Contents
Fourteen | Nathan
Overview
Nate wakes remorseful, apologizes to Anastasia, and admits jealousy rather than withdrawal of consent. Anastasia sets boundaries, rejecting exclusivity while acknowledging their attraction. Ongoing rink tensions climax when Anastasia skates into the Titans’ practice and Nate carries her off the ice. Later, they escalate flirtation via texts, ending in a provocative challenge.
Summary
Nathan wakes hungover, ashamed he refused sex while drunk, and worries Anastasia thinks he rejected her. Learning from Sabrina that Anastasia stayed upstairs, Nate finds her in Henry’s room and apologizes. He admits jealousy and fear she’d disappear after sex; Anastasia says she felt rejected and overwhelmed.
They speak plainly: Anastasia doesn’t want exclusivity or commitment given her schedule, though she’s attracted to Nate. Nate accepts her terms, jokes about her “shit list,” and they part with tension but clearer boundaries.
During the week, Titans’ practices overrun, enraging Anastasia. When the team again exceeds ice time, she starts her routine on the crowded rink. Seeing the danger, Nate chases her down and carries her off over his shoulder, prompting a furious warning from her to never touch her again. He concedes and compliments her before she storms away.
Later, Nate tries to discover her evening plans. Over texts, Anastasia teases him with bawdy movie references and flips his earlier dirty talk on him, finally daring him to find her before midnight for a sexual reward. Nate recognizes his behavior borders on stalking but is clearly motivated to pursue her.
Who Appears
- Nathan (Nate) HawkinsTitans captain; regrets drunken refusal, apologizes, accepts nonexclusive terms, carries Anastasia off the ice, engages in flirty texts.
- Anastasia (Stassie) AllenFigure skater; feels rejected, sets clear noncommitment boundaries, risks skating during Titans’ practice, angrily rebukes Nate, then flirts by text.
- HenryNate’s roommate; offers Anastasia a safe place to sleep; neutral presence during morning-after talk.
- Sabrina (Brin)Friend/roommate; confronts Nate, reveals Anastasia stayed over, needles him about Henry.
- JJTeammate; present at breakfast, silent witness; warns Nate to focus during practice.
- RobbieTeammate; hungover at breakfast, observes fallout.
- BobbyTeammate; alerts Nate that Anastasia is in danger on the ice.
- Coach FaulknerTitans coach; overruns practice, finally calls the team to finish.
- AaronAnastasia’s partner; argues with her at the rink, absent when she steps onto the ice.