The Next Competitor: Gay Figure Skating Romance by Keira Andrews

Author:Keira Andrews [Andrews, Keira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction, M/M, Sports
Publisher: KA Books
Published: 2016-12-03T23:00:00+00:00

When I arrive at the rink earlier than usual the next morning, I’m the first person there other than the janitor who unlocks the doors. Mrs. C arrives with Oksana and Maxim in tow, and they quickly disappear down the hall to the locker rooms. Mrs. C goes to stand at her favorite spot by the boards, sipping a paper cup of Tim Horton’s coffee and ignoring my presence.

“Mrs. C?”

Her reply is an icy glare, red lips pressed into a thin line.

“I’m really sorry about yesterday. About what I said, and how I acted. I was totally wrong.”

She leaves me hanging for a good ten seconds, which is a long time when you’re waiting for someone to reply to your apology. “I try to make you best skater I can, Alexander.”

“I know.”

“I’m not mother, or best friend. Skating is hard. Going to Olympics is hard. Sacrifices must be made.”

I nod. “You’re absolutely right.”

“I am sorry to hear about father’s job. But you asked me to coach. You and your family made choice.”

“You’re right. It’s not your fault at all. You’re the best coach I’ve ever had.”

She takes off her Hermes scarf and folds it into a perfect square. “Maybe not right coach for you.”

Oh please no. Please don’t kick me out. “No, you are!” I’m about to get down on my knees if that’s what it takes. “You’ve made me the best skater I can be, and I know you’ll help me be my best in Salzburg. I need you. Please. I didn’t mean what I said. It’ll never happen again.”

One thin eyebrow arches. “Never.”

“Never. I didn’t mean it.”

“Alexander, you always mean what you say. You just usually shouldn’t say it.”

She’s got me there. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

With a glance at her gold watch, she says, “Time for practice. Short program run-through.” She turns on her heel, and I’m dismissed.

Relief courses through me as I run to put on my skates, desperate to get on the ice and please her. Matt arrives ten minutes later while Mrs. C is picking apart my transitions between the first two jumping passes.

As Matt glides by on a warm-up lap of the rink, he smiles encouragingly, and even though I’m supposed to be paying attention to my coach and my skating and the goddamn Olympics, I can’t help but smile back, just for a second.

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