Chapter 45
I’m Rose and you’re Jack
Kazimir
Iskate backwards, looking over my shoulder, as I weave in and out through kids and adults on the ice. A few of them wave. All of them are grinning ear to ear. I jerk my chin in response.
I return my focus to my student.
Harley is gripping both my hands to the point of cutting off my blood circulation. She’s as wobbly as a newborn giraffe.
“Relax,” I say. “It’ll be a lot easier if you don’t lock your knees.”
“I’m going to die. No, I’m going to fall, crack open my skull, bleed all over this ice, then die.”
“You’re wearing a helmet.”
“So, what?” Her eyes are glued to her feet. “This is ice. Ice kills.”
I suppress a chuckle. “You’re doing great, Harley.”
“Spare me the bullshit. I’m going to die.”
“All kids start off unsure on their feet.”
“Yeah, well, by the time they reach my age, they’re no longer making fools out of themselves.”
“You’re not. What you’re doing takes courage.”
Her gaze lifts to meet mine.
“You’re stepping out of your comfort zone.”
She offers a lopsided smile.
It’s a shy one, but it could still light up this arena.
She’s adorable in her helmet with blonde strands spilling from it.
“Thanks for saying that— Whoa.”
She loses her balance, her feet moving at a rapid pace on the ice, as she tries to right herself.
I brake and steady her. “I got you.”
“Oh my God, I just saw my whole life flash in front of my eyes.” She huffs out a breath. “I think this lesson is over for today.”
“Skating is so freeing. I want you to experience that.”
She bites on her lower lip. “I don’t know, Kaz.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“Answer me.”
She arches a brow.
“Harley, do you trust me?”
“I do.”
I grab her around the waist and lift her up in my arms.
She shrieks.
“Wrap your legs around my waist. Careful with the blades.”
She does as she’s told.
“We’re going to skate together.”
Her arms snake around my neck. This close, the floral scent of her shampoo tickles my nostrils.
“Why didn’t you suggest this from the beginning?”
“I’m not going to torture you any further, but I do want you to experience this.
” I hold her gaze. “Since I retired, the charity is my way to keep skating at the level that made me who I was as an athlete. I don’t expect you to turn pro overnight, but I want you to leave here understanding a little bit more of who I am. ”
Her eyes are misty. “Okay, Number 22. Show me what you got.”
“Hold on tight,” I say.
Her legs squeeze my waist. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
With my hands on her ass, I haul her further up. “Here we go.”
I skate at a moderate pace, zigzagging through kids and parents who stare at us with excitement flashing in their eyes.
“How is it so far?”
“We’re not at heaven’s door yet, so I’d say, you’re doing okay.”
I pinch her ass.
“Hey!”
I speed up.
She intakes a sharp breath.
I whip around a group of four girls, and they all giggle.
I flip around and skate backwards.
Harley pulls her head back and opens her arms out. “I’m flying. I’m Rose and you’re Jack and this is Titanic on ice.”
“Nana loved that movie.” A pang of sadness hits me like it does every time I think of her.
“Your grandmother had great taste.”
I can only manage to nod. “Do you want me to go faster?”
Her arms tighten around me. “Hell, no. This is enough excitement for me. If you go any faster, we’ll crash into an iceberg, you’ll die, and I’ll end up being a one-hundred-year-old woman, retelling the story of how the love of her life refused to get on the damn door with her—even though there was plenty of room—and robbed her of her happy ever after. ”
She’s a dichotomy. She’s all sunshine, but sometimes, there’s a dark, ominous cloud looming over her head.
My forehead touches her helmet. “Thanks for trusting me.”
“I feel safe when I’m with you.”
Her words tug at my core, soothing the part of me that yearns to protect her. To make her mine.
All my good intentions go flying out the window. I don’t care about prying eyes. Or that everyone in this arena has a camera.
I kiss Harley like her life depends on it.
She pulls away from me. “Best. Lesson. Ever.”
“You know what comes after the lesson?”
She shakes her head.
“The best thing you can do for your muscles is to take a hot shower. And to be eco-conscious, I suggest we take one together.”
“Man, I love ice skating.”