Page 101 of Taking Sides

“All-Star weekend. That must have been at the fastest skater competition.”

“You won, didn’t you?”

His smile stretches across his face, then dims. “Your brother has hated me ever since.”

“Wait. That’s why? Because of a stupid skills competition?”

He shrugs.

“I doubt that’s the reason.” Victor is petty, for sure, but I can’t believe he’d be holding a grudge over something so minor.

“I think I was there,” I say, trying to remember back. I rarely traveled with Victor, but I think this was his first All-Star invite too. And I do have a vague recollection of him being pissy about not winning any of the skills competitions.

“Yeah?” Conrad looks up from the picture to smile at me.

“Maybe we even met.”

“Nah. I’d remember. I wouldn’t have been able to talk to you, but I would have remembered you.”

TWENTY-SIX

I’m dressed, ready for the ceremony—or as ready as I’ll ever be. I sit down on the bed and let out a long breath. The dresser in front of me is covered with trophies and awards from Little League to high school. I never took any of these with me. It felt better that they stay here with everything else from those years of my life. I wanted a fresh start. And I got it.

Whitney steps into the doorway of my room. When she spots me sitting on the bed, she smiles.

My heart stops. “Wow.”

She tried to warn me about the dress, but I think I swallowed my tongue.

“Is it too much for the occasion?” She stares down at the outfit.

“Who the fuck cares?” I can’t quit staring at her. The black dress dips low in the front and is tight against her curves. When my gaze gets to her feet, I chuckle. She’s wearing her purple Converse.

“In my rush, I may have forgotten shoes to match the sexy dress,” she says. Her laughter eases the tension in my neck and shoulders.

“It’s perfect. You look . . . perfect.” Warmth spreads through my chest. I can’t believe she flew all the way to Washington for me. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Yeah, me too.” Her hands come up to rest on the front of my dress shirt. She adjusts the knot of my tie and then smooths her fingers down to the center of my chest. When her gaze flicks up, those brown eyes spark with fire.

“I have something for you,” I say.

“For me?”

I take a step back from her, then walk over to my bag to grab the gift I got her. “I didn’t know you were going to be here, but I’ve been carrying them around with me for a week or so.”

Whitney doesn’t move but eyes me—or more specifically the jewelry box with a look of surprised curiosity.

I’ve never given a woman jewelry before, so I’m not quite sure how it’s supposed to go. Should I have wrapped it? Guess it’s too late now.

I clear my throat as I move back and hold out the box to her. She takes it, glancing up at me again before she slowly opens it.

“Conrad!” Her voice is quiet, and she sucks in a sharp breath as she stares down at the diamond earrings.

A jolt of nerves, not entirely unpleasant, hums in my veins. “I noticed since Houston you haven’t been wearing the others.”

“I kept meaning to replace the back for the one I lost.” She’s still laser-focused on the inside of the box, gawking at the earrings but not touching them.

“If you don’t like them⁠—”