Page 38 of Second Chance Player

“He does,” Patty cuts in, and I look at her feeling very confused.

“He doesn’t,” I clarify.

“When Liam texted yesterday, he told me to check what size shoes Crew wears. He picked up a pair of skates for him.”

I blink again, looking back and forth between my friend and Liam. “You bought my son skates?” I feel dumbfounded and overwhelmed.

Liam nods. “No big deal.”

“Ah! Yes, it is,” I say. I remember the day he brought me my first pair of skates and my heart somersaults. I place my palm over my chest to make sure it’s still beating.

There’s a knock on my window, and I know exactly who it is.

I walk over to the window, and Liam is dressed in a ski jacket, joggers, and boots and holding a bag.

“What’s going on?” I ask him.

“I bought you skates. I want to teach you how to skate,” he says. Hockey is his life, and we have become so close that it warms my heart he wants to teach me.

“Okay. Give me a few minutes. I’ll meet you outside.”

He nods and walks back over to his property.

I have homework to do and house chores, but I go to Mrs. Patterson and tell her it’s important I head to the library.

Liam got his license, so he takes his mother’s car, and we head out to a frozen lake nearby.

It’s busy but not too busy.

He helps me get the skates on.

“I hope I don’t break any bones,” I say.

“Not on my watch,” he responds. He’s already got his skates on, and he offers me his hand. I offer mine easily. If there is anyone in this world I trust, it’s Liam.

We head over to the lake, and he holds both my hands since I’m not steady.

“Remind me why we’re doing this?” I ask him.

“Because skating brings me peace. When I fly across the ice, I forget all my worries and relax, and I wanted to share this piece of me with you,” he says, and my heart bursts.

“Don’t you care people will see us?” I ask because we’ve been dating in secret.

“I’m teaching you to skate. It’s going to be hard not to kiss you but holding out will just make things more fun when I sneak into your room tonight.” He waggles his brows.

“You’re such a hornball.” I smack his chest playfully.

“When it comes to you, I am,” he confirms. He grabs me around the waist and gives me a squeeze. Then we head out onto the lake. At first, I’m shaky and nervous, but by the end of our time on the ice, I’m making strides, feeling the freedom of gliding across the slippery surface. It’s an adrenaline rush. It was a time for me and Liam to forget our problems and just be.

With time, I learned to fly across the ice, and true to his word, I loved every minute.

“How much were they? I’ll pay you back,” I say. It doesn’t matter what we shared in the past. I need to be guarded around him.

“You got me skates?” Crew cuts in, watching Liam with stars in his eyes. “I want to play hockey so bad.”

“Now you can, little man.” Liam winks, his blue eyes sparkling.

My son runs up to him and hugs Liam around the waist. Liam isn’t expecting it and loses his balance for a millisecond before catching on to what’s happening, and then he wraps his arms around Crew and hugs him.

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