Page 97 of Brittle Heart

“More like an ice clown.” She huffs.

I guide her around the rink, holding her hand securely in mine. She wobbles and has my hand in a vice grip, but I can’t help but smile as I watch her determination.

“You’re doing great,” I encourage.

She looks up at me, and I can see a softness in her gaze. “That’s not true, but you’re cute. Thank you.”

I pull her to a halt on the side of the rink and close to me. Her hands go up around my neck, and I hold her hips. “I have the most beautiful girlfriend,” I say, kissing her. Her lips are so soft but cold, and I squeeze her hips, loving the feel of her. When I break the kiss, I gaze into those golden eyes. “Thank you for reminding me what butterflies feel like.”

Her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink. Just then, some kids rush past us fast on the ice, and to protect her, I turn her away from them. But in doing so, she loses her balance and swivels so hard that I start wobbling too, and we both end up falling on our asses.

A sharp pain shoots through me, and I see her face scrunched up in pain too. She rubs her forearm. “Ouch,” she says.

“You okay?” I ask.

She laughs and says, “Why do I always land on my ass in front of you? I swear I’m not that clumsy.”

Xander glides over and gives me a disapproving look. “How can she enjoy this if you let her fall?”

“I didn’t let her fall. We both fell,” I argue.

Xander quickly puts his hands under her arms and lifts her back up to her feet before he pats her ass to get rid of the snow on her jeans. She looks up at him with wide eyes, and I clench my jaw.

“I’ll show you how ice-skating really feels and why it’s fun,” he says and starts skating while holding her under her arms, basically sliding her over the ice. She squeals with excitement, a sound I’ve never heard from her before.

“Hey, Joshy, need a hand?” Sophia asks as she glides over to me.

“Nope,” I snap, getting up and dusting off my jeans. “I wanted this to be a romantic date,” I say, a bit annoyed.

She snickers. “Well, you’d have to come here with her alone for it to be romantic.”

“True,” I agree, then start skating slowly with Sophia.

* * *

Xander

“Xander!” She squeals as I push her in front of me, holding her tightly so I can keep her from falling on the ice even if she somehow trips. Falling on ice can be dangerous, and Josh risking her does not sit well with me.

“You’re like one of those plastic penguins kids use to hold onto when they’re learning to skate. So damn small,” I say.

“Why didn’t I get one of those, by the way?” she asks.

“I thought you told Clay you’re not twelve anymore,” I counter.

“You heard that?” she asks.

“Sure did.” I snicker.

“I’m sorry,” she says, the humor in her voice gone.

“Why?” I ask.

“I know it could come across wrong, but I swear I am not flirting with your boyfriend. I know he is with you and gay, it’s just—”

I smirk to myself.Oh, he is going to love that.

“It’s just that you guys are great friends, and the banter is fun. You found someone you can let loose with. I get that. Clay needed someone on his wavelength. I love that for both of you,” I say.

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