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“Mom!”
“What?”
“I kissed her.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I kissed Belle.”
Belle lifted an eyebrow at her at that comment.
“What?” her mother repeated again.
“Mom, Belle and I liked each other. It wasn’t one-sided. We kissed, yes, but I was the one who initiated it. Then, I got scared when we got interrupted and made some pretty big mistakes, but, Mom, Belle and I are together now.”
“Yes, I’m well aware.”
“No, I mean that we’re a couple. We’re not just skating together; we’re actually together, too. I’ve been staying with her for training, and we’ve been together this whole time.”
“So, that’s why you chose her over Lincoln Cates?”
“No, I chose her because she’s the best skater for me to pair with. And part of that is because we’re together: we understand each other because of that, and we skate better because of it, too.”
“Well, hell, Chandler. You could’ve waited. Less than one year, and you’ll be done with skating. You’ll be retired and either coaching or maybe skating on some tour, but you could have waited.”
“Waited to be with someone? I’ve been waiting my whole life for her, Mom.”
Belle smiled softly at her.
“And you couldn’t wait one more year? You could’ve been with her then.”
“You don’t care that I’m talking about dating a woman?”
“No. Why would I care about that? Wait. Did you think I’d care about that? Is that why you never told us?”
“It’s part of the reason. The other part is that I never had anyone to tell you about. And skating was my priority, but I don’t want to wait anymore, Mom.” Chandler squeezed Belle’s hand. “I’m tired of putting skating first and everything else a very distant second. Belle makes me happy.”
“I’m glad that she makes you happy. Your father and I couldn’t care less if you date a woman, Chandler. I do care that you’re about to throw your skating career away, though.”
“I’m not. We’re in fourth place, and if we skate well tonight, we could medal. Mom, people are noticing me. I’ve gotten requests for interviews, and if I impress enough, I–”
“You know it doesn’t work that way,” her mother interjected. “Chandler, you’d be competing against the single’s champion and the silver and bronze medalists from this competition. If you wanted to compete as an individual, you should’ve skated as an individual for this competition or all along.”
“I know,” she replied and ran her free hand over Belle’s cheek. “But I didn’t want to.”
Her mom sighed and said, “Well, it’s too late for that now, anyway. Do you want me to find you a new coach since you’ve fired your sister?”
“No,” she said. “I’m good.”
“You’re not–”
“Mom, I really am okay. I’m happy. With whatever happens, I am happy. And that should be all you care about, right?”
“You should be on that team, Chandler.”
“Maybe I will be. Maybe I won’t. And even if I’m not, I won’t be a failure, Mom. I’ll still be happy.”
“Your father is asking me what we’re talking about.”
