Page 23 of Boots & Scars

"Don't stop now," Cooper called out as I finally managed a decent set of crossovers. "We're just getting started."

He had me move into backward skating drills next. The transition felt jarring; my muscles ached from the unfamiliar motions. My focus wavered as fatigue set in, and I found myself struggling more and more to keep up.

"No breaks," he snapped when I slowed down, panting heavily. "You don't get better by resting."

I pushed through the exhaustion, each glide and pivot becoming a battle against my own body. Then it happened—I misjudged a turn and my feet went out from under me. I hit the ice hard, pain shooting through my hip and elbow.

Cooper skated over quickly and stood above me with an almost amused expression.

"You going to cry, little girl?" he asked, his tone dripping with condescension as he extended a hand toward me.

Anger flared within me. I swatted his hand away, refusing to accept his help.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "You got a kick in you, don't you, little killer?" His eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and respect.

Ignoring the throbbing pain in my side, I struggled back onto my feet. Determination burned hotter than any physical ache.

"You don't have to be so mean about it, you know?" I said, my voice barely concealing the frustration bubbling inside me.

Cooper skated over, his presence looming. His eyes narrowed. "The world is a mean place."

"But that doesn't mean you have to be," I shot back, squaring my shoulders.

"Of course it does," he replied without missing a beat. "How can I be anything but this when it's all people expect? Now, do it again."

I clenched my teeth, trying to steady myself as I prepared to go through the drills once more. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but the stubborn fire inside me refused to be extinguished.

"I'm going to break you, sweetie," Cooper said in a low, rough voice, his voice dripping with malice. "You're going to realize this world is cruel, and when you do, that little good girl nice act is the first thing to go. I can't wait."

I glared at him, confusion mingling with my anger. "Why?" I demanded. "You barely know me. Why do you care?"

He paused, his expression hardening as he considered my question. The silence stretched between us like a taut wire ready to snap.

"Because," he finally said, his tone softer but no less intense. "People like you—you're a reminder of what the world could have been if it weren't so damned broken. But it is. And that means you shouldn't be so… nice."

His words hung in the air, their unexpected vulnerability catching me off guard. For a moment, I saw past the hardened exterior and glimpsed a flicker of something more—something almost human.

"That's stupid," I said.

"Little killer," he said with a grin. "See? That wasn't nice. I'm already on my way to getting you, huh?"

I clenched my teeth together. I didn't hate anyone, but he was really testing me.

"Now," he barked, stepping back and crossing his arms over his chest. "Do it again."

I pushed off from the edge of the rink with renewed determination, each stride fueled by a mixture of anger andcuriosity. Cooper's harsh words echoed in my mind as I focused on perfecting my technique.

I didn't know what had shaped him into the person he was now, but one thing was certain—I wasn't going to let him break me, even if he wanted to.

8

Cooper

When I finally let Everly off the ice, she stumbled and fell hard on her knees. I didn’t move to help. Instead, I watched her, curious.

She picked herself up without a word and collapsed onto a bench. Her fingers fumbled with the laces of her skates. No complaints. Not even a glance in my direction. I pushed her — hard. Why wasn’t she saying anything? What was wrong with her? Was she really going to take my crap?

I walked over and dropped onto the bench across from her, elbows resting on my knees.

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