Adam comes over and crowds in to see.
I’m expecting her to jump and not clear the landing, but she’s just gliding across the ice when her body crumbles. She goes down hard on the ice and the audience lets out a collective “Oooo”.
I stop breathing and my pulse speeds up while I watch the medical staff rush out, and then the video cuts off.
“Holy shit.” Adam stands.
“I don’t understand.” My ears ring. “Sienna said she’s fine. This was last year?”
“Yeah, early in the season, I think. She was in the hospital for a few days.”
“How do you know all this?” My tone is accusatory. What I really mean is, Why don’t I?
“She was gone from yoga for about a month. We had this awful teacher instead who—”
“Focus.” I raise my voice. “What else do you know about her heart condition?”
“Woah, dude. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you raise your voice before.” He makes a face at Adam that shows his shock. “That’s pretty much all I know.”
“How could you not tell me? How could she not tell me?” I stand and pace the living room.
It’s quiet. Too quiet. I look to Adam. He’s mostly reasonable.
“That may not be the type of thing that’s so easy to bring up. Have you talked about her heart condition at all?” he asks.
I think back on all our conversations. “Yeah. Kind of. Fuck. I guess not. She told me she takes medication and that she has to be careful and listen to her body. She said she has episodes, but this…” I wave my hand toward Maverick’s phone. “She didn’t tell me that.”
I sit back down. My mind is spinning. “Now what? She’s about to skate. Can that happen again? She has the monitor now, right?”
I feel sick. The image of her slamming into the ice replays over and over. Holy shit.
“I’m going to call her.” I do just that as I walk to my room, slamming the door behind me.
“Pick up. Pick up. Pick up,” I mutter quietly.
She does on the third ring. The background noise of the competition is so loud, I can just barely make out her voice. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me. It’s Rhett.”
“I know, silly.”
“Right.” Her happy, bubbly tone is such a contradiction to the picture of her lifeless face in the video that’s now frozen in my head. “You’re okay then?”
“What?”
“You saw the doctor and he cleared you to skate?”
She doesn’t respond right away, but the background noise dims. “Sorry. I moved somewhere quieter so I can hear you. I only have a minute. Olivia is up next. What’s up?”
“I was just calling to make sure you were okay.”
“Yeah, I’m actually not that nervous. It usually doesn’t hit me until right before I step on the ice. Then BAM!”
I flinch and squeeze my eyes shut. There it is again. The image of her slamming into the ice. Fuck.
“How’s the heart? Doctor said it’d be fine, yeah?”
“Yeah, he cleared me. I’m good.”
“You’re sure?”
She laughs. “As sure as I can be, I guess.”
That is not inspiring.
“Oh, they just called Olivia. I have to go. I’ll call you later,” her cheery voice chirps in my ear. I should feel better. She’s fine. The doctor cleared her. He wouldn’t do that if something could happen, right?
“Okay. Stay safe.” Yeah, like that isn’t an awkward send-off.
I hang up and stare at the wall. “Stay safe?”
Real smooth.
* * *
The bus leaves Sunday afternoon. I talked to Sienna long enough last night to hear about her day, but she was tired and I still hadn’t figured out what to say about the incident which shall never be watched again. Even still, it’s replaying in my mind every time I think I’m past it.
Uneasy and restless, I oversleep, and then in a rush to get out the door, forget my Nintendo Switch for the ride. I can’t even distract myself with video games while I worry about Sienna skating. She’s taking the ice any time now.
I’m agitated and don’t feel like making small talk. Silent and broody is the general mood on the bus, though, so I fit right in. Regionals is four teams, single elimination. Today we play Icarus State and then, hockey gods willing, the winner of Troy and Stonewell.
Heath is in the seat next to me. “Are you going to bounce your leg like that the whole ride?”
I still. “Sorry, man.”
“It’s cool. Everything all right?”
I stare down at the phone in my hand. “Waiting to hear how Sienna’s final skate went today.”
“I have cards. Wanna play?”
“Definitely.” I’m still kicking myself for not asking more questions about her heart condition. She’s waved it off like it was no big deal, but I should have known. A doctor has to clear her for every competition—that should have been a major red flag. Not to mention all the small ones along the way—checking her heart rate, Elias calling to check in on her every day.
The bus stops at the hotel where we check in and drop our overnight bags.
“Home sweet home,” Adam says, tossing his duffel on the floor.
The adjoining door between our room and Heath and Mav’s opens.
“Hey, neighbors,” Mav says.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and it’s the first time in as long as I can remember, that I rush to answer it. Sienna. “Oh, thank fuck,” I say before I accept the call. “Hey, angel.”
“I’ll go…” Adam tips his head toward the other room.
I hit the video button. I need to see her.
“I’m a mess,” she says when her face fills the screen. She isn’t. Her green eyes are highlighted with more makeup than usual. Dark lashes and a fuck-hot red mouth.
“I haven’t changed yet. I was too tired.”
“You look beautiful. How’d your long program go?”
“Good. Really good. My best score of the season. It moved me into second, but there are still two more senior skaters.”
“Wow. That’s amazing. Congrats. What are you doing now?”
“Hanging in the hallway trying to rest. Josie’s with me. She’s going to get us food across the street.” She tilts the screen and her friend waves.
“Hey, Josie.”
“Turkey, no cheese, light mayo?” she asks Sienna.
“And chips. Oooh, and a cookie.”
I can no longer see Josie, but I hear her laugh. “All right. Back in a few.”
When she leaves, Sienna brings the phone closer to her face.
“You could go with her and call me later. I know it’s crazy there. Here too. We just got to the hotel. The bus is leaving for the arena in thirty minutes.”
“No, I offered to go with her. She wanted to be alone. She’s pissed at herself for falling on a jump today.”
“That sucks.”
She hums. “It happens. I hope we’re back to Valley before your game starts. Signal on the way here was crappy.”
“Oh, that reminds me, Dakota wanted me to invite you to their apartment to watch with them. If you’re back in time.”
“That was nice.” She stretches her slim neck. “I’m probably going to crash as soon as the game is over though. Better to be in my bed when that happens.”
“Are you okay?” The niggling worry is back.
“Yeah, I’m just tired. I never sleep well in hotels. I can’t wait to crash in my own bed.”
“I can sleep anywhere.”
She smiles. “Oh, I’ve heard.”
A chuckle shakes my chest. Two minutes ago I wouldn’t have thought I was capable of laughing. All day I’ve been worrying about her, but here I am smiling and feeling calmer. That’s just what it’s like with Sienna. She makes bad days better. She makes everything better.
20
Sienna
I take Rhett with me to the locker room so I can grab my bag. It looks lik
e we’re going to take third overall and I am going to take second in the senior division. Not a bad way to hang up my skates. Metaphorically, of course. We still have the Valley Classic, but it’s more of a showcase with just one other university. This is the last competitive show of the season and I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished.
“Did you watch it?” I ask. I sent him a video that Josie took of my short program yesterday.
“About a hundred times,” he says, lighting up my insides. “Did someone take video for me today?”
“Yes. I’ll send it to you.”
He grins so big like I’m sending him nudes. His gaze drops. “Can’t wait. Green today, huh? I like it.”
“Oh, thanks.” It’s an emerald green that Josie says makes my eyes pop. I step in front of the large mirror in the locker room and turn my camera to show him the full outfit—sans skates.
“I like it a lot. Wish I could have been there to see you skate.”
“You see me skate all the time.”
“Yeah, but this is different.” He sits on the bed and leans against the headboard. “Hey, I have a question for you.”
“Shoot,” I say, flipping the camera back around, then grabbing my stuff and heading back upstairs.
“How come you never told me about your accident last year?”
I still even before I’ve processed the words.
Rhett continues, “When we were looking for your competition online yesterday, Mav found some old videos from last year.”
“I told you about my heart condition,” I say defensively.
“Yeah, but I didn’t realize it was like that. Besides, knowing it and seeing it happen…” He tilts his head and gives me a tight smile. “I can’t stop seeing it.”
I steel my expression and feel myself withdrawing from him. He isn’t the first guy to get freaked out and decide it’s more than they can handle. I was dating Mike, the more recent of my two boyfriends, when I fainted on the ice. He was great while I recovered and then peaced out as soon as I was feeling better. It’s hard to blame him. Who wants to date the chick who could drop dead at any minute?
“Why didn’t you tell me more?” he asks.
“Because.” I wave a hand in front of the screen. “This happens. I’m fine. I have a heart condition and sometimes it stops me. Literally stops me. I didn’t want to scare you off with details that aren’t important.”
“It’s pretty important.”
“I get it. It’s a lot to deal with and you already have enough on your plate.” My eyes burn with tears that I will absolutely not cry. Not now. “You should go and get ready for your game. No need to worry about me.”
“Trying to shoo me away, angel?”
“I’m letting you off the hook. I promise I won’t even bad-mouth you to my friends. Not much anyway.”
“Back up about twenty steps, angel. I’m not ending this.”
“You’re not? But you’re freaked out?” I can see it all over his face even if he hadn’t said it. I didn’t put it together yesterday when he was acting strange, but now it all makes sense.
“Yeah, of course I’m freaked out. I don’t feel like I know anything about your heart condition and I was caught off guard. I want to know those kinds of things. I’m tough. I can handle it.” He flashes a sheepish smile.
“What do you want to know?”
“Do you have to get cleared by the doctor every time you skate? Was he there today?”
“No. He’s in Valley. I just see him the week before a competition.”
“Has he ever not cleared you?”
“I had to take some time off last fall.”
He nods and looks to me thoughtfully. “You are inspiring, angel.”
“Inspiring?”
“Yeah, that’s the one thing I’ve said today that I’m standing by. The rest is probably garbage and I’m sorry if I said it all wrong. I like you and I’m not going anywhere. Did I already say that?”
“You did.”
“Good. Don’t forget it.” He glances up and I hear some of the guys talking. “I’ve gotta get ready for the game. Call you later?”
“Sure.” I know he said he’s not going anywhere, but I try not to get too hopeful just in case.
“Good luck.”
He winks. “Later, angel.”
* * *
Monday morning, I go to the yoga studio. I’m not teaching any fitness classes today, but Coach gave us the next two days off practice and with Rhett still gone, all my homework done, and my friends busy, I’m bored.
The hockey team won their first game and tonight they play again. It’s the last game standing in the way of them going to the Frozen Four. I talked to Rhett when they were heading to the arena for their morning skate and he was so excited and talking so fast. It was adorable.
I’m taking a break and sitting on my mat when the door creaks open.
“Hello?”
The door swings open and Dakota and Reagan appear.
“I thought that was you,” Dakota says. “What are you doing?”
“Hey!” I smile as they walk into the room. “Messing around, mostly. What are you two doing here?”
“She made me do a spin class.” Reagan sits beside me and drinks from her water bottle.
“Made is a strong word,” Dakota says and joins us. “We missed you last night. What time did you get back?”
“After eight,” I say. “I watched the end of the game in bed and then crashed. Thanks for the invite though. Me and Josie were planning to watch at The Hideout tonight.” From what I’ve heard, that’s where everyone will be. I look to the girls. “Do you want to come with us?”
They look to each other and then me.
“We’re going to the game. You have to come with us,” Dakota says.
“To Troy?”
Reagan nods and smiles and her dimples appear. “We’re surprising the guys.”
Dakota leans forward. “We’re leaving this afternoon and staying overnight. You have to come. Rhett will be so excited to see you.”
“Yeah, you absolutely have to come with us,” Regan says.
“I don’t know. I have…” All my excuses die on my tongue. I’m caught up in all my classes and I already have the day off practice. “You know what, I’m in.”
21
Rhett
“Dude!” Mav skates toward me after the final buzzer. His arms spread out, smile so big. “Dude!”
My buddy is speechless. Guess so am I. We won. We’re going to the Frozen Four. Something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. It doesn’t seem real.
The rest of the team joins us and we’re one big huddle on the ice, screaming our heads off.
The noise inside the arena could lift off the roof. So many Valley U fans made the drive. Including my very favorite fan.
As we skate toward the bench, I see her. Decked out in blue and yellow, jumping up and down with Dakota, Reagan, and Ginny. It feels sweeter having her here.
Coach tries to keep his smile small, but the crinkles along his eyes and mouth give him away.
“Great job tonight, boys.” He bows his head and gives it a shake. “Damn proud of you all, but let’s not get too carried away. We’ve still got more work to do. Enjoy tonight. When we get back to Valley tomorrow afternoon, your lives belong to me for the next week.”
There’s a chorus of agreement. He won’t hear any arguing from us about buckling down. Not this week.
“Party in our suite,” Mav says. “Pass it on.”
Well, not after tonight, anyway.
Sienna and the girls meet up with us at the hotel. They’re staying at the same one. Thank fuck. I missed the shit out of her.
“Congratulations!” She throws herself at me, yelling in my ear. “You’re going to the Frozen Four!”
I lift her and turn us in a circle. She squeals happily.
When I put her down, she’s got a goofy smile on her lips. “Ready to celebrate?”
My gaze rakes over
her body.
Laughing, she swats at my chest. “That is not what I meant.”
“Damn. Because that sounds like a way better way to celebrate.”
“Later.” She grabs a handful of my T-shirt.
Maverick and Heath’s room connects to mine and Adam’s so we open the door to make enough room for everyone to congregate between the two.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask Sienna. We’re sitting on my bed, which has my mind going to all sorts of fun places. Unfortunately, the five other people also sitting here with us is really ruining the moment.
“No, I’m good. I feel drunk I’m so happy.”
“Same.” I raise my hand to catch a beer Adam tosses my way.
She eyes the can with a smirk.
“Still have to celly with the boys.” I lean in to whisper in her ear. “Don’t worry. Only a couple and then we can sneak away.”
She turns in my lap to better face me. “It’s your night. Have as many as you want. We can celebrate after you win the next two games.”
My dick perks right up. Not sure if it’s the mention of sex or winning the Frozen Four. I take her mouth. I haven’t been alone with her in two days and I suddenly need to be. Immediately, if not sooner.
“Be right back.” I pull back and drop a kiss to her shoulder, then get up from the bed. Jordan and Liam are standing in the doorway between the two rooms.
“Hey.” I tip up my head as I approach. “Can I borrow your room for twenty?”
Jordan lifts a dark brow. “Seriously?”
“No,” Liam answers without consideration.
“Don’t act like the two of you haven’t hooked up with chicks on my couch.”
“And in your room,” Jordan mutters around his cup as he takes a drink.
“I don’t even want to know,” I tell him.
“Okay,” Jordan gives in.
“What? No.” Liam punches his arm.
“Not on the beds,” Jordan instructs me, ignoring his roommate. He hands over his room key.
“Got it.” I back away before they change their mind.
Taking Sienna’s hand, I pull her to her feet and weave back through people to get to the hallway.
Broken Hearts Page 14