“Okay, that’s good,” I barely hear his response. “How do I find you again?” His voice is louder now.
I don’t know.
Instead of answering, though, I finally hit the pavement, turn the corner, and run.
Chapter Ten
Ella
I am out of breath as I pull open the back door of the ice arena.
“Where were you?” Faye greets me as soon as I crash through the kitchen. “Vienna has been here for a few minutes, and she’s tearing this place apart.”
“Shit,” I mutter.
“Here.” She throws me rags. “Put these on quick,” she adds as she unzips me.
I waste no time slipping out of the dress and back into my everyday wear.
“Where is she!?” Vienna booms as a door slams.
“I don’t know what you mean!” Harry’s voice is shaky.
“If I don’t see her within five seconds, you are all fired!” Vienna’s voice is close. “One, two, three, four…”
I pop up behind the oven, mop in hand. “Hi, Vienna.” My voice is calm, despite my racing heart. “Just finishing up.”
She points her finger, drawing circles in the air toward me. “You.”
“Yeah?”
“You.” Pause. “Were.” Pause. “Not.” Pause with nostril flaring. “Here.”
“I’m here.” My tone is light and slightly teasing. Sue me.
“I’ve been here! You haven’t!”
“You came back here already?” I ask with a giant question mark.
“I would have.” Her arms are flailing in the air. “But he,” she freezes and then points beside her to Harry, “stopped me.”
“I didn’t know how you wanted your skates sharpened.” He nonchalantly shrugs with a slight grin on his lips.
“Ugh!” she screams, waving her arms again. “You are still grounded.”
I raise my eyebrows at her, waiting for my punishment.
“Give me your phone.”
I pat my pocket, and nothing. I realize that I slipped my phone in my bra earlier for the party, but after fondling my boobs, it registers that I don’t have it. I must have dropped it during my jog off the beach.
Vienna must see something on my face, because she’s not pressing me for it. “Fine. But you’re working doubles all week.”
“Fine,” I relent easily. I’m already working doubles, but she has the memory of a gnat, so I’m obviously not going to say a word.
“This isn’t over.” She stabs me with her finger before she disappears out the door.
I let out the largest sigh, able to breathe for the first time since my disappearance from Dallas.
