Page 69 of Fear of Falling

He extended his hands out, ready for me to step onto the ice for the first time. I eyed his hands, biting my lip.

“Promise to hold onto me?”

“Promise.”

“This isthe stupidest sport ever. There I said it. It’s stupid and useless and horrible,” I huffed after falling on my ass yet again. The cold ice seeped through my jeans, and I’d started to think my butt would be permanently frozen.

Off to the side, Wyatt chuckled. “You almost had it.”

“You’re such a liar,” I said, knowing I was nowhere close. Every time I went to put one foot in front of the other, I wobbled and fell. I did manage to skate a few steps, but that’s the most I’d managed. “I don't care. I’m staying right here and I’m not moving.” I laid back on the ice, not caring about the cold. Both my ego and butt bruised.

The sound of blades on ice drew closer before Wyatt’s face appeared over mine.

“You’re just going to lay on the ice for the rest of the day?” he questioned.

“Yep, becausesomeonekeeps letting me fall and won’t stop laughing at me.” I sent him a pointed look.

“You said you didn't want my help.”

“Lies.” I waved him off, denying that I did, in fact, say that. Initially when I stepped onto the ice and didn’t immediately fall, my confidence grew. I let myself think that perhaps it wasn’t so hard, after all. So, when Wyatt tried to teach me, I told him to take a few steps back and let me do my thing.

I clearly overestimated my abilities.

“Just help me up, you big loaf.” I didn’t have to look at him to know he was smirking as I raised my arms and waited. I knew if I tried getting up myself, I’d be back where I started.

Skating around to my feet, Wyatt grabbed my hands and pulled me upwards. My feet scrambled to find purchase on the ice, and I gripped Wyatt’s hands so tightly my knuckles turned white.

“Find your balance,” he quietly said, letting me hold onto him. Once I finally found my balance I exhaled deeply.

“Wanna try it my way now?” Wyatt asked, his eyebrow raised in amusement.

Forced to realize I couldn’t do things my way, my pride had taken a hit. My inner perfectionist was not happy.

Just face it. If I don’t want to fall every two seconds, I need to learn from Wyatt.

“Fine,” I conceded, shifting my hands to his forearms, once again noting the muscles tensing beneath my fingers. I could tell Wyatt was biting his cheek to stop from laughing at me.

“Let's start from the feet up.” He shifted his stance and skated back just a little. “Keep your skates pointed forward. Whatever direction your skates are in is where you will go.”

Looking at my feet, I followed his directions, keeping the front of my skates pointed towards him.

“Bend your knees a little. You never want to keep your legs locked.”

When I did as he instructed, Wyatt let out a little hum. “Good job.”

The compliment may have made me feel like a little kid being told ‘good job’ from their teacher, but my heart still soared at it.

“Now just hold onto me,” Wyatt said before skating backwards. My grip on his forearms tightened as he slowly pulled me along after him. I looked away from my skates long enough to stare at him with wide eyes.

“I got you,” he smiled. The way he said it felt bigger than just this moment. It felt like a promise.

Wyatt slowly skated backwards, pulling me along with him, and to me, it felt like we were flying. The only sound was that of our blades cutting through the ice. I glanced back down at my feet, only for Wyatt to squeeze my elbows.

“Eyes on me.” His voice was soft but firm. “Don’t look at your feet, trust them to know what to do.”

I did as he said as Wyatt moved us around the ice at a snail's pace. We made it a lap around the rink before I started to feel a bit more comfortable.

“There you go,” he murmured.

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