Breaking the Ice

22| The Calm Before the Storm

Aiden

The sunlight filters through my bedroom window, casting a faint glow on the walls as I open my eyes. I lie still for a moment, letting the quiet morning settle around me, and my thoughts inevitably drift back to everything that's happened over the past month. Since that unexpected kiss during training and the night we spent together at Homecoming, things between Andrea and me have fallen into a rhythm—comfortable, professional, like we silently agreed to push our personal feelings aside. It's as if we're pretending that night never happened, yet it's there, simmering beneath the surface every time I see her.

My mind flashes back to that kiss during training. It was a moment of pure exhilaration, something that neither of us had planned. She'd finally landed the Biellmann Spin—a move she'd been working toward for weeks—and in the rush of excitement, we crossed a line we hadn't anticipated. From that moment on, there's been this undercurrent between us, something we both feel but refuse to acknowledge out loud. Then, Homecoming happened, and I'd shown up as her date, breaking the last of the boundaries I'd carefully built to keep our relationship strictly professional. But I know Andrea; she's dedicated, focused, and driven. Since then, she's thrown herself into training as though nothing happened. I've done the same, though I'd be lying if I said it was easy.

"It's been almost a month," I think, dragging a hand over my face. "We've kept things professional, but every time I see her, it's there—the tension, the connection. But the Snowpoint Winter Classic is days away. I need to keep my head in the game, for both of us."

Andrea deserves nothing less than my complete focus and support as her coach. She's put everything into preparing for this competition, and the least I can do is honor that commitment by keeping my own emotions in check. But a part of me can't help but wonder how long we can keep this unspoken agreement up, how long we can pretend that what's between us is just... nothing.

I push myself up and get ready for the day. After a quick shower, I head downstairs, greeted by the smell of fresh coffee. Kathleen, my stepmom, is already at the table with a mug in hand, and a magazine open in front of her. My dad, John, sits across from her, glancing up from his newspaper as I enter the kitchen.

Kathleen smiles when she sees me. "Good morning, Aiden. How'd you sleep?"

"Pretty well," I reply, pouring myself a cup of coffee. "How about you?"

"Oh, the usual," she says with a chuckle, taking a sip of her coffee. "You know I don't sleep as soundly as you, young people."

Dad looks up from his paper, his gaze settling on me with a hint of curiosity. "How's practice with Andrea?" he asks, and I feel a slight hesitation settle in my chest. 

My dad was Andrea's first coach before his Parkinson's diagnosis made it too difficult for him to continue. He'd asked me to take over, even though I knew nothing about figure skating back then. It was one thing to help out my dad, but being her coach has brought me closer to her in ways I hadn't anticipated—and I don't think he knows just how complicated things have become between us.

I force a casual smile, hoping to keep things light. "Everything's going well. She finally managed to do the Biellmann spin."

A glimmer of pride lights up my dad's face. "I knew you were the one to help Andrea get past that mental block," he says, a warmth in his voice. "You've done well with her, Aiden."

I nod, trying not to let my thoughts linger on just how far things have gone. "...Yeah."

I grab one of Kathleen's homemade muffins and finish my coffee, exchanging a few more pleasantries before heading out the door. The drive to the rink is short, but my mind is already focused on practice. The Snowpoint Winter Classic is just around the corner, and I know this session is crucial. Andrea's been pushing herself harder than ever, and I can see the toll it's taking. I just need to make sure she's in the right mindset to perform her best.