Page 40 of Love so Cold

I'm a little surprised.

You'd think he'd be able to pay some other professional to take Marty's place.

Turn it into another PR opportunity.

Samantha

When you keep hating on the man, it only makes me think you like him more.

Avery

Jessica

Can he even skate?

Emily

Guess we'll find out at practice tonight.

Avery

And where did you scoop up this little nugget, Sam?

Samantha

Let's just say I have my sources.

I roll my eyes, the action lost on the empty break room. Trusting Samantha's "sources" is like trusting a weather forecast in New England—it might be accurate, but you wouldn't bet your Sunday plans on it. Still, with her husband being a local firefighter, he probably catches secrets as much as he does smoke. Maybe she isn't just crying wolf this time.

My thumb idles, swiping through previous messages, looking for his name—Victor. No new texts. Not since that breakfast where he actually seemed to get it, where he looked at me not just as some obstacle but as someone worth listening to. My chest tightens a bit, and I hate that it does when I think about him. I'm not supposed to care.

"Probably busy planning world domination or something," I mutter under my breath, trying to sound nonchalant even though there's no one around to hear.

It was a surprise how he didn't dismiss me outright,didn't patronize. He listened. And for a fleeting second, I thought maybe we could find some common ground. But now? Each tick-tock of silence chips away at that hope. It's probably all part of his strategy, right? Know thy enemy?

"Playing games is what they do best," I type out a new message to the group but delete it before sending. No need to air my skepticism even more.

I tap my thumbs against the screen, the glow casting shadows on the dingy walls of the employee break room.

Avery

Board meeting's in two weeks. We need a game plan.

Y'all coming to practice tonight?

Emily

Yep, Ethan's pumped for the scrimmage.

Samantha

Same here, Sophia wouldn't miss it.

Jessica

Can't stay, just drop off and pick up. Tyler's got gymnastics.

Avery

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