Page 99 of My Last Dance

I wanted to feel him, touch him, talk to him, justbe with him.

But I knew I couldn’t do it.

He had to stay off-limits.

Because I couldn’t mess this up.

At least not until after we competed.

So, I did what I did best—I boxed up my emotions and got back to work on our competition costumes, just like I had every other night of that week.

19. CENTER OF A SCANDAL

Pacing in my maroon dress and heels, I could hear the press gathered right behind the curtain set up in the Coliseum’s lobby.

Figure skating never had this much press. The increased interest was due to two very specific things: One, this was a joint conference, called together by Kappy’s agent and Patrick. And two, my whole dramatic melt down a couple months ago made people curious about my next move.

They were waiting for this story.

For who would be my next partner.

As soon as the news broke that it was Kappy, a hockey player, our privacy in the back rink would vanish.

“Did you just burp?” Kappy’s face lit up with amusement. His hair was freshened up with a slight trim and he shaved. Wearing a simple Whaler’s polo and lulu dress pants for the occasion, he actually looked like a well-dressed adult. While I appreciated his level of seriousness for today, it kind of freaked me out.

I held my chest, waiting for the next one. “Apparently, I burp when I’m nervous.”

“You didn’t know?”

“I’ve never been this nervous before.” A little belch erupted out of me before I could slap a hand over my mouth.

His eyes twinkled as he laughed. “That’s kinda cute, P.” He came up behind me and massaged my bare shoulders with his strong hands. I wondered if he could see the goosebumps I could feel, and I wondered how the hell he wasn’t nervous.

I covered my face with my hands. “Did you tell anyone?”

His hands paused, making me instantly regret asking. “Just the people who needed to know.”

“Who’s that?”

“My coaches, Mrs. Greenwich.”

“Who’s Mrs. Greenwich?”

“Owner of the Whalers. We had a long chat.”

“She’s not mad at you?”

“Eh.” He bit out a chuckle and thankfully resumed massaging. “She said her anger depends on if we win or not. But we’ll get tons of press for this, so she wins either way.”

I swallowed hard. “What about Colt or JP?”

“No. I tried a couple times, but…” His eyes went to the ceiling. “They’ll find out when everyone else does.”

Sucking in a shaky breath, I forced myself to walk out of his reach and resume pacing because I couldn’t think straight when his hands were on me. “I hope Mer and Ali won’t be mad at me for not telling them. Is it kind of hot in here? Are you hot?” I fanned myself.

“Piper, relax,” he said with a wry chuckle. “This isn’t a big deal. We’ve been skating together for months now. We’re just finally telling people, that’s all.”

I nodded, but his words didn’t ease the heat climbing up my neck, trying to suffocate me.

---