Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

The Icy Divide. 49

The next few days flew by in a blur of practices and school, each moment filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. As the competition loomed closer, Alex and Cass worked tirelessly to perfect their routine, finding strength in each other's presence. Their connection grew deeper, but so did the unspoken tension that simmered just beneath the surface.

One evening after practice, they found themselves in a quiet corner of the rink, the bright overhead lights casting long shadows across the ice. The air was crisp, and the faint echo of their skates still lingered as they sat on the bleachers, catching their breath.

“Do you think we’re ready?” Alex asked, his voice slightly wavering as he stared at the ice below.

Cass looked at him, their expression serious yet reassuring. “We’ve practiced so much; I know we can do this. You just have to trust yourself.”

“Easier said than done,” Alex muttered, running a hand through his hair. “What if we mess up? What if we let everyone down?”

“Hey,” Cass said, leaning closer, their eyes locking onto his. “We’re not here to impress anyone but ourselves. This is our moment to shine, not theirs. Just focus on what we’ve created together.”

Alex took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Cass’s words seep into his worries. “You’re right. I need to stop overthinking it. We’ve put in the work, and I believe in us.”

“Exactly! And I believe in you,” Cass replied, their voice filled with unwavering confidence. “Let’s just enjoy it.”

As they shared a smile, the moment felt electric, the air around them buzzing with possibilities. Alex’s heart raced, and he found himself leaning closer, the tension between them palpable.

“Cass, I—” he began, but before he could finish, the door to the rink swung open, interrupting them.

“Hey! There you guys are!” Ryan called, his voice echoing through the empty rink as he stepped inside with a couple of teammates. “We were looking for you. Ready to celebrate our win?”

Alex’s heart sank slightly as he pulled back, the moment disrupted. “Uh, yeah, just finishing up,” he replied, trying to regain his composure.

“Come on! We’re all heading to the diner to hang out. You should join us!” Ryan said, his enthusiasm infectious.

Cass shot Alex a knowing glance, their eyes filled with understanding. “You should go, Alex. I’ll finish up here.”

“Are you sure?” Alex asked, torn between wanting to stay with Cass and joining his friends.

“Definitely! Go have fun. I’ll see you later, okay?” Cass encouraged, a soft smile on their lips.

“Okay, I’ll see you later,” he said, his voice slightly hesitant. As he left the rink with his friends, he couldn’t shake the feeling of leaving something important behind.

At the diner, the atmosphere was lively, the smell of greasy fries and burgers wafting through the air. Laughter filled the space as teammates recounted the game highlights, and Alex tried to immerse himself in the camaraderie.

“Dude, did you see that shot I made?” Ryan boasted, slapping Alex on the back. “We’re going all the way this season!”

“Yeah, it was awesome!” Alex replied, forcing a smile while his thoughts drifted back to Cass, wondering what they were doing at the rink alone.

The laughter and conversation continued, but Alex felt a growing sense of disconnection. He wanted to be with Cass, sharing the thrill of their journey together, not sitting at a diner with the noise drowning out his thoughts.

Just as he was about to excuse himself, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced down to see a text from Cass: “Hey! Hope you’re having fun. Just finished up! Can’t wait to see you!”

A smile spread across Alex’s face, warmth flooding his chest. He texted back quickly: “I’ll be there soon. Can’t wait to see you too!”

As the night wore on, Alex felt an urgency growing inside him. He needed to talk to Cass—to confront the feelings that had been building between them.

After saying goodbye to his friends, he rushed back to the rink. The night air was cool against his skin, invigorating him as he made his way inside. The rink was quiet now, with only the soft hum of the lights overhead and the distant echo of water dripping from a nearby sink.

He found Cass sitting on the bleachers, still in their skating outfit, their eyes sparkling as they turned to greet him. “You made it!”

“I couldn’t stay away,” Alex replied, breathless. “I wanted to see you.”

Cass stood up, excitement dancing in their expression. “I was hoping you’d come back. I was working on some new moves I wanted to show you.”

“Awesome! Show me!” Alex said, feeling a rush of adrenaline course through him.

As Cass took to the ice, Alex watched in awe as they glided effortlessly, executing jumps and spins with grace. It was mesmerizing, the way Cass seemed to own the rink, their passion radiating with each movement.

When they finished, Cass skated back to him, a triumphant grin plastered across their face. “What did you think?”

“That was incredible!” Alex exclaimed, unable to hide his admiration. “You make it look so easy!”

“It’s all about practice and believing in yourself,” Cass replied, their expression serious for a moment. “Just like you need to do.”

Alex felt the weight of their words sink in. “You’re right. I just need to let go of my fears. But I also need to be honest about how I feel.”

Cass tilted their head, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, Alex stepped closer, heart pounding. “Cass, I think… I think what we have is special. And I don’t want to hide it anymore. I want to explore it.”

The air grew thick with anticipation as Cass’s eyes widened, their surprise giving way to a smile. “Really? Because I feel the same way, Alex.”

“Good. I was afraid to say anything, worried about ruining our partnership,” Alex admitted, his voice trembling slightly.

Cass reached out, intertwining their fingers with his. “You could never ruin what we have. We’re a team, on and off the ice. And I want to see where this goes.”

Alex’s heart soared at their words. “So, you’re saying we could be more than friends?”

“Absolutely,” Cass said, squeezing his hand. “I want to take this journey with you.”

In that moment, everything felt right. The worries that had plagued Alex began to fade, replaced by the warmth of their connection.

As they stood on the ice, fingers intertwined, Alex realized they were not just partners in their routine—they were embarking on a new adventure together, one that promised to be filled with love, laughter, and the thrill of discovery. The icy divide that had once separated their worlds was melting away, revealing a path forward that was bright and filled with endless possibilities. Together, they would navigate whatever came next.