Bring it on

Chapter 24

It's always been easy to get caught up in the intensity of hockey-fast-paced, loud, chaotic-but nothing had ever felt quite as nerve-wracking as standing backstage at one of Natalie's figure skating competitions, watching her get ready to take the ice.

My palms were sweating, but I wasn't about to admit that to her. She was already nervous enough. She had been pacing and stretching, doing little routines that I could tell helped calm her nerves. She looked so focused-her usual confident, determined self-but I knew the competition was making her second-guess herself.

I wasn't used to seeing her like this. On the ice, she was beautiful and sure of herself. But this was different. This was a competition, with judges, with eyes on her, and I could feel the weight of it even if I wasn't the one skating.

Ethan," she said, pulling me out of my thoughts. Her voice was soft, but I could hear the nerves underneath. "What if I mess up? What if my jumps aren't perfect?"

I stepped closer to her, placing my hands on her shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "You won't mess up. You're amazing out there. You've been killing it in practice.

She gave me a small, tight smile, but I could tell she held back far more than she wanted to let on. "I know, but this is different. I don't know. I just feel like everything has to go perfectly."

I nodded, understanding her anxiety. "I get it. But listen," I said, looking right into her eyes, "you don't have to be perfect. You're perfect to me just the way you are. Just go out there and do what you do best. You are the reason I started watching figure skating in the first place. I have seen you nail every routine, every jump. You've got this.

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, I felt like I could see the tension start to melt off her shoulders. I wasn't a figure skater, not even close, but I knew what it was like to feel that pressure-to always have to perform to the highest standard.
"You mean it?" she asked quietly, almost uncertain.

"Of course I do. I'm here, aren't I?" I gave her a small grin, squeezing her shoulder one last time before stepping back. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."

She laughed then, the sound so light and free it tugged at my chest with its goodness. "Thanks, Ethan. You always know how to make me feel better."

I watched her take a deep breath as she started to get into her starting position. The determination in her expression settled in as she took the time to wipe her palms down her tights. Nerves aside, she was ready.

"I'll be right here," I added. "I'll be cheering for you, always."

She nodded, her lips curling this time into a real smile. "I know you will."

Then, in the blink of an eye, it was time. The music started playing, and Natalie took the ice with that same elegance I had so many times before only it felt so much more real now-more tangible. She wasn't just practicing anymore. She was competing, showing the world what she could do.

I remained backstage for as long as I could and then snuck into the stands to watch her. Every movement flowed smoothly: every spin, every jump perfectly executed. Skating through her routine, she was a picture of concentration and beauty, and my heart swelled with pride.

Nothing else in that moment mattered: not the crowd, not the judges, not even the nerves that had been hanging over her. It was just Natalie, and she was incredible.

As her routine came to an end, she took a deep breath and looked like she had just finished running a marathon. She smiled, but I could see that look of exhaustion in her eyes.

I was already on my feet, clapping like a madman. I didn't care who saw. She deserved every ounce of applause. I was so proud of her, of how she had pushed through that anxiety, how she had let her passion for skating shine through even in the face of fear.

When she finally skated off the ice, I met her by the backstage door, grinning like an idiot. She skated over to me, a relieved breath escaping her lips as she came to a stop.

"Well?" she asked, eyes wide with anticipation. "How did I do?"

"You were amazing, Nat," I said, staring at her with wonder in my voice. "Absolutely incredible. I don't know how you make it look so easy, but you do."

She exhaled in relief, and before she could get anything else out, I leaned in, my hand finding the back of her neck pulling her closer as I pressed my lips to hers. It was soft at first-just a quiet moment of comfort-but when she kissed me back, I felt a rush of everything I'd wanted to say to her.

I slowly pulled away, my forehead falling against hers as I fought for breath. "You were perfect," I whispered. "No more fussing about perfection. You aced it."

The sparkle was back in her eyes, her lips curving into a smile. "You're really the best, you know that?

I grinned, still on the high of that kiss. "I try. But you're the one who just owned that ice. I'm just happy to be along for the ride."
Her smile broadened, and for the first time that day, I could see the nerves completely gone from her face. "Well, let's hope the judges think so too.

I chuckled, tugging her back against me, this time a little more playfully. "They'd be crazy not to. You got this, Nat. You always do."

And I meant it. Because win or lose, perfect jumps or not, it didn't matter to me. She had won in my eyes.

I knew no matter what would happen next, Natalie was a champion already.