Page 21 of Melt His Heart

“We’re making good progress on your short program. Just need a little cleaning here and there. But I think you’ll be set for gold if you keep this up.” He chuckles.

“Thank you. I hope I can make you proud.” I say, biting my lip.

“I don’t doubt you will.” Coach smiles, “Alright, let’s wrap for the night. Get some rest!” He says, patting me on the back.

We head off the ice together before he gives me a nod and makes his way toward the offices. Soon we’ll start focusing on my free skate, which will prove a bit more challenging, so I know he’s been staying back late some nights.

Carson comes down from the stands, “You were incredible down there…beautiful.” He smiles, his eyes softening a bit.

“Thanks, Carson,” I mumble, my ears burning. I need something to distract me, so I sit down to take my skates off.

“You’re going to be amazing at worlds. I can’t wait to watch you.”

“You want to?” I ask as I begin unlacing my shoes.

“Of course I do.” He says, kneeling in front of me, he starts to untie my skates the rest of the way.

“Carson, it’s fine, I can do it…”

Our fingers brush when I try to go back to doing it myself. And god, his hands feel so warm when he grasps mine and moves them out of his way.

“Please?” He says, his tone feathery.

All I can do is nod in shock and let him continue to undo my skates for me. I feel like I’m floating, watching him, like I’m having an out-of-body experience. Is that what they call it? Whatever it is, I don’t know if I want it to stop. I don’t even know if I could stop it.

Carson puts my slippers down in front of me. The ones I like wearing around the rink after my feet have been in skates for all those hours. I slip them in, and he smiles up at me. My breath catches in my throat when Carson pulls me up toward him, his grip firm, the heat from his touch feels like it’s spreading up my entire arm.

He’s so strong.

“Good?” Carson asks.

I answer with another nod.

“Great, let’s head to the car. I packed your things away earlier.” He beams, guiding me toward the exit.

“Thanks…Carson.” I mutter.

“Yeah, I got you.”

Chapter 8

The hot spray of the shower runs across my skin, washing away another long training session.

It’s a few days before me and Carson’s ‘date’ or whatever I’ve been calling it, although I told myself that’s not what it is. But no matter how many times I try to tell myself it’s not, my mind definitely feels like it is. Every night after practice, I’ve been meticulously looking for the perfect outfit, and I’m driving myself crazy.

I almost think about this little date of ours as much as I do competing. That’s insane.

Even now, as I lather my hair with shampoo. Can’t even shower long enough without thinking about him. I rinse under the water, letting out a sigh.

The bathroom is filled with fog by the time I’m done my routine and begin to towel off my body. Padding back into my bedroom, I change into some night clothes and flop down to scroll on the phone for a bit. Which is code lately for stalk Carson.

I know he’s playing a game tonight, so there probably isn’t much to see on his page. I don’t know why I haven’t stopped doing this. I guess the floodgates are open. I’m also still curious about that girl with the pretty smile. She’s still popping up here and there; the other day, they went to a friend’s birthday party, I guess. And I definitely wasn’t jealous.

Never.

Carson has also kept his word and has been texting me nonstop even while he’s at his away games, and it’s not helping my nerves about going out with him at all.

Carson: julie whatcha doing