Unmasked

by Magan Vernon

  I sat up and wiped my eyes. “You’re right, Becca. No use worrying about some guy who doesn’t care about us. We have a country to make proud.”

  “That isn’t exactly what I said,” Becca said tentatively.

  I stood up and walked over to the closet, grabbing my outfit for the performance. “I’m going to shower quickly and then head over to hair and makeup. I’ll meet you at the arena, Logan.”

  “Are you sure about this? Maybe you want to talk some more?” Becca asked, following me to the bathroom door.

  “There’s nothing more to say. I made a stupid mistake with a stupid boy, and now I need to go back to focusing on the reason we’re here,” I said, nodding to myself and shutting the door before Becca could say anything else.

  Logan and she had a whispered conversation outside of the door, so I turned on the shower. That way they couldn’t hear my tears that were going to be the last ones I ever cried for Blake Tremblay.

  ***

  I sat in the chair, staring at the girl in the mirror while the man with bright blue hair and striking eyebrows secured my hair into an intricate updo.

  I’d been getting my makeup airbrushed and my hair professionally done for competition since I was in the fourth grade. I’d gotten used to the poking and prodding, even found some of it therapeutic. The less I could feel physically when the blue haired man stuck pins in my head then the less I had to worry about feeling emotionally. This is why I was the ice queen, as Liam so eloquently called me.

  I didn’t need to worry about my emotions. Those were for silly girls who fell for boys and thought they liked them. Girls who weren’t me. These games were about one thing and one thing only: bringing home the gold.

  “All right, Ms. Johnson. Any other touch ups?” the blue haired man asked in a high-pitched tone.

  I put on the plastic smile that I always did for competition and looked at the bright blue eye shadow that matched the sparkly blue leotard with the wispy skirt. Blake had said I had a fake smile for competition and the real smile I had was with him. He might have been right at the time, but that was before I knew our relationship was a lie. Now I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to have a real smile again. “Yes, thank you.”

  “Yes, a vision of a loveliness,” Coach said, his reflection coming into view as he stepped in the dressing room.

  “Thank you.” The blue haired man nodded then skittered out of the dressing room as Coach took long strides until he was at the back of my chair, his large hands gripping onto the faux leather.

  “Thanks, Coach,” I muttered, turning toward him as he stepped back and let go of the chair. I kept my head down as I grabbed my skates, sliding them on.

  “So, I’ve been told of some rumblings about a social media hashtag and that maybe a certain Canadian snowboarder has been breaking your concentration?” Coach asked, his voice gruff.

  I froze, my hands still on the laces. Swallowing hard, I shook my head, pulling up the leather tongue. “You don’t need to worry about that, Coach. It’s a thing of the past.”

  “Is that past why I had to watch my two-time-Olympic gold medalist skater fall on her ass twice in qualifications?” he asked, his voice even firmer.

  I tried to focus on lacing my skates and not the shaking of my hands. “It won’t happen again, Coach. I can assure you. No boys. No friends. Only the ice. If you want to be a champion that’s all you need,” I said, trying to repeat the mantra I’d had since I was just a scared little girl coming to train with the great Coach Donahue.

  Coach’s hand was under my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Do you need me to take care of him?”

  I pulled my head back and raised an eyebrow. “What? Take care of him?”

  Coach moved his hands to his pockets and shrugged. “You know, talk to his coaches or the committee and make sure he doesn’t show up at the arena and break your concentration?”

  I stood up, holding my head high. I was a damn multi-gold medalist. I wasn’t going to let some Canadian boy stand in my way. “No, Coach. I’m a big girl. I can handle this.”

  ***

  Logan and I stood in waiting for our turn to be called to take the ice. Another waltz. Another program where I wore all blue and smiled for the crowd as their American ice princess.

  It was all I had ever thought about all my life, and now that I’d experienced something more than just skating, I was starting to question it. Which was definitely not the time in the middle of the Olympic games.

  I didn’t have any lifelong friends that I could chat with for hours about nothing, and if I did, I’d have nothing to talk with them about except skating. No ex-boyfriends. No nothing. My life had always been the ice and training for The Games. Blake was right about one thing; I did need new hobbies. I just didn’t think that one of my hobbies would turn into falling for him and then losing him just as quickly. But I guess you couldn’t lose something you never really had.

  Alexis and Jacob just got off the ice, and I tried not to glare at the put-together-brunette. I normally wouldn’t have even spoken to her, but she stared right at me and did a small little wave as she walked to her seat to wait for the results. What the hell was that about?

  “So, are we going to talk about what happened?” Logan asked quietly, his head down and his overly gelled and slicked back hair gleaming against the bright lights.

  “About Blake using me as a bet or you sleeping with my sister?” I hiss-whispered.

  Logan sighed. “Both.”

  I shook my head. “Not now.”

  “Then when?”

  “Possibly never. We just get out on the ice, we ace this performance and hopefully get in medal position then prepare for the free skate, get gold, and go home,” I said all in one breath.

  “And the ice queen is back,” Logan muttered.

  I snapped my head in his direction, glaring. “What was that? Did you really just use that name on me?”

  Logan looked around. All eyes were on us since we were next to take the ice. He leaned in his lips practically on my ear. “Look, Kelly, you know I love you as a partner and a friend, but we both know that you push everyone away that you deem as a distraction. And maybe, just maybe this Blake guy became more than a distraction. He may have fucked up with starting to talk to you because of a bet, but when I talked to him, I could tell he really did like you and you’d be stupid to throw it away because he made one mistake. Would you want the judges to only focus on our mess ups in the qualification round and not let us compete in finals because of your mistakes?”

  I glared at him, and before I could say anything, the announcer called our names to hit the ice.

  “It’s show time,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

  Chapter 13

  Blake

  I wanted to run onto the ice and stop Kelly. To make some big grand gesture to show her that she was more than a bet.

  Then I watched her on the sidelines with Logan as he whispered in her ear and rubbed her back. She visibly relaxed as soon as she was with him in the center of the rink.

  This time I made sure to stay hidden and stand in the shadows instead of where she could see me and become a distraction. That, and I couldn’t face her family. Her family that had welcomed me with open arms into their little circle. They’d shown me more compassion in the little time I had with them than my parents did my entire life. Now I’d lost Kelly and them. And I was more upset about the second part than I should have been.

  Watching Kelly on the ice was a thing of wonder. She really was an ice queen and not for her cold demeanor, but the way she glided on the ice like it had always been a part of her was something of sheer beauty. This time she didn’t falter. Every spin and jump were effortless, landing with ease and a smile. A smile that I wished I had put there. But I knew it wasn’t her real one. It was the one for the crowds. The fake one she always put on. I didn’t know if I’d ever see that real smile again.

  The crowd cheered and threw her roses as she and Logan bowed t
hen skated off the ice with huge grins. Even after their mess ups in the qualifying round, this would surely get them a medal position. If it weren't for me, there would be another gold around her neck. But obviously, she was already over me and not even thinking about us if she could skate like this. Just like that, I was out of the picture.

  “Are you just going to stand on the side like a creeper or are you going to come sit with my parents and me in the stands?”

  I looked over to see Becca standing there with her arms crossed over her chest. The only resemblance I ever saw between the two sisters was their short stature and bright blonde hair, but the glare in Becca’s was just like the death stare Kelly had given me. I didn’t want to see that same glare or look of disappointment on Kelly’s parents’ faces. I’m sure she hadn’t given them all of the details, but they’d soon find out too. I couldn’t bear any more people giving me that damn look.

  “I was just leaving,” I muttered, shoving my hands in my coat pockets.

  “Are you really going to pull a pussy move like that?” Becca asked.

  I raised an eyebrow, definitely not expecting that bravado, but I should have from the foul-mouthed Wisconsin-bred hockey player. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I know Kelly probably told you what happened and that I’m an asshole, but I wanted to see her perform. I didn’t want her to get flustered seeing me up there, so I thought I’d hang back.”

  “Like I said, pussy move,” Becca growled, her biceps bulging in her thin sweater. I never thought much about girl hockey players, but I was pretty sure Becca could break me. Which meant she was probably also a beast in the sack. No wonder Logan was into her.

  “What do you want me to do? Want me to grovel? Want me to get on my fucking knees, crawl out on the ice and tell her I’m a fuck up?” I asked, putting my hands out and pointing toward the rink.

  Becca shrugged. “Better than being the creeper in the stands. Or talking to that brunette Canadian bitch.”

  “What are you talking about?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “I saw you two walking here together. I glanced out the window when my sister was in the shower and saw you going into our dorm. I thought maybe you were coming to apologize and say it was a mistake, but then that bitch came out. And instead of coming in to do what you should have done, you walked with her to who knows where, but you ended up here. I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but that’s a dick move, even for someone who made a bet to get into my sister’s panties,” Becca said.

  I winced as if her words had slapped me. “Who I hang out with or fuck is none of your business.”

  Becca’s hand snapped forward, and before I knew it, a sharp pain hit my chest when her fist connected.

  “Ow, what the hell was that for?” I asked, trying to catch my breath. I wouldn’t hit a girl, but damn, she hit harder than any guy I’d ever sparred with.

  “That was for saying something so dickish, and for hurting my sister. Why don’t you apologize? Or sit with my parents and me, watch the program, then you go and tell her that you were an asshole.”

  I groaned. “Well, I’m not going to do that. It’s better that she thinks I’m an ass than break her concentration.”

  “So, what? You expect her just to think she was just a bet?” Becca asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “She was.”

  “Keyword: was. Which by the way is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. What kind of grown ass man makes a bet with another guy about sleeping with someone? That’s like something I read in those damn romantic comedies that fill up my e-reader,” Becca said, shaking her head.

  I blew out a breath. “It was stupid, okay? Liam and I were just having some fun, and I didn’t think there was any harm in it.”

  “Then you fell for my sister? Or was she really just a bet that had you running back to your Canadian girl.”

  “Alexis and I are nothing. Okay? She’s helping me out with getting some sponsors, and yeah, I’ll admit I hooked up with her a few times. But who hasn’t hooked up with another athlete?”

  For a brief moment I thought I saw Becca’s cheeks tinge red then she crossed her arms tighter across her chest. “Not my sister. She’s always been about the ice. I’ve never seen her go so crazy about anything other than skating. I should thank you for at least getting her out of that rut, but now you’ve made it worse and possibly cost her a medal. For that, I should aim for your face instead of your chest.”

  I put my hands up. “Hey, now, there’s no need to get into a kerfuffle.”

  She snorted. “That’s a really Canadian word. It sounds too polite. Just call it a brawl or something.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Like your American slang is any better.”

  “I’m not about to get in a North American war with you here, but I’m here for my sister. The one you hurt.”

  “Nothing I’m going to tell you is going to make a difference, so why should I try?”

  Becca blew out a big breath. “You know I love my sister. She’s full of life and always smiling. She can also be a pain in the ass, determined, self-centered. But that’s all elite athletes, which is probably why you two are perfect together,” Becca mused.

  “Like you and Logan?” I dared to say.

  “Hey, this isn’t about my relationship, Dreads.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at the impromptu nickname. “Fair enough.” I squeezed and un-squeezed my hands in tight fists, unsure of what to do. What to say. Where to go. “What do you want me to do then? Give up my sponsorship opportunities with Alexis? Go run and be some crazy guy from the movies and put her over my shoulder all caveman-like? Because I’m out of options and don’t even know what to say or do at this point.”

  Becca shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t come here with a plan, that’s your job. If you want to be with my sister, you’ll figure it out.”

  I opened my mouth to say something else then closed it and nodded.

  She offered a small smile. “I’m going back to the stands to watch my sister get to medal position. Probably will be silver or bronze, but she earned it. You coming with?”

  I shook my head. “Naw, I think I’ll stay shadow boy for a little bit longer.”

  Becca rolled her eyes. “Suit yourself.”

  ***

  Instead of going back to my cabin, I ended up wandering around the village. I had no idea how long I had been walking until my stomach started to growl. I’d have to get food and go back to the cabin to sleep at some point I figured, but I knew there was also another option. An option I didn’t want to take, but now it seemed like the best one.

  I sucked in a deep breath and knocked on the wooden door, staring into the peep hole. This may have been a mistake for coming here, and I was probably going to get shit for it, but it was either this or go back to face Liam and Erik, and I was too tired to get into another kerfuffle.

  The door opened, and I stared back at my mom’s bewildered expression. “Blake! What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

  I should have thought about what time it was and the fact that my parent's hotel room was pitch black with both of my parents standing there, their hair wild with bedhead and both in their flannel pajamas.

  “Yeah. I. Um. Can I crash here tonight? Do you have a pullout couch or something?” I asked, raking my fingers through my hair. I couldn’t look either of them in the eyes. This was one of my lowest moments.

  The creaking of the door alerted me it was opening wider. “Of course, Blake. Come in. We’ll make up the couch.”

  I followed my parents into the space that looked bigger than the cabin I was staying in. A large set of sliding doors faced the front door and looked onto the mountains. Next to the door was a large couch and flat screen TV mounted on the wall. There were two doors immediately to my left which I was guessing was the bedroom and bathroom, but I didn’t go near either and went toward the couch, helping my dad to pull it out as Mom went into the other room and grabbed some pillows, sheets,
and a blanket, making the bed as soon as it was pulled out.

  “Is there anything else you need?” Mom asked once the bed was made.

  I shook my head. “No. I’m good for now.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked again.

  I nodded. “Yeah. Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.”

  She smiled and leaned in, giving me a stiff hug. “You’re welcome, honey. I’ll set the alarm for you in the bedroom, and we can drive you back to your cabin. Or to the mountains. Wherever you want to go.”

  “Thanks.” I nodded.

  This was possibly the nicest my parents had ever been to me, and I had no idea what was up. I was also too emotionally and physically exhausted to care, so I sat down on the couch bed and let out a deep breath.

  I didn’t expect the creak of the bed or for my dad to sit next to me. “Is this about the pressure of the game or girl problems?”

  “Does it matter?” I muttered.

  Dad sighed, running his hands through his beard. “Well, if it’s games problems, I’d give you some inspirational speech about how I overcame the pressure or I’d talk to Ricky about more practices. If it’s girl problems, then I’d probably tell you that you may need to grovel a little, even if she is American.”

  I looked at my dad, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t know if either of those are good options and I really can’t remember you ever giving me advice on The Games or girls. Especially not an American girl.”

  Dad laughed. “Well, you’ve never come to me with problems about either.”

  “That’s true.”

  Dad cupped his arm on my shoulder. “Listen, son; I know you think your mom and I have been hard on you. Hell, at your age, we already had you and a few Olympic golds. But that was a different world. A different time. If I didn’t meet your mother in junior nationals, I might have had your same story.”