Max
Isaac’sshocked face was adorable. His blue-green eyes were wide open, and he looked like he was ready to bolt at any moment.
“Come on, it’ll be fun.” I bumped my shoulder against his playfully.
“I’ve only done this a few times, Max, and I really, absolutely, most definitely want to take both of my arms and legs back home with me,” Isaac said while putting his hands in his pockets as though that would nail him to the spot.
“I’ll keep you safe. I’ve been skating for years,” I reassured and grabbed his arm, pulling him up from the seat toward the skate rental counter.
I got us our skates and helped Isaac into his, making sure they were tight enough that he wouldn’t hurt himself if he slipped. Not that I had any intention of allowing that to happen.
As a teenager, I often used skating as an escape during this season. It made me feel like a normal kid to be surrounded by the other people, almost as though we were all here together by design rather than by chance. It was also one of the few places where it was still free to skate.
“Are you ready?” I asked Isaac.
“Not in a million years,” he protested, looking around at the other people on the ice.
“Okay, so I’m going to go first, then you can follow me. Start by holding onto the barrier until you have your balance.”
I stepped inside the rink, loving the feeling of the razor-sharp skates on the ice, turned around, and held a hand for Isaac who followed me as instructed. I asked if he was okay, and he nodded. So far so good. Now it was time for the fun part.
“Isaac, we’re going further into the rink,” I said.
“What? Nooo, no. I can stay here on the side. You go. I’ll watch you.”
He was gripping the barrier so hard I could imagine that his knuckles were white inside the gloves.
“Look at me, Isaac,” I said, placing a hand on his arm, which made him look up at me. “Hold my hands. Both my hands. Open your legs hip wide, bend your knees slightly, and let your chest be your center of gravity.”
Isaac did as I said, keeping his eyes pinned to mine. I bent my legs and pushed the edges of the blades in the right motion to create momentum to go backward. Isaac followed me slowly by going forward as I pulled him toward me.
He looked very unsure, glancing around at the other people as though he would inevitably crash into someone. He was holding on to my hands with such a tight grip that it was almost painful. We picked up a little speed around the rink, him going forward and me backward, and after a little while, I could finally feel him relax into the motion of the skates on the ice.
“Oh my god, I’m skating! This is incredible.” Isaac looked so excited, his face a picture of child-like happiness and innocence.
I remembered the first time I went skating. I’d fallen on my ass a few times but had had the best time. I could see the same reflected in Isaac’s expression, his eyes coming more alive, if that was even possible, his cheeks pink from the cold. I couldn’t help looking down at his lips, plump and slightly parted with his breath coming out in small clouds.
I was so distracted looking at Isaac’s mouth wondering if I’d have my ass handed to me if I kissed him that I didn’t see the small child skating in our direction. One moment, my eyes were on Isaac, and the next, I was looking at the sky with Isaac on top of me. He was lighter than I expected, but I can’t deny his weight on me felt good. Really fucking good.
“All you had to do was ask, you know?” I winked, wrapping my arms around him. “You okay?”
Isaac looked at me, first in shock that we were no longer vertical, and then something passed through his eyes. Something that appeared a lot like lust. I knew I was attracted to Isaac almost from the moment I saw him, so maybe he felt the same way.
“Max,” he hesitated. “I—” Isaac didn’t have a chance to say anything more before we were interrupted.
“Are you okay there?” a female voice shouted at us from the edge of the rink. I looked up to see one of the safety team personnel checking on us. I waved to say we were okay and helped Isaac to his feet.
“Are you guys okay?” a male voice much closer asked. “I’m so sorry. Brian here gets so excited when we come skating that he forgets there are other people around.” He looked down at the small boy who was now looking sheepishly down at his skates.
“Hi, Brian,” I spoke to the boy, kneeling down to his level. “Can I tell you a secret?” He looked at me and nodded. “When I’m skating, I also forget about the other people because I’m having so much fun.” I winked at him, which earned me a smile.
“I think it’s about time for us to leave the rink to the professionals, anyway.” I ruffled Brian’s hair and then reached out and held Isaac’s hand again. He’d taken his gloves off, so I could feel his warm fingers on mine.
It was time to leave, so I turned around and pulled Isaac toward the edge of the rink.
“Have a great Christmas!” I shouted back at Brian and his dad.
We left the rink to exchange the skates for our shoes before heading out of the Winter Village toward one of the most iconic buildings in New York.
