“No.”
“It’s not?”
I shake my head. “How am I supposed to concentrate on what my legs are doing when I’m focused on you?”
“I am pretty distracting.”
“You wouldn’t make a good teacher.” I laugh.
“Then it’s a good thing I don’t plan on going into the profession.”
“Or I should put a paper bag over your head so I can try to learn.”
Troy laughs, echoing around the empty rink. “Then I guess I shouldn’t tell you to picture me naked to make it easier?”
“You do not do that during tutoring sessions, do you?”
“I’d get nothing done if I did.” Troy pulls back from me and I keep following him. “But I got you to skate on your own.”
“You did?” I look down at my feet before glancing back up at Troy. “Holy shit! I’m doing it!”
“Looks like the student has become the master.”
“I’ll be coming for your starting spot any day now.”
“You’d look good in a jersey, Ang.”
I push off on my skates like Troy taught me and try to get closer to him. “Brooks-Young might not fit on a jersey. I think I’ll stick to cheering you on.”
“My favorite fan.” Troy spins around me, which catches me off guard.
“Troy!”
I try to correct, but my feet come out from under me and I fall back into Troy, knocking us both down onto the ice.
He hisses. “It’s a lot softer of a landing with gear on.”
“I told you I wasn’t good at this.”
“You were getting the hang of it.”
Troy shifts me off him, the ice cold under my jeans. Now that we’re not skating, the boots are tight on my ankles.
“I couldn’t do this every day.”
Troy looks around him. “It’s weird. That my future involves a pair of skates and ice.”
“Don’t forget the stick.”
“You’re learning.”
“I’m also learning that it’s really cold being on the ice.”
“C’mon then.” Troy hops up with ease and pulls me to my feet. Instead of being shaky like I was the first time, I have a bit more confidence. We do a few more laps before heading back to the bench.
With my hands in his, I’d follow him just about anywhere.
A thought that is thrilling me more and more.
