At practice one morning, after falling yet again, she climbed up, shook her head and skated toward the boards, grabbing a tissue from the box lying on the ledge. Ever since she’d come home she’d been cursed by sudden bouts of tears, oftentimes when a little something she saw or heard reminded her of Brady. She went back and forth a thousand times a day about whether or not it was a good thing Brady hadn’t called. She’d picked up the phone to call him at least that many times too, but had always chickened out and hung up.
True to his word, James had grilled her as soon as she’d walked off the plane, but mostly kept his opinion to himself, just offering comfort and support. One of the strangest things that still hurt so much was that the thing she missed most was Brady’s touch. She’d never been a very demonstrative person before, but she’d grown used to the way he would rub her neck as they talked, or hold her at night after they’d made love. Now that was gone forever.
Sniffling, she’d turned back toward the ice when she heard a noise. Spinning around, she saw James walking toward her. “Hey. Have you got a minute?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
He handed her a bottle of water and she couldn’t help but smile a little. Since she’d been back he’d babied her—bringing her food, listening to her, even tucking her in one night before he left her house. Their relationship had always been a little odd, what with James being the closest thing she had to a friend despite the fact he worked for her, but she’d decided she needed all the friends she could get right now and had gratefully welcomed James’ attempts to care for her.
“I’m not sure how to tell you this, so I’m just going to come out and say it.” She raised a brow. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, then sighed and placed a hand on the top of the boards. “You’re going to have to see Brady again.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “I am?” she squeaked out.
“Yes, but I don’t know when. He spoke to David Nelson about doing some promo stuff for the Association after his season ends in a few weeks.”
Leah knew very well when the season ended. She’d been checking the NBT website obsessively, looking for anything that would give her a link to Brady, no matter how tenuous. She knew it was pathetic, but it was the only thing she would allow herself to do. Lifting her chin, she said, “He can do whatever he wants. It’s a free country.” Even as the words left her mouth she knew how hollow and stupid they sounded, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to fall apart yet again.
James’ eyes narrowed, but the expression in them was gone before she could put a name to it. “You’re not upset?”
“How can I be? He’s not coming back for me. Nelson probably strong-armed him.”
“That’s not how I heard it. Word is he called Nelson himself and offered to do it.”
Leah couldn’t let the news get her hopes up too much, but a little spot inside her shattered heart brightened the slightest bit. She knew she had no one to blame for the current situation but herself, but that didn’t make it any easier. Throwing on her “Ice Queen” persona, she stood tall. It was the only way she knew to survive. “I need to get back to work. Thanks for the water.”
Gliding away, she went back to the middle of the rink to start her short program from the top. When she glanced over, James was shaking his head. Finally, he threw up his hands and walked away as she began to skate, her heart and mind occupied somewhere else, the same place they’d been since she’d gotten home. Myriad emotions coursed through her, each one piling on the last—happiness, nervousness, fear, apprehension. By the time she gave up on the day’s training her stomach was roiling.
Why had he offered to do promo for the Association? Was he trying to get closer to her? And if that was the case, why didn’t he just call her, rather than going to this much trouble? Maybe it was supposed to be this way all along—she couldn’t remember if they’d said Brady would be reciprocating with the promo duties.
In an effort to forget about seeing Brady again, she threw herself into her training, spending two hours doing off-ice workouts and ballet classes and another six hours a day of on-ice training. She still hadn’t perfected her new triple-triple combination or landed that elusive triple axel. She knew she needed both the combo and the triple axel in order to stay competitive, so she just kept pushing and pushing.
She had more exhibitions on the docket and as she kept performing, her routine did straighten out for her. Though she still missed Brady terribly, she channeled all that hurt and sadness into her routine, feeling it through the music. Her choreographer had chosen Bolero to showcase her artistry, an idea Leah would’ve nixed a year ago, as it didn’t mesh well with her on-ice persona, but she’d decided to throw caution to the wind and trust him. She found she could lose herself in the music while she was out there and knew she’d made the right decision. For the first time in a long time she was truly enjoying competing again. She’d overheard one of the analysts saying he hadn’t seen her look this energetic in years, and she couldn’t help but think Brady was the cause. She was going to see him again, and somehow the idea was propelling her, as if she wanted him to be proud of her.
Before she knew it, the day had come to go down to New York City for the opening press conference for the skating season. James drove her down and stayed with her as she answered question after question about whether this was her last season competing…did she feel she could keep up with the younger skaters…how was her ankle? She kept a smile on her face, trying not to revert to her “Ice Queen” persona no matter how many times it was intimated that she didn’t have what it took anymore.
She dressed for the opening cocktail party in a Dolce and Gabbana pleated metallic one-shoulder dress, knowing in the back of her mind Brady would like it. She remembered how he’d looked in the suit he’d worn when they went out to dinner—good enough to tempt a nun to sin. And now that she knew what the body underneath it looked like, hell, what it felt and tasted like, she couldn’t help wanting another peek.
James came to her hotel room to pick her up and they took a cab to Lincoln Center. Thomas Keller’s former right-hand man had recently opened his own restaurant inside and that was where the cocktail party would take place. She’d wanted to try it after hearing rave reviews about his inventive menu and the gorgeous décor. When she stepped inside, however, it was as if everything around her dimmed in her search for Brady.
She took James’ arm and he led her on a sweep of the room, stopping to talk to someone here and there. Leah tried her best to hold up her end of the conversation as her eyes searched for Brady, but she was sure some people knew she was distracted. After an hour of not seeing him, though, she’d resigned herself to the fact he hadn’t wanted to see her and had gotten a glass of champagne to sip while she nibbled on a few hors d’oeuvres. She’d just popped a prosciutto-wrapped date into her mouth when she saw him, looking every bit as mouth-wateringly delicious as she remembered. He was wearing the same suit she’d seen before and no one would ever guess he was a cowboy. Instead, he looked like a candidate for Man of the Year from GQ. Her breath caught and she began to choke on the date.
Turning away, she forced herself to swallow as James rubbed her back. After she’d finally gotten herself back under control, she reached into her clutch for a tissue and wiped gingerly underneath her eyes.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine,” she lied. “Is my makeup okay?”
James studied her face. “Yes, you’re beautiful.” In a lower voice he asked, “What happened?”
Leah glanced over her shoulder and James followed her gaze, letting out a very low whistle. “That’s him, all right, though I hardly recognize him without the ten-gallon hat, which was surprisingly hot.” Brady was standing with David Nelson and shaking hands with the head of the Association, Rex Johnson. “Girl, you have got good taste.”
“Don’t I know it?” How was she going to face him after running out the way she had? “I need to leave.”
James looked at her,
the surprise clear on his face. “Honey, we can’t leave yet. You know that.”
Her “Ice Queen” façade slipped over her like a glove. “I can do whatever the hell I want. I don’t answer to this Association.”
James pulled her aside until they were out of earshot of other patrons. “Yes, you do. Look, this is your last year skating, in all likelihood. You know it, I know it, and most everyone else knows it. Do you want to start what could be the most important season of your career on a bad note because you’ve pissed off the Association?”
Leah sighed, squeezing the bridge of her nose. “No,” she admitted.
James put his arm around her shoulders. “All right then. Let’s go back out there and you paste a nice, bright smile on your face. If you really don’t want to see Brady I’ll do what I can to run interference.”
Nodding, Leah turned away from the wall and promptly met Brady’s angry stare from only a few feet away. He looked from her to James and she realized he must be wondering who her date was. Had she ever mentioned that James was gay? Biting her lip, she realized she probably hadn’t. Why would she? But as his gaze followed the curve of James’ arm around her, Leah knew he wasn’t happy. Closing her eyes briefly, she prayed he wouldn’t cause a scene.
When she forced them open again, though, he pivoted and headed toward the bar without a word to her. Nelson followed like a puppy dog and Leah let out the breath she’d been holding. Maybe everything would be all right.
James steered her into another conversation and she forced herself not to keep checking on Brady. Downing the rest of the contents of her glass, she turned to place it on a passing waiter’s tray when it was taken out of her hand and replaced with a full flute. Looking up, she saw Brady standing in front of her.
“Hello, Leah.”
“Hello,” she stammered, her heart beating wildly in her chest as she caught a whiff of his familiar scent.
He jerked his head toward James, who had stepped up beside Leah. “Gonna introduce me to your boyfriend?”
James smirked and Leah glared at him. Returning her attention to Brady, she said, “This is James, my manager. You remember me talking about him.”
Brady nodded. Focusing on James, who was still trying to hold in a chuckle, he held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
James took his hand and winced the slightest bit. She frowned at Brady as she heard James reply, “A pleasure to finally meet you. I’m gay.”
Leah’s head snapped around and she gaped at James. Brady looked shocked for a minute, but then he began to laugh. “Is that a warning or an invitation?”
James looked him up and down and then winked. “Whichever you’d like…”
Brady flashed his perfect smile and Leah’s sex clenched. She’d missed those smiles being turned on her. Her hand cramped and she saw she was clutching the delicate crystal flute with a white-knuckle grip. She consciously relaxed her fingers. When her gaze rose again Brady was staring at where her hand was wrapped around the stem of the glass. He looked up at her and cleared his throat.
“Can we go somewhere and talk after this shindig is over?”
She blinked, a thousand thoughts vying for her brain’s attention. “Um, sure, if that’s what you want.”
“Oh, darlin’, you have no idea what I want.” Her nerve endings sang as his lazy, sexy voice floated around her. He walked away with a brief touch of two fingers to his forehead, as if he was tipping an invisible hat to her.
The rest of the party passed slowly. Leah surreptitiously checked her watch again as things began to wind down. “Go,” James told her.
“What?” She was beyond distracted and knew she’d been lousy company for the past hour, but James rolled his eyes, an indulgent smile on his face.
“I said, go. Brady looks like he’s about to climb out of his own skin.”
She glanced up. Brady was pulling at his collar while he nursed a beer. Smiling, she said, “Thanks. I’ll call you later.”
“You’d better,” James answered, a smirk playing across his face.
Making her way over to Brady, she noticed another female skater sidle up to him, stroking a hand down his sleeve. An immediate, violent urge to throttle that woman took Leah by surprise. She’d never been the jealous type.
Brady took a half step away and Leah’s lips curved in amusement. He’d moved enough that she wasn’t touching him, but not enough as to be rude. His gaze swept the room until he spotted her, and he smiled. That smile took her breath away.
The other skater turned and followed Brady’s eyes, scowling when she saw Leah approaching. “Hello, Anne. Brady.”
“Hi,” Anne answered, immediately turning her attention back to Brady. “So what do you say? Would you like a tour of the city while you’re here?”
“That’s a real nice offer, ma’am.” Leah began to shake with silent laughter as Anne’s mouth dropped open. She’d be willing to bet no one had ever called the nineteen-year-old ma’am, and she knew in that moment that he’d done it on purpose. “However, even though I’m from a lil’ town in Texas, this isn’t exactly my first time in the big city. It was lovely to meet you, though.”
He strolled away, leaving Anne obviously fuming. Leah excused herself and followed. They went to the coat check area and then Brady said, “I’m at the Marriot Marquis. Why don’t we go back there and have some dinner and talk?”
“That would be fine.” The atmosphere felt very formal all of a sudden, and Leah wasn’t sure how to regain the easy camaraderie she and Brady had once shared. She wasn’t sure they ever could.
Brady hailed a cab and opened the door for her. Scooting in, she slid to the far end of the seat as he got in and gave the cab driver the hotel name. Neither spoke as the car made the short trip. Excitement and dread warred within her.
When the cab arrived at the hotel, Brady paid the fare and helped Leah out. The first touch of his hand in hers sent shock waves up her arm. Her head snapped up and she saw the same heat in Brady’s eyes that was no doubt present in her own. His jaw was tensed and she had to resist the urge to cup it in her hand.
They made their way to the hotel restaurant on the top floor. The hostess seated them at a table against the windows, but Leah couldn’t concentrate on the spectacular view. Not when she was still wondering why Brady had asked her here. The waiter came by, and after ordering Brady sat back and studied her. She tried not to squirm under his scrutiny. “You look gorgeous. You always look gorgeous, of course, but that dress is a great style for you.”
She’d been right when she’d picked it out this afternoon. “Thank you.”
Leah wasn’t sure if she should say something else, but Brady made it unnecessary as he began to speak again. “So I’m guessing you’re wondering why I asked you to dinner.”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
Brady ran a hand through his hair, tousling it adorably. “I’m tired of lying to myself.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her closer. His thumb ran over the sensitive skin on her palm and Leah shivered, barely holding in a whimper. “I’m in love with you, Leah. I don’t know when it happened, but I am. I don’t wanna let this thing go. I know you’re scared,” he continued as she began to speak, “and I know I’m not good enough for you, but if you could see your way clear to giving us a chance, I promise you I’d do everything I could to make you happy. I can’t just give up, not without a hell of a fight.” He paused for a second and then said, “What do you think?”
She chewed her lip for a moment as she considered his declaration. She was miserable without him—she might as well admit that to herself. “I think sometimes a collision is a good thing,” she told him, referring to the slogan Nelson Motors had come up with for their promotional tour. She had said that she wasn’t good enough for him before.
Brady laughed and the sound was like music to her ears. “So will you give me a chance? Hell, there’s not a man on earth who’s good enough for you, but I’ll do anything to be with you. I
already talked to Nelson about going on tour with you guys for a few months before my season starts back up. He seemed pretty interested.”
“A tour? With the figure skaters?”
Brady raised a brow. “You don’t think I can handle a few itty-bitty figure skaters?” An indelicate snort escaped before Leah could stop it and she clamped her hand over her mouth. “Don’t hide that beautiful mouth from me, sugar.” He looked away, blowing out a breath before turning back at her. “You still haven’t answered me.”
“Oh!” Leah’s face flamed. “Yes. I want this too. I want to be with you. And by the way, you’re plenty good enough for me. Brady, you’re the best man I’ve ever met. You’re kind, considerate, loving.” Brady grinned and she continued. “You’re the type of man every woman wants to be with.”
“I’m sure your parents won’t agree with you,” he mumbled.
“I don’t care what they think. I’m in love with you and that’s all they need to know.”
“Y-you’re in love with me?” The hope shining in his eyes further melted the ice walls she’d built up around her heart these past weeks without him.
“Yep. There’s no getting rid of me now.” With her free hand, she twisted her napkin in her lap. “I was an idiot, Brady, and I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you, but that’s exactly what I did. I’m not sure how to do this, Brady. No one’s ever loved me.” Tears began to well up and she blinked to try to hold them back.
“Aw, darlin’, don’t cry. I can’t handle it.”
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