As the music ended and I took my final pose, a mirror of my starting position, the audience roared, leaping to their feet. In the last minute of my program, I’d almost forgotten they were there. I’d heard my music as though it was the first time. Their love washed over me, and I bowed gratefully.

Theo skated after me, and I was aware of him taking the ice as I neared Manon waiting at the Kiss and Cry. The temptation to allow just one fleeting look at him stole my breath.

Flowers and stuffed animals littered the ice, and I bent to scoop up a moose wearing the Canadian uniform.

He’s no one. He’s not even here. He doesn’t matter.

I only had to believe the lies for two more days.

“Can I come in?”

Hadn’t I endured enough humiliation? Hannah Kwan stood outside my room at the Athletes’ Village in her red and white team jacket, fiddling with her jangling bracelets.

It would be too rude to say no, and I knew she meant well. I stood back and closed the door after her. Crossing my arms, I waited for her to speak and get this over with.

“Congrats on the short! You were amazing. Only two points behind. It’s so close! We’re all really excited for you. Are you feeling okay?” She shook her head, black ponytail waving. “Sorry. That’s probably a stupid question. Do you need more ice for your face or anything? The bruise isn’t too bad today, actually.”

“You’re not here to talk about my face.”

Hannah sighed. “Look, Anton feels like shit. Not that this is about Anton. But he really does feel awful.”

I waited. I could believe his regret, but it wasn’t my concern.

“The thing is—I heard a rumor the other day that you and Theo were hooking up in Toronto.”

If that was a question, I wasn’t answering it.

She paced a few steps. “It’s none of my business, I know. I just… I thought you hated his guts? And Theo’s always been so—” Flapping her hand, bracelets tinkling, she made a face. “Frivolous. It’s so damn annoying how he can pull out wins when it counts, but I guess he was first in line when God was giving out jumping ability. And he’s really friendly, don’t get me wrong. He’s just always seemed…surface-y. Like he never actually cared that much about anything.”

“That’s not true.” The defense popped out before I could control myself.

She stopped pacing and peered up at me with a shrewd narrowing of her eyes. Like many pair girls, she was tiny but fierce. “You know, everyone’s buzzing about how he flew to your side after the collision in warm-up.”

My heart constricted. “They are?”

“Are you kidding? You really have been holed up in here since early practice, haven’t you? He was like a speed skater out there. And the way Anton said he lost his shit the other day? He cares. Why would he be so protective of you of all people? You two are fighting for gold. But he was furious. Jealous even. With Anton I mean, not after the collision. I guess he thought you and Anton used to hook up?”