He shrugged. “I bet I can do it.”
“Oh yeah?” I pointed at the ice. “Try a spin.”
He pushed off the boards with a cocky swagger. A few of his teammates watched, hyping him up. He studied my demonstration, then attempted to repeat it without success. He frowned.
“That was a pitiful spin,” I said through a cackle.
“Okay, how about this,” he said. “Let’s battle it out. Who’s got it harder, figure skaters or hockey players.”
“You’re on.”
We started with backwards skating. I won, then he crushed me in forward speed, swinging around while I was at the halfway mark to chase me around the rink.
Challenge forgotten, I zipped around with unrestrained laughter until he caught me around the waist. My pulse sped up at the feel of him against my back.
“Got you,” he muttered next to my ear.
“Yo, Cole!” Benson called.
My heart plummeted when he left to join my brother. I reminded myself he didn’t see me the way I wished he would.
I’m pulled from my recollection when Cole announces, “Looks like that’s time. Come on, some of your parents are already waiting for you.”
“Show them how good you’re getting,” I encourage.
The group of students get excited, eagerly skating to the exit. We hang back, making sure they manage on their own without our assistance. It stirs a flicker of pride when each kid skates with confidence.
“Is it bad I’d rather hang out here teaching the kids than deal with their parents?” he mutters to me.
I smirk. “Getting tired of the single ones trying to hit on you after every class?”
I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t part of me that gets irritated whenever I catch someone flirting with Cole. I want to shove ourchat history in all their faces and stomp in a circle around him to warn them all to back off.
“Yes. They won’t take a hint. It’s getting awkward. I don’t know how many ways I can say no, sorry, not interested.”
He whips off his Heston U Hockey hat and sifts his fingers through his hair. I grab his hand once he puts it back on.
“I’ll protect you.”
“How?”
It’s his turn to smirk, dimples appearing. He keeps me in place, drawing my chin up with his fingers. A flutter moves through me.
“Are you gonna kiss me, Evie?” His voice dips. “Here and now?”
I freeze, lips parted and eyes wide. “I, uh, I mean—wecould, if that’s what you think will stop them, but, well, people talk. What if word gets to Benson or my dad?”
His deep, rumbling laugh cuts off my stammering. “Relax, sweetheart. I’m not going to ravish you on the ice. Not unless you ask me nicely.”
I’m burning from the tips of my ears to my toes. The corners of his gleaming eyes crinkle and he pats my head.
“You’re so cute when you’re flustered. Come on. If any of them try to put the moves on me, I’ll tell them I’m taken.”
I wait a full minute after he skates off, needing the breather to cool down. When I leave the ice, he’s laughing with two of the dads he plays hockey with on the recreational team.
People filter out quickly. One of the moms flags me down before I sit to take my skates off.
“Oh, Eve! While you’re here, I’ve got a question about these. Are they customizable? And do you take bulk orders?”
