Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Fun fact: we’d both medaled in several prestigious regional competitions and had made second team for the US Collegiate Championships twice.
Okay, fine…neither of us had seen ice time at the championships, and last year had been a total bust for me, but so what? We’d been on the rink with some of the greatest in our sport—real Olympians. And yes, we had high hopes to join their ranks someday. It was a wild dream at this point, at least for me, but never say never.
Our season at Smithton had just ended, and I was pleased to report that I was highly ranked in collegiate circles and was in a good position to garner an invitation to the US Collegiate Figure Skating Championships this July in Illinois. Cue scream.
Could this possibly lead to a spot on the Olympic team one day? No clue. But being sidelined with an injury last year had given me a dose of perspective and taught me that there was a kind of peace in learning the art of patience. I was twenty-two. Not as young as some of the elite athletes competing, but I still had time.
Thankfully, I loved every bit of the ride. I’d made lifelong friends, like Celine, and had traveled all over the world.
Transferring to Smithton last fall had been a risk, but I’d needed a change of scenery after a season and a summer spent in physical therapy, coddling my busted right ankle. I’d fallen in love with my new home right away.
First of all, Celine was here. Secondly, the town was adorable, and the private college nestled lakeside on a tiny smidge of land in Upstate New York was a true hidden gem. And the ice skating program was one of the best in the region. Not as good as Dartmouth, but still amazing.
I liked my coaches and my teammates. I even liked my classes and had taken a renewed interest in being a Biology major. Bonus: the campus was truly stunning—even on a rainy day when spring couldn’t decide if it was ready to make an appearance.
I was happy here.
Happy enough, anyway.
My only issue…and it was a big one—was Gus fucking Langley.
It hadn’t started out badly. I’d really liked Gus at first. He’d come across as a funny, engaging, and genuinely nice guy. I’d obviously overlooked some serious red flags. Such as, why would a popular jock in his seemingly twentieth year of college want to live with a stranger? Shouldn’t his teammates be clamoring for a chance to share a nice house for a reasonable rent on the outskirts of town with their captain?
Because I was an idiot, I’d gone out on a limb and assumed that Gus was too mature for them. Older, wiser, and uninterested in being around testosterone-laden undergrads off the ice.
Can you believe that boloney? Oh, poor naïve me.
Truth: Gus Langley was an overgrown man-child with Peter Pan syndrome who wanted to be a college student for the rest of his life. Or at least party like one.
“I thought he’d been better recently,” Celine said, wrinkling her nose in a manner that suggested her latte was too warm or she was lying through her perfect teeth.
“Everything is better when Gus isn’t in town,” I snarked. “Mercifully, he’s had a lovely string of away games, but his damn season is ending soon, and he’s going to be home. All. The. Time. How will I cope? I’m going to go mad. I just know it.”
Celine snickered. “God, I love your drama.”
“Buckle up. I have a feeling it’s going to get ugly.” I slumped dejectedly in my chair.
“Enough about your turdy roommate.” Celine shifted in her chair and leaned forward, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Tell me all about our resident hottie.”
My face flushed and no doubt turned an alarming shade of pink. Embarrassing.
“There’s nothing to tell,” I admitted.
“What do you mean? I thought Eli asked you out.”
“Not really. We had coffee after jump practice because we happened to be on our way here at the same time. Yes, I had butterflies, and I was quieter than usual, but Eli didn’t seem to mind, so maybe that wasn’t a bad thing.”
Celine batted her long eyelashes. “Did you kiss?”
I rolled my eyes. “It was coffee, Cel. Like what you and I are doing right now.”
“Oooh.” She slumped in her seat theatrically. “Why didn’t you make a move? You’re not shy.”
“I am with Eli. He’s intimidating, you know? His quads are a thing of beauty. He skates like he’s part angel, part devil, and I’m a mere mortal with—”
“A fucking amazing triple axel,” she finished for me, holding her hand up for a high five.
“True.” I grinned and slapped her outstretched palm. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m not alone in this. I think Eli is attracted to me, but…nothing ever happens between us. Nothing sexy, anyway. Though he did sort of hold my pinky finger across the table.”