The Ice Between Us

Chapter 20 -Sabrina

This night was supposed to be perfect. I planned it all out in my head: Evan would see me at the game. He’d remember Chicago. He’d come over at the party, pull me aside, and finally admit what we both knew, that we had something real. But instead? He ignored me. Not just ignored, avoided me. Like I was some random fan instead of the girl he connected with. Instead of the girl who’s supposed to be by his side.

And then his mother, his mother, brushed me off like I was nothing. She hugged Lena. She hugged that little girl. She didn’t even look at me twice.

I stand near the drink table, fingers clenched around a plastic cup, watching Lena laugh with Evan’s mom, with the girls, with Emma. Watching Evan drift back toward them like he belongs there.

Like she belongs there. My jaw tightens. This isn’t how it’s supposed to go.

I’m the one who’s been training nonstop. I’m the one who’s been pushing myself to be the new face of the team. I’m the one who actually has a future in this sport. Lena is broken. She’s fragile. She’s a charity case everyone feels sorry for.

And yet somehow she’s the one everyone gravitates toward. Even Evan. Especially Evan.

I take a slow breath, forcing myself to stay calm. I can’t let anyone see how furious I am. Not yet.

But something has to change. If Evan won’t see what’s right in front of him… If his mother is going to cling to Lena like she’s some long‑lost daughter… If the girls are going to worship her like she’s perfect…

Then I’ll just have to make them see the truth. Lena isn’t stable. She’s not ready to skate. She’s not ready for the spotlight. She’s barely holding herself together.

And if she falls apart again? Everyone will know I was right. Everyone will know I should be the one leading the team. Everyone will know I am the one Evan should be with. I smooth my hair, lift my chin, and watch Lena from across the room.

She’s smiling. Laughing. Acting like she belongs here. But she doesn’t. Not anymore. And if I have to be the one to remind everyone of that? So be it. Because I’m done waiting for fate to hand me what I deserve. It’s time to take control.

Lena is still laughing with Evan’s mom. Still glowing. Still acting like she belongs here. And everyone keeps feeding into it, the girls, the players, even Emma, who practically worships her. It makes my stomach twist. I need to remind people who Lena really is. Fragile. Shaky. Afraid. Not ready for the spotlight. So I walk over, smile sweetly, and tilt my head like I’m just making conversation.

“So, Lena,” I say loudly enough for the nearby group to hear, “how’s the recovery going? Still… scared of the arena after the fall?”

Her smile falters for half a second, just long enough for me to feel a spark of satisfaction. There it is. The c***k. The weakness. But before she can answer, Emma steps forward like a tiny guard dog.

“She’s doing great,” Emma says firmly. “And it’s normal to be scared after something bad happens. I was scared too last year.”

I blink.

“Scared?” I repeat, confused. “Of what? Falling on the ice? Messing up a jump?”

Emma shakes her head. “No. After my parents died. I didn’t want to go anywhere. I didn’t want to skate. I didn’t want to do anything.”

“Oh,” I say with a laugh that comes out too sharp. “Well… that’s not the same thing.”

Emma’s face falls. Lena’s eyes narrow. Mrs. Hart stiffens beside her. And I realize, too late, that I’ve said the wrong thing. I try to backpedal. “I just mean, Lena’s situation is different. She fell. She panicked. It happens. Some people just… don’t handle pressure well.”

Lena stares at me like she’s seeing straight through me. Emma steps closer to her, like she’s protecting her. The one everyone is silently judging. This is not how tonight was supposed to go. I force a smile, but it feels brittle. “I’m just saying, if you’re still scared of the arena, maybe you’re not ready to come back. That’s all.”

Lena doesn’t flinch. She just looks at me with this calm, steady expression that makes me feel small. “Thanks for your concern,” she says softly. “But I’ll decide when I’m ready.”

Emma nods fiercely beside her. “And she’s doing amazing.”

Mrs. Hart places a gentle hand on Lena’s back, a gesture so warm, so protective, it makes something inside me snap.

They’re all choosing her. I swallow hard, heat rising in my chest. Fine. If they want to see Lena as some perfect comeback story, let them. But I know the truth. She’s still scared. Still shaky. Still one bad moment away from falling apart again. And when she does. Everyone will finally see what I’ve known all along: Lena Merritt is not the future of this team. I am. And I’m done waiting for everyone else to realize it.