Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
Walking into Delta Ice Arena, I’m flooded with all the memories I’ve made in this place. But I have a feeling that tonight, I might make my favorite one of all.
“Now will you tell me what we’re doing?” Brogan asks anxiously at my side.
I laugh. “You seriously haven’t figured it out yet? What could we possibly do at an ice rink?”
Her eyes widen. “ Noooo! Are we ice skating?”
“Damn straight we are.” I pull her hand, leading the way to the locker room where all my gear is stored. “I’ve gotta make a quick stop to grab my skates, then we’ll go get you sized up.”
Her brows rise. “Is the skate rental even open?”
“A buddy of mine works security here and he owes me a favor for going to his son’s school last year to talk about ice hockey.”
Brogan sits on a bench outside the locker room while I grab my skates, a sweatshirt for her, and my practice jersey just for added effect.
When I walk out, I motion for her to stand and I pull the sweatshirt over her, then top it off with my jersey. I take a step back and look at her and it’s like my fantasy has come to life. She looks sexy as fuck.
“So tell me, Hayes. How many other girls have worn your jersey?”
We round the corner and I see Johnny standing beside the counter holding a ring full of keys. “You’re the first, and likely the last. I’m not very good at sharing.”
My response makes her smile.
“What’s up, Johnny.” I stretch my hand out to him and he returns it with a shake.
“I could get in some deep shit over this, Madden.” He narrows his eyes. “You’ve got one hour.”
Johnny turns the key in the door to unlock it, then gestures for us to go inside. I wish I had a pair of skates that aren't worn and smelly to offer Brogan. Unfortunately, she’ll have to wear a pair of shitty rentals.
I help her get the correct size then we head out to the rink to get them on.
“I think you should know something,” she begins as I lace her up. “I’m a terrible ice skater and it’s in your best interest to just let me hold the wall.”
“Hell no.” I chuckle. “The only thing you’ll be holding out there is my hand.” I look up and flash her a smile. “By the time we’re done, you’ll be skating better than the team’s ice girls.”
She looks legitimately terrified. “Don’t hold your breath on that.”
I reach for her hands and pull her to her feet. “You’ll be fine. I’ve got you.”
Balancing carefully on the toe of the blades, she stretches her left arm out to brace herself if she falls. Not that I’d ever let that happen.
“You’re just full of surprises, Hayes Madden.”
“Is it safe to assume you’ve been enjoying our forty-eight hours together?”
A smile spreads across her face when she looks at me. “I really have.” Her voice is soft and sincere, her eyes glistening with excitement.
I step onto the ice first, then take both her hands and guide her out. “Well, It ain’t over yet, baby.”
She squeals as her blades glide a few inches and her legs slowly drift apart.
I glide backward, leaving delicate lines on the ice. Her legs tremble as I lead her farther and farther away from the edge until we're in the center of the rink.
“Hayes,” she bellows as her feet begin to move in opposite directions.
“Bring them legs together, Legs. You can do this.”
With a swift jerk, I pull her body to mine. Our chests collide and I wrap my arms around her waist.
The lights dim and I look across the rink and see Johnny near the light panel, his thumbs in the air. I didn't ask him to do that, but I’m not angry he did.
Brogan cranes her neck, looking at me. “Are you trying to romance me, Hayes Madden?”
I don’t know what it is about the way she says my full name, but I fucking love the way it rolls off her tongue.
“Maybe I am. After all, we have a pretty big date coming up.”
“Ahh,” she chortles. “The video? I was starting to think maybe you forgot.”
“How can I? You mention it every time we’re together.” I try not to say this with the same amount of distaste I have at the idea of being her puppet and nothing more. But, maybe that is what I did to her when we first met so it’s only fair.
She shrugs. “A deal is a deal.”
“Right.” I nod as I pull her to the end of the rink.
Part of me wonders if she’d even be here with me right now if it weren’t for our deal. I can’t complain—I asked for this. In fact, this entire thing was my idea. The video, forty-eight hours together. I guess I just didn’t think she’d actually go along with it. But here we are. Me, falling hard. And her, holding on for the ride thinking it’s all some game.
Pushing pressure against my hands, she tries to move faster so I keep up with her pace. “Look at you being a little dare devil,” I tease.
“I think I’m starting to get the hang of it,” she says confidently.
She tries to move even faster, but I slow her down just a tad. “Easy, Legs.”
Just as I do, her legs drift apart again and the next thing I know, she’s falling to the side. I reach out and grab her by the waist, lifting her up until her back is straight.
Her body falls into mine and she holds on like her life depends on it. Wide eyes stare back at me and just when I think she’s going to panic, she bursts out in laughter. “I’m terrible at this.”
“Nah. You’re doing great. You haven’t hit the ice yet, so count that as a win.” It takes everything in me not to press a soft kiss to her hair right now with her so close. I don’t even know why I want to, but I do.
She peers up at me with adoration as I hold onto her. “How’s your lip?” Her hand comes between us and she gently runs her finger over the cut.
I gulp, wanting to tell her that her lips are the band-aid it needs. Instead, I just say, “better now.”
We do a few more laps and before I know it, the lights return to full brightness. I find Johnny again and he nods, signaling us to get the hell out of here before he loses his job.
With gentle ease, I help her off the ice, and she sits down on the closest chair, nearly breathless. Most people don’t realize how much of a workout a few laps can be, especially when you’re new to skating. “I can’t believe we just did that.”
I crouch down in front of her and unlace her skates. “What do you think…you ready to try out for the ice girls cheer team?”
“Not a chance.” She laughs. “But I did have fun.”
I smile. “Me, too.”
Our ride is waiting for us outside the main doors of the arena; only this time, I’m not getting in with her. I’ve realized something about Brogan that I’m not even sure she knows about herself. She likes to have people around and I don’t think she would ever tell me to leave. I think if I want to make this real for her, I need her to want to ask me to stay. Not just that, but I want it to be a conscious choice, not just one of convenience.
Once she’s seated in the back, I lean into the doorframe. “Night, Legs.”
“Wait. You’re not coming?” Shocked eyes look back at me.
I shake my head. “Think I’m gonna quit while I’m ahead tonight.”
“Ahh.” She quirks a brow even as something sad crosses her features. “An underachiever?”
“Something like that.” I wink before closing the door and tapping the roof to signal the driver he can leave.
I could have dragged the night out and spent the rest of it with her—God knows I wanted to. But after the way she reacted to our kiss last night, I think she needs to miss me a little bit. I gave her a memorable two nights. Now I just need to hope it was enough.