Page 54 of Date With Skates

We grab everything from the car, and I prepare myself for what’s to come. Yes, all the attention will be on Nico, but I won’t go unnoticed. I was there too. I saw it with my own eyes.

They see Nico first, hugging and congratulating him. You’d think he just won it this very second with the way our family is acting. Nico puts a smile on his face and acts like nothing is wrong, even though I know that’s not true.

They come for me next, bombarding me with questions about what it was like seeing him win and just being at the Olympics in general. Nico gets passed around through family we haven’t seen in ages, and so do I. We’re both being celebrated, and it’s a good way to welcome us back home. It makes the transition a little easier, because I can never say no to attention.

His mother hugs him, crying and telling him how sorry she is that she couldn’t be there. We all understand why she couldn’t be. Our parents have jobs, and his are our grandparents’ sole caretakers.

My mother finds me, of course, whispering that she’s proud of me too. Even though I haven’t done a damn thing with my life. But that’s what moms are for.

I didn’t even deserve to be at the Olympics, but I was lucky, riding the coattails of my cousin. I got a free ride, and I’ve always enjoyed that. Who wouldn’t? I’ve been to so many places and seen so many cool things because I’m lucky enough to be related to, and best friends with, a pro figure skater. Nico never seems to mind, either. He likes the company, and we get along. We have fun. But… am I going to do this for the rest of my life?

I went to the Olympics with the goal of bettering myself. Talking to athletes, finding something I can do with my life, and that was all forgotten the moment I looked into Connor’s bright green eyes.

Our mothers usher us into the kitchen where food covers every surface.

“You made tourtière?” Nico asks when he eyes the meat pies covering the island.

He took the words right out of my mouth.

My mother makes them occasionally, but no one in our family makes them like Nico’s mother.

Well, the only person who did is Pépé, but he hasn’t been able to cook for about ten years now.

“Of course I did. What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t make my son’s favorite meal after winning an Olympic gold medal!”

We get plates shoved into our hands, family members shouting “Allez, mangez! Mangez!”

So we do. We add more food to our plates and we sit and eat.

The food is delicious, like it always is.

It just feels way too heavy in my stomach.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Connor

My house feels emptier than it ever has before, and if I hadn’t already decided I was moving, this would be the moment I did. This feeling has solidified my decision. I can’t be here anymore. It hurts too much, and it’s just too depressing.

Problem is, I don’t know where I’ll be going, so I can’t just leave. I still have to finish out this season here, and there’s still a small chance I get signed again with the Diamonds if no one else wants me. I guess I could sell this place and rent an apartment on a month-by-month lease until I figure out where I’ll be going. It will make it easier later on if the house is already sold.

There’s an ache in my chest when I think about selling this house. There are so many memories here, and I wish there was a way to keep them warm instead of being cold and sad. But I can’t do that on my own. I don’t know how to. My parents are gone. All that’s here are me and Spike, and let’s be serious… he’s a freaking reptile so he’s cold by nature.

I unpack my stuff, tossing my dirty laundry in the hamper before showering and changing because I need to go out. I need to do something other than sit here and be sad.

I already chatted with Jayden and his father, Bruno, about the Olympics when I went over there to get Spike. I paid him well for taking such good care of Spike for me, who is happily back in his own spot in my living room.

When I travel, I bring his home and everything he needs over to Jayden’s house because it seems like a better choice than letting the kid roam free in mine.

I don’t think he’ll do anything, or take anything, but it feels safer. All I need is some weirdo seeing a little kid going into my house and getting the wrong idea. Rumors can ruin people’s reputations.

On my way out, I call Roman and ask if he wants to grab a beer. I’m hoping he’ll say yes. If not, I’ll be drinking alone or with whoever I find at the bar. Thankfully, he’s eager to meet up.

Down Denver is where we go. It’s the bar I frequent when I’m home. It has a lot of security because a lot of famous athletes hang out here. Staff don’t allow fans to bombard us or act ridiculous. The owner is a retired Diamonds player, so he knows how it is. It’s one of my favorite bars, not only because of that, but because the vibe is awesome.

There is always classic rock playing and hockey overrides all other sports on the TVs. Usually, it’s baseball or football that takes over, but not in this place. Hockey is number one.

In fact, it says that all over the walls.