Page 108 of Icebound Hearts

“I don’t know why you won’t talk to him, because anyone with two eyes in their head can see how much you both love each other.” I gulp, glancing back at Aiden, who’s still looking at me.

“Brotherly advice: Stop self-sabotaging. Yes, figure skating means a lot, but having someone who loves you like that?It won’t come again.” I nod as my eyes leave Aiden’s when the presenter starts welcoming us and reads the order of performances.

Alina is fifth, and Maddie is ninth. I sigh, rubbing my hands together, trying to calm my anxiety. I see Will walk in, and the moment he sees me and Roman, he takes a seat next to him.

Aiden stands up from his seat, but I get distracted and lose sight of him when Alexei yells out my name. He flips us off and gets up with Grayson following behind him.

They sit behind us as Alexei complains about having to move. I turn around and glare at him, telling him to stop talking before we get kicked out of the arena. Alexei huffs, crossing his arms over his chest, but nods, rolling his eyes. I smile and blow him a kiss. Someone sits next to me, and my heart jumps out of my chest when I turn around and see who it is.

Aiden.

He sits there, his body tense, staring straight ahead, not even bothering to look at me. I flinch when I feel Roman pinch my thigh. “You’ve been staring at him for the last two minutes. Just trying to help you not look crazy.” I lean into Roman in disbelief.

“It’s real? He’s sitting next to me?” Roman nods, and I lean back in my seat.

I thought my mind was playing tricks on me.

After the first four performances, the presenter says Alina’s name, and we all stand up, cheering for her.

Alina skates into the middle of the arena as the lights dim. I move to the edge of my seat, nervous as hell for my best friend. “Work Song” by Hozier starts playing, and my throat closes up. I can feel Aiden’s body heat, even though there is no part of him touching me.

Ali glides around the rink with such poise and perfect movements. My best friend was born to be a figure skater. The class and gentleness in every move hypnotize not just me buteveryone in the audience. She jumps into a quad toe and lands it perfectly. I stand up, screaming and cheering for her as I clap my hands. My best friend grabs the edge of her blade and spins around.

If Roman didn’t love her before, he definitely does now.

Alina skates around and then jumps again, my jaw falling open when she lands a quad axel perfectly. Alexei stands up, screaming as I try to gather my thoughts.

“Oh my god, oh my god,” I shout, grabbing Roman’s and Aiden’s arms.

“She landed a fucking quad axel. Oh my god.” Roman grins at me as he claps for the love of his life.

I turn toward Aiden, who is staring at my hand wrapped around his bicep. I remove it quickly, muttering an apology under my breath, and clear my throat, looking straight ahead.

I can feel his eyes on me but I refuse to look at him.

Alina finishes her routine, and the arena erupts in cheers. Alina waves at us, but her smile drops when she sees who is next to me.

“Fuck, I should have not come.” Roman whispers as he sits down. I pat his back.

“It’s okay Roman. Just keep trying.” Roman nods, running a hand over his face in frustration.

Soon, it’s Maddie’s turn, and we all cheer for her as she takes her spot in the middle of the rink.

“Salvatore” by Lana Del Rey starts playing, and our best friend begins her routine. My eyes follow Maddie’s every move as she glides gracefully on the ice. She jumps into a triple quad, and we all stand to cheer as she lands it perfectly.

When the final results are announced, Alina wins gold, and Maddie wins silver. We all jump and cheer, hugging each other, celebrating our friends wins.

I turn to my left, but the seat is empty. He left. I get up and run toward the exit.

Maybe I’ll catch him. Maybe I can tell him I want to hear why he didn’t show up, but when I step outside, he’s gone. No cars moving. Nobody on sight.

I bite back a cry, lifting my hands to my head. How am i going to fix this?

Chapter Forty - four

KATERINA

I don’t want to see him today. There are days when my heart wins over my head. Days when my heart is begging for me to hear him out so we don’t lose him. And there are days like today. My brain has taken control over my heart and refuses to talk to Aiden, or listen to him. The house is quiet when I step inside. Too quiet. I don’t know what I expected. I had timed it carefully, knowing the guys would still be at practice. I just needed to graba few things—clothes, toiletries, anything I had left behind. In and out. No distractions. No conversations I wasn’t ready for.

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