I left the locker room dressed in my skin suit with the hard guards in place over my skates. Jordi and Lucas were waiting for me, and I shared the good news. “Guys, they let me in the race. They agreed since I’d raced here before, and this isn’t an event with sanctioned impact on rankings, there was no reason to keep me out. They cleared me. I’m a little nervous because of the leg, but it feels good. I don’t have to worry about the short track animals as Lucas calls them.”

Jordi shoved a fist into the air. Lucas hugged me. The sensation of our bodies in skin suits rubbing against each other aroused me. I tried not to concentrate on the sensation. If I did, I knew that soon everyone around would see that my mind was on something, or someone, other than skating.

Lucas said, “I’ve got one more thing to check with the officials.”

I asked, “Is something wrong?” but he was gone before he heard my question. I asked Jordi, “Do you know what that’s about?”

“I don’t. I’m curious, though. Do you think you can beat Lucas? He claims he’s still rusty, and you haven’t done much skating for a while. I would say you have similar disadvantages.”

I shrugged. “When we first met, Lucas demolished me on figure skates, but that was almost a year ago now. A lot can change in a year. I think I’m still the underdog, but I have a chance.”

Lucas returned, and he had a smile on his face. He said, “I got what I wanted.”

“Are you going to tell us what it is?” asked Jordi.

Lucas said, “I asked about the pairings for the race, and I got to see where they listed James and me. I requested a little shuffling around.”

I asked, “Shuffling around?”

“We’re skating head to head in our own heat, James. It’s just like on the Chicago Skating Ribbon, but this time no one is in our way.”

Jordi clapped his hands. “Oh, wow, that’s exciting. I don’t know who to cheer for.”

I suggested, “Maybe your loyal hockey buddy?”

“But you left the team,” said Jordi.

Lucas laughed and said, “He’s got you over the barrel there, James.”

I looked over Lucas’ shoulder and saw a brawny, bearded man approach accompanied by a tall, thin blonde woman. As they neared us, the blonde woman called, “Lucas, did you forget we’re here?”

Startled, Lucas turned to his left and exclaimed, “Sophie! Jerry! No, I didn’t forget that you were here. I had some business to sort out with the officials, but we’re all good now.”

Sophie said, “How about introducing us to your friends.”

Lucas dutifully pointed in my direction and said, “This is James who you’ve heard so much about.”

Sophie exclaimed, “James!” She glanced at Lucas and then stared back at me. She started to ask, “How did you..?” and then she turned back to Lucas and said, “I think you have some information to share later.”

Lucas chuckled as Sophie stepped forward and shook hands with me. I said, “It’s a slightly complicated story, but maybe we can all have dinner together after the races and share the details.”

Jerry gave me a thumbs up, and Sophie said, “Perfect.” She turned toward Jordi and asked, “Who is this?”

Lucas said, “This is Jordi. He’s the long-suffering friend who’s had to endure all the ups and downs of the last several months. He played on the same hockey team as James, and he played a key role in today’s lucky reunion.”

Sophie shook Jordi’s hand and then gestured toward Lucas and me. “So this is the first time the two of you…”

Her questioned faded as Lucas nodded.

She continued, “The first time since…”

Lucas nodded again. Sophie’s final comment was, “Life can be crazy. Stuff like this only happens in books and movies.”

I said, “Sophie, there is one more item to know. Lucas and I will be racing head to head in our skating heat. We might not challenge for the top positions overall, but we’ll get to settle things between the two of us.”

Jerry laughed out loud. It was a low, rumbling sound that generated a smile from anyone within hearing range. He said, “You guys are too much. Let’s hope you don’t claw each others’ eyes out when one of you wins this race.”

I put my arm around Lucas’ shoulder and said, “That’s guaranteed not to happen. This is how gentlemen settle matters. We put it all out there on the ice, and one of us will be the champion, at least until we race again.”

Sophie said, “Well, let us find our way back to our seats. It looks like the officials are getting things underway. I wish you both luck. Even though Lucas is my brother, I won’t play favorites. After all, James, you may be family someday.” Both Sophie and Jerry winked at me before they turned back to the stands.

I asked Jordi, “Did you figure out your loyalty? Has my hockey insanity disqualified me?”

Jordi rubbed his chin. He said, “If I used that to disqualify you, then I think I would need to give Lucas’ early speed skating retirement some weight as well.”

Lucas smirked. “I knew you would find a weakness.”

Jordi said, “I think I’ll stay in Sophie’s camp. I remain neutral. I’ll cheer for both of you.”

I was worried Jordi would go on to say something about lane changes, but fortunately, he kept his mouth shut. In a high-stakes race, we would probably have coaches on the ice helping us remember to change lanes properly. For our head to head race, we were both on our own.

Jordi gestured toward the edge of the ice and said, “They’re lining up, guys. I wish you both the best. We’ll have a fantastic dinner and all laugh about the race when it’s over, right?”

He looked first to me and then to Lucas. We responded in unison, “Right!”