The rink felt colder than ever. The weight of every glance, every whispered word, pressed down on me like ice on bare skin. My breath came out in ragged puffs, disappearing into the chill air. I tied my skates slower than usual, trying to steady the trembling in my fingers. The sting of Mia’s words cut deep: You don’t belong here. You’re only here because of your brother.
It wasn’t just her. The whole team seemed to shift away from me, leaving an invisible c***k between us. I wanted to shrink into the shadows, hide behind the pizza shop’s warm ovens and Mom’s steady hands. But this was my fight now. I had to stand.
Then I heard the sharp scrape of boots on ice. George stepped into the rink, his presence breaking through the quiet like a sudden gust. His eyes scanned the team before settl
