Page 92 of Rebel Secrets
I’d just come off the ice after the handshake line and stood in the home bench as the adults left the ice.
Juli Petrovski stood on the ice, stick across her shoulders and hands on either end.One of the best forwards at camp, the sixteen-year-old grinned, eyes bright, brown ponytail hanging over her shoulder.
I glanced up and saw the kids gathered at center ice.
“What’s up, Pets?”
Juli glanced over her shoulder and nodded toward the media booth above the penalty box on the other side of the ice.Music pumped out of the speakers, this season’s Devils’ theme song, making all the kids grin like demons.
Juli backskated to the group, and I laughed as I realized what they were doing.
I don’t know when they’d managed it, but the kids had learned the Devil’s victory dance.All of the teams in our league had a dance they performed at the end of every game they won.Ours was a line dance that involved a little Electric Slide, a little Hustle and something Rainy called “coordinated chaos.”
The kids gave it their all, and honestly, they were a hell of a lot better than the Devils ever had been.The Devils players and the parents crowded into the box with me to watch the kids, shouting encouragement and pumping their fists in the air.
Halfway into the song, Juli came back to the bench, waving at me to join them.
I got a few pats on the back when I didn’t move fast enough, but of course, I wouldn’t turn down these kids.I’d had the best time with them these past two weeks, and I was going to miss seeing them every day.
My blades hit the ice, and the kids cheered as I got in line with them and finished the dance.It’d been a hell of a long time since I’d done this, and the steps didn’t come back as easily as I thought they would.Probably because I was laughing my ass off.And so were the kids.
They circled around me and laughed and sang until the song was over and then they all waved their arms at whoever was in the media booth and the song played again.
This time, the Devils players and the parents hopped on the ice with us.Even though Ian didn’t exactly know what was going on, he gave it his best shot, grinning like he’d never had so much fun in his life.Bonesaw had moves, and he and a few of the other kids got pushed into the center of the circle to show off.
I was happy to be back on the outer line, cheering them on.My face hurt from smiling by the time we’d gone through four full songs.
I didn’t realize she was there until a few of the adults started to file off the ice, pleading bad knees, bad backs and general old age, which made the kids laugh even more.She stood at the doors to the Zamboni entrance, watching through the glass.Maybe she thought she wouldn’t be seen.Maybe she wasn’t trying to hide but had just stopped on her way out, curious about the music.
Our gazes met and held.And held.Until finally, I told the kids I’d see them after showers.
Skating over to the open gates, I stopped at the boards and said, “You busy tonight?”
Her eyes blinked open wide, and her lips parted.Then she blew out a short breath.
“I am.”She didn’t look happy about it, so that was something.“The bookstore’s open until eight.Saturday’s are always crazy, and Sunday, we have brunch and the bookstore’s open until five.Monday, I need to make sure everything’s set up before I leave on Wednesday for the wedding next weekend.”
When she finally stopped to take a breath, I bit back a smile.
“So how about next weekend?”
“Are you… Do you want… Wait.Are you saying you’ll come to the wedding with me?”
She looked flustered and unsure, almost like she thought I might be punking her.Which kinda pissed me off.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Rapid blinking.I couldn’t tell if she was trying not to cry, or she couldn’t get her brain to compute.“Seriously?It’s such late notice, and I’m sure you have other plans.I’m sorry we haven’t spoken about what happened at the bakery.I know you meant well.It’s just?—”
“Erin.I was serious.Every word I said, I meant.And yes, I want to go to the wedding with you.”
The visible relief on her face made something in my chest go soft, but I’d gotten kind of used to that happening around this woman.I think maybe she’d broken me.
No, that wasn’t right.She’d fixed a part of me I didn’t know was broken.
“Thank you.I just… Thank you.”Then she took a breath, and I braced for whatever was coming next.“I have to leave Wednesday.The bridesmaids are having a bachelorette party Wednesday night I have to attend.Not that I want to, but it will look bad if I’m not there.I know it’s a lot to ask, but the wedding is Friday night?—”
“I’ll be there.”
