Spiral (Off the Ice, #2) (100)
“No one’s going to let him back on TV after that,” Aiden comments.
Sage rubs a hand on my back. “Are you okay?”
I look to Aiden, then at her hand in mine. “I expected it, and if he wants to get on TV again, which I’m sure Mason will do everything to stop, I’ll deal with it.”
“We’ll deal with it,” corrects Aiden.
He’s right, because I know through it all, I have my real family, and nothing anyone does or says can take that away.
FORTY-FOUR
SAGE
IT’S OPENING NIGHT, and my three favorite guys are seated in the third row, right in the center like I told them to. My uncle, Sean, and Elias are flipping through the program and talking happily with each other. I do a double take when my former instructor, Madame Laurent, holds my uncle’s hand in hers as he brushes his lips along her knuckles. A strange thumping fills my heart, unlike the usual nerves. Just as I’m going to slip backstage, Elias waves to someone behind him, and I freeze.
His friends—our friends—Aiden, Summer, Dylan, and Kian shuffle into the row to take their seats. The family in the seats behind them watch with wide eyes as if just now recognizing the giant hockey players. Then, Jane and Ian Westbrook descend the steps of the theater to their seats. My eyes sting so badly, but with the powder on my face, I can’t ruin it with tears.
Our orchestra plays Tchaikovsky’s “Introduction.” As I’m watching act one from the side stage, I run through the choreography for act two in my head.
“Sage.” The stage manager taps my shoulder. “White Swan entrance in thirty.”
As I make my way back to my private dressing room to check for any final adjustments, I notice Adam’s door cracked open along the noisy hallway. Voices emanate from behind it, and when I approach, I realize he and Ashley are arguing.
“I asked you to do one thing for me! What are you so afraid of?” she says.
Adam exhales loudly. “I can’t do it, Ash. It’s unethical.”
“It’s unethical how I’ve been working my ass off to get here yet I’m forced to watch from the sidelines! If you can’t do this for me, Adam, we are done.”
Then the door swings open, and I’m frozen in place. Ashley stands before me, dressed in the White Swan costume identical to mine, as my alternate. Not happening.
“Sage?” Adam says, rushing to the door. “W-what are you doing here?”
I look away from a fuming Ashley. “I was hoping we could talk.” Adam shrinks under Ashley’s glare before she storms out and Adam ushers me inside.
“Sorry about that.” He sits in his makeup chair to fix his hair in the mirror. “So, what’s up?”
This is the most attention he’s given me since we met. I’m immediately suspicious.
“I know we’ve been struggling with that lift. But we did it right for weeks, and something’s been off since the past few days. I think our focus is shot, and that’s what throws us off. But if we focus on each other, we can do it. I know it.”
He eyes me through the mirror, and the smallest flicker of pity flashes through his eyes. “Yeah. You’re right, I’ll do that. Bring back my focus and all.”
That doesn’t sound convincing, but I nod. “By the way, I understand that being an alternate is challenging, so whatever Ashley’s feeling is valid. But don’t let that change how you perform your principal role.”
I stride out to my dressing room to prepare for the next act. It’s when I’m going to head out that I notice the flowers on my vanity—peonies, in pink and white hues. A white square of cardstock protrudes from the bouquet, catching my attention. I pull it out to read what’s written on it.
Keep the black swan outfit. I want to watch you take it off tonight. —Elias
I’m laughing, trying not to let the tears stain my cheeks. I think I found my favorite flowers. When I’m using a tissue to pat my eyes, I hear the announcement for act two.
“Time to shine, Sage.” The stage manager signals for me to head to the side stage. I spot Adam and Ashley on the opposite side, arguing again. Then Adam exhales and nods, kissing her gently. I don’t let that distract me, and fall away from my body to let the white swan take over.
Immediately, I move to center stage, where it’s our first lift, and Adam executes a wobbly hold, and it sends a pang of panic to my chest. The spotlight beams right at us and I keep my composure, letting my eyes stray only for a minute to find my family in the center row.
Then he lets me to my feet not at all gently, and I lose my balance. It’s an obvious misstep but I recover quickly. When he spins me in his hold, I glare at him.
“What are you doing?” I whisper through a tight smile.
His eyes betray a shadow of uncertainty that sends a shiver down my spine. Our movements through the remaining sequences falter, disjointed and out of sync. As the curtains draw closed once more, a simmering rage boils beneath the surface of my skin.
“Looks like you’re all out of that beginner’s luck,” Ashley quips, moving past me to join Adam, a sinister smile dancing on her lips.
“What was that?” Zimmerman yells, staring at Adam and me.
An eerie silence replaces the chaos backstage.