Page 48 of Puck King
“Who’s the bigger star? You or Jake?” I asked, not knowing that it was a loaded question.
Colton’s jawline turned the same color as the blinking light on the dashboard of the helicopter – red. “No one is a bigger star than Jake McManus. It’s actually kind of insulting that they didn’t retire his number.”
“What was his number?” I asked, a little shocked at Colton’s reaction.
“Seventy-seven.”
“But… that’s your number.”
“Like I said, big skates to fill.” Colton’s eyes were trained on the boathouse ahead. The lights of the helipad blinked as we approached. “Try not to be starstruck.”
I laughed, still unnerved at hearing my own voice crackle through the headset. “I just learned who he was a minute ago. I think I’ll be okay.”
After landing, we made our way to the shore. Jake McManus was skating on the lake, pushing a shovel and clearing what appeared to be a giant ice rink. He waved and pointed to a bench that sat on what I assumed to be the shoreline, where a small fire crackled with a percolator of coffee gurgling on top.
Colton unzipped his down coat, spread it on the bench, and patted it with his gloved hand. I took a seat and slipped my feet out of the ridiculously oversized winter boots Colton had found for me. I couldn’t have looked more ridiculous. The only pieces of clothing on my body that were my own were my bra and gloves. I was wearing Colton’s boxers, sweatpants, sweatshirt, puffy coat, hat, and boots. Growing up, it had been a chore to find clothes that were tall enough, so swimming in clothing was a foreign feeling.
I slipped my feet into the skates and did them up.
Colton clucked his tongue as he stood in his skates. “Those aren’t tight enough.” He picked up my foot and placed the blade of the skate between his thighs, then bit his glove off his hands and held it between his teeth as he yanked the laces of the skates tight. “Does that feel better?” he said through gritted teeth.
“It does.” Before, I had felt like I was going to break my ankles the second I put any weight on the skates. Colton held onto my elbow, his touch light yet there, and supported me as we walked to the cleared patch of ice.
Jake skated over to us and stopped abruptly, spraying snow from his blades. “That was quite the entrance.” He pointed to the helicopter with the shovel. “What, is the jet broken?”
Colton laughed. “We’re on a bit of a time crunch.” The warmth of his hand left my elbow but moved to my back. It was hot enough that I could feel it through the multiple layers of cotton and down. “Jake, this is…” He faltered. I thrust my gloved hand toward Jake. “Alison. I’m Alison.”
Jake shook with a firm handshake and friendly eyes. “Pleased to meet you, Alison.”
He had the same presence as Colton, and it was easy to see how someone could be starstruck meeting either of the men. Both had broad shoulders, stood tall, and held an air of confidence that bordered on cockiness. Not to mention, both were ridiculously good-looking. “I’ve never done this before.”
Jake looked between me and Colton as if trying to figure out what I was talking about.
“Skate,” Colton clarified.
“Ha.” Steam puffed out from Jake’s mouth as he laughed. “Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn.” He handed me the shovel.
“You can’t be serious. I can barely stand up as it is.” I was very aware of Colton’s iron grip on my elbow, holding up my entire body.
“It’s another point of contact on the ice. It will help with your balance.” Jake skated to the end of the rink and returned with two more shovels. He handed one to Colton and kept one for himself. “The Otters are coming over in an hour to do some drills. Come on, get the ice while it’s good.” Sparkles floated in the air behind him as he made a path to the far snowbank.
Colton squeezed my elbow. “He’s right. You’ll be okay. Have you ever skied?”
“No.”
“Not downhill. Cross country.”
“Still no.”
“Roller skated?”
“No.”
He bit his lower lip. “That’s good, because it’s not like any of those things.” He laughed. “Come on, Alison.” He put his shovel on the ice. “Bend your knees and push off to the side.” He took the shovel from my hand. “Try it without this first.” He transferred both shovels to one hand and held his other hand out. I slipped my hand into his and stepped gingerly onto the ice. Immediately, my right foot slipped from under me. Then, my left. Colton chuckled as I recovered. “See, you’re getting it.”
“I almost fell.” I was breathless.
“But you didn’t.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ve got you.”
