Chapter 10: Penalty Box

Henrik stood in the doorway on his crutches, in yesterday's gray T-shirt, looking like he hadn't slept.

"You came," he said.

"It's six. I'm on time."

"I told Prescott you were done."

"I know."

"He said no."

I blinked.

"He said the paperwork's already filed," Henrik said.

"Your probation stays on the books until the boot comes off.

"He says it's the only way he can keep your name out of the report."

"So I'm stuck with you."

"Until the boot comes off, four more weeks." He swallowed. "Legally."

"Legally," I said, and held out the coffee.

He took it.

Our fingers touched and neither of us moved.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," he said. "I was trying to be decent."

"You were being an idiot."

"That too."

"Next time you want to give me a choice, ask me. Don't decide for me."

"Ask you what?"

I stepped over the threshold and put my hand flat on his chest.

"If I want to be here," I said.

His heart slammed under my palm.

"Do you want to be here?"

"Yes."

"Good," Henrik said, hoarse. "Because I've wanted you here since sophomore year."

Then Trent came up the porch steps behind me, and the whole moment went cold.

"Morning, lovebirds," Trent said, with a tight smile. "Practice at seven. Cap, the schedule's changed again. Prescott moved us."

"To where?"

"The skaters' slot." He looked at me. "Sorry. Nothing personal."

"It's personal," I said.

He walked out.

We spent the day fighting it.

I went to Prescott and was told there was a memo.

The skating club's ice had been cut from ninety minutes to forty, on paper, by a vote nobody on my team had seen.

Britt spent an hour in the registrar's office finding out who signed it.

By midnight we had nothing but a stack of printouts and a decision.

"The arena's empty at one," Henrik said. "The night custodian owes me a favor."

"We can't skate at one in the morning."

"I can't skate at all. Come on."

At twelve forty-five I stood in the dark with him at the glass.

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