Page 77 of Cloudless
I raise a questioning brow as I nod my head. “Yeah, it’s empty.”
His eyes turn to Lila as he nearly splits his face in half with his smile. “Get your skates, Sullivan. We’re going ice skating.”
She unconsciously leans toward me as Mace’s enthusiasm grows into a tidal wave that threatens everyone in its path. “Uh, I’ve never been ice skating before.”
I add my shock to Mace’s as he gets a determined look in his eyes. “That gets fixed tonight.” His long legs carry him from the dining room to the stairs in record time as he belts orders. “Get ready everyone! We’re going skating! Call your sister, Cap! We need an even number of people!”
A hesitant laugh breaks free from Lila as she stands. “Should I be worried?”
I nod my head without a second thought. “Definitely.”
CHAPTER 35
YOU MAKE IT SO EASY
LILA
I fidget with the zipper on my jacket as Kam kneels before me. The chilly air cools my overheated skin as I take deep breaths. “Are you sure about this?”
His confident smirk calms my nerves as he ties the laces of my skates so tight it's bruising. “I won’t let you fall, Sunshine. I promise.”
I roll my eyes as he pulls a smile from my lips. “You can’t promise that.”
His smirk turns into a full-on grin as he stands. “Watch me.”
I take his extended hand as I stand on shaky legs. “How am I supposed to walk in these things?”
Jasper walks by unimpeded by the blades on his feet. “You don’t walk, Lulu. You skate.” His skates connect with the ice as he mumbles, “Obviously.”
Kam doesn’t fight his grin as he steadies me. “He’s right, you know.”
My light smack on his shoulder adds fuel to his grin. “Don’t make fun of me.”
Happiness dances in his eyes as he threads an arm around my waist for added stability. “Oh, but you make it so easy.”
I take an uneasy step as my knees threaten to buckle under the weight they’ve had no problem holding for years. “How do you make this look so easy? I’m not even on the ice yet, and I feel like my knees are about to crumble.”
My eyes are so focused on my feet that I feel more than see Kam’s shrug. “Practice. I’ve been skating since I could walk.”
I take deep breaths to settle my raging heart as I reach the boundary that separates me from my laughing friends and siblings. I stand on the edge of the ice like I would a cliff as the six-inch drop to the ice looms before me like a daunting leap of faith I’m not prepared to take.
Kam’s quiet words flow through me. “Take the step. I’m right here. I won't let you fall.”
I take the leap of faith and raise my foot as I grab Kam’s hand in a death grip. My blade touches the ice with a feather-light kiss as I stand stranded between the edge of safety and the edge of uncertainty.
My foot slides with the first hint of pressure as my stomach threatens to spill its contents. I grit my teeth and transfer my weight to my front foot.
Ice and a blade will not beat me. Not today.
My legs wobble as I plant both feet solidly on the ice. “I’m doing it!”
Kam chuckles behind me as my momentum propels me forward. “Heck yeah!”
A relieved breath leaves my lips prematurely. My feet slowly spread under me as panic takes hold of my voice. “Um, how do I stop?”
I dig into Kam with both hands as he pulls me to a stop. His laughter booms through the rink as I fight for balance. “One thing at a time.”
Mace looks like he’s floating as he flies by us with a grin on his face. “Looking good, Sullivan!” His voice falls to a levelto prevent little ears from overhearing. “Glad we finally popped your ice skating cherry!”
