Worth The Wait

𝟏7|𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓

𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐘 𝐁𝚨𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝚬

The rink feels colder, even with the heat of the practice buzzing around me. I try to focus on the movements, to block out the looming presence that I can't quite ignore. Then I spot him—Callum, standing by the ice's edge, watching.

I freeze.

His eyes scan us with that sharp, familiar intensity, and my stomach clenches. It's been weeks, but the impact of his presence never fades. I don't want him here. Not like this.

"Lucie," River murmurs beside me, his voice a quiet anchor as I stare down Callum's critical gaze. I glance at him, silently asking for reassurance. He meets my eyes, his expression warm yet cautious. He's seen this before. "You alright?" I try to swallow the knot in my throat and nod. I'll be fine. I have to be.

He's not my partner anymore. He's not here to critique me. He's just... watching.

Before I can say anything, Callum steps forward, arms crossed, his eyes scanning our movements with a sense of calculated disapproval. "Well, well. Look at this. The great Lucie Basille is back at it again. Still pretending this partnership is going to work?"

I feel River tense beside me, his body language protective but controlled. Callum's smirk only deepens as he continues. "It's cute, really. You two are trying so hard." He pauses, his gaze moving from River to me, the sharpness in his eyes never faltering. "Though, Lucie, don't you think you should focus more on your weight? You're looking a little... off lately."

The words hit me like a slap. I feel a rush of heat in my face, the old, familiar sting of insecurity creeping in like a shadow I can't escape. My stomach clenches, and for a split second, I'm back in that place where every word from Callum feels like a verdict on my worth.

River reacts instantly, his jaw tightening as his eyes flash with fury. He takes a step toward Callum, his voice low but laced with anger. "You don't get to talk to her like that. You don't know a damn thing about what she's been through."

I open my mouth to stop it, to tell River not to waste his breath on Callum, but the words get caught in my throat. I want to tell River I'm fine, that I don't need him to defend me. But I can't make the words come out.

Callum smirks, his expression condescending. "Oh, I know more than you think, River. She's always been obsessed with perfection. But at some point, that'll catch up with you. And it looks like it's already starting."

I feel the bite of his words, sharp and familiar, but I fight to keep my face neutral. I won't let him have this power over me anymore. Not after everything I've fought for. I can feel River's anger radiating beside me, but I can't let him fight this for me. I need to do this myself.

I stand a little taller, meeting Callum's gaze directly. "You're wrong," I say, my voice steady even if the words feel fragile. "I'm not obsessed with perfection. I'm working to get better, and that's all that matters."

Callum's eyes narrow, clearly not buying it, but his attention shifts. "You think you'll be ready for the Olympics like this?" His gaze flickers over me again, this time slower, as if he's sizing me up. "You don't have the same focus. And that extra weight? It's not going to help you win. Not this time."

I feel my breath catch, and the familiar ache in my chest tightens. I've worked so hard to get here, to leave behind the weight of his words, the doubts he planted so long ago. But it's harder to escape when he's standing right in front of me, dredging up the old fears.

River's voice cuts through the air, sharper than I've ever heard it. "You don't get to talk to her like that. Not anymore. Lucie is more than just her body, and you damn well know it."