Grabbing Sutton’s hand, I lead her over to the bench so we can watch the two of them. Orange cones line one end of the ice. Contraptions to help them skate are sitting in front of each of them. A few of the students that play on the school’s club team are helping Ace out today.
“Ace is about the only person I’d trust to help teach them to skate.”
Sutton rolls her eyes at me. “Fine. I guess I’m being overly cautious.”
I peck her cold cheek. “It’s okay.”
Ace and one of the other players starts to instruct both kids. Their moves are wobbly at first, but it’s easy to see when they start to adjust.
“See? Look. They’re doing good.”
“I mean, I guess even I can see the smile on Lydia’s face from here.”
Troy falls right on his butt, but before I can react, Sutton is standing up, ready to run onto the ice.
“He’s okay.” I grab her hand and pull her back down.
“Are you sure?” Sutton worries her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Listen.” From here, I can hear Troy laughing as Ace helps him back up onto his skates. “See? He’s good.”
Sutton shakes her head. “I don’t know how your parents watched you play football.”
Reaching out, I clasp her hands in mine. “I think it was easy for them because they knew how much I enjoyed playing.”
“Do you ever miss it?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No. Maybe if I was a different kind of player in the league, I would, but not now. High school? I loved playing under the lights, but I never regret giving it up.”
Being here with Troy is the easiest thing ever. I wouldn’t want to be in Missy’s shoes, trying to get to know him now when she’s been gone for so long.
The rink is cold as Ace continues showing the kids different things. For just starting out, both Lydia and Troy seem to have taken to the ice. Neither one of them were scared when they were strapping on their skates.
Me? If I had to learn to skate or play hockey at my age, I don’t know if I’d have the nerves to do it.
Ace skates Lydia and Troy over to the gate for a water break and Sutton pops over to see Lydia. I walk over to the gate with Troy’s water bottle.
Lifting his helmet, I hold out a hand for him to give him a high five. “Are you having fun?”
He nods, taking a drink.
“This is so fun, Daddy.” Troy’s smile takes up his entire face. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him so happy. And this coming from the kid who is always happy.
“You think you want to play?” I ask him.
He nods, the helmet strap coming loose. “Yes. Can Lydia play with me?”
“She can, as long as Sutton agrees.” Something I’m going to have to work on. I’m hoping this will be something fun the two of them can do together for a long time.
“He’s playing hockey?” a high-pitched voice interrupts us. “Is this safe?”
“Go back on the ice, okay?” I encourage Troy to walk back to the ice, not before tightening the strap of his helmet.
His happy head bobs as Ace holds the gate open for him to step back onto the ice. Lydia is skating in circles with the cone as Troy follows suit.
“Is it really a good idea for him to play hockey?”
I spin toward the voice, trying not to let the anger take over. Missy is standing there, big gold hoops hanging from her earlobes. Her hair is tied back in a high ponytail and she’s wearing a pair of jeans, a tight T-shirt, and heels.
