Except they drift anyway.
The game earlier.
Those two boys from Dains school.
The way they'd looked at me when they'd made those comments.
And the way Asher had reacted.
A noise echoes behind me / the heavy door at the back of the rink swinging shut.
I freeze. Fingers stilling on the laces of my second skate as I turn my head to discreetly see who else would be here so late at night.
It's almost ten, surely every would be too busy at whatever party is being thrown tonight to make their way to an empty arena.
The only idiots I know who come here when it's empty are Charlotte and me.
And Asher it seems.
His blue eyes settles on mine instantly and he changes course, headed for me.
My heart thumps once then stills.
I hadn't seen him since his sister, and I escaped from this exact arena hours earlier.
Was it so bad if I was hoping for at-least a few more hours, if not days of peace before I had to talk to him?
I know we have to talk about that . . . kiss. Had to smooth over it and set boundaries.
It can't happen again.
It won't.
My heart starts beating double time as Asher stops in front of me.
The air changes.
"I have a question."
I stay seated, avoiding looking at him as I focus on tying my laces. Maybe he'll realise I'm too much work and walk away.
One can only hope.
I pull harder on my skate laces than necessary. "I'm waiting for Charlie."
He drops down on the bench beside me anyway.
Close.
Too close.
"You didn't stay after the game," he says. "Didn't go home either."
"How did you-" my eyes settle on him and he grins. I narrow my gaze. "So, you found me here?"
"I knew you'd be here." He shrugs.
I glance away from him then. Not wanting to look at him. "Why?"
