novelxo The Faceoff: Chapter 1
THREE MONTHS LATER
My skates effortlessly glide across the ice and I’m lost in the music as I perform my freestyle routine. The other skaters are working on their own, none of us paying attention to one another as we move across the rink. An old-school hip-hop song plays through my AirPods. Even though they play music while everyone is skating, I prefer to listen to my own.
Plus, I’m not here to converse with anyone, so it doesn’t matter that I can’t hear a single word that is spoken to me. I think that after being here at Wyncote for three years, most of the other skaters know the deal with me. I’m here for one thing and one thing only—to skate.
Gearing up for the next move in my routine, I spin around, skating backward. Glancing behind me, I make sure that there is no one in my way. The Lutz is one of the hardest moves to execute perfectly, but it happens to be the one thing I’ve got down to a precise science. If I’m able to use my edge correctly on the entry into my jump, I should be able to nail it every single time.
Although, things don’t always work out the way you plan it.
Moving into the takeoff position from the back outside edge of my skate, I use a toe pick and effortlessly lift my skates from the ice as I soar through the air. My body spins and I land perfectly on my opposite foot. My edges are perfect as I land on the outside edge and throw my leg into the air, my body in a straight line.
My chest heaves with every breath that I take, my legs aching as I power through the pain and finish the rest of my routine that I have mapped out in my head. I don’t miss some of the looks that the other girls give me as I skate past them, stopping as I reach the boards.
Glancing up at the scoreboard, I notice that our time is up and the other skaters are already clearing off the ice as the Zamboni begins to make its way into the rink. I grab my skate protectors and carry them over to the door with me. Sliding them onto my skates, I step off the ice and make my way down the tunnel.
Since it’s just a practice night for the hockey team, we’re able to use the locker room that is reserved for the away team. It’s actually fairly annoying. The hockey program is what essentially keeps the school going here, but they have a great figure skating program, as well. It just seems like we’re not as prioritized as the hockey team.
They have a whole-ass locker room—we can’t even get a small little area of our own. Instead, we have to use the other locker room or take turns in the bathroom. Honestly, it’s bullshit, but who am I to be the one to change anything? Even though I may be the best skater that this school has, my word doesn’t mean shit.
The figure skating program doesn’t bring in the revenue like the hockey team does and that’s what it always comes down to—money. So, we’re left with no choice but to bow down to the team like they’re gods, like the rest of the school does.
There’s only one problem with that…
I refuse to get on my knees for any man.
Slipping into the locker room, I take off my skates and carefully put them back in my bag before sliding my feet into my white Chucks. Pulling out my phone, I turn off my music and take my AirPods out before putting them back in their case. As I shrug on my coat, Winter walks over to me with a grin creeping onto her lips.
“Okay, I know you have a strict policy of not talking to anyone while you’re on the ice… but your skates are off so can we talk now?” She pulls the hair tie from her long, sable-colored hair before flashing her white teeth at me.
I’ve become friends with a few of the people I skate with, but that’s about it. I have no time for anyone who doesn’t have a common interest with me. It’s just one of the things I’ve settled into in life. Why waste my time and energy on someone who isn’t going to serve a positive influence in my life?
Winter, on the other hand… I met her freshman year. We ended up being roommates, which was perfect because we’re both figure skaters. I tried to resist her at first, but she was persistent and inserted herself in my life. And she’s been stuck to my side since then. She’s the person I know I can rely on. My best friend.
“Yes, Winter,” I laugh, shaking my head at her as I roll my eyes. “We’re off the ice, so I’m listening now.”
“I just wanted to say, you fucking killed it today. I can’t wait to see you do your thing this weekend,” she adjusts the strap of her bag over her shoulder as I grab my bag and step toward her. “Seriously, that Lutz was flawless. I still can’t get my edges right when I takeoff.”
Most of the other skaters have already left the room, so we are the last two to exit. I glance over at Winter as she pauses by the door. “You gotta shift your weight onto the back outside edge. I’ve seen how you do it and you’re not putting enough weight on it to achieve the spin that you’re going for. Tell you what, I’ll listen to their garbage music on Wednesday and work with you on it.”
Winter gasps, her expression completely exaggerated as she throws her hand over her chest and shoulders the door open. “Oh my god. Did Eden Finley just say that she’s going to actually pay attention to something other than herself while skating?”
Rolling my eyes, I give her the middle finger as I step past her into the hallway. My gaze is still over my shoulder as I look back at her and I don’t see where I’m going until I run into something solid. It’s a warm, firm body that smells like disgusting hockey gear. I’m thrown off-balance and stumble backward as I attempt to catch my footing. My skate bag is awkward and doesn’t help the situation.
A pair of hands reach out, grabbing my biceps as he helps to steady me on my feet. “I’m so sorry,” he says breathlessly, his voice sounding like velvet as it touches my eardrums. “I wasn’t paying attention and didn’t see you there.”
The air leaves my lungs in a rush as the sound of his voice registers in my mind. It’s still hazy, a little fuzzy from the night that I heard it, but the warmth that spreads through my body reminds me of exactly who he is. Lifting my gaze to his, I meet his deep green eyes and Hayden King stares back at me, his eyes widening as he really sees me.
“It’s you…” he practically whispers, his voice rough as his eyes bounce back and forth between mine in confusion. “I’ve been looking for you since that night.”
I swallow roughly, lifting my chin as I stare up at him. I knew who Hayden was that night, but he had no idea who I was and I wanted to keep it that way. There’s always been a sense of animosity between the figure skaters and the hockey players here. If he knew who I really was, there was no way that night would have happened. And even though it was a mistake, I was in the mood for a bad decision and Hayden King fit the bill.
“You must not have been looking that hard, because I’ve been right under your nose the entire time.”
Hayden tilts his head to the side, staring at me through the cage of his helmet. Stepping backward, I shake my arms out of his grip, watching as his hands fall down to his sides. He crosses them over his chest defensively as he narrows his eyes on me.
“So, this is why you didn’t want me to know your name, huh?” he muses, a smirk tugging on the corners of his lips. “It didn’t make sense to me then, but now it does. You’re a figure skater.”
“Eden,” Winter’s voice sounds from behind me and I can hear the curiosity in her tone.
Hayden’s face softens, his bright green eyes staring directly through mine. “Eden Finley. I know exactly who you are.” His throat bobs as he swallows hard. “I’ve heard your name before, but never knew your face. Rumor has it, you’re the best figure skater we have here.”
“It’s not just a rumor,” I clip, the venom dripping from my tongue as I cross my arms over my chest to match him. “That’s exactly what I am. And exactly why that night was a goddamn mistake.”
“Why?” he questions me, straightening his head as he squares his shoulders. “Because you figure skate and I play hockey?”
“Glad we’re on the same page,” I quip, my eyes narrowed as I glare at him. “Bye, Hayden.”
Spinning on my heel, I turn to face Winter who stares at me like she has no idea what the hell just happened. My nostrils flare, my chest rising as I inhale deeply and attempt to shake off the memory of Hayden’s hands on my skin that night.
“Eden, wait,” he calls out after me as I walk past Winter, heading in the opposite direction of the rink. Hayden jogs after me, fully suited in his gear and skates. His hand darts out, grabbing my wrist to stop me.
“Let me go, Hayden,” I demand, turning around to face him as I rip my arm away from him. “It was a one-night thing that we can just go back to pretending never happened. Okay? Okay, perfect.”
Hayden stares at me for a moment, his eyebrows drawn together as his lip curls upward in distaste. Rolling his eyes, he shakes his head at me. “Typical. You know, you really do fit the stuck-up cliché figure skater mold.”
“And you’re no different. The fuckboy, hockey player whose ego is bigger than his dick.”
One of the guys behind Hayden snorts and Winter is by my side, ushering me away from him. I don’t miss the look in Hayden’s eyes, like I hit him exactly where it hurt. A wave of pain passes through his irises before they turn to ice.
With my back turned to him, I don’t bother chancing a glance in his direction again as Winter leads me away and back into the main hallway. As soon as we’re out of sight of them, she stops and turns to face me, her expression demanding an explanation.
“What the hell was that?”
I shrug. “A drunken mistake from the summer.”
Winter tilts her head to the side. “You hooked up with Hayden over the summer? How did I not know this? And please tell me you knew who he was.”
“I did,” I admit with indifference. “I was in the mood to make a bad decision and he was there. He had no idea who I was then, but now he does. I wasn’t exactly proud of it, so I didn’t tell you. But it happened and it’s not happening again.”
“Good lord,” Winter breathes, shaking her head in disbelief. “You know how those hockey guys are. Total players. Good for you, girl. He’s the last thing that you need to get wrapped up in.”
A soft chuckle falls from my lips and I offer her a smile. “Trust me, that is something that is never happening.”
“I didn’t mean to drag you away like that, but, girl, I saw the fire in your eyes and I know what’s coming after that.” Winter links her arm through mine as we begin to walk down the hallway, toward the exit. “Damage control before you exploded.”
“I appreciate it, because you know how I feel about those guys. The entire school acts like they walk on fucking water. When in reality, they only skate on ice, just like the rest of us. They’re not the gods like everyone paints them to be and it’s time that they’re put in their place.”
Winter laughs lightly. “I’m pretty sure you knocked him down a peg or two.”
“Let’s just hope he stays there.”
As we exit the building and make our way out to our cars, I can’t shake the memory of Hayden from that night. He’s not someone I would ever get involved with—not with his reputation—and he’s essentially my sworn enemy. But that doesn’t erase the way he made me feel that night. Like for once he wasn’t a god, but a mortal.
He worshiped me that night like I was his goddess.
And it can never happen again.