Chapter 12 -Sabrina

Of course they’re talking about Lena again. They always are. I sit on the bench at the training rink, arms crossed, watching the younger girls practice. They’re giggling, whispering, glancing at me like I’m some kind of celebrity. I should be flattered. I should be enjoying this. But all I can think about is how everything was supposed to be different. Lena Merritt was finally out of the way. My plan worked. Perfectly.

She never saw it coming, the loose screw on her blade, the one I nudged just enough. Not enough to be obvious. Just enough to make her unstable. Just enough to make her fall.

She was always too perfect. Too graceful. Too loved. I couldn’t beat her one‑on‑one, not with the way the coaches worshipped her. But I could replace her. And I did. Or I should have.

But instead of focusing on me, the one who’s still here, still skating, still winning, everyone is wringing their hands over poor, broken Lena. Coach Ramirez keeps asking for updates. The staff whispers about her “mental state.” And Coach Daniels? He actually left the city to go train her in Silver Ridge. Her. Not me.

I dig my nails into my palms, jaw tight. I’ve been skating better than ever. I’ve been showing up early, staying late, doing everything right. But it’s never enough. Not when Lena exists.

And now she’s going after Evan.

My Evan.

I met him months ago at that party in Chicago after his team won. He was charming, warm, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off me. We spent the night together, and that meant something. I know it did. He didn’t say it, but I felt it. He felt it too. He just needed time. Space. Hockey players are like that.

But then I see the clips online, Evan slamming his stick against the glass because some drunk guy was talking to Lena. Acting like he’s her hero. Acting like she’s his. My stomach twists with anger. She always takes everything. Even the things that aren’t hers.

I stand abruptly, startling the girls near me. They scatter like birds. Good. I don’t have patience for them today.

Two juniors are whispering near the boards. “…we should go to Silver Ridge this weekend… just to check on her…”

My ears sharpen instantly. Silver Ridge. Perfect.

I glide over, smiling sweetly. “That’s a wonderful idea,” I say, voice dripping honey. “Lena must be so lonely out there. I’ll talk to Coach Ramirez and get it approved.” Their eyes widen with excitement. I smile wider. Let them think I’m being supportive. Let them think I care.

But I know the truth. Lena’s been hiding long enough. And if she thinks she can take Evan from me, or come back and steal the spotlight again, she’s wrong. I’m going to Silver Ridge. And this time, I’m not letting her get in my way.

I don’t bother knocking on Coach Ramirez’s office door. I never do. He always tells the girls to knock, but I’m not the girls. I’m the one who’s supposed to be leading this team now that Lena’s… gone.

Except apparently she’s not gone enough.

I push the door open and step inside with my brightest, most innocent smile. Coach Ramirez looks up from his laptop, eyebrows lifting like he’s already bracing for whatever I’m about to say.

Good. He should.

“Coach,” I say sweetly, closing the door behind me, “some of the girls and I were talking…”

He sighs. “That’s never a good start.”

I ignore that.

“…and we thought it might be nice to go check on Lena this weekend.”

His expression tightens. “Check on her?”

“Yes,” I say, clasping my hands like I’m some kind of saint. “We all saw the game last night. And the… ambush in the lobby.” I shake my head dramatically. “Poor thing. She must be devastated.” He leans back in his chair, studying me. I keep my face perfectly soft, perfectly concerned. I’ve practiced this expression in the mirror. “We just think,” I continue, “that maybe we could cheer her up. Show her we’re still supporting her. You know… team spirit.” He doesn’t say anything. I press on. “And it might help her confidence. Being around familiar faces. Seeing that we care.”

I don’t care.

Not even a little. But he doesn’t need to know that. What I care about is getting to Silver Ridge before Lena worms her way back into everything that should be mine. Before she steals the spotlight again. Before she steals Evan. My jaw tightens at the thought.

Evan.

I still can’t believe he slammed his stick against the glass for her. For her. After everything we shared in Chicago. After the way he looked at me that night. After the way he touched me. He doesn’t get to pretend that meant nothing. And Lena doesn’t get to take him from me.

Coach Ramirez clears his throat. “Sabrina… why do you really want to go?”

I blink, offended. “I just told you.” He gives me that look, the one that says he knows I’m lying but can’t prove it. I soften my voice. “Coach… she’s alone out there. Daniels left to train her. Everyone’s worried about her. And after what happened last night…” I let my voice trail off, like I’m too emotional to continue.

He sighs again. “I’ll think about it. I need to talk to Daniels first before I tell you yes or no.”

I smile, triumphant. “Great. I’ll tell the girls.” I turn to leave, but pause in the doorway. “Oh,” I add lightly, “and when you talk to Coach Daniels… tell him we’re all rooting for Lena. Truly.”

He nods, but I can tell he’s still suspicious. Fine. Let him be. The important part is that he didn’t say no. And once I’m in Silver Ridge, once I’m face‑to‑face with Lena, once Evan sees me again… Everything will fall back into place.