CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

L uke

Something is off with Sebastian. His smile is bright, his eyes kind, but whenever he sees me he skitters away, consulting with the cameramen, the producers, even the social media manager.

I frown.

“So Luke...” Flora begins. “When did you first learn how to skate?”

Right.

Skating.

I’m on a group date. I try to smile at Flora, but I’m pretty sure it comes off wobbly or something, because her forehead creases.

Willow and Dahlia appear similarly flummoxed.

“I can’t remember not knowing how to skate,” I admit. “My dad used to take me and my brothers out to a frozen pond near our house. We did swing sets in the summer, ice skates in the winter.”

“Wow, that’s amazing,” Flora says, and I nod, even though I’m pretty sure there’s nothing particularly amazing about the story.

It’s the fourth time we’ve filmed this conversation.

Something isn’t going right. My gaze tries to find Sebastian, but now I can’t find him at all. I glance at the staff.

Ella, the producer, looks less bubbly and effervescent than before.

“When did you decide you wanted to become a professional skater?” Dahlia asks, pulling my attention from a blank-faced blond in the distance.

“Well, I think it’s good to do what you’re good at and what you’re interested in,” I say. “If I was interested in teeth, maybe I would have become a dentist.”

“Cool.”

We’re outside, and the sky is a bright blue that made all the cameramen and producers cheer until they witnessed my wooden conversation.

“Not, um, that teeth aren’t interesting,” I say hastily. “They’re probably fascinating. If you’re into that sort of thing.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m into them,” Dahlia says, her forehead creasing in the same manner as Flora.

“A lot of hockey players lose their teeth,” I say.

“Have you lost any teeth?” Willow leans toward me, also frowning.

“Well, no. Not yet, at least, but it might happen at any time.”

Willow draws back, as if she’s imagining some toothless version of me.

“It probably wouldn’t be all of them,” I say hastily. “Maybe just a few.”

“A few?” Willow’s voice is higher pitched than before.

“Pucks move quickly,” I say. “And slapshots...That thing can be flying in the air, heading straight for...”

“Your teeth,” Flora says, eyes rounded.

“Yep.” I nod.

Somehow, things seem even more awkward than before. I thought they would enjoy talking about teeth more than they do.

My chest tightens, and my gaze drifts to Sebastian again.

Flora clears her throat. When I look at her, her eyes are dancing.

Finally.

I guess at least she appreciated my thoughts on teeth.

“Who was the last person you dated?” Flora asks.

Ella frowns, perhaps wondering why Flora has leapt off script. We’re supposed to be talking about ice skating, then I’m supposed to teach them on Frog Pond in the center of the Boston Common.

I scratch my head. “Probably Jessica.”

Willow’s gaze turns sympathetic. She is sweet, bedside manner in place. “What happened?”

“We would appreciate if you can share,” Ella says. “I know it must be difficult. But that’s what our viewers love. Maybe some emotional, intimate bonding is what you need to discover which of these women is your true love.”

I blink, unsure if she means it, but then decide it doesn’t matter either way.

“I caught her with one of my teammates,” I admit.

The women lean back, horrified.

“That’s terrible!” Flora exclaims.

“Dreadful!”

I shift my legs, already regretting saying anything. The producers look happier, and well, that’s probably something.

Even Sebastian is looking my way, and somehow, it’s that thought that makes calm usher through me, like incense is being flung at me by an enthusiastic monk.

“Is he still with your team?” Dahlia asks, her eyes rounded.

“Axel?” My eyebrows lurch upward. “Um, yeah.”

Ella smiles.

Mateo smiles.

Aisha smiles.

Sebastian’s eyes round with worry, and it occurs to me that maybe this might get talked about.

Great.

First I was not being interesting enough on the show, and now I’ve vastly exceeded that.

“It was fine!” I say quickly. “No hard feelings at all.”

“You’re not angry at Axel?” Willow asks.

“Why would I be angry at Axel?” I frown. “Axel is a great guy. Funny and excellent at hockey.” I nod multiple times to emphasize that point. “No hard feelings at all.”

“But that has to break bro code,” Flora says, though she doesn’t seem as incredulous as the others.

I shrug. “Um, I guess? But Axel told me he’d thought we’d already broken up, so it didn’t matter.”

“Why would he think that?” Willow darts her gaze around, as if to ascertain whether others are equally confused.

“I guess I didn’t talk about her very much?” Guilt moves through me, but I’m not sure how I did anything wrong.

Sebastian clears his throat, and his face is darker than before. “Cut.”

Ella’s eyebrows lurch upward. “Cut? Are you crazy? That was the first interesting thing in this show!”

“I’m sure Luke did not mean to disclose those private things. He’s tired.”

“You want me to send him for a nap?” Ella asks, angrier than I’ve ever seen her.

“Maybe,” Sebastian says.

I rise. “I do not need a nap.”

Everyone looks at me, and my face flames. Okay, maybe that wasn’t my most mature statement. “Sorry. It’s two pm. I’m fine.”

“I’m trying to help you,” Sebastian says.

“I don’t need your help.” I scowl and I’m aware I’m being sullen, but I don’t care. “Maybe you should have paid more attention earlier.”

Ella’s jaw drops, but Flora looks smug for some reason. Flora whispers something in Willow’s ear, and now they’re both staring at me, as if I’m a funny health meme or something.

Dahlia’s gaze ping pongs between Flora and Willow, then she leans over them. They’re all whispering together, then Dahlia puts her hand over her mouth, and giggles.

Weird. Very weird.

I turn my attention to Sebastian, because face it, his opinion matters the most to me.