Taking the Ice (Ice Series Book 3) by Comeaux Jennifer

Author:Comeaux, Jennifer [Comeaux, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-08-17T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

THE SKATERS’ LOUNGE BACKSTAGE AT THE arena had been filled with tension all week, but now with the competition over, it had become party central. There were a few disappointed medalists who’d narrowly missed making the Olympic team (something with which I could identify all too well), but most of the skaters couldn’t stop smiling as they waited to perform in the exhibition.

I had my phone out and was snapping photos with everyone in my path. I spotted my training mates Caitlin and Ernie, who’d won the junior pairs title, and we took what would amount to an entire film roll of funny-face pictures.

“We promise we’ll keep Team Cape Cod going strong next year,” Ernie said as we hugged.

“Oh, I know you will. I’ll be stopping by the rink every chance I get to see you guys.”

“Where’s Josh?” Caitlin asked. “We need a group pic.”

I looked around the crowded room and down the corridor to the ice. “He was here a few minutes ago. I’ll grab you when I find him.”

I needed to stretch and get mentally ready for our performance, so I moved away from the party for some alone space. Caitlin and Ernie laughed together as they joined the other junior champions for a photo, and I thought about what Ernie had said.

I’d been so focused on competing that I hadn’t had time to dwell on this being my last nationals. It was hard to imagine my life without competitive skating and not working toward this event every year. January had been the focal point of my year for so long. As excited as I was to start college, I couldn’t deny feeling a little scared and a lot sad over leaving this crazy world behind.

My stomach tensed, and I paced along the far end of the lounge. I shouldn’t have let my brain go there. I was already getting wound up enough about skating. Josh had put so much heart into choreographing our program that he’d created just for this event. I didn’t want to get so emotional that I screwed up the elements.

I remembered clearly the day Josh had brought up his idea. We’d just finished our competition in France and were spending the day sightseeing in Paris. We sat in a charming café, drinking coffee and enjoying the best chocolate éclairs we’d ever tasted.

“I’ve been thinking about nationals and something new we could do for the exhibition,” Josh said.

“I thought we would just do our ‘Titanium’ program since we don’t have much time to work on something else,” I said.

“I love that program. It’s so badass.” Josh took a long sip from his cup. “But I have an idea I really want to put together. The song inspired me as soon as I listened to it.”

“What song is it?”

He hesitated slightly, and I became more curious.

“’The Impossible Dream.’”

My first reaction was to laugh, and Josh quickly said, “I know what you’re thinking.”

“That if we don’t make the team, there’s no way I’m skating to

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