Page 80 of Fair Play
“Hi!” I grin at her. “My first time on the ice since my car accident. It’s cathartic.” I opt to keep details to a minimum.
“Oh, yay! I’m proud of you.”
I’m just about to thank her when Mrs. Castellano loses her balance. I let go of Rome’s hand automatically, so he can focus on her, and he manages to catch her.
“Oops!” She giggles in Stevie’s direction. “My first time on skates ever.”
“You’re doing great!” Stevie tells her.
Rome introduces them just as Bodi comes skating across the ice, his eyes narrowed. “Billie! What are you doing?”
“Skating.” I smile sweetly.
“She’s doing good,” Mrs. Castellano says emphatically. “Better than me.”
“Uh…” Bodi looks confused but then turns back to me. “I thought we agreed you weren’t going to skate today?”
“Youdecided that.” I shake my head softly, hoping I don’t look as irritated as I feel. I’ll argue with him all day long in private, but I don’t want to embarrass him in front of his teammates. “I needed to rip the bandage off. I can’t let the past shape my future. And I’m fine—look at me!”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. I know he’s afraid for me and my irritation wanes a little.
“Really, I’m good.”
“I know… I just wish you’d… waited for me.”
“My fault,” Mrs. Castellano says, wrinkling her nose. “I was afraid to get out here on my own so then I suggested Rome bring us out together. That way I wouldn’t feel as stupid.”
“It’s okay.” Bodi’s tone and entire demeanor relax a little. “I just worry. She shattered her leg in the car accident, so even though the doctors said she’s fine, I guess there’s a part of me worried it’ll break again. I know it’s irrational.”
I blink, trying to hide my surprise.
Bodi has never admitted his fears are irrational, so this is a big step for him.
“How long ago?” Stevie asks softly.
“Seven years,” I say. “So it’s beyond time for me to get back on the ice. Besides, I’ve been on roller skates at the diner for over a month now.”
“Roller skates?” Bodi stares at me. “What are you talking about?”
“You never listen to me,” I say, making an exaggerated effort to sigh dramatically, which makes everyone laugh. “My waitressing job is on roller skates. Fifties diner theme. Ring any bells?”
Bodi actually grimaces. “I think somewhere in my subconscious I blocked out that part because I would freak out if I acknowledged it.”
“Skate with me, big brother.” I figure if there’s any time to make some headway, it’s now. I grab his arm and tug him away from the others.
“I saw you holding Rome’s hand,” he growls as soon as we’re out of earshot.
“Oh, Bodi. For fuck’s sake, stop it. He had me on one side and his mom on the other. What did you think was happening there? She and I were commiserating about how nervous we were to get on the ice and he promised he wouldn’t let either of us fall. Seriously, stop being a jerk.”
He sighs. “I just don’t want you to?—”
“Yes, Iknow,” I interrupt, getting irritated all over again. “You don’t want me to sleep with a hockey player and get my heart broken. Blah blah fucking blah. But you want a news flash? It’s too late. I slept with one of your teammates in Phoenix. And guess what? I’m fine. Everything is fine. It wasn’t the end of the world.”
“You slept with someone in Phoenix?” He turns to skate backwards, watching my face. “Who was it?!”
I laugh. “Not in a million years.”
“What the fuck, Billie?” He’s mad now, and I kind of wish I’d waited for a better time to taunt him.
