Page 67 of One Touch

“We could’ve run drills back at the arena,” I muttered as I followed him to a door on the side.

Miller spun and pinned me to the wall. “I told you, I have a better idea. Now, are you going to trust me, or should I leave you out here?”

His grip on me soothed the anxiety that had plagued me for days, and the weight of his body comforted me. I stared into his hazel eyes. They appeared more blue today with only a smidge of green and brown, and while that usually meant mischief was afoot, I did trust Miller.

I kissed him in response, loving the way his lips felt against mine. Soft and smooth with that bit of stubble.

“Okay. I trust you. Lead the way, Bambi.”

Miller rolled his eyes but took my hand and led me inside. The sound of skates and sticks hitting the ice filled my ears, and excitement skirted my spine. I didn’t have to be playing the game to get excited. Hockey was in my soul, and I enjoyed every aspect of it. Okay, I might not enjoy the grueling training until you puked aspect, but who did?

The lights in the stands were dimmed, masking our arrival. We leaned against the boards and watched the kids pass the puck. They were divided into groups of four and spread out around the ice, with an instructor going over a different skill.

We fell into a trance as we watched them. I had no idea what level they were, but they weren’t half bad. Much better than I was at their age.

“What is this place?” I asked.

“Lux Brumalis.”

“Wait. Isn’t that where Reese went?”

“Yep.” Miller smirked, but before I could question him over it, a loud whistle sounded, and everyone stopped.

“Take a fifteen-minute break. Be sure to recharge and come back ready to play. I got a surprise for you all!”

“Wait…”

Miller snorted next to me as the kids left the ice, and the whistle-blower skated right for us with a big smile.

“Miller! You made it!” Reese exclaimed as they hugged him over the board.

“Of course. And I brought a guest.”

Reese broke their hug to give me one. “That you have. Good to see you, Lathan.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Filling in for Henley. This pregnancy is kicking her ass. She’s been holding these mini-camps for kids every year since she left. They’re open to anyone in the area, giving kids who don’t attend Lux opportunities as well.”

“Wow. That’s a cool idea. I wonder if we could set something like that up in Austin?” I asked.

Miller smiled at me like I’d just given him the world, and my breath caught. “That’s one of the things I’m working on with Rainbow Lounge and why I reached out to Reese.”

“Oh. That’s, um, wow,” I stammered. Miller had been in Austin for less than six months and was already more involved with the community than I was. My involvement had always been forced upon me to the point it felt disingenuous. But Miller inspired me to do more. To get involved. It wasn’t a publicity stunt or something to make his image look good. He got involved because he cared.

I could support his version. I also had a lot of knowledge about community service that I could provide.

“So, are you both in?”

“In?” I asked, having tuned out while I stared at Miller.

“Pick-up game.”

“Won’t people recognize us? And we don’t have our gear,” I asked.

“I got it covered,” Reese said with a grin.

And that they did. In borrowed gear and a wig, Miller and I were unrecognizable by the time the kids returned. I noticed one of the other instructors was Braden, and he hugged me when he returned.

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