Page 18 of The Comeback

“Oh, it’s been a while. Like eighth grade,” I reply.

His eyes widen. “What? You haven’t been skating since then? That’s a travesty we need to fix. Stat. Come on.”

I have zero desire to end up with bruises on my ass, so I hesitate at the door leading onto the ice.

Bastian’s dark eyes meet mine with a serious intent as he holds his arms out again. “I won’t let you fall.”

I believe him. I shouldn’t, but I do, so I reach out, close my eyes and take the step down. My ankles wobble, threatening to fail me, but he stays true to his promise, keeping me upright when my legs betray me, and the borrowed skates slide out from under me. I squeal, bracing myself for the fall that never comes when he closes his fingers around my waist, holding me steady.

My heart pounds as I tilt my head up at him. His eyes are dark with an emotion I’m not quite ready to identify. That feeling I got when we were in his room. That urge to lean in and brush my lips against his is overwhelming. I shake my head and pull back. Everything about that idea is dangerous.

I widen my eyes, drinking in his features. From the chiseled jaw to the waves of his dark hair that I can almost imagine between my fingers. He’s too pretty to be nice. I’ve learned through experience, limited though it may be, to be wary of the ones with the prettiest faces. The looks usually only hide something cruel or thoughtless. I know better than to trust myself with this boy who broke me before. We’re here for a reason and it’s not kissing.

I test my balance and pull out of his grasp, already getting more comfortable on my feet. Who knew skating was like riding a bicycle? I’m rusty, but I can handle this. My weight shifts and I push off, gliding away from him. The cool air nips at my cheeks and there’s freedom in gliding across the ice. I’d forgotten how good this feels. It’s going so well I get bold and try a small twirl. Nope. Too much. My legs flail and my ass hits the unforgiving ice when I can’t regain my balance.

Sebastian is almost a blur he skates over so fast. A look of concern crosses his face when he sees my shaking shoulders.

He drops into a crouch beside me, and his peppermint scent washes over me. “Are you, ok?”

The laugh I was trying to suppress bubbles out. “Yes…I’m fine.” I get the words out between gasps of laughter.

When he realizes I’m not hurt, he plops down on the ice next to me and joins in.

I don’t even know why I’m finding this so funny. The cold ice is soothing on my sore butt, and it takes a while to get the giggles under control. I close my eyes, taking a couple of deep breaths to manage the last of the hysteria. The rough pad of a thumb swiping across my cheek startles them open.

He holds his hands out as he pulls away. “Sorry, you were crying.” His deep voice sounds like he skidded across the pavement, all rough gravel embedded in the usual smooth tone.

I draw back, swiping at the tears of laughter that left a hot trail down my cheeks.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t let me fall.”

“Sorry about that. I had no idea you’d think it was a good idea to try out your skills from that one year of figure skating you took.”

His comment kick starts the giggles again.

I shrug and push myself off the smooth surface. “Why are we here, anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be helping me get over my fear of singing in public? What exactly does that have to do with skating?” My brain’s been so muddled by his proximity that I didn’t bother to ask the most important question until now.

He hesitates, pursing his lips. “I thought you could sing for me. Here. Sort of connect singing with a different place. Plus, you’ll be concentrating on the skating, so you’ll forget to be nervous about singing.”

“But there’s no people here to be nervous around? How’s that going to help?” Is he just messing with me?

“Well, when you sing in front of other people, you can close your eyes and imagine you’re here.” He sweeps his arms out to the side, indicating the huge, empty rink.

Interesting. The idea has some merit. “Ok. Could work.” I push off again and start a cautious lap of the ice.

“Don’t try any fancy stuff,” he calls after me.

“Oh, don’t worry. I learned my lesson.” I rub my sore ass.

He catches up to me in a few blinks. “I can help you with that later.”

A smirk’s twisting his lips up when I turn to look at him. “With what?”

He arches an eyebrow. “Easing your aches and pains.”

Throwing my arm out to smack him sends me tilting again, and he slides an arm around my waist to keep me upright. “Relax. I’m just kidding.”

Something tells me he’s not, but I don’t call him on it.

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