“Yeah, Mom, I enjoy winning!” I threw up my hands. “Who doesn’t? Winning’s great! But I wanted to go to regular school and hang out at my friends’ houses, and yeah, eat Doritos sometimes. You made my childhood so fucking miserable.”

“You could have quit anytime.”

“Bullshit! Are you kidding? I’d have never heard the end of it. And I do like skating! I just didn’t want it to be the only thing in my life.”

“Isn’t that why you abandoned us and moved to LA? For your precious freedom?”

“How was that ‘abandoning’ you? Because I didn’t want you to come with me? Dad has a career in Chicago, and the girls were in high school. And no, I didn’t want you to come with me. I wanted to be in charge of my skating for once, and with Mr. Webber’s help I did a pretty good job, didn’t I? I’ve won two world titles!”

She sniffed. Here came the tears. “You know how proud I am. All I ever wanted was to help you succeed. But you shut me out. You make huge decisions without even asking for my opinion!” She glared at Henry again. “Now you’re clearly letting emotions cloud your judgment. What were you thinking going to train with him?”

“Stop!” I hissed, aware that there were still people gathered down the hall watching this fight. “Don’t talk about Henry. He’s off-limits.”

Her eyes widened, and she jerked her head from Henry to me. For a minute, I thought her head might actually explode right then and there.

She was still staring between us. “It can’t be true. I discounted the rumors weeks ago because I didn’t think it was possible you’d be so reckless.” She gaped at me. “What on Earth are you thinking?” Then she whirled to Henry, who watched her warily. “I’d expect better of you!”

I had to laugh. Honestly, at this point, what else could I do? My shoulders shook, and I was on the edge of hysteria. “Sorry to disappoint you, Mom. He’s not a machine after all. We’re both trying our best. Unless I do everything the way you want, you’re never happy. I’m afraid you’re doomed to even more disappointment. Get used to it.”

She swiped at her eyes. “I’ve only ever tried to help you. Now I’m the villain!”

I sighed, resignation settling in as her rage and hysteria faded. This was the martyrdom stage of her cycle, and I’d heard it all before. “Mom, I can’t do this with you now. You need to go.”

She nodded. “Fine. That’s fine.” She checked her watch. “You have an interview with Janice at the studio.”

“Fuck,” I muttered, pulling out my phone and checking the time. I’d have to run to make it. The federation would be pissed if I flaked, rightfully so.

Mom smiled thinly. “Go on. We can settle this later.”

I wanted to argue that there was nothing to “settle.” She wasn’t going to change, and I wasn’t going to put up with her crap. But whatever. “Okay. Let’s go.”