Nola Scott

The pressure was real and I was feeling it.

Worlds were one twenty-one days away. This was the last stretch. I was only having four practices a week now instead of five. Coach Laurel didn't want to wear me out any more than she had to. I was at the practice facility from 7-3 every day instead of 8-6. The rest of my days were filled with training, eating, napping, and reading a book. There wasn't much time for anything else. Not anymore.

I only had two mental breakdowns which was good. Coach said usually athletes have 4-6 a week at this point. But every day I woke up was a fresh, new day and I didn't think about the last. The mindset had been keeping me going.

Friday rolled around quickly and since I didn't have practice and Miles didn't have a game, we decided today would be the day we'd catch up. Ever since I had a drunken breakdown and realized I have feelings for him, our interactions have made me more on edge. We're both dealing with a lot at the moment which is why I'm canceling out the way I feel for him.

We're just friends and honestly, it's simpler this way. Things are too complicated any other way. I mean look at the chaos from the time we almost kissed. Never again.

After I finished a couple of errands, I made my way to his place. Ember and JT were spending the day together at our place so I wanted to give them that space. Plus, Miles' house is way cooler than my apartment. I'm about to ring the doorbell but the door opens before I'm able to. "Uh-huh, yeah." Miles walks back inside of his house, his phone pressed against his head and shoulder.

I follow behind him, setting the bag of my healthy snacks down. I can't eat the carbs Miles eats every single day. "So if I say no, I'll look bad?" he says into the phone. His eyes widen but I can't hear the voice on the other end. Miles and I sit down on his couch and he's shaking his head, rubbing his temple with two fingers. "Alright, fine. I'll do it. But get back to me with dates ASAP. I'm a busy man." He smiles like he's joking. He says goodbye and hangs up the phone.

"Tiffany. My manager," he tells me before I'm able to ask. "What'll make you look bad if you say no?" I asked another question I had. He shoves a spoonful of rice into his mouth. "A collab with Nike," he says with a shrug. My eyes widen. "Hello?!" He looks at me like I'm crazy. "Hi?"

"Miles, why did you want to say no to that? It's an amazing opportunity!" I say. He shakes his head. "That's going to be too much attention on me right now. I don't want that in this moment. Plus, they usually wait until after the Stanley Cup and choose a player from the winning team. I'm fucking baffled they chose me," he chuckles, continuing to eat his brown rice.

"Well, that means they want you because you're a stand-out player now. It means something! You should do it," I try and convince him. I know he said he didn't want the attention but maybe this will be something to get his mind off the whole adoption thing. "Yeah, I'm gonna do it."

Good. Miles deserves something great like this. He deserves everything good life has to offer actually.

"Amazing. Now, let me catch you up," I say and he adjusts himself on the couch. I don't talk his ear off about every single little detail about figure skating. I tell him about how practices have been both good and bad, this past week getting harder for me. Since I don't want him to worry too much, I keep the fact that I've had breakdowns to myself.

The last time I had a panic attack, I ended up in San Jose with him. And that's when... that happened. Whatever, we're not mentioning that anymore. Nope! Friends. We're friends.

"So Worlds is on..." His words trail off. "March 24th is the first day. If I'm in the top 24, I'll get to advance to free skate which is on the 26th," I tell him. I don't think Miles knows much about figure skating so I try my best to put it in simple terms. "Top 24? You got that, easily." It's easier than it sounds. These women are the best of the best from all over the world.

"It's not that easy. If girls from the US are ahead of me, they get a spot on the Olympic team. We have a two-girl limit with the possibility to get a third. If you don't make it in the top two then you can compete in Germany in September and if you do well, you can be the third girl on Team USA," I explain. Miles' brows are furrowed. I'm not sure if I lost him or not.

He nods his head like he's trying to understand. "Well, how good are these girls? The American ones," he questions. "Probably better than me. They've been working on this for a longer time than I have. I'm not saying I'm going to do terrible but it's just...in the air. We'll see," I say, releasing a shaky breath. Even talking about it gives me chills.

"You said the 24th and 26th?" Miles asks. I take a bite out of my walnuts and nod as he pulls out his phone. I see his jaw clench slightly. "Please tell me this is taking place in New York." He keeps his eyes on his phone screen. "It's in Stockholm," I tell him. He turns to face me then. "Sweden?" he says, dazed. I nod my head.

"What time?" he asks another question. I sigh, "Miles a flight from LAX to Sweden is approximately eleven hours. I'm sure New York to Sweden is just as long. You have games and it's impossible to be at both events unless you can teleport," I say. It sucks that he won't be able to be there but I figured just as much.

His schedule is busy. He has games every other day. "So what you're saying is that I'm going to miss one of the biggest moments of your career so far?" he says like it's nothing. "Well... don't think about it that way. I'll be alri—"

"I wanted to be there, Scott. I want to be there," he says, displeased. It's not like I can move the competition or him his games. It just wasn't meant to be. "If I get to the Olympics, you can come see me then. It might also get in the way of your games though," I wince. "Aren't the Olympics in July?" Miles asks.

I smile, tucking my lips into my mouth to hold back laughter. He's adorable. "That's the Summer Olympics. Figure skating takes place in February during the Winter Olympics," I inform. He takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and falls back on the couch, covering his face with his hands. "So during the season again?" he questions though I'm sure he knows the answer. "Yes," is my short reply.

"Hockey is also played in the Winter Olympics, I should've put two and two together," he chuckles awkwardly, picking his long body up again. "The guys can do fine without me for a couple of days. I'll be there, Scott. If not at Worlds, at the Olympics." I try not to take his words too literal. In order to get to the Olympics, I have to get through Worlds first.

I fill him in on my plans for the week. I'll be flying to Sweden with Coach Laurel and the other two girls — Mei and Karington — and their coaches three days before. We'll have time to practice our routines as we prep for the competition. My parents and siblings are coming to Stockholm to support me. If schedules weren't so busy, I don't doubt the rest of my family would have been there as well.

If anything goes wrong, I'll be lucky to have my support system behind me. I just hope it's enough to keep me from falling. That is if something goes wrong. I'm keeping a positive mindset for now. I've been practicing hard for months and all of my time, blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into my routines. I've only just turned nineteen, Coach Laurel reminds me all the time. You have time, she tells me.

It makes me question if she believes I can get there. To the Olympic stage. Being around Mei and Karington so much, I question it. Both girls are amazing skaters. Not comparing myself to them is almost impossible but I'm trying to remain positive. It can happen. If I put my all into this, it can happen.

"Well, at least I'll be able to wish you a good luck before you leave. I don't have a game that day. I also don't have a game on the 24th but your right, it would be impossible to make it back on time for my game the next day. I'd also be terribly jetlagged," Miles sighs.

Knowing he'll be watching from home will make me feel somewhat better. Even if it will be one in the morning LA time. I'll keep that to myself for now. "I'll be expecting a text after my short program," I say. He scoffs. "I'm gonna be so goddamn annoying, Scott. Your phone will be ringing nonstop," he says. I smile, nodding once. That's the energy I wanted.

"How are you feeling? About everything," he asks. My smile disappears slowly at his question and I sigh before speaking. "Overwhelmed but excited but terrified. Also anticipated and maybe even a little bit...hungry. Not for food though, for competing. I want to place so bad," I admit.

"That's how I felt the days leading up to the draft. I wanted to be drafted but the thought of possibly going number one," he shakes his head, "I wanted that more than anything." I give him a look. "Don't people always know if they're going number one?" I ask.

He nods. "Most of the time fans and reporters make the guess and end up being right. But when I got drafted, the Kings were in desperate need of both a right wing and a defenseman. Draco O'Clarke, plays for Seattle now, was the best defenseman in a long time. He and I were head to head for that first pick. People were making their bets on who would get it but nobody really knew. I was shocked when I got the call but fucking pumped nevertheless," Miles says.

I'd never watched a minute of hockey in my life before I met Miles. To be honest, I thought they only had drafts for baseball and football. I guess it makes sense for most sports to have one. Figure skating doesn't. That'd be weird.

"Trust me, your feelings are valid. All athletes want to be the best. It's in our bones," he adds. That's true. "I guess you're right. Let's just hope and pray that I get a high score. I've been practicing so much, Miles. My routine.. it's really good. Technical. I know you saw my shitty practice but my skating is better than that, I swear," I nod frantically like I'm trying to convince myself.

I believe in myself though. All of what I said was true. "I believe in you, Scott. I've seen you do great. I'm not questioning anything. You're gonna kill it on that ice March 24th. Everyone is going to be asking where this blonde, American ice princess came from." He twists a strand of my hair with his finger.

The blood rushed into my cheeks as much as I internally begged it not to. "We'll see," I mumble. "I'm going to invite over Ember, Tate, Kait, and the kid will be here. We're gonna have a watch party to see you shine on that ice. I'll send you pictures," he keeps going. His eyes flit all around my body and it makes me shift. "You're gonna do great and look it too," he adds.

I swallow the lump in my throat. Look great. I sent him a picture of the dress I'm wearing for my short program yesterday after I picked it up. For $1,500, I hope it looks great on me. "The competition starts at ten in the morning in Sweden. That means it'll be one am in LA," I finally say. He shrugs. "I'll still be watching. Alone or with people."

He's a stubborn one.

The two of us spend time together and with JT whenever he gets home. It's been a while since I've spent time with Miles and JT so I spent a couple of hours there before deciding to let them get sleep. They play St.Louis tomorrow afternoon. The NHL regular season is almost over bringing the boys close to the postseason.

With how well they've been doing, they are already basically in playoffs. Miles or JT aren't worried about it anymore. I feel proud that they're accomplishing big things. Especially JT since it's his first year in the league. He's only eighteen and having an outstanding season. He's in the Rookie of the Year talk according to Miles.

Miles walks me out to my car. The winter is coming to an end so it's not too cold but the air still has a soft chill to it. "Hey, before you leave." Miles places his hand on mine, bringing it down before I'm able to press my flush door handle. He leans his body against my car, crossing his arms over his chest. He shakes his head like he's trying to find words.

"I'm sorry," he starts. My brows furrow. "For?" Miles sighs. "I've been a fucking dick to you. There's no excuse for my behavior either. Not even the fact that I've been stressing out over my birth parents. If I wanted to close myself off, I could've done that but there are no excuses for the way I've acted towards you. Also, the whole timing thing with Allie, I know how bad that looked. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings and I apologize if I did. You..." he stops again, taking a breath.

All I can do is wait for him to finish. I didn't expect him to apologize to me for anything. In fact, I didn't think he needed to. Maybe that's because I forgive too easily. He also already apologized to me for being hard on me that one day I was trying to cheer him up.

"You mean a lot more to me than she does...so I never wanted that. To hurt you. This also isn't some bullshit apology, Nola. I mean it. I'm not going to do anything like this anymore. I don't like seeing you upset and acting off with me. It fucking sucks," he breathes out a chuckle. As much as I want to throw myself at him, I don't. "Thanks. I appreciate that. Actions speak louder than words but I do appreciate the words."

That's good enough. I'm keeping my composure around him. I may have forgiven him but I know he can do better. Let's see if he keeps his word. Hopefully he will.

"Of course. No, I- I stand by everything I said. I'd let you do anything you wanted to right now for payback for being an asshole, but I know you're too nice for that" he declares. The blush rushes back to my cheeks again. Why did my mind think of something dirty? Thank God it's dark outside.

I clear my throat. "I'm not 'too nice'. I could kick your ass if I wanted to, Dempsey." And that is the truth. I may be a nice girl but try me and you won't like the other side of me. I have my dad's temper. A laugh rumbles out of him. "Yeah, maybe you can, Scott." I know he's teasing me so I smile a bit. "Get inside and sleep," I demand, trying my best to push his body.

He barely moves an inch backward but holds his hands up in defense. "Yes, ma'am." I hop into the Rover and Miles waits until I'm out of sight until he makes his way back inside his house.

***

Miles Dempsey

When I make it back inside, the kid is making himself a bowl of cereal in the kitchen. I can't help the smile on my face walking in. I've been wanting to apologize to Nola for my actions lately. It takes me a lot to admit that I'm wrong but I could see just how in the wrong I was in this situation. She had been a great friend to me for weeks and I was being an asshole to her.

JT was right that one night when he told me she had been sticking around and I was being a dick to her. It was the truth. I knew it then and I know it now. There was no way she was leaving tonight without an apology from me.

Even though that apology was out of the way, I wasn't going to go back to being a dick. I've been clearing my head this week. I feel a lot better about being patient with finding out info on my birth parents. It was going to wait for now. We had about nineteen games left in the season and I was going to give it my all. Well, seventeen games for me.

There's no way I'm missing Worlds. I have to think of a plan but I'm going to be there for Nola. No question about it.

"What are you smiling about?" JT asks before shoving a spoonful of Special K in his mouth. The smile falls from my face at his questioning and I clear my throat. "Nothing. Are you ready for tomorrow?" I changed the subject. He nods, chewing his food before speaking again. "Yeah. We're gonna lose," he says. My brows furrow. "What the fuck?"

He laughs at that, taking a seat on one of the bar stools. "Kidding. Hey, quick question?" I shake my head. It's almost eleven pm and he has too much energy. We play an earlier game tomorrow at three pm so we have to be up early to be at the arena by 11:00 am. "What?" I reply.

JT chews some more while looking up and swallowing roughly. "Do you have a crush on Nola?" He points at me with his spoon, a curious look on his face. "What? No. I'm 25, Jason. I don't have 'crushes'," I defend quickly. He stares at me like he's trying to find a lie in my face. "Alright, then do you have feelings for her?" he asks. What the hell is wrong with him?

"I already said no. Why do you think that?" I question him. "Are you saying no just because you can't have her?" he asks me, avoiding my question. "Why can't I have her?" I furrow my brows, confused about that statement. He shrugs. "She might be the first girl I know who doesn't want your dick." I sigh, shaking my head at his off-putting words.

"Because we're friends, JT. Just like you and her are. Platonic relationships exist," I announce. "Cool. Just a question that's been racking my brain, thanks." He walks out of the kitchen without another word. "You're weird!" I shout after him. He laughs but doesn't say anything else.

We need to get him a psych eval. Then, me one after.