Page 54 of Hearts on Ice
“We didn’t expect them to be all over the paper. We didn’t expect that their love affair would be so open.”
“If we were still married, the kids wouldn’t think anything about it,” Declan said.
“No, we’ve gotten past that,” Melina said. “We are more concerned about the kids being exposed in the media along with the two of you.”
“I don’t know if that would really be a bad thing,” Colby said slowly.
All three of them turned to stare at her.
She folded her arms in front of her. “I mean, it might help them to have some buzz behind them, to get a little extra attention before they go into competition, the kids working with Declan and Colby. Let us continue their lessons. I know we can make them the best they can be. We know what will make them competitors. I’m not betting you, but I’m appealing to you. It is your decision, of course, but we are committed to helping your kids succeed. Both of us are.” She leveled a look at Declan, who nodded, his expression somber.
The two women looked at each other. “We would feel better if the reporters were out of the picture. Perhaps we’ll skip this week until the media hype dies down.”
“I understand that inclination,” Declan said. “But at this point, we don’t have a week to take off. Our first competition is in two months, and we need to have this program down.” He blew out a breath. “I can understand taking the next day or two off, but I need the kids back on the ice as soon as possible.”
The two mothers exchanged a look that said they would discuss it, and turned and left.
With no students now, Declan turned into the gym. Colby knew from the last few weeks of working here that he’d have more students and coaches arriving. But he seemed restless, so she followed him into the gym.
“Are you all right?”
He rolled his shoulders before he sat on the bench and lay back to lift weights. “I’m all right.”
A little thrill rolled through her as he closed his fingers around the bar, each finger individually gripping it, before he lifted. She wanted to ask him to take his jacket off so she could watch the muscles flex beneath his t-shirt, but he was still not all that happy with her. So she wouldn’t ask.
“I’m sorry,” she said, and wondered where that word came from.
He lowered the weights to the brace and sat up in a fluid move. “What are you sorry about?”
This was a test, she knew. “I’m sorry I played our relationship out for the cameras. I know it bothers you. I thought it would help make a path for Josh and Lexi, make their parents more at ease if we played to the media.” She wanted to add that her plan may still work, but she didn’t think now was the time.
“Look, Colby.” He scooted to the edge of the bench and looked up at her. “I want to give us another shot, to see what happens. God knows I can’t keep my hands off you. But I want us to work together, you know? Be on the same page.”
She approached and straddled his lap while he sat on the bench. “I think we can work something out.”
He closed his hands over her hips as she stood over him, looked up at her. “I’m serious, Colby.”
“I am, too.” She threaded her fingers through his thick hair. “I don’t want to blow it again. I’m not out to make myself the media darling again. I just want to be happy.”
He looked at her a long moment, his dark eyes solemn. “Yeah. Happy would be good.”
She curved her body down to kiss him as he slid his hands to the backs of her thighs. The heat shot straight through her body at his touch. Even as she bent to kiss him, as much as she loved this connection between them, the passion, she knew they had to find something else between them to be happy in the long run.
The kids wereweird when they came back to practice the following morning. Declan had to expect that. They had no doubt heard their mothers discussing whether or not to keep himself and Colby on as their coaches.
Declan figured they would maybe give some side eye, but something more was going on. The two of them were quiet, uncoordinated in their skating, impatient with each other.
“Okay, time out,” Declan said, skating between them and holding his hands out to separate them. “What’s going on here?” Best to let them articulate the problem than for him to lead them into the conversation.
“Nothing,” Josh said dully, looking down.
Declan looked from Josh to Lexi, saw her lips pressed together, her gaze averted. “Something is off. It’s not just the extra day off. Let’s talk about it.”
“”We went to homecoming this weekend and instead of dancing with me, Josh went off with his friends.”
Declan looked at Colby, at a loss. That was the last thing he’d expected to hear, and he didn’t know the next step. He’d known there was a deeper connection developing between them, had recognized it, and had ignored it. His mistake.
“Why don’t we—?” Colby motioned for Lexi to follow her off the rink, then indicated for Declan to do the same with Josh.
