The kids didn’t need to be told twice. They tossed down their pencils and hurried to the front of the class where their jackets and shoes were.
“Where are we going?” Finn asked me as he watched the kids get loud and giddy.
I instructed them to form a line and once they did, led them out of the classroom. “To the rink. They skate for one hour, then get a snack before their folks pick them up.”
Finn perked up, and it was the cutest thing ever.
“This place has a rink?” he asked. The tips of his ears turned red from excitement. I smiled at the reaction. He wore his beanie a lot, so his ears were usually hidden from the world.
“Yup. Most of the kids can’t even stand up straight, but they love it.”
“We’re allowed to go on the ice, too?”
“Sure, if you want.”
“Do you?”
I laughed. We rounded the corner to the rink. Our group of kids broke out in a sprint to where the extra skates were stored. The pre-teen girl in charge of divvying out the skates looked overwhelmed at the sudden rush.
“I’m going to pass. I enjoy having an intact femur.” I spotted Henrik and Lincoln. They were already trying to help some of the little ones keep their balance on their blades.
“Right, that is preferable.” Finn nodded. I assumed he’d leave to join the others. I started toward the stands to find a seat so I could watch from a safe distance. Instead of claiming a pair of skates, Finn followed me. He lowered himself onto the bench, making sure to leave plenty of space between us.
We were quiet at first, watching the kids tug on their skates. A few came by to ask for help with tying them up. Finn gave them a few tips on how to make tight knots that’d last the whole day. I followed his technique, trying to perfect my own knots.
“You’re a natural teacher,” I noted when the last kid left to enjoy the ice.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Despite the grumpiness.”
I smiled. “Maybe because of it. Grumpiness does cut through bullshit rather nicely.”
“I like to think so,” he agreed.
I gestured toward the ice. “You should join them. Maybe teach them a few non-bullshit hockey plays. I’m sure they’d love it.”
He looked tempted by the idea but didn’t move an inch. “I’d rather teach you how to stay upright.”
My heartbeat quickened. It might’ve been my imagination, but his voice sounded deeper now. Lower too, which added a sense of intimacy to our conversation.
“Really?” I squeaked, in the least graceful voice possible.
“There’s nothing like being on the ice. It feels like flying. All your worries just wash away. I noticed you might have some worries today.”
There was a softness in his eyes. A kind of softness I’d never expected when I first met him. What changed? I know I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but this felt so different from the guy who used to avoid me like a plague.
“Will you join me?” He looked at me, dark eyes needy for a ‘yes.’ Damn, if he kept doing that, he’d get me to do whatever he wanted.
Slow down, girl. It’s just skating. Not a date. He’s still a moody roommate. And you’re still hung up on a guy you’ve never met.
“I promise you won’t fall.” Finn sweetened the offer.
“You can’t promise that.”
“Okay, maybe not. But I can promise I’ll do everything in my power to soften your fall. I have years of experience on the ice, so I know how to properly fall. I’ve caused too many not to know how a landing is done.”
I swallowed. “Um…okay, let’s give it a go. But I swear, one almost-slip and I’m outta there.”
He nodded, his ears red again. I chewed my lip, trying not to smile too much. Finn asked for my shoe size before grabbing me a pair of skates. When he got back, he had a few pairs in hand. He kneeled in front of me and before I knew what he was doing, he untied my shoes.
