“If I fall again, I’m leaving.” Since we’d arrived at the skating rink an hour ago, I’d already taken two, very public, very embarrassing hard falls. He opened his mouth to speak, probably to give me another pep talk, but I rushed on. “And don’t tell me I got this again. I pretty much suck at this.”
Bliss zoomed past me, looking all elegant and shit. She waved. “Come on, Char. Get out here and try again.”
“She makes me sick,” I grumbled, holding on to Dex’s arm for dear life. “It’s her fault we’re here.”
For Bliss’ birthday, she’d chosen torture. A day full offunactivities. Rock climbing, laser tag, and now roller skating. Shooting lasers at each other in the dark wasn’t bad, but holding on to tiny little knobs while I climbed a wall was awful. I didn’t make it far before I hyperventilated. Dex had to pry my hands away as I held on for dear life.
“Where did Lennox take Blake anyway?” I asked. I couldn’t look at him because I was too busy staring at the carpet as we moved slowly. I bit the inside of my cheek, dreading what I knew was coming next. “How did she get out of this?”
Dex tugged me forward, finally pulling me onto the slick floor. “I have no idea.” He linked his fingers with mine. “But something tells me she’ll come back engaged.”
For a moment, I forgot where I was and peered up at him. I paid for that when I nearly toppled over onto my butt. Again. But Dex’s arms wrapped around my waist, preventing me from yet another fall. I gripped his shirt. “Thanks.”
He kissed my brow. “I got you.”
“You better.”
“Hold on tight.”
When we did one round without so much as a stumble, I finally glanced at him instead of the floor. “I’m doing it.” My foot chose that exact moment to betray me, resulting in my knee buckling, which in turn caused a domino effect. I fell first and pulled Dex down with me.
Dex groaned, holding his back. “Damn, Pretty.”
Pain shot through my leg. “Ouch! I’m sorry.”
Mama V and Papa Stew rolled past us, hand in hand, in sync. They looked like teenagers out there, so smooth, doing little tricks and spins. They didn’t even notice that we’d wiped out, but Duke did.
“Shit.” Duke stopped in front of us. “Char, I’m only telling you this because you’re cute, and you deserve to not look crazy as hell out here. Get off the damn floor and take off those skates.”
I glared at Duke. “I hate you.”
Duke winked at me. “Sis, you’re bad-ass. You can install a switchboard and inspect conduits like a boss. But skating is not your thing.”
I cracked up. “I really hate you,” I repeated.
Dex stood. “Shut the hell up, bruh.” He reached out his hand to me. “Come on, Pretty.”
I grabbed his hand and let him help me to my feet, only for me to almost fall yet again. I squeezed his waist.Oh boy.
“I told you,” Duke teased. “You suck.”
“If I didn’t have on these skates, I would kick your ass,” I remarked, clinging to Dex as he slowly pulled me toward the carpeted area.
Duke followed us. “You tried that in first grade already.”
While Dex had always been nice to me, Duke used to be a little shit. Always picking on me, always pointing out when I tripped or had food on my face. It wasn’t until he’d entered middle school that our relationship became more sibling-like. Today was no exception. He’d always treated me like a sister. Which was good because he was protective and genuine and kind. Even when he was calling me out or making fun of me. Yep, he got on my damn nerves. But I was sure his sisters felt the same.
Finally, I made it to the round bench near the lockers. My body was on fire, and not in a thoroughly-sexed way. Everything hurt. My arms, my legs, my head, my toes.
“Remind me never to let Bliss talk me into skates again.” I sipped on the frozen coke Dex had bought for me.
Dallas, who was munching on a plate of nachosanda soft pretzel, giggled. “It won’t work. I still can’t tell herno. And I’m not that nice.”
I laughed. “I swear she’s like Tinkerbell, sprinkling fairy dust on everyone she encounters.”
I’d heard Mama V call Bliss theHeartof their family. And I couldn’t disagree. The matchmaker by trade had always been so sweet, so open, so giving. She’d excelled in school and in life.
Dex placed one of my legs on his lap and untied my skate. “Bliss has the gift of persuasion.”
