Page 23 of The Perils of Pretending
“You won’t even try? I haven’t played in years. For all I know, I can’t even skate anymore.”
She wags a finger back and forth. “Skating is like riding a bike. Once you get going, your muscle memory kicks in.”
“Are you scared?” I can’t think of any other reason why Sadie doesn’t want to hang out with me on the ice.
She lets out a lengthy breath, one that says she’s exhausted explaining this to me. “No, I’m not scared. I just don’t want to hear you bragging about yourself as we play.”
I place both my palms over my heart, exaggerating being wounded by her words. “You think I’d do that?”
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, I do,” she says like I’m the dumbest guy in existence.
I chuckle. She’s not wrong. “If I promise not to brag, will you play?”
Sadie pinches the bridge of her nose. “Will you stop pestering me if I say yes and do you pinky-promise not to be annoying when we go together?”
It pains me to agree, but I stick out my pinky because I don’t have many friends who play hockey and I miss the ice. “I’ll do my best.”
“Fine. I’ll go.” She links her pinky around mine and gives it a brief squeeze.
A pleasant tingle runs down my spine. “It’s a date.”
Sadie's eyes light up, her lips lift with a smile. “And the perfect place to break up.”
“Yeah, sure.” I wasn’t planning on doing it officially, but if that’s what Sadie wants, it’s fine by me. Maybe our reason for breaking up will be that Sadie outskates me and I can’t handle losing. I chuckle at the absurdity of that statement.
I wouldn’t lose to Sadie.
Chapter 9
Sadie
WekeeptalkingaboutMax’s family, our favorite subjects in school, and how we spent our summers as kids. My stomach rumbles. I need something more substantial than a candy apple. “Let’s take a break and eat. My brain can’t retain anything else right now.”
Max yawns. “Good idea. I need fuel.”
I’m doing my best to not take how tired he is as a way of saying I’m boring. We’ve had a whirlwind of a day so far and it’s only half over.
I pull my sandwich out of the bag it came in. “What kind did you get?”
“Why?”
Does he think I’m going to steal his sandwich? I ordered exactly what I wanted. “It helps me to know these little things about you.”
He taps his temple. “Good thinking. I got turkey, bacon, avocado with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. What’s your sandwich of choice?”
“Ham with salami, banana peppers, pickles, olives, lettuce, and tomato.”
“Sweet with a hint of spice and tang. Sounds delicious.”
I pick up my sub, staring at Max, waiting for him to say something.
“What?”
I shrug. “You made a comment about my luggage and socks. Are you going to psychoanalyze my lunch as well?”
He smiles, shaking his head. “No.”
“Good.” I lift my sub, toasting him. “Enjoy.” Taking a bite, I chew, letting the soft and crunchy texture of the bread and savory toppingsmixed with the spicy meat serenade my taste buds. Mmm. This hit the spot for sure.
