“Want to go ice skating now?” he asks at the same time I say, “Time for ice skating?”
Both of our lips snap shut in surprise, and then we burst out laughing and make our way to the ice skating rink.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Raven
It seems the student body of Harrington Bay Academy isn’t much of a fan of ice skating. The rink is nearly empty. That makes me happy because the last thing I want is the place to be so crowded that there’s barely enough room to skate. Some students have chosen hockey skates over ice skates.
Addie and Caleb have joined us as well. After we get our skates, we sit down on the benches to put them on. Caleb seems nervous about it because he’s never been skating before and he knows he’ll fall down on his butt many times, but he’s happy to partake in this activity with Addie. She promises she’ll hold his hand every step of the way and help him up when he falls.
After they get into the rink, Kylen smiles at me. “Their relationship is so sweet.”
“Have you noticed he’s a little overprotective of her?” I ask as I tie my skates.
“Hmm...yeah, I guess so. He always looks like he’s watching his back, too.”
“That’s because he was hired to be her bodyguard. It’s a long story, but her life was in danger and he was hired to protect her.”
His jaw falls open. “Seriously?”
“Yep.”
“That’s wild. And they fell in love?”
“Yeah. And now Caleb is living a normal life.”
Kylen whistles. “My life is so boring compared to that.”
I laugh. “Your life is anything but boring. I think their life is just a bit too exciting.”
“Maybe you’re right. Okay, my skates are on. Get ready to see me fall flat on my face. Many, many times.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right at your side.”
“Thanks.”
Before we step onto the ice, I offer to take his hand. He tells me he wants to see how he’ll do first. Maybe by some miracle he’ll fly across the rink like he’s been doing it his whole life. But as soon as both of his feet are on the ice, he loses his balance and crashes down, gliding a few inches away from me.
I skate over to him and hold out my hand. “Are you okay?”
“That was definitely not my finest moment.” At that second, Caleb’s skates scratch across the ice as he tumbles down as well. “It’s not his finest moment, either.”
“At least you’re in good company,” I say as Kylen slides his hand into mine and I pull him to his feet. He once again loses his balance, but I steady him.
“Thanks,” he says. “I think for my own safety, I should hold onto your hand.”
“Good idea.”
Tightening my grip on his hand, I lead him along the rink. He’s very unsteady at first, but his legs eventually get used to the skates and he does a much better job. This is only his second or third time on the ice, but he’s a quick learner.
“Much better,” I say with an encouraging smile.
“Thanks. There’s nothing to it, really. Just a lot of concentration and determination—” He loses his balance again and crashes down, taking me with him.
“Are you okay?” He quickly sits up and puts his hands on my cheeks. Even though he’s wearing gloves, the area burns. “Sorry. I really thought I had it down.”
“I’m okay, thanks. You?”
