Ice Games Read Online Free Page B

clown like you look light-footed. But let’s get one thing straight. I intend to win, so don’t you get in my way, understand?”
    He stared at me. After a long moment, he added, “You going to fucking yap at me for the next two months?”
    “Probably. And if you don’t make an effort? I’m going to make your life miserable. Understand?”
    Ty looked amused. “That’s cute. You do realize you’re ninety pounds soaking wet?”
    I was a hundred and two pounds, and what did it matter? “What does my size have to do with anything?”
    “If you think you’re going to intimidate me, honey, it’s not working.”
    “Don’t you ‘honey’ me,” I said, outraged.
    A camera zoomed in next to my face, and I froze. I hadn’t even met my partner for five minutes and we were already fighting. Well, crap. This didn’t bode well for job longevity. The scathing putdown I’d been about to lay on him died in my throat. Instead, I gave him a tight smile. “We practice at 6:00 AM. Be there.”
    I turned on my heel and began to walk away.
    “I’ll consider it,” he called after my back.
    “Six in the morning!” I yelled back.

    ~~ * ~~

    “I can’t believe it,” my friend Naomi gasped in my ear. “You’re paired up with Ty the Biter? Have you seen the internet articles on him?”
    I rolled over on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, my cellphone hot against my ear. We’d been on the phone for an hour, and even complaining to my best friend hadn’t made me feel better about things. “I haven’t. Just that he’s a fighter and he bit some dude on the nose. Give me the skinny.”
    “Okay.” She paused for a moment, then said, “So, apparently he dates a lot of C and D list starlets. His name’s attached to a bunch of famous chicks. That’s why he’s such a big deal.”
    Like I cared about that. “And?”
    “And he has a type. Big. Blonde. Surgically enhanced.”
    “Got it. Boulders. This doesn’t help me much, though, Naomi. I don’t want to date the troll. I want to know what to expect when we’re skating.”
    “I’m looking, I’m looking,” she muttered. “Oooh. Let’s see. He played college hockey.”
    I brightened. “That’s a good sign—”
    “Got kicked out for missing too many practices.”
    Damn it. “So what you’re telling me is that I’ve got a slacker with temper issues that can skate, but because I don’t have a pair of cannons strapped to my chest, I’m shit out of luck?”
    “Kinda what it sounds like. Sorry, girl.”
    I sighed. “That’s okay. I’ll just make the best of things. I mean, if I work my tail off, the show can’t blame me, right?”
    “I have no idea. Sorry. I’ve never been on TV. I’m a pre-med student, remember?”
    I remembered. And groaned. “Why couldn’t I have gotten a decent partner? All the guys got good ones. It’s so unfair.”
    “Just do your best,” Naomi said cheerfully. “That’s all you can do.”
    A loud “ What the fuck ?” came from the other room.
    Naomi paused. “What was that?”
    “You heard that?” I cocked my free ear, listening to the other room. Bottles clinked with rapidity, and and then I heard what sounded like a lot of bottles shaking. “That would be my roommate, Prince Charming. Apparently they’ve decided that things will be more exciting if we’re sharing a house together.”
    Naomi gasped, the sound tinny on the other end of the line. “You have to share a house with him? Are you freaking out?”
    “Nope. Too many cameras around for him to try any shenanigans. He’s here for PR. He’ll be on his best behavior.” I thought for a moment, and then added, “Theoretically.”
    I heard stomping, and then someone banged on my door, a crude version of a knock. “Hey. Hey! Mouthy girl. Open up.”
    I frowned at my closed door. The entire thing had vibrated when he’d knocked. It was just cheap wood, but still. I didn’t want him destroying my room. I had to live here for the next two months, after all.