Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

T hey arrived at the rink where the hockey friendlies took place. The US Men’s team was already on the ice warming up. Archer, Brody, and Cam stood to the side, talking to each other while the others skated or went through their warmups. Each position the players lowered themselves into targeted a distinct set of muscles.

Some days, she missed that. Being out there. Padded up. Stick in hand. Wind in her hair and a puck at her skates.

“You would’ve made an amazing forward,” Wyatt murmured, wrapping his arm around her from behind. “You’d have kicked ass and taken names.”

“Yeah,” she whispered wistfully. “But I wouldn’t have met you. I can’t thank you enough, Wyatt. You gave me a chance when you could have burned the world down. I love you, too.”

He pressed his lips to her temple. “We’re meant to be, me and you.”

“We’re taking home the gold tonight,” she said, staring at Archer. “This is just the beginning.”

“That’s my girl.” He hugged her tight, inhaling. “Let’s get to our seats so we can relax. We have one game to cool down, then we have to be on the ice at six.”

“Right.” She waved to the guys as they took their seats close to the glass. Sasha wouldn’t say winning the first round of the competition came with perks, but the minute she and Wyatt showed their badges at the entrance to the rink, they received VIP status, which included the good seats. “They look like they’re in the zone.”

“Relaxed and focused,” Wyatt agreed. “Should be interesting.”

By the time the puck dropped, they were dancing in their seats, waiting for the guys to get going. Every so often, a young girl would come up for an autograph or a photo and Sasha obliged, as did Wyatt. She’d always had hopes she’d make some little girl or boy proud or put them in a pair of skates. Ice dancing was just a different version of her goal now.

The buzzer sounded, and Archer raised his stick. She’d been so lost in her thoughts; she missed him making a goal. Sasha cheered, banging on the glass to show her support. Archer told her the game would bore her since it was the Japanese Men’s team. She didn’t care. It’d been ten years since she watched the guys in action. “Do it again!”

Up and down the ice they went. The slam of body checking into the boards rattled her teeth, but it was still the best part of the game. As much as Archer said it would be a blowout, Japan only needed three goals to catch team USA. With one more period left, it could happen. She never counted anyone out of the competition.

“This is wild,” Wyatt yelled over the blaring music. “I’ve never experienced anything so electric before.”

“You’re a professional skater,” she replied. “That’s kind of hard to believe.”

“This is lightning in a bottle,” Wyatt said, scooting closer to her. “I only wished I had super fans like they do. Every play is... Phantasmic!”

Sasha laughed. “Wait until they win.”

“I bet.”

They watched the rest of the game clinging to each other as each team raced around the ice trying to get the puck or trying to score. Japan had picked up two goals while Archer made another, keeping Japan on the back foot. There was no way they’d lose, still Sasha’s heart pounded. Her stomach knotted. Every instinct screamed to get out there and help, even though she knew she couldn’t.

It was a study in torture being stuck there.

Still, when the last buzzer sounded, Team USA won, five to three. The roar of the crowd consumed her. She also used it to her advantage to get out of the throng of people. They only had a few moments to get to the tunnels to congratulate everyone. Then they had to hustle back to their rink so they could change into their costumes and get ready for the final competition. With any luck, before the night was over, they’d learn if they’d made the Olympic team.

Archer spotted her first, gathering her up in a hug before kissing her. Then she went to Brody, getting the same type of hug and kiss, followed by Cam showering her in attention, then Wyatt.

“You guys did so good,” she said. “I wish we could stay until you get cleaned up, but we have to run.”

“We’ll be there for you too,” Archer said. “Next game isn’t until ten.”

“Talk about late start,” Wyatt muttered. “We’ll see you at the rink.”

Danse Macabre filled the arena as Sasha counted to three before pushing off with her skate. They started slow, building the energy of the show. When they got to the crescendo, she and Wyatt began their intricate footwork, dancing in a delicate pattern along the length of the ice. By the count of five they reached for each other, spinning low on the ice. The wetness chilled her overly heated skin, infusing her with a love of the ice she’d longed for since her accident.

As they came out of the spin, Wyatt lifted her into an artistic pose, almost as if she prayed, cradled to his body. They transitioned into each maneuver with grace and agility. The full extension of their arms, paired with the way they floated through the fanciness of the waltz, left her breathless in a good way. The longer they stayed out there, the better they got, not that they had fumbled the beginning, more like, instead of being tired, mainly since they skated earlier, she seemed stronger.

Almost as if she could go all night.

They twizzled side-by-side, going into sit spins before coming back together. The quiet confidence on Wyatt’s face, infused her with a self-assurance she soaked up. Pride welled within the part of her still stuck in a hospital bed watching hockey. Her life may not look the same now, but damn it, she was proud of herself.

The music came to a climatic end, and they snapped into place, showing the skulls painted onto each of their faces. The cheers started immediately. Her muscles burned. Her heart hammered as her breath sawed from her chest. Tears welled in her eyes. If there was one thing, she never thought she’d get back to, it was winning. Sure, they’d done well in other competitions, but this felt bigger.

More important for them.

Sasha and Wyatt bowed. She couldn’t look at him yet. She had to get through the next ten seconds before she could fall apart. She glanced up in the arena and spotted Archer, Cam, and Brody jumping up and down, cheering for them like a bunch of lug-head frat boys. Even as the lump of emotions lodged in her throat, growing bigger by the second, Sasha laughed, waving to everyone before exiting the ice.

Was it stupid to say she didn’t care about their score, now? Extremely . A tenth of a point or a whole point could make or break some skaters’ careers. For her, it was the difference between first and second. Both felt just as good.

However, gold was her favorite color.

Glancing up when she got to the boards, the tears in Jenny’s eyes and the satisfaction beaming in Evgeni’s gaze burst the dam she’d desperately tried to hold back. Jenny tugged her into a hug the second she opened the door for Sasha to exit and held her tight. “You did it, precious girl. You conquered your beast.”

A sob tore from her chest. Sasha sobbed like a baby, not caring who saw her. Ten years of pain and agony. Ten years of never thinking she’d ever get back to competitive status. Of being so freaked out by the ice, she couldn’t step foot out there. “Thank you for being my coach. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Pfft,” Jenny huffed. “You did this with Wyatt. You could retire tomorrow, and you’ll forever be the partner who believed in him.”

She cut her gaze to Wyatt, who’d received a hug from Evgeni, and chuckled. “We’re going to the Olympics first.”

They gathered in the kiss/cry area, waiting patiently for the results from their final skate. Sasha held Wyatt’s hand. They’d added a couple of extra elements to their show, only because they were confident in their performance and Sasha hoped it paid off.

“The scores for Wyatt Lane and Ariel Rhodes are as follows...”

Again, the roar of the crowd was deafening. When she looked up at the screen, Sasha pinched herself. How? How was any of this possible? People like her never got a second chance. Sure, the arrogant side of her brain kept telling her she’d win, but that cocky bullshit wasn’t real life. No, she always kept her expectations measured and composed. Wyatt grabbed onto her, giving her a little shake while smiling at her. It was as if she had an out-of-body experience. Nothing was tangible. She was floating. Excited and in shock.

No way.

No way!

“The total combine score of 233.45 is a new American Record,” the announcer said, doubling the screams from the crowd.

Sasha’s world spun. She couldn’t breathe. She was both excited and stupefied. Sasha didn’t know if she wanted to puke or bounce around until she couldn’t stand anymore. She and Wyatt were a shoo-in for the team now! Watch out Italy. Here we come!

Once they exited the kiss and cry area, the media bombarded them with questions, asking them all kinds of questions, most of which she wasn’t sure in her current state she could answer properly. However, when her gaze met Archer’s, it was as if everything came back into focus. Her men buoyed her. Held her up when she needed it most.

Like right now.

Fuck... She was in love with all of them. Didn’t get any better than that.

Sasha wasn’t sure how they felt, but she’d tell them. Eventually. Once they settled into life. Until then, it was her secret. Wyatt nudged her. She’d been so lost in her thoughts, she almost completely forgot she was supposed to answer questions. Sasha laughed. “I guess Italy is where we’re off to next. Better get ready for us, World. We’re in it to win.”

Six weeks later...

Wyatt took Sasha’s hand as they walked through the arena. Tonight’s game marked Archer’s return to his team. The friendly games set the US Men’s team into a pretty good position when it came to the Olympics, but they were going with a younger group of players, mostly college-aged kids. Whether or not that had to do with Coach Jones and Trent, Sasha couldn’t say. Plus, since winning her medal in Telluride, she was ready to begin a new adventure, besides heading to Italy next winter. She wanted to see where her relationship was headed with all four of her men.

For now, she enjoyed their company while practicing and rehearsing for their next stint of competitions. Tonight, however, was a rare treat for her. Watching a professional game for the first time since her accident. Yes, seeing the two friendly matches had been a huge step for her, but this... Her heart was in her throat just thinking about it.

“I can’t believe we’re behind the bench,” Wyatt muttered moving through the crowd. “That’s crazy, right?”

She nodded, trying to not puke or worse spazz out. It wasn’t that she was nervous per se. More excited. Being checked into the plexiglass was par for the course. So was tripping. Losing a tooth—thankfully, her parents insisted on a mouthguard. It was everything else about the game that had her ready to jump out of her skin. The thrill. Watching Archer play. Cheering him on to victory and knowing she’d be going home with two of her four men.

Poor Brody and Cam were clear across the country with their respective teams and wouldn’t be home until the weekend. Just in time to see her and Wyatt off for two weeks.

Life was chaotic and sweet.

Just what she always hoped it would be.

“I’m so hyped for this match. I didn’t realize how paralyzing my PTSD was until now. Ten years, Wyatt. If it hadn’t been for you and Jenny and Evgeni, I wouldn’t be here right now. Thank you so much.” He brushed her lips across his. “I love that you’re my partner. I hope one day we’ll make it forever.”

Wyatt squeezed her hand. “I thought we already were. I’ve always known you were my end game, Sasha. The minute you took that wobbly step out onto the ice, I saw it all.” He kissed her then wrapping her in his embrace. “The others are an added bonus I knew no matter what, you’d always need them, too. They’re a part of your soul and we’re all so much better for them and you.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I love you so much, Wyatt.”

“Love you too, babe,” he murmured, holding her close. “We all do. We’re going to prove it every day from here on out. Promise.”

In the end, it didn’t matter what happened to Trent and Coach Jones or which direction her life went in after skating. What mattered to her was her family, and the men who’d shown up when she needed them the most. With them at her side, all things were possible.

No matter what.

The End