Page 96 of Wildest Dreams

Aisling

Present day

I frown down at the ice shimmering one inch away from the tip of my rented skate. Connell muscles his way into the small space between my shoulder and the edge of the board, where the little gate has been pulled ajar.

“Hm,” I mumble, tentatively lifting my toe so that I can prod at the ice, my frown furrowing.

Connell shoves a hand through his hair, whacking his elbow into the side of my head in the process, and I yelp as I topple off-balance, tearing at his shirt so that I don’t actually fall over.

Large hands steady me from behind and I offer Logan, my brother’s best friend, a grateful smile over my shoulder, before slapping my palm across Connell’s stupid giant elbow.

My brother blinks down at me in surprise.

“What was that for?” he asks, rubbing his elbow protectively.

I shake my head and laugh.

“Connell, you almost knocked me unconscious.” I point one of my shimmery golden nails over my shoulder. “Logan can vouch for me.”

I feel Logan’s chuckle against my shoulders as Connell continues giving me that innocent wounded look. I give himanother little shove and then he grins, strangling his forearms around my neck as he cuddles me into a headlock.

I claw at his arms and squeal as he begins carrying me onto the ice.

“Connell, no! I’m not ready, I’m not ready!”

My whole face turns crimson as the Carter U hockey boys – kitted out in actual sportswear after spending the past two hours training ‘for fun’ – glance around to watch. Tanner’s eyes lock with mine and I practically whimper I’m so embarrassed. I cover my face with both of my palms and try not to die of mortification.

The hockey guys have been playing actual hockey, while I’ve been messing around in the stands with Fallon, Winter, and the football team; but since their hockey session seems to have concluded, Connell had the brilliant idea that we actually get on the ice with them.

His football team filters onto the ice around us, not exactly skating gracefully but managing to use their brute force to remain upright at least.

I swallow hard and peep through my fingertips, releasing a squeal when Connell finally lets go of me. He clomps around so that we’re face to face.

He gives me his golden sunshine grin as he grips his palms over my shoulders, giving me a playful wobble.

My eyes are wide with panic and I do a close-mouthed squeak as I stare up at him.

“Come on, Ash, you’re a cheerleader! You know that you can do this. If those guys can do it, you can definitely do it.”

I try not to hyperventilate as he releases his hold on my shoulders, leaving me to hold my body on my own as he glides effortlessly back a couple inches.

“Connell,” I wheeze, standing frozen in the centre of the rink. “Connell, please don’t leave me.”

“Ash,” he says, tilting his head with a smile as if to saycome on, baby sis.“Just kick off the ice. It’s as easy as breathing.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Funny that you say that, because I’m actually finding it really hard to breathe right now,” I whisper, hands clenching into tiny fists as I roll my lips into my mouth, petrified.

“Aw, Ash,” he says, his voice gentle and only slightly laughing. I peep one eye open and watch as he comes back to get me. “You’re still scared shitless about this, huh?”

“I’ve only been skating once,” I remind him, my voice a high-pitched whisper as he moves around me and starts gently shoving me forward. “It wasn’t exactly a great experience.”

Like a lot of people who don’t come from a family of hockey lovers, my only skating experience took place during winter break of school, for a girl’s sixteenth birthday. I spent my time on the ice white with fear, having had no-one to teach me what you’re actually supposed to do. Needless to say, I haven’t wanted to get back on the ice since.

“That’s just because I wasn’t there,” Connell grins.

I breathe out a desperate laugh, gripping my fingers into his hands as he tries to push me.

“Ow,” he laughs, trying to shake off my fingers as I cling to him. “Are you trying to draw blood? I won’t be able to push you if you claw my hands off.”

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