Page 31 of Boots & Scars

"Are you okay?" I asked, reaching out to help her up.

She nodded, taking my hand and allowing me to pull her to her feet. "I'm so sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to pull you down like that."

"What the hell was that?" Cooper barked at the girl, his eyes flashing with anger. "You can't just flail around like a damn fish out of water and expect not to fall."

The girl's lower lip trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the other skaters.

"Sorry doesn't cut it," Cooper snapped. "You gotta learn to control your body on the ice. It's not just about staying upright, it's about being aware of your surroundings and the people around you."

The girl nodded, her head hanging low as she tried to hold back her tears.

"Now get off the ice and practice on your own until you can at least stand up straight," Cooper said, his voice cold and unforgiving.

The girl let out a choked sob and rushed off the ice, her skates clacking against the rubber mats as she fled.

I turned to Cooper, my own anger rising. "Why do you have to be so mean?" I asked, my voice shaking with emotion. "It was an accident. She's just learning."

Cooper's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "And accidents get you hurt," he said, his hand reaching out to grip my hip tightly where a bruise was already forming.

I winced at his touch, pain shooting through my body. "That doesn't give you the right to berate her like that," I argued, trying to pull away from his grip.

"It's my job to make sure everyone on this ice is safe," Cooper said, his voice low and dangerous. "And if that means being a hardass, then that's what I'll be."

"There's a difference between being tough and being cruel," I said, my eyes locked on his. "You could have handled that with a little more compassion."

"Compassion doesn't keep people from getting injured," Cooper said, his grip on my hip tightening. "Discipline does."

I let out a hiss of pain and finally managed to wrench myself away from his grasp. "Well, maybe if you showed a little more compassion, people would actually want to learn from you instead of running away in tears."

Cooper's jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out at me. But instead, he took a step back and shook his head.

"You don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice low and bitter. "You're just a sheltered little girl who's never had to face the real world."

His words stung, but I refused to back down. "And you're just a bitter, angry man who's too afraid to let anyone in," I shot back.

We stood there for a moment, glaring at each other, the tension between us palpable. Finally, Cooper turned away, his shoulders hunched as he skated off towards the other end of the rink.

I watched him go, my heart racing and my mind reeling from our confrontation. I knew that there was more to Cooper thanjust his gruff exterior, but I was starting to wonder if I would ever be able to break through his walls and see the man beneath.

10

Cooper

Istormed off the ice, pissed as hell. Once again, I tried to help and got punished for it. Fine, let the kid get hurt over and over again. See if I care.

I went behind the counter, ignoring the girl I had yelled at as she placed the skates on the counter with a huff. My eyes were drawn back to Everly, who continued to skate despite her fall. Her movements weren't as fluid now, thanks to that tumble. But she was too damn stubborn to admit it, pushing herself to keep going even though pain was etched on her face.

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to march back out there and drag her off the ice myself. Why couldn't she just listen? Why did she have to be so headstrong?

I busied myself with organizing the skates, trying to ignore the anger simmering inside me. John's words echoed in my head—stay away from her.

Good fucking idea. If only she would stop coming, and I'd be able to.

I glanced up, watching as she attempted a spin and nearly lost her balance. My heart leaped into my throat, but shemanaged to right herself at the last second. A part of me admired her determination, even as another part wanted to shake some sense into her.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. This girl was going to be the death of me. And the worst part? I wasn't sure I minded.

Fuck.

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