Page 37 of Don't Look Down

Maintaining eye contact, I skate backward a few paces, then wink at him before finally turning and skating away.

Inhale.

Exhale.

He’s really here.

Inhale.

Exhale.

I’m kind of freaking out. Get it together. Interact with more fans.You’ve got this, Landon.The voice in my head sounds suspiciously like Sky.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Don’t look at Sky again.

We have a game to get through, and then I’ll face him. Own up to the smokescreens I built and finally tear them down.

I hope I’m not wrong in believing he’ll understand my actions.

But understanding doesn’t necessarily negate anger or hurt feelings.

Just get through this game, Landon, and then you’ll see how he feels.

13

Skylar

Icheck my phone for the millionth time, but there’s no new text from Landon. My leg is bouncing up and down with equal parts excitement and nerves. He’s running late, I know this, but is he here yet? Craning my neck from side to side, I look over my shoulders to see if anyone is making their way toward our seats. Everyone seems pretty settled.

It’s still a bit early. He’ll probably get here by puck drop. But where is he? He can’t be far. He said he’d see me sooner than I thought. What does that mean?

I shove my phone in my pocket and resolve to just enjoy this moment. He’s always kept his word, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

I take a sip of my beer and sit up in my seat. It’s time for the Bull Sharks warmups.

Blue lights flash throughout the arena and music blares through the speakers.

Gah. Here we go.

This is one of my favorite parts. It’s so exciting cheering for the home team. Fans cheering as the team skates out onto the ice. It gets my blood going. It’s a fantastic feeling. It’s a different adrenaline high than I normally thrive on, but just as satisfying.

“Alright, Village Palms, it’s time to chum the waters. Let’s welcome your Florida Bull Sharks onto the ice!” The crowd, Addy and I included, screams, “There’ll be blood in the water!” The blue lights flicker and mingle with red in a simulation of, you guessed it, blood in the water. The crowd screams with bloodthirst.

The cheers grow louder as the team exits the tunnel onto the ice. Addy and I have a great view. I’ve never sat this close to the ice before and it’s magnificent. If Landon ever gets here, I’ll have to thank him for this. Hopefully, I don’t get too spoiled, because these seats must cost a pretty penny. I’m sure I could treat myself periodically, but I’d rather buy cheaper seats and travel more.

The announcer introduces more players as they exit onto the ice. Oh my gosh, where is he? He’s missing all of this. Looking over my shoulder again, I look for Landon yet again. At that moment, “Landon Spencer!” blares through the arena and I stop dead. My gut screams insistently at me. There’s no way.

Addy is telling me a story about this guy from work asking her out on a date. It seems I’m responding well on autopilot, and she continues. Shaking myself out of the stupor I’m in, I actively lean closer to her and pay attention to my bestie.

“Boo, why are we talking about Josh from accounting when we could be ogling all that ass on the ice?”

“Stop being fake, you know his name is Jose.”

“Whatever.” She laughs and triggers my laugh.

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