Stealing for Keeps (Frost Lake High Book 1)
Stealing for Keeps: Chapter 44

When we get home from the hockey game, I head up to my room. Tonight was better than I imagined. Being out there skating with the other cheerleaders felt good. There is less pressure to be perfect and more room to just enjoy it all.

When I’m ready for bed and pulling back the covers, Mom knocks on the cracked door and then peers into my room.

“Can I come in?” she asks.

Nodding, I sit on the edge of the mattress.

She comes in and takes a seat next to me. My defenses are slightly lowered, but I don’t think she’s going to suddenly go easy on me just because she came to watch me cheer.

“You really looked beautiful out there. You are easily the best skater on the team.”

I can hear the hint of condescension in her tone, and my annoyance level creeps right back up to high.

“Mooom.” I’m so tired of fighting with her. Why can’t she just accept that this makes me happy?

“Okay. I will lay off. I can tell how much this means to you.”

Surprise shoots through me, and my voice is tentative as I ask, “Really?”

Just like that? I thought for sure she’d still try to talk me into quitting. Maybe not tonight but eventually.

“Yes. Believe it or not, I do want you to be happy.”

That is hard to believe. The past few months have felt like she’s cared less about what I want and more about what she thinks I need.

“I still think you should consider adding some AP classes and focus on bringing up your GPA.”

I groan.

“You have such a big, beautiful future ahead of you.” She reaches forward and tucks my hair behind one ear. “I know that I have been hard on you, but it’s because I believe with enough hard work, you can have all the success you want. Look at how far you got with skating.”

“And for what?” I ask, letting myself feel that familiar burn of disappointment that something I worked so hard for was taken away.

“For what?” She laughs quietly. “Is that really what you think? It’s over so it was worth nothing? Honey.” She reaches over and rests a hand on my knee. “If nothing else, it should have taught you how capable you are. You can do anything if you’re willing to put in the effort.”

I know it wasn’t for nothing, but sometimes the sting of it still catches me off guard. She’s right though. It did teach me a lot.

“I will think about adding in some AP classes next semester.”

Her smile is immediate. She gets up like she wants to flee before I change my mind. Maybe we won’t ever agree on everything, but I can compromise if she can.

“I want to visit some colleges with great art programs,” I say as she reaches the door.

“Does this have anything to do with Austin?” Her gaze drifts to the wall next to where she stands. The first sketch Austin ever drew for me hangs there. The one where I’m skating.

“No.” It doesn’t. Besides joining the cheer squad, it’s the only thing that I’ve found that feels right. Maybe I won’t end up majoring in art and it will be something I just do for fun, but I at least want to explore it.

“It took a lot of nerve for him to show up here tonight.” Her stare doesn’t leave the sketch.

My stomach dips. I don’t know exactly what happened or what he said, but it’s obvious that whatever he did had an impact on her. I still can’t believe they all showed up to watch me cheer. Even if they never come again, I’ll remember tonight for a very long time.

“I’m glad he did.” She finally looks back at me, and her usual no-nonsense mask slips back into place. “He’s still not allowed in here with the door closed.”

Fighting a smile, I nod my agreement. And without saying more, Mom steps into the hallway.

I pull out my phone to say good night to Austin before I go to sleep. A text from him is already waiting.

Austin: Night cheer girl. See you in my dreams.