by Magan Vernon
“It says right underneath it, Dad, the one you’re looking at is squid and pork belly,” Becca said, leaning over him and pointing at the menu.
“Why in the hell would anyone want to eat squid and pork? If you’re gonna have pork it better be a pork chop, fried with gravy,” Dwayne said with a gruff ‘hrmph.' “Have you eaten any of this shit?” he asked, pointing the menu in my direction.
I shook my head. “Can’t say that I’ve gotten a chance to eat much of the local food, sir. It’s usually McDonald's or microwaving something in my cabin. The only time I’ve really had anything decent was with your daughter, but she hasn’t let me take her out in a while.”
I took a chance and looked up, smiling at Kelly. Instead of her fake smile, she smirked, squinting her eyes.
Diane blinked, looking at her daughter who was sitting next to her. “Well, now that competitions are over and you just have exhibitions, Kelly, maybe you two could get together again. At least before going back to the states. Blake, how far are you from Lake Placid?” Diane turned toward me.
“I’d have to Google it, but it’s not a long plane ride, I know,” I said, keeping my eyes on Kelly.
She didn’t even look at me and put her napkin on the table, standing up and pushing out her chair. “I need to use the restroom. Excuse me.”
Kelly didn’t wait for a response as she made her way toward the back of the restaurant.
“What the hell was that about? Is she on her period or did you do something really bad to piss her off?” Dwayne asked, watching her walk away.
“Maybe I should go talk to her,” Becca offered, but before she could stand, I pushed my chair back, the wooden legs screeching against the linoleum floor.
“Don’t worry. I’ll go see if she’s okay,” I said, not waiting for anyone to say something before I left the table and headed in the direction of the two small restrooms.
I guessed that they were one stalls since the restaurant couldn’t have been bigger than the tiny cabin I was staying in, so I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone else walking in. I just prayed Kelly was actually in there and didn’t run away, or lock the door.
With luck, I jiggled the handle, and the door opened easily to a small, white tiled room with a toilet and sink directly in front of me, so close that I practically hit my knee on the toilet when I walked in. Standing in front of the small mirror was Kelly, who as soon as she saw my reflection whirled around, her eyes wide. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
I closed the door and locked it before turning toward her, and taking the two steps across the floor until I was right in front of her. I put my hands on her cheeks and pulled her lips to mine. I missed her taste. Her touch. I didn’t realize how much until I felt her mouth against mine.
She groaned and pulled back, trying to put as much space as she could between us in the tiny bathroom. “You can’t just show up at dinner, which I’m sure Logan told you about, and then follow me to the bathroom like some kind of stalker.”
“First off, it was Becca that invited me and second off; I’m not a stalker. I just saw how upset you were when you left the table and volunteered to check on you,” I said, putting my hands on the sink, resting my palms as close as I could to her sides without touching her, even though I wanted to. I wanted to feel her so bad. It had only been a short while that I’d known her and that I’d been able to touch her, but I missed it. I missed everything about her.
Kelly glared, which should have hurt me, but instead, I couldn’t help but smile at how cute she looked when she was mad with her furrowed brow. “You should know why I’m upset.”
“I do. I completely understand. You should be enraged. Hitting me. Screaming at me. But instead, you’re giving me that look. That absolute look of hatred which guts me, Kelly.”
“I’m sure you’ll get over it. You have Alexis to keep you warm,” she muttered.
“Fuck Alexis. I mean, not literally. But you have to know she’s nothing to me.”
“Then why was she at your slalom? Why are you doing a sponsorship with her?”
I groaned and craned my neck before meeting Kelly’s eyes. “Want me to say ‘no’ to the sponsorship? Because I’ll do it. I was only going to take the damn deal so my parents would get off my back. Now that I have two medals around my neck I can get something better than a pain in the ass shampoo company who wanted to cut off my dreads anyway.”
“You were going to cut your dreads?” Kelly asked softly, her hand going up toward my hair that fell on my shoulder. The jolt of electricity between us went straight below my belt just thinking about the feeling of her running her fingers through my hair. Then it was as if she realized what she was doing and shook her head, putting her hand down when she was only millimeters away from touching me.
“I didn’t want to, mainly because I knew how much you liked them,” I whispered.
“You shouldn’t say no to something just because of me. I don’t want to be the one to ruin your career,” she said softly.
I moved my hands slowly up to her sides. Her body melting into my hands. “Kelly, you’ve done the exact opposite. You’ve inspired me to do better. To be better. Without you at these Games, I’d probably still be a punk ass snowboarder who people only believed finally got here because his parents paid off some officials. It may have been a bet that got me talking to you, but if I had to do it all over again, I’d still take that bet.”
Kelly narrowed her eyes, but before she could speak, I leaned in closer, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her warm body against mine. “You’re the best thing that’s come into my life. Ever. You challenge me to do better. You make me feel something I’ve never felt before. That stupid bet may have been the reason I started talking, but damn I’m glad I did. Because I’ve gotten to know the girl labeled the ice queen and found out she’s anything but. She’s the queen of the ice. The one who commands the snow and everything else around her. You’ve commanded my heart, Kelly.”
I put one hand on my chest between us. “You have to know that this started out as a bet, but it’s always been you. You’ve controlled this since the beginning, and in the end, I may have won a stupid bet, but I truly lost if I can’t have you.”
Kelly swallowed hard, tears brimming her eyes that she held back. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Blake. I’m hurt. I’m really fucking hurt.”
I licked my lips. “I know. And I wish I wasn’t the one to hurt you. If there were a way I could take away all the hurt, I would.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “I need time, Blake.”
“How much time?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I need that time and space. I know you mean well, but the more you keep shoving it in my face, the harder it is for me. I just need to think, okay? Can you give me that?”
I sighed. “I don’t want to, Kelly. I don’t fucking want to because I’m afraid if I do, you’re just going to freeze me out forever, no pun intended.”
She blinked, a single tear falling down her cheek. “Then you’re just going to have to hope that you truly unfroze my heart.”
Chapter 18
Kelly
I wasn’t a crier. I didn’t cry after finding out Joe had a fiancée back home in Colorado and I didn’t cry the first time I didn’t get gold at competition. But Blake Tremblay constantly had me on the verge of tears, and I didn’t know how to handle it. How to be this girl that was so used to putting her feelings in check and now couldn’t hold anything back.
I told Blake I wanted space and that was exactly what he gave me. He left the restaurant as soon as I told him to. My parents nor Becca or Logan asked where he went and I was okay not to have to discuss it.
But I wasn’t okay with not seeing him. The Games were coming to a close, and I kept expecting him to show up at my dorm or see him at a coffee shop or restaurant. But he did just what he said he would do and gave me space. Space that I thought I needed.
But the truth was, by
having space I realized how much I missed having him in my life. It was only a short time we were really together, but he changed me so much for the better. He made me realize I didn’t need the angst or to ice everyone out to be the best. That I could have emotions and those emotions could push me further.
“Looking for someone dreadlocked in the crowd?” Logan whispered, his sequined suit hitting my cheek.
The exhibition would be our final performance, so we decided to have some fun with a more rock and roll routine. Logan wore the suit and an equally sparkly hat, and I had on a crystal encrusted red dress, wearing my hair down for the first time in competition. The tight updo was my signature, but like other ice queens, it was time for me to let it go. Just like my hatred of Blake, that is if I ever saw him again.
I’d scrolled through his social media on more than one occasion and thought maybe I’d even go to his cabin. But I didn’t I was selfish, and I was a coward. And because of that, I could never see the guy again who turned my world upside down.
“Like you’re looking for my sister?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I looked at him over my shoulder.
Logan looked down at the ice. “She’s probably out celebrating her gold,” he muttered.
I wanted to know what was going on with them. They’d been so hot and cold. One minute they were laughing up a storm and the next they were avoiding each other. When the USA women’s hockey team won gold, Logan cheered in the stands alongside my parents and me. He was there for every moment with us, but when we invited him out for a celebratory dinner, he turned it down. Said he was tired or something.
Instead of asking anything further on the subject I just smiled at my partner. “I think she’ll be here. She wouldn’t miss our last performance.”
Logan’s eyes slowly met mine. “Same with Blake.”
Alexis Cote and Jacob Roy spun to their last position, smiling and waving to the crowd. I hadn’t seen the brunette bitch since the free skate and had no intention of seeing her again after these games. Of course, she had to stop and see me, going in for a hug before she walked to her seat.
I darted backward, avoiding her arms and she glared. “What? No good luck hug?”
“Fuck off, Alexis,” I spat.
Alexis, Jacob, and Logan’s eyes all widened.
“Well, that was rude,” Alexis stuttered.
“What’s rude is you trying to falter me. We’re professionals, or at least I am, and I wouldn’t go for as many low blows as you have.”
Alexis smirked. “Look who finally got some balls. Borrow those from Blake? Oh no, wait, you two aren’t together. Never really were.”
“Next up we have American skaters, Kelly Johnson and Logan Smith,” the announcer boomed followed by applause filling the arena.
I forced a fake smile in Alexis’ direction. “I’d rather be known as Blake Tremblay’s bet than the bitch of the ice. Have a fun career with that, Alexis.”
Before she could respond, I took Logan’s hand, and we made our way to the center of the ice.
“That was awesome,” Logan whispered in my ear as he placed his hands on my side and we got to our starting position.
“Gotta try something new every once in a while,” I whispered.
“Maybe after this, we can both try something new. Head over to Blake’s place so you can makeup and I’ll find your sister?” he whispered.
I sighed. “Maybe.”
It was what I needed to do. I needed to stop being such a bitch and just let all of this go. Tell him how I felt and if he rejected me in the end, then so be it. But for now, I had to put all of that worry and those feelings away. I had to think with my heart and put all those thoughts of love and lust for Blake into our routine instead of focusing on the bad.
The music started slowly, and we skated side by side then the tempo picked up, Logan grabbing my sides and tossed me in the air. This time I wasn’t looking around to see who was watching but living in the moment. Every spin, every jump, it was my last of The Games.
Last.
These would be the last games I’d see Blake. That time in the bathroom might have been the last time I’d ever see him. Tears again pricked my eyes, and I pushed them back, getting ready to move into double triple axels alongside Logan.
When I heard the crowd gasp collectively. I looked over, wondering if Logan fell, but instead, I saw his eyes trailing toward the stand, so I followed all the way up to the glass that separated the seats from us.
The stadium was packed, but instead of everyone watching us, they were staring at the dreadlocked Canadian in a suit, singing along to the music at the top of his lungs and holding up a sign that said “Unfreeze my heart, Kelly. #Klake4eva.”
I skated to a stop and stared as a security crew darted down the stairway. Blake glanced behind him then jumped on an empty chair next to him, waving the sign frantically in my direction. Before the guards could get to him, he ran in front of the guests in their seats, causing a roar of laughter to go through the crowd.
“What the hell is he doing?” Logan asked, skating to my side.
I watched as Blake zigged and zagged through the crowd, smiling and laughing until another set of security guards came, and they ended up cornering him, practically dragging him out of the stands.
Without thinking what I was doing, I skated toward the entrance of the rink that we just came in from and Coach was still standing at.
“Where are you going?” Logan yelled.
I opened the door and grabbed my skate guards. Coach opened his mouth to say something and bolted toward me, but I was faster and ran past him, and the camera crew pointed right at me.
I ran through the double doors and up the stairs until I was out in the lobby where more camera crews were focused on a large circle of guards.
I pushed past everyone until I heard his voice.
“Hey, guys, I was just having some fun. No need to get all handsy!”
I stopped, seeing Blake’s smiling face with his hands up and a torn poster at his feet. I grabbed the poster and slowly stepped forward. “I think this is yours,” I whispered.
The guards and camera crew stopped and stared at us, but I didn’t care at that moment. All I cared about was the set of blue eyes on me.
“It’s actually yours. Well for you. I had to pay way too much to buy that poster board at a convenience store. I was about to trade in my medal for it,” Blake said with a single laugh, but there was no humor to it.
“You could have just messaged me,” I said quietly.
“You wanted your space. And I gave it to you, but your space was killing me. I thought maybe I could just sit in the stands, but I think you know that I can’t go without making a scene.”
I laughed in spite of everything and a large grin spread across my face. “I know. I love that about you.”
Blake stepped forward, closing the space between us as he put his hand to my cheek. “And I love everything about you. Frozen heart and all he whispered before pressing his lips to mine.”
This time I didn’t pull away or fight it. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely, letting all my worries melt away as the camera crew and guards around us cheered.
I broke the kiss and put my forehead to Blake’s. “Did you lose a bet? Is that really why you’re here?”
He smiled, kissing me again. “No. I think I won one, without even knowing the game I was playing.”
Before I could respond, I heard Logan yell through the crowd. I turned to see him pushing past the camera crew and guards. “Kelly! I saw this on the screen. Way to steal our moment.”
I laughed. “Sorry about that. I’m sure we can still finish the routine. It’s our last one, after all.”
Logan shook his head. “I don’t know. The crowd was cheering 2022. Think you can make it back for another Games?”
I turned toward Blake. “What do you think, Blake, wanna go for another Games?”
Blake grinned. “Wanna bet on making it again?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I think I’m done with betting. Probably The Games too.”
He put his hand on my cheek. “I’m not. You were the best bet I ever made.”
I smiled in spite of all of the craziness. “And you’re the best game I ever played.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to let me win?”
I leaned in and kissed him slowly before whispering. “We’ll see about that.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Blake
The Games were a whirlwind, but my time after The Games, from buying a house to moving into that house then having Kelly move in with me was an even bigger rush.
We moved into the Adirondack style house with its own swimming pond that seemed like it was frozen most of the time and looked out over the mountains so we could both keep up with our sports.
Kelly hadn’t formally announced anything, but she was definitely going back for The Games in 2022, and I was pretty sure she could convince me to do the same as long as I didn’t break one of my old man knees as one of the oldest guys out there.
I just got done boarding for the day and came inside. Shaking the snow out of my dreads, I slipped my boots off on the back deck then went inside to see my phone blinking from the counter. I’d ruined enough of those things or lost them in the snow and had to go hunting in the mountains to know I wasn’t going to bring it with me when I was on the board.
Picking up my phone, I unlocked and scrolled through the messages. Mostly from Kelly. It had been six months since I first met the girl and just seeing her name could still make me smile. The girl that started out as a bet had become so much more. And even though we’d only been together for six months, I was ready for that something more.