I skate towards the boards to exit, meeting her at the door, and she hands me a small towel to dry the sweat off my face. She turns towards me with a look of concern as I brace my elbows on the boards and glance onto the empty rink.
“My mom used to say that the only moment of peace she felt was when she was on that ice, flying towards freedom. I could have watched her for hours. She was the only thing you could see, no matter how many people were around. She captivated and held your attention with each graceful movement, like the most elegant, beautiful work of art…” My voice trails off, lost in the memories, and my throat closes at the way I miss her every second.
“You only need to look in a mirror… You are your mother’s daughter. She gave you a piece of herself to skate and show the world that another angel glides on the ice.” Nadia stares straight ahead, giving me the privacy to shed a few tears.
“Thank you,” I whisper, and turn to walk to the locker rooms to shower.
“Happy Birthday, Kathleen. Don’t lose that passion, and whoever is causing it, hold on to them tight,” she says to my back before exiting through the glass doors.
Opening my locker once inside, I sit down on the bench and groan in misery because I have two texts and ten missed calls. All from my father, who can’t take the hint. I don’t want to see him ever again or marry his future business partner's son just so he can keep the business in the family. So gross and wrong in so many ways. Sighing in the empty locker room, I shove the metal door closed and head to the showers in a somewhat bad mood because of him. I probably need to have one more talk with him so he leaves me alone for good. I’ve stopped thinking my father can change long ago—the bruises were a reminder that he can’t or won’t change.
21
Kat
Swirling the house keys around my index finger, I approach our condo door and insert the key with my thoughts a million miles away. It’s still hard to wrap my head around the fact that it’s been a little over a month since Granger entered my life…and that loveable jerkface has changed my life for the better. God, sometime’s he’s so cocky and still an asshole jock, but only to others. He’s completely different with me. I get to see a side other people don’t, not the mysterious and quiet man. He’s caring, strong, and thoughtful.
Granger texted me earlier this morning saying that he’ll be waiting for me at home. It hit me hard, the way he’s always saying home. My life has been constantly school, work, training, with Granger constantly on my mind. My father has been calling me for weeks, but I send it right to voicemail. I don’t want him to ruin the one good thing I have going on in my life. I’ll have to deal with that eventually, just not today.
Opening the front door, darkness greets me except a small light coming from the kitchen. My sports bag drops from my shoulder in the entry hallway as I move carefully through the condo, and my heart stops beating for a split second at the sight before me.
“Granger, what are you up to?” I whisper to myself as I stare at the lonely cupcake and the single burning candle lighting up the darkness of the kitchen.
It’s messy, the chocolate frosting dripping off the side and the cupcake itself is lopsided, but it’s absolutely perfect.
“Happy Birthday, Princess,” Granger whispers from behind me in his deep voice that reminds me of smokey campfire nights and smooth honey. It’s a sound I’d like to snuggle into.
His forearm reaches around me to grab the cupcake from the table and bring it closer so I can blow out the candle. I’m laughing quietly, but silent tears stream down my face, because this is the best birthday I’ve had in a long time and he’s put a little bit of himself into it.
“Make a wish. I’ll make sure that it happens, whatever it is.” Knowing Granger, he would try to move heaven and hell to make my wish happen.
Leaning back slightly, my back rests against his strong chest, and his other arm curls around my waist to hold me closer. With only my head reaching his shoulders and his big body against mine, I feel protected in his warmth, like nothing can touch me.
Closing my eyes, I breathe a second to gather my thoughts. I have everything I’ve ever wanted right here, and wouldn’t change it for anything. Maybe I’ll use this wish to send Mom butterfly kisses. With that in mind, I blow the candle out in one breath, and the light goes out in smoke until the dark envelopes us. Granger kisses my temple and moves away with a little squeeze on my hip to say don’t move. The dining room lights flicker on, and I spin around to face him as he moves back by my side. Staring up at him, I take in every detail of his face. I don’t know how I’ll ever survive without him in my life. He’s my fucking rock, and I’m falling for him with every second that passes. I step closer until I’m inches away from him, our chests brushing with every breath.
“I wanted to get you something meaningful, and I figured bringing back a memory was better than worrying about a price tag. I remember you telling me about you and your mom.” He shrugs his broad shoulders, looking at the cupcake with his brows scrunched.
“This is everything and more. I needed this, thank you.” It’s been running through my head for a while now, probably since I met him. “Granger, do you ever think of me?” My voice is shaking,
