Squeezing the hand resting on my shoulder, I attempt to reassure him. “I’ll be fine, and it won’t take long.”
Heading into the locker rooms, my mood immediately improves when I can hear a few of the younger skaters gossiping before their practice.
“He’s so freaking hot.”
“He’s the captain of the hockey team.”
“What a lucky bitch.”
“They’resohooking up behind Aubrey’s back.”
“I heard he’s the one who messed up Aaron.”
“I thought she was with the basketball guy?”
“Good, Aaron’s a creep.”
“No, I follow him, and he’s always posting about a blond girl called Olivia.”
“They definitely are. I bet Aubrey has already guessed.”
“I’d risk her wrath if he looked at me like that. Did you hear he had to put on shorts because of how big his d—”
“Girls?” I say, trying not to laugh. “Coach Brady is waiting for you all.”
It’s so quiet you’d be able to hear a pin drop. There isn’t another peep out of them as they all walk past me looking horrified.
Part of me is in no rush to get changed, dreading facing Aaron. The other part of me wants to get it over with. Nathan is waiting for me when I finally drag myself from the locker room.
“I don’t like this,” is the first thing he says. His hand cups my cheek softly, and I can’t stop myself from leaning into its warmth. “I want you to make your own choices, but please remember you don’t owe him anything. Don’t let him guilt you.”
“Wait for me in the car?”
He nods, leaning forward, changing his mind again and leaning back, then finally committing and kissing my forehead quickly before heading toward the exit.
The walk to the office feels twice as long, knowing who’s waiting, but I face the music anyway, pushing the door open.
Aaron’s sitting at the table, his bad wrist strapped to his chest, making it look extra serious. Closing the door behind me, I take a seat opposite him, concentrating on my breathing.
“I’ve wanted to come here for weeks,” he says quietly, staring at his free hand resting on the table. “But I was angry at you, and it wouldn’t have been good for either of us.”
I’m surprised my jaw doesn’t hit the floor. Aaron has practically hounded me, begging me to move back home, but apparently, he was angry at me? “What could you possibly be angry at me about?”
“Are you kidding me? You move out without telling me, and you move in with the guy responsible for me not being able to skate?”
My jaw ticks as I fight to stay calm. “He says he had nothing to do with it.”
“You’d believe anything he tells you. That’s your problem, Stassie.” He scoffs, looking me dead in the face. “You’re naïve. You make out that you’re Ms. Positive, and you want to communicate, but it’s all bullshit. You’re just a liar.”
Is this a fever dream?There’s no way I’m hearing this right. I don’t know what to address first. I should walk out and never talk to him again, but unfortunately, I can’t. “If you’re going to sit and attack me, I will leave.”
“I’m not attacking you. I want to talk. I want to sort things out between us.”
“How can you not hear you’re attacking me? You’re mad at me for moving out, but you told me to fuck off.” I’m trying not to let him get under my skin, but my brain wants to scream, and my heart wants to cry. “I’ve been undereating, Aaron. I’ve been at a higher risk of injury formonths, and you’re the one with the problem? I trusted you!”
“You are so fucking dramatic. Why are you acting like I’ve been starving you?” He groans loudly, looking to the ceiling, then back to me. “I thought it was fine! You’ve never complained and you’re an adult, Anastasia. You can eat more if you’re hungry! How is it my fault you don’t listen to your own body?”
“Oh, and have you remind me I have an outfit to fit into? Or have you groan when you lift me?”