Page 21 of Between the Blue
“What are we working with down there?”
My brows raise. “Sorry?”
“What size are you?” She smiles. “In rollerblades.”
“Oh.” I shake my head. “Thirteen.”
She steps back. Reaches for a pair of rollerblades then holds them down at her side. Never takes her eyes off me while she does it. But somehow I know they’re the right size.
“C’mon,” she motions towards the roller rink. “I’m moving to the DJ booth. Walk with me.”
I don’t say anything. Just follow her.
It’s probably crazy, but I think I’d follow her anywhere if she asked.
I see Rhett on our way. He’s in the corner by the snack bar talking to three girls. He shoots me a wink.
I flip him the bird.
Julia stops at the bench nearest to the DJ booth. Motions for me to sit down on it.
I do it. She hands me the rollerblades. Crosses her arms when I take them. Pull them on my feet. Start lacing them.
“So, why are you here Ben James?”
I look up at her. “To skate?”
“You skate all the time. And you certainly own your own rollerblades.”
“That’s true,” I agree.
It is.
“So, why?” she asks.
I finish my right laces. Move to the left. Look at her again.
“Maybe I came for something else.”
Someone else.
“And who says that something else wants you here?” She tilts her head at me. Squints her eyes in that flirty way girls do. Except it’s different when she does it.
I think everything is.
I want to answer her, but I’m distracted. The light above her is shining right in her eyes. They look more green than brown today. And her hair. It’s like golden flames. The surface of the sun.
“I’m sure you’re used to getting everything you want,” she adds.
I push up off the bench, my rollerblades fully laced. Stand next to her by the DJ booth, put my hand up on the wall. “What makes you say that?”
“You’re a superstar hockey player.”
Probably wouldn’t have phrased it that way, but…
“Well, yeah.”
Now I’m looking down on her. If I thought that would intimidate her (I didn’t), I think it does the opposite.
