Page 37 of Sporting Goods

“Because you know stuff, right?”

“I know enough...for a kid your age to work with.”

“When are the tryouts again?”

I was relieved that a seven-year-old mind didn’t question or overlook into things they’d learned. Like how mom hated a sport she supposedly knew well.

“I don’t think you have to worry about it too much.” I winked. “You’ll make the team.”Even if I have to name drop to that damn coach.

Max would never know.

“Oh.” His face dropped. “Does everyone make the team?”

“Oh, it’s not like that. I just meant, you’re getting so good and I saw you playing with the team yesterday. Looks like you’ll play really well together.”

“This one kid, Jude, goes to my school. When is Logan coming?”

I still couldn’t keep up with this kid’s mind. I looked around the arena. “He should be here soon. Let’s warm up a bit.”

“I like Logan, don’t you? He’s likereallygood. A couple of the kids were saying that he played like professionally.”

“Someone talking about me?”

“Logan,” Jax called and skated over to him so fast, my legs weakened in fear.

Jax practically fell into Logan, who grasped him tightly before embracing him with a warm smile and hug.

“So what did mom teach you so far?”

“How to tie my laces properly. See I did these myself.”

“That’s really good.” He looked up at me and stood.

“How’s mine?” he asked me.

I eyed them and shrugged, already seeing improvement. “Better.” My eyes met his. Though I don’t know how I held out without feeling the heat of yesterday’s kiss just by looking at him. Could have been the chill in the room. “Is it me or is it colder here?”

“It tends to feel colder when there are less people.” He said in a swift breath, gliding past me in his grey sweatpants and white hoodie. “Is it bothering you?”

I was in my black leggings and white turtleneck, a zip jacket would have been nice. “I guess my body temperature will adjust.”

“Alright Jax, let’s work on your speed. Are you ready?”

“Yes. What does that mean?”

Logan smirked. “It means you skate over to the other side of the rink and then back. Remember to start slow and pick up speed about a quarter in?”

“How much is a quarter in?”

“Just make sure you’re going twice as fast as you started before you hit that middle line.”

“Oh, okay I can do that.”

“And keep your head up. Shoulders out and hips low.” He tried the posture we repeated a dozen times, but had trouble holding it.

“Yeah, that’s good enough.”

Jax skated over and tried to pick up speed about mid-way but not properly. It was too sudden and quick.

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