Page 99 of Need You to Choose Me

“I’m nice,” he defends with a scowl.

I snort. Loudly. “Okay. Sure. You’re nice.”

“I am,” he insists. “I’m nice to you.”

I pat his cheek. “You are, and I really appreciate that. A lot, actually. But if you’re working with these guys, it’s probably a good idea to be nice to them too.”

He doesn’t tell me I’m right even though we both know I am. “Then let’s meet up with them. I’m sure you have people you want to talk to. I saw you staring at Nelson.”

I can’t help but grin. “His record the past three seasons is mind blowing. I’m kind of jealous you get to work with him. I’ll do my best not to fangirl, but no promises.”

He shakes his head in amusement. “Come on. We’ve got time to kill before we meet up with them. I didn’t just bring you here to meet them or drool over the trophy case.”

My brows pinch. “Then why did you bring me here?”

He slides a hand into his pocket. “You told me once you didn’t know how to skate.”

Oh.Oh.That was a long time ago. Before I told him I loved him. Before he left Lindon and got drafted. “Alex, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Sebastian tried to teach me when I was little. I’m horrible. Like, really bad.”

“He gave up on you. I’m not going to.”

That does something to my heart.

He actually wants to teach me to skate. “I’m going to be terrible,” I warn him.

“Okay.”

“I’ll fall a lot.”

“I’ll get you some butt pads.”

As if I don’t have plenty of cushion already.

I don’t speak that thought aloud.

“I’ll probably take you down with me.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time someone has” is all he says, not having a worry on his face.

Damn. Does he have to be so calm? “You’re making it hard to say no to you,” I murmur, pouting a little.

He chuckles and holds out a hand. “Then say yes. You’re here. I’m here. I reserved the space for an hour and a half. That’s not a lot of time to teach you how to stand and balance and learn the right way to fall.”

I frown. “Then what’s the point?”

His fingers tighten around mine. “It just means that next time we’ll be able toactuallyskate.”

Next time.

I bite back a smile.

Because I like the idea of next time.

“You’re kind of smooth when you want to be, aren’t you?”

I see the smallest smile threaten to tilt his lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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