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“It’s like they knew.” I quickly type back, so they know to wait for us.
“Knew what? That we’re coming home?”
Message sent, I shove the phone into my pocket. “No,” I chuckle. “Knew that tacos would go well with the tequila I found yesterday when I finished unpacking my room.”
* * *
“Alexei will kill me tomorrow,” Rei groans.
“Whatever for?” I finish pouring tequila into our glasses before looking up. “Enjoying your life?”
“For stuffing myself with unhealthy food and alcohol so close to qualifications for the Winter Games?” she slides her hand under her tee, rubbing her abs. Because, yes, the girl has abs. That’s how hard she works.
“Tacos have veggies inside; I’d hardly call that unhealthy. Besides, you hadonetaco.”
“One giant ass taco,” Rei chimes in as I offer her a drink. “And how many shots?”
“Stop it!” Grace chides. “One taco night won’t kill you. You probably burn through double the calories with just one practice.”
Rei sighs, but she takes a drink. “True. The practices have been extra grueling lately.”
“You need me to go and kick Alexei’s ass?”
Alexei is Rei’s figure skating coach. He might be one of the best figure skaters of his time, but he’s also an entitled asshole who’s pushing Rei too hard more often than not.
“Nah, we both know what’s on the line, and if I plan to succeed, there is no more messing around.”
“Do you think you’re ready?” Penny asks softly.
There is a beat of silence before Rei shrugs. “I don’t know. There is so much that could go wrong, so much that can’t be predicted. Quad jumps are extremely hard on the body, and I have to keep working out and building my strength in order to get through that four-minute program the best I can.”
“So, no more tacos and tequila?” Grace pouts.
Rei looks longingly at the table. “No more tacos and tequila. At least not until I get back from Japan.”
I pick up my shot. “One last drink?”
Rei rolls her eyes. “One last drink.”
Penny and Grace lift their own shot glasses, and we clink them together.
“To an amazing year.”
“And to Rei kicking some serious ass on the ice.”
Softclinkschime in the room as our glasses connect, and we down the drinks. The liquid burns its way down my throat, warming my belly.
“How does Zane feel about you spending all your time practicing?” Grace asks, pulling her legs underneath her.
A smile spreads over our friend’s mouth at the mention of her boyfriend.
Over the last year, most of my friends have paired up, and then my brother got married this past spring. I was so glad for them and loved to see people I love happy, but there was this other part of me, dark and jaded, that was growing more and more unsettled.
Which made no sense. I’m not interested in love. Not in that way, anyway. I’m content with loving my friends and family. They’re the only people I allowed myself to care about. Because as I’ve learned in the last few years, love is a bitch, and the only thing it brings you is heartache. And there was only so much heartache a person could survive. I’d reached my limit the day I watched my mom take her last breath after fighting with cancer for months.
My phone vibrates, snapping me from my thoughts. I grab it from the coffee table and check the message.
Marcus: Hey, what are you up to?
