Page 118 of My Last Dance

Coming to a stop in the middle of our room, Patrick’s hands went to his hips. “We hit a little snag.”

My stomach bottomed out. “What? How?” They couldn’t take this win from us. We earned it. The whole world saw us earn it.

Patrick’s face was grave. He hooked a finger for Kappy to follow him.

Taking off his medal, the color drained from his face.

“What? What’s going on?” I asked, but they both ignored me as they moved to the hallway.

I tried to go with them, but Patrick blocked me. “Just give us a minute, Piper. Please.”

Confusion slammed into me. Kappy wouldn’t make eye-contact with me. Stepping back, I almost lost my balance.

After the door clicked shut behind them, I stared at it for a beat, shocked at what was happening. Tiptoeing closer, I listened as best as I could, but their voices were all muffled. All I could make out were the words:Health check. Positive. Amphetamines.

When the door popped back open, I didn’t even hide the fact that I tried to listen.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Patrick said in a low tone.

Kappy walked past me, looking defeated. All the light was gone from his face, and it looked like he was running on empty.

Tense silence filled the room. He stared out the window. I stared at his large back.

“Are you taking a banned substance?” I whispered.

He stayed silent.

“What did you take?” The worst possibilities swirled in my head.

He slumped on the edge of the bed and dropped his head.

“Richard,” I snapped. “What did you take?”

He was silent for a beat. “A beta-blocker.”

Shock rocked into me. Not only were beta-blockers prohibited, but they could test false positive for other drugs. “Why?” I whispered. “Why would you do that?”

His eyes dropped to the floor. “I don’t know.”

My eyes darted across his tired face, trying to read him. “You’re lying. Youdoknow. Now tell me,” I demanded.

In his silence, everything slowed around me. I could feel my heartbeat thrumming loudly in my ears. Dread gripped my whole body. He would never take something like that unless…unless he needed it.

“What’s wrong with you?” I whispered.

When his sorrowful brown eyes met mine, my knees buckled.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” I repeated, my voice going pitchy. “You have to tell me, Richard.”

His eyes went glassy, making my whole body tremble with panic. In all the years I’d known him, I’d never seen him even close to tears. He closed his eyes. “You asked if I had a concussion in the spring.”

I stayed silent, waiting for him to explain.

“I didn’t lie to you. I just…didn’t leave the ice because of a concussion.”

My whole world tilted on its axis.

25. ON STANDBY

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