Page 107 of Icebound Hearts

Alina’s expression softens. “Why? Because you fell once?”

I clench my fists. “Because if I let myself have him, I’ll lose

everything else.”

She shakes her head. “No, Kat. You’re just scared of choosing him.”

Tears burn behind my eyes, and I look away. “I need to focus on skating.”

She sighs, standing up. “Skating is your dream. But Aiden? He’s part of your life. You don’t have to choose.”

I don’t say anything, and after a long pause, Alina steps toward the door.

“At some point,” she says softly, “you’re going to have to stop running. I love you but i have to start getting ready for the competition.” I nod as she places a kiss on top of my head. Ali stands up and walks out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. And for the first time since I left the hockey house—I start to wonder if I made the biggest mistake of my life.

After grabbing lunch, we all get ready for Alina’s and Maddie’s qualifier tonight. I put on a pair of black Lululemon leggings, white socks, and an oversized black sweater. I add my thick brown coat, a black beanie, and slide my feet into my beige Tasman Ugg slippers.

Grabbing my phone, I head downstairs, where Alexei is running a lint roller over Grayson’s back.

They both turn toward me the moment they see me.

“Hey, Kat,” Graysen says, wrapping his arms around me. I hesitate, but Alexei glares at me, so I hug him back.

“I love you, but sometimes you’re dumb.” I roll my eyes at Alexei’s Russian words as he wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head.

“You broke his heart.” He continues in Russian. I frown, my heartbeat accelerating in fear. Grayson kisses Alexei’s cheek and runs outside to his car.

“Is Aiden okay?” I ask, panic creeping in. Alexei sighs, shaking his head.

“Grayson said he started trashing his room and then ran out. He won’t answer anyone’s calls.” I rub my chest as a panic attack creeps in. My breathing fastens, and Alexei shakes his head.

“Hey, you’re fine. He will be fine.” I nod. Alexei’s right. He will be fine. Fuck.

I should’ve just talked to him. Fuck, fuck, fuck. God, why am I so stupid? He loves me.

“Stop overthinking. We need to be there for Alina and Maddie tonight.” I nod, closing my hands into fists, feeling the tips of my nails dig into my skin, anchoring me to the real world.

The four of us get into Grayson’s car, and fifteen minutes later, we arrive at the arena. Maddie and Alina run inside to grab their numbers, while I tag along behind with Grayson and Alexei.

We check in and take our seats as the figure skaters warm up on the ice.

I scan the arena, and my eyes land on Roman tucked in the back. I tell Alexei I’ll be back and make my way toward him.

“Hey, stranger,” I say, taking the seat next to him. Roman looks at me but doesn’t say anything.

“Does she know you’re here?” Roman shakes his head, biting his bottom lip as his right leg bounces up and down.

He’s nervous for her.

“You love her, don’t you?” Roman looks at me, and I understand. He loves her, but he doesn’t know how to love her right.

My heart hurts for my best friends.

“Well, if it makes you feel better, I also suck at this shit.” I turn my head to face the ice again.

“No, you don’t.” My eyes scan the arena, and they land on Aiden’s warm honey eyes. My heart skips a beat as we stare at each other. He doesn’t move, and neither do I.

We just stare at each other. I want to scream and ask him, why he bailed on me. Why he didn’t even bother to send me a text? I was to scream and yell at him.

---