Page 19 of The Fall

“No, I’m fine, Savannah. Like I said, I’m horny and it’s always easy with you.” I raise a brow at that, to which he clarifies, “Not that you’re easy! Just that sex with you is easy because I’m not trying to impress you or figure you out. I already know what you like, just like you know what I like.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, Max. You’re my best friend.”

“You’re not hurting me. Maybe I’m hurting myself, but it’s not your fault.”

“So, we’re good?” I ask.

“We’re great. I mean, I’m still horny, so that sucks, but I’ll be fine.”

“Maybe we can work something out on our rest day, but my body is so damn tired right now.”

“Yeah, I get it. I’ve dropped you more times than I would’ve liked to this week.”

I laugh. “Yeah, that’s pretty rude of you, actually.”

“I’m an asshole.”

“Then I guess it’s only fair that your hand takes care of your blue balls tonight.”

He groans. “Goddamnit. Just hearing you say balls makes it even worse.”

I laugh. “Oh my god, you have a problem.” I stand from the mat. “I’m going home. See you tomorrow.”

“Yep. Bright, early, and miserable.”

He follows me out of the room, and we both head to the locker rooms. I grab my bag and start to leave. Max is a little in front of me, so I yell, “Enjoy your hand!”

He responds by flicking me off over his shoulder.

“Do I want to know what that was about?” I turn and see Logan heading toward the ice with his skates in his hands.

“Uh, probably not. You skating again? This is like the fourth time this week.”

“The fourth time? Have you been counting? Better be careful; it’s starting to seem like you might actually like me.”

I scoff. “Um, no. But just because I don’t like you doesn’t mean you’re not a great skater. People notice when one of the best skaters in the world is on the ice.”

“Again, be careful. That almost sounded like a compliment.” He smiles at me. I almost smile back, but then I remember who he is and what he did and all potential levity leaves my body.

“Not a compliment. Just a fact,” I tell him.

“Hmm, right.”

“Is your mom coming to skate with you again today?”

Logan’s mother seemed really nice when we met her the other day. She mentioned she was a skater, so obviously I went home and looked her up on the internet. Nothing came up under Natalia Sokolov. Reluctantly, I changed my search to Logan and hoped that no one ever tried to look at my internet history. I found her name listed under the parent section on Logan’s page. They don’t share the same last name.

Turns out, not only is she a skater, but she was also a gold medalist at the Olympics. It must run in their blood.

“No, she’s at home today.” He pauses and then adds, “Do you want to take her spot?”

“Where?” I ask, confused.

“Skating with me.”

“No,” I say quickly. “Sure don’t.”

He nods slowly, and if I’m not mistaken, he looks… disappointed by my answer. Does he want me to skate with him? Does he care?