Page 19 of Holly Ever After

Nine

Sean

“You coming or what?” Holly calls, skating onto the ice with Mia by her side.

“I’m coming, just give me a minute,” I mumble, glancing down at the ice.

The hesitancy must be written all over my face because Holly skates back, a mix of amusement and disbelief in her eyes. Mia, clinging to her skating aid, seems more steady on her feet than I feel. A smirk crosses Holly’s face, and I can almost hear the gears in her head turning.

“Just lean on me,” she says, stretching out her hand.

She’s not fooling anyone. I can see how she’s almost choking on the suppressed laughter.

I glare at her. “I don’t need your help.”

“You still can’t skate, can you?”

I ignore her.

“When was the last time you came to the rink?”

I pretend to think about it. “When I was sixteen.”

Her eyes swirl like she’s searching through her memories before her eyes widen. She leans in so Mia can’t hear. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. You haven’t been here since you broke your leg?”

“I can do some damn ice skating.” I look down at Mia’s skating aid. “Do they have those for adults?”

Holly rolls her eyes before bursting out laughing. “Why the hell did you agree to come?”

Isn’t it obvious? “Mia asked.”

“That’s sweet and all, but I’m not spending the night in the emergency department.”

I place one foot on the ice, the skate instantly slipping from under my feet. “How about you give a man some silence, Squirt. I’m trying to concentrate, and your voice is scratching at my brain.”

She skates circles around me, making it look so damn easy, her laughter echoing in my ears. It’s infuriating and intoxicating at the same time.

“Come on. Even Mia is doing better than you,” she taunts, pointing at the three-year-old who’s happily gliding around with her skating aid.

“Mia’s got more practice.”

“It’s her first time.”

“I’ve seen that kid climb a tree. She’s not human.”

“She’s a toddler!”

I shoot her a disgruntled look, my fingers gripping the barrier tighter. “Can you just shut up for one damn minute? I’m trying not to die here.”

“Oh, dying is the least of your problems. I’m more concerned about you breaking a hip, old man.”

I grit my teeth, and my eyes narrow. “I’m two years older than you. I’m not going to break anything.”

“Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe it’ll numb the pain when you fall on your ass.” She laughs as she effortlessly spins around me, her hair flying out behind her.

I take another step, focusing on my balance, ignoring Holly’s relentless teasing. But then she stops in front of me, blocking my view, and offers her hand again. “Come on, hold my hand. It’ll be less embarrassing than holding onto a penguin skating aid.”

Mia tugs on my coat. “Hold Lolly’s hand. It’s fun.”

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