Page 112 of My Last Dance

I loved playing this bubbly flirty character.

Because he was just as flirty back.

During our little dance in front of the judges, it felt like we let go, and we actually laughed. We were havingfun,just like we did when we were young.

We made it through our step-sequence, through our hydroblade, and through our spin. We smiled triumphantly at each other after each element.

By the time we hit the last thirty seconds of our program, my legs felt like lead, but I willed myself to skate with my heart as we pushed into our last lifts.

We were strong.

We were fierce.

We were flying.

We were going to Nationals.

I could feel it.

As soon as we hit our ending pose, the crowd erupted around us, but I couldn’t care less.

I was fully focused on Kappy’s bright smile.

His body shuddered with a laugh. “God, that was fun, P,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead, and my heart soared.

23. WE WERE ON A BREAK

“So, are you two ready for Nationals?” Mer asked with an excited smile.

We were lounging in Colt and Mer’s living room, waiting for the New Year’s ball to drop at midnight. I was grateful Mer invited the group over for a little get together because I didn’t feel like going out, and this was probably our last time seeing each other before we were too busy with Nationals in Missouri and then, hopefully, the 2026 Olympics in Italy.

Kappy’s strong hands massaged my legs on his lap. “Yeah, they should just fork over the medals right now,” he said with a confident smirk. “They’re ours.”

“I like his confidence,” Mer said to me with a laugh.

“I have confidence, too,” Colt said with a frown, coming up behind his wife to plant a kiss on her cheek. His hand drifted right to her pregnant belly, and he whispered something in her ear, making her giggle like a lovestruck teenager.

JP came into the room, tipping back a bottle of beer and wearing one of Lucy’s princess crowns. His eyes immediately went to Kappy’s hands on my legs. “Okay, I’m used to these two being all handsy.” He jerked a thumb at Colt and Mer. “But you guys can’t do that, too.”

I fully knew how it felt to be a third wheel, so I tried to pull my legs back, but Kappy held me tighter.

“Ignore him,” Kappy whispered to me. “He could be handsy too if he got off his ass and actually did what I told him to do,” he said a touch louder.

JP rolled his eyes and took another pull of his beer, but now I was curious what Kappy advised him to do.

Mer coughed into her hand. “It’s too bad Annie and Freddie made it to Nationals,” she said, attempting to change the subject. “That bitch tried to hurt you guys. She should be arrested for assault.”

“Remember when you kissed her?” Colt snickered.

“She kissed me,” Kappy burst out. “And don’t remind me. Gonna make me sick.”

“Sick? Who’s sick?” Lucy called from upstairs.

Kappy’s body froze. “Oh no,” he whispered. “Not again.”

Colt’s face lit up with a grin. “Uncle Kappy’s sick!”

Kappy’s eyes widened. “What the fuck?” he whispered tersely. “Why are you always doing this to me?”

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