Page 64 of Ice Me Baby

I can’t help but laugh. “Well, your mama should be proud.” I make my way to the ice, not wanting to waste any time. I won’t have much time to enjoy the ice once the season starts.

Sitting on the bench, I slip my shoes off and my skates on. I glide out onto the ice, and a smile creases my face. Closing my eyes, I inhale the cool, icy smell of the rink. My body relaxes the longer I skate. The sound of the blades cutting through the ice echoes around the rink.

A feeling of freedom surrounds me as I glide over the ice. I’m so lost in the feeling that I don’t notice someone else is here until music echoes around the rink. My eyes shoot open, and I glance around till my eyes meet a figure standing at the edge of the ice.

I smirk when he skates in my direction. I wait until he’s closer, then ask, “I thought you had practice today?”

Mac grins and skates around me in a circle. “Do you know how long you’ve been here?”

I shake my head as I watch him circle. He stops in front of me before holding out a hand. “Well, Chérie. May I have this dance?”

My eyes widen when I hear Can I Have This Dance playing over the speakers. It’s the song that was playing when he found me after I had fallen on the ice. The day I pushed myself to the breaking point just to prove that I could still skate.

I slide my hand into his, and he smiles and tugs me closer. “How are we supposed to dance on the ice?” I whisper.

“Like this,” he says, then pushes me away. He doesn’t release my hand, though, instead he pulls me back, lifting his arm, so I spin under it. I’m brought back to his chest before he begins to skate backward.

It feels like we are slow dancing on ice as I let him drag me along before spinning us slowly. He lifts my hand to rest on his shoulder, and I use my other hand to twine my fingers behind his neck. The smile he gives me is blinding. I can’t help but giggle as I lay my head against his chest, inhaling his peppermint and pine smell.

I feel him kiss the top of my head as we continue to skate around the rink at a leisurely pace, even when the song changes. Voice soft, he asks, “Did you have a good day?”

I nod against his chest. “Yeah. It’s even better now.”

His deep chuckle vibrates through his chest. “How so?”

“You’re here,” I whisper.

He hums as he tugs me closer. “My day is better now too.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I’m standing on a bench as I clap my hands and announce, “Alright boys! This is the first official game of the season.” Only a few of my boys are playing this first game, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t make sure they were fit to play, just in case.

Dean, Vicy, Taz, and Mac are my players in this first game, and I’m sure Danni made sure her boys were ready to go as well. Our little ritual carried over from our pre-games to today. This game is huge, considering we face off against the Tampa Tiger Sharks. That’s the team my college bestie works for. I haven’t messaged Jess much since arriving here, so she’s pissed, but in my defense, I’ve been a bit distracted.

Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I focus on my guys. “Now, the roster has been finalized. Danni and I have done all we can to make sure the team is at its best today, so I need you guys to jump in and help Lewi, Vicy, and Taz.” I point toward Merc and Ozzy. They are the first on the ice if need be. But I look at the others as well. Everyone will be geared up for the game, but Coach Fernandez has a plan, and we are going to stick to it asbest as we can. All I can do is make sure my boys are ready to play.

“All of you have looked great on the ice. We’ve got this game in the bag if we stick to the plan.” I point to each guy as I narrow my eyes. “Don’t do anything stupid!”

They all chuckle and nod. I can’t help but smirk as I yell, “Get your asses to the locker room!” I stay standing on the bench as each of them give me a fist bump before passing.

I watch Mac bump Dean’s shoulder when they leave. And I see Dean give him a sad smile before lifting his cellphone to his ear. He veers off to the right as Mac turns to the left with a huff.

My brows pinch as I hear grumbled words out in the hallway. Stepping down from the bench, I hurriedly grab my stuff. Clipping my medical pouch around my waist and dropping my ID tag around my neck, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

Pressing my ear to the door, I can barely hear Dean and whoever he’s talking to. I slowly open the door before closing it behind me to be as quietly as possible. I walk in the direction I hear grumbling. The closer I get, the more I realize how upset he sounds.

I stop at the corner, listening in on a conversation I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself.

“Dad. It’s the first game of the season,” he grunts into the phone.

There’s a huff over the phone before a male's voice replies, “I am not stupid son. I know when the season starts.” I definingly shouldn’t be here if he has the conversation on speakerphone.

Dean sighs, and I peek around the corner to see him leaning against the wall. His head thumps against it as he explains, “I wasn’t implying you were stupid, Dad. I am only stating that you and Mom have never missed the first game before. It’s the most important one of the season.”

The sound of mumbled words comes through the phone before the man's voice becomes clear again. “The way you play hasn’t changed since you were a child. Our attendance at your first game versus your last will not make a difference.”

“Dad...” he pleads. My heart clenches at the plea I hear in his voice as he looks down at the phone.

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