Page 73 of The Truth of Our Secrets

A blast of wind brings me out of my daydream. I’m inching along the ice, holding onto the rail along the wall and watching them. In my dream of us skating together, I possessed the ability to skate that I don’t have in real life.

My men stayed with me for the better part of an hour, but now they’re chasing each other around the ice. They move as if the skates are an extension of their feet and it’s a beautiful sight.

I’ve seen lots of hockey games, but I focused on the game and how Jayce was playing. Now I can appreciate how fluid they are on the ice. It’s almost like dancing.

There aren’t very many people here, so they’re gliding backward, forward, and sideways. Part of me aches to play with them, but the wall is my friend. I just wish it weren’t so frigging cold.

I can tell they’re taunting each other, but the wind drowns out their words. Suddenly, they race toward me and my hand instinctively grips the rail tighter. They don’t slow down and both grab me around the waist, spinning me in their arms and away from the wall. Away from security.

Emmet is in front of me, and I’ve got a death grip on his forearms. They skate in tandem with me in the middle. I’m breathless as we’re careening the length of the rink, on a certain collision path with death.

Emmet’s laughing. “You were right. She’s mumbling about dying.” He leans, kisses my jaw, and says in a husky tone, “Relax, we got you.”

“We won’t let go, and I promise we won’t crash.” Jayce’s big hands give my waist a squeeze.

“You can’t promise that!” I snap. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“Not today,” Emmet sings with rosy cheeks and his gorgeous smile.

I’m trying to enjoy how much fun they’re having. It’s exactly what I wanted. To spend time together so they can bond. Something has changed between them and I love it.

But my fear of falling and breaking my face won’t let up.

All I can visualize is tripping on my feet and pitching forward until my face catches me and there’s blood everywhere. It’s not rational. It’s not a memory or a vision. The fear is ridiculous, but I can’t let it go.

Emmet’s brow wrinkles. “This isn’t even a little fun for you?” Without speaking, they slow down and I suck in a breath.

“Do you trust us?” Jayce brushes my hair back so he can see my face and I squeak at the loss of his hand steadying me.

Unable to put my anxiety into words, I nod.

“Let us pull you around. We’ll slow down and all you have to do is hold on.” Jayce wraps one arm around my middle.

“We’re like expert-level skaters. Jayce and I are thinking of entering a pairs competition, so like going in circles with you is easy-peasy. Watch this.” Emmet steers us over to the rail and places both of my hands on it.

“What are you doing?” Jayce asks.

“You got this, J-Bear,” Emmet says over his shoulder and he skates a few feet away. When he turns, he picks up speed and runs right into Jayce. I yelp, fearing they’ll both smack the ice and won’t be able to get up.

But Jayce wraps Emmet up and does a spin move, then digs his edges in so they stop, both standing upright.

“See, if Jayce can prevent me from falling while skating fast, there’s no way we’ll let you slip.” Emmet’s so earnest and it’s adorable the way they’re tangled together.

“You’re lucky I didn’t let go. A little warning would’ve been nice.” Jayce’s voice is stern, but he nuzzles Emmet’s neck, inhaling. Fuck. Seeing them together does something to me.

“That was the point. You don’t get a warning before you lose your balance. I knew these muscly, manly, old arms could catch me.” Emmet’s smirking as if he’s trying to get a reaction out of Jayce, giving a backhanded compliment to disguise his age insult.

“Sure thing, slowpoke.” Jayce slaps Emmet’s ass. “Race you to the end and back.” He takes off before Emmet answers. Jayce has spent years on the ice and has the advantage of discipline and practice. There’s no way Emmet will catch him.

But Emmet is younger and probably wants to impress Jayce, so he’s not far behind when they touch the end wall and turn around.

Jayce is within ten feet of me with a huge grin. My heart skips a beat at the sight since he’s so serious most of the time. He spends so much time proving himself and worrying about me that the only time he truly relaxes is when we’re having sex.

Emmet’s changing him for the better.

The smile slides off Jayce’s face as Emmet dives for him, swinging one leg up in the air as his arms band around his torso. The motion of his swinging leg propels him around Jayce so he’s in front of him, skating backward by the time they skate past me.

“I win,” Emmet shouts.

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