Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Not tonight.
ACT TEN & A HALF
BACK THEN
TATIANA
Ottawa, Canada
A couple months later
I need someone to bottle this moment and store it someplace safe and secure. The next time I doubt myself, I want to uncap it and inject the contents into my veins.
Then I want to overdose.
“And with that ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer yells into the mic, “the first ever tie for first-place in Skate Canada’s history, Tatiana Brave and Penelope Carter!”
The crowd applauds while Penelope and I take our place atop the podium. Waving in unison, we smile and take a bow.
“I don’t know why the judges didn’t catch that misstep in your second triple lutz,” Penelope whispers.
“Maybe they decided to overlook it like that slight wobble n your triple salchow.”
“You caught that?”
“I did.”
“Hmmm. How in the world did Ashleigh Lyons get third place, though?” she asks. “She fell twice and her program was more awful than usual.”
“I don’t know, but I’m getting pretty tired of that same routine every season.”
“Right? She just switches the music and copies and pastes the moves in a different order.”
“I’m starting to think the judges give her sympathy points in hopes that she’ll hang up her skates and put us all out of our misery.”
Her eyes meet mine, and we both laugh.
Then we remember who we’re talking to and roll our eyes, faking smiles for the cameras again.
When the ceremony ends, I share a few words with Miss Price and search for my dad.
“Thanks for coming.” I grab a balloon bouquet from him. “I only need an hour to get ready to hang out with you tonight.”
“I’m not staying,” My father says. “But you looked great out there. Congratulations on winning first place.”
“Wait a minute.” I stare at him in disbelief. “I reserved a room for you and Elaine so we could do some sightseeing this weekend.”
“Elaine didn’t think you were serious about that offer,” he says. “Especially since you called her a cunt last week.”
“What’s wrong with calling her by her name?”
He ignores my comment. “She and Harlow are grabbing a quick bite before heading to the airport.”
“I don’t understand the purpose of flying to Canada just to leave on the same day.”
“I’m sorry.” He pulls me into a weak hug. “Remind me to look into getting you some therapy. Elaine thinks that’s exactly what you need to get better, and her sister owns a private practice.”
I don’t hug him back. I wait for him to let me go.
“Harlow is having a party to celebrate getting into grad school next month,” he says. “I hope you’ll come.”
“It’ll depend on my schedule,” I offer, knowing I won’t be there.
I’ll never be there.
We stand in an awkward silence, the emotional distance bending and stretching between us, revealing how far we’ve grown apart.
“I should get going.” He looks at his watch. “I’ll text when we land, and you be sure to call and give me an update on your next competition.”
I nod because that’s all I can do, because I refuse to lie and tell him that I’ll do that.
Watching him walk away stings as lightly as a paper cut, and I know now more than ever that our relationship is done.
I don’t have a family anymore.
Just Travis.
Later that night
After taking in the sights of this city alone, I walk into the Marriott and spot Penelope red-faced and crying at the front desk.
Confused, I step closer.
“I’m sorry.” The desk agent shakes her head. “We’re sold out due to the skating competition, Miss.”
“Are you sure that you don’t have anything?”
“One hundred percent certain.” She gives Penelope a sympathetic smile. “I think most hotels downtown are filled to capacity for the weekend.”
“I see.” She sniffles. “Well, if possible, can I just—”
“She can take my suite,” I say. “I haven’t been in it yet anyway.”
Penelope spins around, looking at me in disbelief.
“I have room 1242,” I say. “I can share a room with my parents.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” I step closer and set my father’s room key in the return bin.
Penelope mouths, “Thank you,” and a part of me wants to ask how she went from being happy as hell to looking depressed as shit in a matter of hours, but I don’t.
We’re not friends, and we never will be.
I walk away and take the stairway to my suite. I shower and slip under the covers. I’m debating ordering room service when a knock sounds at the door.
I walk over and open it, finding Travis.
“You told me you had a fight in a few days,” I say. “You said that to me this morning.”
“You have a very odd way of saying, ‘I’m so fucking happy to see you, Travis.’”
“Penelope’s room is two floors down.”
“I made a reservation for us at Capitol Grille to celebrate you winning first place just in case your family flaked. Did they?”
“Penelope won first place, too.”