Page 79 of Head Over Skates

“Actually,” she says hesitantly. “I’m going to visit Nancy at the jail today to talk about the whole Malcolm Chase issue.”

I pause with my sandwich halfway to my mouth, frowning. Nancy may have had good intentions with the trophy theft, but I don't fully trust her.

"Em, is that really necessary?" I ask. "She committed a crime, after all."

"I know, but she was fighting for a good cause," Emily argues. "The women staff at the arena do deserve equal pay. Nancyjust… went about it the wrong way. I still think it's important to show her some support."

I'm about to suggest that visiting a felon in jail is a ludicrous idea when there's a sharp knock at the front door.

Emily's head perks up.

"Are you expecting someone?" she asks.

I shake my head. "No, not that I can think of."

The knock sounds again, more insistent this time. I get up from the kitchen table and head over to the front door, peering out the peephole. I'm surprised to see Shannon standing there on my front step, an impatient look on her face. What is she doing here? She’s been to my house exactly once in the past five years, and that was to return the new iPhone I’d bought for his fifth birthday. I suppose it was an extravagant gift for a five-year-old. She still won’t let me get him one. I have to wait until he’s sixteen, apparently.

I take a deep breath before opening the door. Shannon’s standing there, an unimpressed look on her face as she holds up an official letter bearing the crest of Bayview Heights Academy.

"Care to explain this?" she asks sharply, shaking the letter.

“Oops.” I make a face, paired with an exaggerated shrug. “Surprise?”

“You went behind my back, Owen.”

“Youwhat?” Emily’s bare feet pad on the hardwood floor behind me. “You said you weren’t going to do that anymore.”

Lovely. I have two women mad at me now.

“In my defense, this was set in motion before I said that. So technically?—”

Emily lands her angry feet right next to me, looking every bit the snack I wanted for lunch before she started grating the cheese.

“I’m sorry,” Shannon says, eyes scanning Emily’s bare legs. “I didn’t know you had company.”

I realize it probably looks like my lady friend isn’t wearing any pants. Maybe that will convince Shannon to leave.

I hook a thumb over my shoulder. “This is Emily.”

“Hi!” Emily waves.

“Oh you’re Emily? The Zamboni driver? Cyrus doesn’t stop talking about you.”

“He’s an amazing kid,” Emily says.

“I think so,” Shannon agrees. “Then again, I’m biased.”

“I love your earrings.”

Shannon’s hand flies to her ears. “Thanks. Cyrus used his allowance money at the school holiday fair so he could give me a Christmas gift. I made sure the tooth fairy left extra cash the next time she visited.”

“They’re gorgeous. Cyrus had great taste.”

Shannon walks right by me to shake Emily’s hand, telling her how Cyrus likes to draw pictures of himself riding a Zamboni. The girls continue to chat as I close the door, mumbling under my breath, “Um, okay. Come in I guess?”

“Would you like something to eat?” Emily offers. “I make a mean grilled cheese. White English cheddar and brie.”

“Thanks, but I just ate. I only came to chew this guy out.”

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