Page 66 of Yo Ho Ho
"I got the Kids Can Skate job!"
Logan wished she could see the huge smile on his face. "That's amazing, Max. I can't wait to help you out."
He meant it too. Max was at the rink almost every weekend working with the kids in the program, and Logan was right there with her. There were some times when he skipped out. He didn't really feel up to hanging out with the kids the day after the Pirates were eliminated from the playoffs in May. He had some bruised ribs last month that prevented from skating — or doing anything else, much to his chagrin. (At least he and Max found ways around that to keep each other satisfied while he had to sit out a road trip.)
Through it all, he made sure Max got what she needed. It did suck that she gave up writing. He knew she missed it, and there were times when he felt guilty that she had chosen him over her journalism career. It was a sacrifice for her, and he knew it. He would never take it for granted that she made the choice to give them a chance.
But while she had let go of her writing, she had also rediscovered her love for hockey. She picked up her skates again, and that was something both of them agreed was a good thing. She had skated more this year than any other year since high school. He couldn't describe how he felt whenever he got to see Max on her skates. He just knew that he liked feeling it. It made her happy and put a smile on her face again, which made Logan happy.
What also made Logan happy was leading a group of roaring kids past Max. It was one of the best parts of practice.
He stuck his hand in the pocket of his track pants, probably for the millionth time that morning. He hadn't really thought out every detail of his plan. He was trying to be romantic, but skating around a huge rink with a small box in his pocket was making him nervous. At least his jersey was long enough to hide his secret.
Logan started skating towards Max at the other end, who was casually picking up cones off the ice. She knew what was coming, but he still loved seeing her reaction.
"Alright, everyone. You ready?" He could hear the blades of the kids' skates behind him. "It's time to… roar!"
The kids all screamed, and Max pretended to jump in surprise. Her acting left a little to be desired, but it was still adorable to Logan. She started skating ahead of them, her blades cutting into the ice as the dragon chased after her.
"Let's roar again! Make sure Matty can hear you in the back!"
The kids screamed and yelled in pursuit of Max as they took another two turns around the ice before finally catching up with her. Logan playfully grabbed her around her waist and swung her around.
"We got her, you guys!"
Cheers erupted from the kids as Logan gently set her down on the ice and gave her a warm smile.
"OK, OK, you got me! Nice job, everyone. Let's all head to center ice to wrap up today."
The kids all followed Max while Logan and Matt hung back a bit to watch.
"You went too fast for the back of the dragon today."
Logan laughed. "I can't help it if you're trying to keep up with a bunch of kids in your goalie gear."
The two of them stood there as Max talked to the kids about everything they had accomplished today.
"You still have that box?" Matt quietly asked him.
Logan stuck his hand in his pocket again. "Yep."
They watched as Max got all the kids to huddle up in a circle. "You guys did an awesome job today! Remember that next week is Christmas and then New Year's so we aren't going to have practice for a few weeks, OK?" The kids groaned in disappointment, which was a testament to how much they loved spending time with Max. "I know, but I'll see you soon. Now everyone, hands in. What do we say?"
"Let's go team!"
The kids cheered one more time and slowly started to make their way off the ice.
Matt gave Logan a pat on his back. "Good luck. Not that you'll need it."
"Thanks," he said quietly.
The goalie smiled at him and then left to help the kids off the ice while Logan started skating around the rink, picking up the cones and obstacles they had used that day.
"Can you grab the net down there for me?" Max yelled over to him.
"Yep."
He stuck his hand in his pocket. Still there. Then he grabbed the net and took it over to the Zamboni entrance to drop it off next to all the other gear.
