Page 158 of Miami Ice

Or in her case,Dad.

“You can bet Coach is going to keep her within eyesight,” Wyatt says.

“He doesn’t need to. We all know she’s off-limits,” Aiden says quietly.

Beckham coughs. I glance at him, and he shoots me a triumphant look.

Now I’m the one scowling for a change.

“I’m afraid to even look in her direction,” Wyatt says. “The only girl in a family full of players? And daughter ofCoach?No thank you.”

“Like she’d even look at you,” Aiden says.

Wyatt snorts. “Like she’d look at any of us. She knows the reality of hockey players. We’re disgusting and smelly.”

I giggle at that.

“Georgie, sorry, I forgot you were there,” Wyatt says, putting his hand on my shoulder.

“No, I’m laughing because it’s true. Your gear does stink,” I say.

Beckham grins. “I wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting into. Let me lace up your skates, Georgie.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Wyatt and Aiden hit the ice, and I keep my gaze on Aiden as Beckham works on my skates. Wyatt goes over to greet Megan and David and their small children, and Aiden takes a solo lap around the ice. Scarlett’s gaze is riveted the second she sees him, and she leaves her dad’s side and skates over to the opposing bench, resting against it.

Ooh! I think that’s a strategic move!

Aiden skates around the rink, and when he comes to where Scarlett is standing, he stops and they begin to talk.

“Ah-ha!” I say triumphantly.

“You’re that impressed with how I tied your skate?”

“No. Aiden just stopped to talk to Scarlett.”

“So? I’ve stopped to talk to Scarlett. We all know her. Just like we know Becky, Coach’s wife.”

“Scarlett placed herself inpositionso Aiden would talk to her,” I insist.

Beckham snorts as he takes my other foot and gently places it in the skate. “How could you even know that? What if he turned and skated a different direction?”

“She knew he wouldn’t.”

Beckham rolls his eyes. “You’re romanticizing this.”

“As I should. I know what my gut is telling me,” I shift my gaze back toward the ice and watch as Aiden pushes back the lock of hair across his forehead. Scarlett’s eyes are nowhere but on him, and I can say the same about Aiden.

“I think it’s time I redirect your attention to skating,” Beckham says as he finishes tying my skate. “Are you ready?”

I bite my lip. “Remember when I told you I’m not very good?”

“Yeah?” he says as he rises and extends a hand to me.

I put my hand in his and he pulls me up. “I’m bad. Like the whole time I went, I stayed next to the boards and kept one hand on them at all times. I was scared of falling.”

“I promise you, I’m not going to let you fall. Not here,” Beckham says, his eyes locking on mine. “Not ever.”

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