that sleeping with my roommate was a bad idea. A terrible idea. I knew it, but I didn’t want to stop any time soon.

“A little bit, but don’t get too excited. It’s a burger, not filet mignon,” I replied, finger-combing my damp hair.

“In that case, let’s order a side of onion rings too.”

We clinked our water glasses and settled in to chat. Celine and I texted constantly and saw each other at the rink every day, but face-to-face powwows didn’t happen often enough.

Let’s not forget that Smithton had been Celine’s home for years. She had friends that had no connection to me or ice skating, and I respected that. She was a busy gal with an active social life and I was…well, nowhere near as exciting. Usually.

I was reeling from Eli’s proposition and the fact that I was struggling with basic technique made me extra anxious.

Geez, everything made me anxious lately.

“Boris is going to give up on me if I don’t get my head out of my ass. I don’t think I’m doing it on purpose. I just…freeze. All the energy that I’m supposed to coil and use as a springboard goes limp, and I’m lucky to get six inches of air. It’s worrisome and embarrassing,” I lamented.

“You’ve got a mild case of the you-know-whats, honey.”

I gasped. “No!”

“Talk to your therapist and work it out. It’s going to be okay. You’ll get through this.” Celine stole a french fry from my plate and dipped it into ketchup. She waited for my nod of acknowledgment, and changed topics. “Now, come clean and tell me what’s really going on with you and Eli. He was staring at you during practice. I thought that terrible kiss ended your amorous vibes.”

My cheeks flushed automatically. I couldn’t look any guiltier if I tried. “It did. But…he has another idea. Eli just proposed a sort of partnership. Pinky shenanigans only.”

Celine’s perfect brows rose to her hairline as I filled her in. “Oh…my…God.”

“I know. Sleazy, huh? And ridiculous.”

She tossed a fry at me and laughed. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s kind of harmless.”

I huffed. “Is it? To what end? We’re teammates.”

“But we don’t all get chosen to represent Smithton for the championships, do we?”

Cold dread trickled through my veins. “I’m aware.”

“I think he’d prefer to be the highest ranked mens’ singles skater at Smithton. You, my friend, are competition…even with your current woes. There’re only three hundred spots total, and we don’t know how many they’ll choose from our program. Smithton is tiny. We got four spots last year, and two were partners. Tell me you’ve been scouting a new club.”

“You know I haven’t,” I choked out. “I can’t afford anything outside of Pittsburgh. I lost my sponsorship last summer, so…this is it. I have to get on that team.”

Celine set her manicured hand over mine and squeezed. “You will.”

Her sincerity buoyed me, but I wished I could be so sure.