The entire team knows Max was an ass?
Brynlee
No. Mom filled me in on Max when she stopped by for lunch. But the whole team knows Jace hates Easton.
Everly
Your family can’t keep a secret to save their lives.
Lindy
Says the girl who posted my wedding photo on every social-media platform there is, then got so drunk that she didn’t remember doing it?!?
Everly
I wasn’t the only one who blacked-out that night, missy.
Kenzie
Can we go back to Jace hitting Easton?
Lindy
It was awful. Jace is so pissed.
Gracie
What did Easton do?
Everly
Did he get all possessive on your ass?
Gracie
Did he throw you over his shoulder again like at the club? Because that was hot.
Lindy
No. Better. He got all sorts of protective and defended me. He basically told Jace to stop treating me like a baby. It was actually pretty damn amazing.
Gracie
And . . . ?
Lindy
He may have called me his wife to my brother.
Gracie
I take it back. That’s hot.
Lindy
It might have been a little hot.
Everly
You know a great way to thank him?
Kenzie
If you tell her to blow my brother, I might actually kill you while you sleep.
Brynlee
They’re married now, Kenz. Pretty sure she’s going to play with his peen.
Lindy
OMG! Shut up. No talk of peen. I don’t even remember marrying him.
Everly
Do you remember screwing him? Because it would be a crime against humanity to forget that.
Lindy
I didn’t have sex with Easton.
Brynlee
Did you have sex with someone else?
Lindy
What? No!
Gracie
Have you talked to a lawyer yet?
Lindy
Not yet. I’ve got to find one.
Brynlee
You’re related to one, genius. If you really want to get your marriage annulled, you’d have talked to Becket already.
Lindy
I’m kinda avoiding my entire family right now.
Kenzie
Or you don’t really want the annulment.
Everly
I’m calling it now. You’ll be kissing Easton when the ball drops on New Year’s.
Brynlee
I’m with Everly.
Lindy
Mind your own business.
Gracie
Ha. Like we ever do.
Lindy
Whatever. I’ve got to go inside now. I’ll see you all later.
Brynlee
Say hi to your husband for us.
Everly
Get creative with the way you say it too. Like maybe on your knees.
Lindy
OMG. Goodbye!
The rink is nearly empty later that night while I sit and watch Andrew finish a routine with Cara, the young woman who’s currently auditioning to be his next partner. She’s been around the circuit for a few years. Most of us have. Competitive skating is a small circle. And to find someone at our level narrows it even more. Is she as good as me? No. But she’s younger and has time to grow. She could easily surpass me with the right training.
As much as I know retiring is the right move for me, it’s still the strangest thing watching my partner skate with someone else. Andrew and I’ve skated together for years. We can anticipate each other’s next moves, and now we’re essentially picking out my replacement.
Some days, adulting blows.
After their routine ends, I smile and wait for them to skate off the ice, pushing the twinge of unease aside, and give him the honest feedback he needs because that’s what friends do. “That was great, guys.”
“Thanks, Lindy.” Cara beams and slides her skate guards over her blades. “That means a lot coming from you.” She turns and smiles at Andrew. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow for the tryout with your coach then?”
Andrew nods. “Yeah, thanks. Same time tomorrow.”
He watches her leave quietly before dropping down on the bench next to me. “Are you sure you’re done? You don’t want just a few more years before you give it all up?”
“We’ve talked about this already,” I try to say sweetly, but I didn’t come prepared for another guilt trip.
“Come on, Lindy. We’re so good together.” He throws his arm around my shoulder and leans his head against mine. “You’ve always been a competitor. Why stop now?”
“Andrew . . .” I groan and look up at him. “I will always be here for you, but it’s going to be as your biggest fan, not your partner. You and Cara looked great out there. Her lines are beautiful.”
“She’s not you.” His tone is sharp and sets me on edge.
I’m not in the mood for another angry person.
I’ve had enough of that this week to last me through the end of the year.
“No, she’s not me. But I’ve been telling you for months that I’m done. If you’re going to continue competing, you’ve got to find someone else to partner with. Cara is a great choice.”
He tucks my hair over my shoulder. “What if I only want you?”
“Andrew . . .” I pull away.
“The lady said no.”
Apparently, this day can get worse.
When I look up, Easton’s intense gaze is locked on me. Is he . . . ?
He reaches out for me, and I place my palm in his without even thinking about it. A satisfied smile graces his lips as he pulls me to my feet. “You okay, princess?”
“Of course, she’s okay,” Andrew answers.
Easton growls before he rests a finger under my chin and lifts my face. “Ready for dinner?”
“I thought I was meeting you at home?” I ask.
“At home? Lindy . . .” Andrew looks between the two of us, then down at my hand. “He’s a hockey player, Lindy. Come on. You can’t seriously plan on staying married to him. They’re Neanderthals.”
“What the fuck—”
I press my palm against Easton’s chest, then glare at both of them. “Stop. Both of you, just stop. I’m not an object you can fight over like two toddlers in a sandbox.” They both look offended, but at the very least, they’re smart enough to keep their mouths shut. “Andrew, I’m retired. That’s not changing.”
“Does this have something to do with him?” Andrew’s disgust is evident as he looks between Easton and me, and I want to scream. I’m so over this stupid day.
Luckily for Easton, he doesn’t say anything.
Nope. My husband simply wraps his hand around my hip, much like he did earlier, and squeezes, letting me know he’s here. As if I could forget. As if the heat from his body isn’t singeing my skin.
“I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer. If you’d like me to come to your tryout tomorrow night, let me know. I’m going home.”
I move around Easton and ignore both men.