Chapter 1 

Talia's Pov

“That’s my girl! Triple Axel Queen!” Chris cheers traveled through the stadium, loud enough to wake the dead.

The chill of the rink kissed my skin, every pair of eyes on me heightening my senses until I felt like I could fly. 

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. I finished my routine with a flawless landing, arms raised, chest heaving, and heart pounding with the kind of adrenaline I always lived for. 

For a second, I could almost hear Dad’s old whistle, that proud cheer that used to drown out everything else.

I heard a louder applause from the early skaters. I bowed slightly and glided to the edge where Chris waited with a grin plastered across his face.

“That was insane, T. You’re gonna wreck everyone at regionals.”

“Let’s hope so,” I muttered, pulling off my gloves.

Suddenly the rink door slammed open, noise bursting in like chaos had just been released. 

I groaned under my breath. The hockey idiots. Of course. Donna High’s pride and menace, led by none other than my worst enemy “Maxton Carter, the self proclaimed king of ice and arrogance.

They barged in like they owned the ice. Typical. 

“Yo! Clear the rink, figure Barbie’s done posing!” A familiar voice said.

Of course it was him, Maxton. Messy dark hair, eyes full of superiority, and that stupid grin that could curdle milk.

Chris groaned beside me. “I wish they could get the hockey players another rink…”

Maxton skated past with a lazy smirk. “Didn’t know figure skating was just a warm-up for the real athletes.”

“Didn’t know being late was part of your training,” I snapped back with my arms crossed.

He raised a brow, then smirked. “Maybe I’d have been on time if someone wasn’t hogging the rink, pretending she’s at the Olympics.”

I rolled my eyes and started to skate past him, but he leaned close, close enough that I caught the scent of mint and sweat.

“Your bra strap’s showing,” he murmured, eyes flicking down. 

“Jerk,” I muttered, my blood boiling as I yanked my strap into place. 

“You should say thank you,” he teased. “Aggressive looks good on you, but manners might make that pretty face of yours shine even more.”

My eyes narrowed. “Your face around here just wants to make me puke.”

Maxton blinked. Chris coughed to stifle a laugh.

“Is that all you have got, Barbie?”

I skated up to him, toe to toe, not caring that he towered over me. “I don’t speak fluent douchebag, but I’m guessing that was meant to be an insult.”

“Pretty sure it’s a compliment. You’re just not used to attention unless it’s from your reflection.”

“Coming from a guy who needs five teammates just to feel relevant?”

“Ouch.” He leaned closer, voice teasing. “I didn’t know skating made girls this aggressive. Or hot.”

I scoffed and turned to leave. “Don’t flatter yourself, Carter. You’re not even on my radar.”

He called out, “Keep dreaming of me though, Talia.”

I didn’t turn back, but if looks could kill, he’d be melted into the ice.

“Now that's enough of the bantering.” The rink manager’s voice rang through the rink and the tense atmosphere changed. “Carter, your team’s late. Talia, you’ve had your slot. Take the drama outside.”

“Gladly,” I muttered, grabbing my bag as Chris rolled his eyes beside me and followed. 

But I didn’t stop glaring as Maxton skated backward, a cocky smirk glued to his face.

Later that night, after a long shower and a rewatch of my skate, I flopped onto bed, phone pressed to my ear.

“…and then this idiot had the nerve to say my bra strap was showing,” I told Deej, pacing my room in my oversized tee and fluffy socks.

“Why does he always go for your neck like that?”

“Because he’s a jerk with a stupid jawline.”

Deej snorted. “A very punchable jawline, if you'd ask me.”

I laughed, right as a second call beeped through. “Hold on, my mom’s calling.”

I answered with zero energy. “Hey.”

“Talia, sweetheart! Are you home?”

“Obviously. It’s not like I have a social life, thanks to you.”

She chuckled nervously. “You skate girl, don't give that tone” she paused before saying cheerfully “Well, listen. I have news.”

That tone. That too cheerful tone.. “What kind of news?“ 

“I’m… getting married,” she announced, voice bright like it was supposed to be good news.

I froze. “What?”

“I know it’s sudden but…”

“Mom, how many times have I told you I don’t want a stepdad? Dad’s been gone a year. A year! You can’t just replace him!” My voice cracked despite myself. “I just want it to be us. That’s enough.”

“Talia, calm down. It’s not just anyone,” she said softly. “He’s decent. From a respected family. You will understand once you meet him.”

My heart thudded. “Who is it?”

She hesitated, then giggled like she was announcing a surprise. “It’s the Carter family. Matthew Carter. Remember him? He came to your birthday last year, when you had that argument with Maxton

The shock that hit me right then was beyond words. What the actual hell am I hearing right now?

“Wait, wait a second mom, hold on. Don’t tell me you mean Maxton Carter dad? The hockey captain who broke my leg?”

“Sweetheart..” she began but I cut her off immediately 

“You are marrying Maxton's dad? You are telling me Maxton’s going to be my stepbrother?”

I was dying!!

“Talia, you don’t have to worry, I am sure you two will get along.”

Get along? She can’t be serious right now.

“Mom, I am hanging up before I say something crazy. And when I call later, I hope you tell me this was just a prank,” I muttered and ended the call. I can’t deal with this right now.

I stormed to the kitchen, yanked open the fridge, and grabbed whatever was edible. Mac and cheese. Chocolate pudding. Straight from the peanut butter jar. My personal coping mechanism.

My phone buzzed when I got to my room and it was a message from Mom.

“Be ready for Saturday. We are meeting for dinner.”

I groaned and fell back on my bed, a hand over my face. Is this actually real? 

Maxton Carter. My stepbrother.

Fantastic. The universe really had a sick sense of humor.