“No, I’m okay,” Cody said.
“Yeah, thanks though,” Marcus said.
“We’ve got half a Lumberjack and some Veggie Delight in here,” Reese said. “It’s just going to go to waste if someone doesn’t eat it.”
Marcus looked at Cody, some silent communication passing between them. Finally, Cody nodded.
“Yeah, okay,” Marcus said. “If you don’t want it.”
Roan handed him the box and watched the boys open it. The way they grabbed the slices—too fast, too eager—told himeverything he needed to know about when they’d last eaten. They devoured the pizza in huge bites, barely chewing.
Reese’s hand found Roan’s, squeezing tight.
Jason and Mauve arrived with six pairs of skates.
“I’m ready to skate,” Reese said. “And we got some for you guys, just in case you were interested. I didn’t realize you two were too cool for it.”
Marcus was already nodding, hope written all over his face. Cody took longer, his jaw tight, that defensive pride warring with want.
“I mean, if you got the skates already,” Marcus said. “It would be rude not to use them.”
“Yeah, sure. If you guys are that into it, then we’ll do it,” Cody said.
“Great, let’s get them on,” Reese said. “I can’t wait to show off how good I am.”
That made everyone laugh.
They all headed to the temporary bleachers to put on their skates. The boys laced up quickly.
“Have you guys skated before?” Roan asked.
“When I was little,” Marcus said. “Before my mom …got hooked. She used to take me.”
“Yeah, my mom too. Before she died. We used to skate a lot.” Cody stood on his skates. “C’mon, Marcus. Let’s go show them how it’s done.”
The boys took off, considerably more light-hearted now that they’d had something to eat and had skates on their feet. Soon they were racing around the rink, shouting to each other.
Mauve and Jason entered the rink together, holding hands. Mauve slipped almost immediately, but Jason held her up, giving her instructions.
“You ready?” Roan asked Reese.
She looked up at him, smiling. “Hold my hand?”
“I’d like nothing more.”
The two of them skated onto the ice, gliding easily over the surface. Overhead,Run Rudolph Runcame on.
“Oh, I love this one,” Reese said, tugging his hand. “Let’s go faster.”
Marcus and Cody joined them, and the four of them skated together—sometimes racing, sometimes just gliding in easy circles. Jason and Mauve drifted over, and soon all six of them were skating as a group. Mauve stayed close to the side, but the rest of them wove between the other skaters.
They were on the ice for forty-five minutes until, breathless, Mauve suggested it was time for hot chocolate. “I’ve been tortured long enough.”
“Thank you for the skates,” Marcus said to Jason.
“Yeah, thanks,” Cody mumbled.
“My pleasure,” Jason said.
