Page 44 of Face Off
By late afternoon, I’m dripping with sweat and fatigue. My hip protests with every step, but I’ve made it through. Coach claps me on the shoulder. “Good work today. You’ll feel it tomorrow.”
I nod, grateful it’s over. Team banter shifts toward dinner and a games night Dylan and Mia have invited everyone to. The others chatter about who’s bringing what, who’s playing what game, who’s winning, all of it. I smile at their energy but shake my head.
“Not tonight,” I murmur when Jacko glances my way.
“Already booked?” he asks, tilting his head.
“Yeah, family stuff,” I reply, keeping it vague. Family stuff, meaning Chloe. Anything more detailed, and Murphy’s ears would twitch like a bloodhound.
Jacko raises an eyebrow but doesn’t press, he knows I don’t really have any family. “Fair enough. Don’t keep her waiting too long,” he says with a quiet smirk.
I allow a small grin. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Back at my apartment, I shower quickly, the warm water loosening tight muscles and giving me a moment to think about the evening ahead. Chloe. The way her eyes remain on me when she thinks no one’s looking, the tilt of her smile, the warmth that lingers from that first proper kiss at her door.
I dress carefully, choosing a casual outfit that says effort without overdoing it. A crisp shirt, dark jeans, and boots. Practical for walking, but with just enough polish to show I care.
My phone buzzes again it’s a simple text.
Chloe: Cucina’s on the High Street. See you soon. Don’t be late.
Me: Wouldn’t dream of it.
I type back, smiling.
I glance down at my hip, flexing gently. The pain is present but manageable. I know Mia’s exercises and careful rest will keep me going, but there’s a nagging thought at the back of my mind. My contract renewal, the pressure to perform, and the need to hide any weakness from the team.
And Chloe.
The thought of her makes me forget everything else for a heartbeat. I shake my head, trying to keep my focus. But she’s already won that battle in my chest.
The walk to the restaurant is brisk, the city lights flickering off wet streets. I arrive a little early, scanning for her. There she is, waiting under the canopy, coat wrapped tight, hair catching the lights. My heart kicks. She looks radiant, confident, but soft. Ready.
“Hey,” I say, voice low, playful, as I reach her.
“Hey,” she replies, eyes meeting mine with a mixture of amusement and warmth.
“You look… stunning,” I add, almost before I can stop myself. The words feel clumsy but true.
Chloe tilts her head, smirking. “Flattery? Early in the evening? You’re desperate to keep me?”
“Maybe,” I admit with a grin. “Or maybe I just like being honest.”
She laughs softly. The sound wraps around me like a warm blanket, and I lean in to plant a soft, gentle kiss on her lips. I feel like a teenager again. There’s not really been any dates in the years since I joined the team. Sure, there’s been girls and sex but nothing I’d class as important. They were more to fill the void not having family around has left. No one that made me feel how Chloe does.
We walk in together, seated at a cozy table tucked in the corner. Conversation flows easily, light at first, teasing banter, stories from the rink that I carefully omit any hint of our relationship from the team. I watch her laugh, see the way her eyes shine in the candlelight, and I feel the pull, the desire to reach across the table and brush my fingers against hers. But I wait. Respect. Slow burn.
Dinner passes with a mixture of flirtation and genuine connection. Chloe is sharp, funny, incisive, and I can’t stop thinking about how effortlessly she reads me, understands me without needing everything spelled out. My hand brushes hers once accidentally, or maybe not, and we both pause,eyes locking. The electricity hums between us, unspoken and delicious.
“After this,” I murmur when dessert arrives, leaning closer. “I want to see you again. Properly.”
Chloe tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re very forward for someone who claims to be subtle.”
“I prefer action over words,” I reply with a wink.
She smiles, but I see the shadow of hesitation. “I like that. I do. But you’re still skating around the rest of the world, aren’t you? Team, contracts, that whole circus.”
“I am,” I admit. “But that’s why I’m choosing this. Choosing us. Right now.”
