throat.
“We’re really happy with our skate tonight. We focus on performing a complete program, giving attention to every detail and not just one element. It’s about more than the jumps.”
I fixed my eyes on the table and bit my lip, fighting to keep the annoyance from showing on my face. Damien’s comment was an obvious jab at us, though not an accurate one. Our program wasn’t just about the quad. Sergei and I had poured our whole hearts into the choreography, and we’d made the steps and transitions more intricate than ever.
While Damien rambled, I snuck a peek at the protocols lying on the table. The scores had the potential to be so close that our Olympic dream could come down to a hundredth of a point. Losing gold by one vote in 2002 had been devastating. I couldn’t imagine the pain of losing again… and by a decimal.
I really needed to stop thinking about those things.
Chapter Five
I weaved through the crowded hotel lobby and looked for Chris. Aubrey and Nick were on their way downstairs so we could head to the nightclub across the street and start our celebration. I’d left Sergei in the restaurant schmoozing with the Swiss and Italian judges. The social games we had to play were sadly as important as the performances we gave on the ice.
Chris waved from near the front entrance, and I strode past a few gawking fans gathered on the matching blue sofas. They’d secured all their desired photos and autographs and were now just people-watching.
“The bellman said it’s 80’s night at the club,” Chris said. “This has the potential to be epic.”
I laughed and looked down at my bright red blouse and black jeans. “Should I have worn my leg warmers? Caked on some blue eye shadow?”
“Is Sergei coming or is he stuck with the old folks?”
“He said he’ll meet us there… hopefully not three hours from now.”
Chris shot his arm up, and I turned to see Aubrey and Nick approaching from the elevators. Aubrey’s black mini-dress and five-inch heels showed off her long, tanned legs, and Nick’s crisp button-down shirt and pants matched her outfit. They would easily win Most Fashionable Team if such an award existed.
Aubrey checked her phone and then dropped it into her tiny red purse. “Are we ready? Where’s Sergei?”
“He’s coming later,” I said.
Chris pushed open the double glass doors. “Let’s roll.”
The cold night air blasted over me, and I hugged my arms to my chest. My silky blouse didn’t offer much protection. We hustled across the busy street and hurried inside the club, handing over the necessary yen for the cover charge.
The techno beat of an Erasure song vibrated the room, and I blinked a few times to let my eyes adjust to the colorful spinning lights. Some of the patrons packed in around us had come dressed for the occasion. Miami Vice -inspired white jackets and pastel T-shirts and Madonna-like lace gloves and giant hair bows were the most popular get-ups.
I spotted a couple of vacant stools at the bar and quickly grabbed Aubrey’s hand. We hopped onto the tall seats, and within a few minutes the four of us held drinks, ready to toast.
Nick raised his glass of bourbon and Coke. “To another successful event for Team Cape Cod.”
An image of our destroyed rink popped into my head, and I looked down at my drink. We had a lot to do to get ready for the move to Boston. And we’d only have a few days to get settled at our new rink before Christmas and–
“Em,” Chris interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up. He, Aubrey, and Nick were waiting for me to raise my wine glass.
I joined them, and we tapped our drinks together. Aubrey was in the middle of her first sip when “P.Y.T.” blared through the speakers, and she immediately jumped from her stool.
“This is my favorite Michael Jackson song! Let’s go dance.”
Chris took a long drink of his beer and turned to me. “You coming, Em?”
“I think I’ll take it easy. My knee’s still pretty
“We’re really happy with our skate tonight. We focus on performing a complete program, giving attention to every detail and not just one element. It’s about more than the jumps.”
I fixed my eyes on the table and bit my lip, fighting to keep the annoyance from showing on my face. Damien’s comment was an obvious jab at us, though not an accurate one. Our program wasn’t just about the quad. Sergei and I had poured our whole hearts into the choreography, and we’d made the steps and transitions more intricate than ever.
While Damien rambled, I snuck a peek at the protocols lying on the table. The scores had the potential to be so close that our Olympic dream could come down to a hundredth of a point. Losing gold by one vote in 2002 had been devastating. I couldn’t imagine the pain of losing again… and by a decimal.
I really needed to stop thinking about those things.
Chapter Five
I weaved through the crowded hotel lobby and looked for Chris. Aubrey and Nick were on their way downstairs so we could head to the nightclub across the street and start our celebration. I’d left Sergei in the restaurant schmoozing with the Swiss and Italian judges. The social games we had to play were sadly as important as the performances we gave on the ice.
Chris waved from near the front entrance, and I strode past a few gawking fans gathered on the matching blue sofas. They’d secured all their desired photos and autographs and were now just people-watching.
“The bellman said it’s 80’s night at the club,” Chris said. “This has the potential to be epic.”
I laughed and looked down at my bright red blouse and black jeans. “Should I have worn my leg warmers? Caked on some blue eye shadow?”
“Is Sergei coming or is he stuck with the old folks?”
“He said he’ll meet us there… hopefully not three hours from now.”
Chris shot his arm up, and I turned to see Aubrey and Nick approaching from the elevators. Aubrey’s black mini-dress and five-inch heels showed off her long, tanned legs, and Nick’s crisp button-down shirt and pants matched her outfit. They would easily win Most Fashionable Team if such an award existed.
Aubrey checked her phone and then dropped it into her tiny red purse. “Are we ready? Where’s Sergei?”
“He’s coming later,” I said.
Chris pushed open the double glass doors. “Let’s roll.”
The cold night air blasted over me, and I hugged my arms to my chest. My silky blouse didn’t offer much protection. We hustled across the busy street and hurried inside the club, handing over the necessary yen for the cover charge.
The techno beat of an Erasure song vibrated the room, and I blinked a few times to let my eyes adjust to the colorful spinning lights. Some of the patrons packed in around us had come dressed for the occasion. Miami Vice -inspired white jackets and pastel T-shirts and Madonna-like lace gloves and giant hair bows were the most popular get-ups.
I spotted a couple of vacant stools at the bar and quickly grabbed Aubrey’s hand. We hopped onto the tall seats, and within a few minutes the four of us held drinks, ready to toast.
Nick raised his glass of bourbon and Coke. “To another successful event for Team Cape Cod.”
An image of our destroyed rink popped into my head, and I looked down at my drink. We had a lot to do to get ready for the move to Boston. And we’d only have a few days to get settled at our new rink before Christmas and–
“Em,” Chris interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up. He, Aubrey, and Nick were waiting for me to raise my wine glass.
I joined them, and we tapped our drinks together. Aubrey was in the middle of her first sip when “P.Y.T.” blared through the speakers, and she immediately jumped from her stool.
“This is my favorite Michael Jackson song! Let’s go dance.”
Chris took a long drink of his beer and turned to me. “You coming, Em?”
“I think I’ll take it easy. My knee’s still pretty
Similar Books
