Page 181 of Ice Darling
But as it stands, I can only fake a smile in front of my daughter at home. The rest of the world can get my scowls.
“Hey.” Campbell walks by me. “Nice water bottle.”
I grunt what I hope is an acceptable greeting.
He lifts his sweatpants and shows off a tattoo of an animated character. “I’m aDeath Notefan myself.” As he pulls up more of his pants, he reveals a gnarly scar with several perfect circles that look like his skin threaded itself over screws.
That looks like it hurt.
To be polite, I remove my eyes from the scar and see the image of a cartoon character with spiky, black hair and big eyes inked into Campbell’s skin.
I have no idea whatDeath Noteis, nor have I ever seen that character. Either way, I’m not in the mood to talk. I grunt andgo back to glowering at the wall and thinking about Cordelia.
Campbell waits a beat, sees me snub his attempt at conversation, and winds his pants back down.
“Alright then,” he says with a shrug and keeps walking.
I hear footsteps coming toward me next.
Chance and Gunner approach with determined faces.
“Renthrow, what the heck is up with you?” Chance barks.
Gunner frowns at me. “We know something went down between you and the sponsor’s daughter.”
I blink.
“April and Rebel told us everything.” Chance stares at me. “Apparently, Cordelia’s been having a hard time too.”
I jerk up. “Cordelia’s having a hard time?”
Chance shakes his head. “You’re no better. You’ve been zoning out during camp. If we didn’t cover for you, the coach would have pulled you up by now. Even the new kids are playing better than you, man. This isn’t like you at all.”
“It has nothing to do with Cordelia,” I grumble.
Gunner looks concerned. “Is it Gordie?”
“Gordie and I are fine. We don’t need anyone or anything but each other.” I cap my Hello Kitty water bottle, nod sharply at them, and stalk back to the rink.
Chance grabs my shoulder before I get too far. “Renthrow.”
I shove his arm off. “What?”
“I don’t know what you and the new mechanic are going through right now, but I do know that I’ve never seen Gordie light up around a person the way she does around Delia. And I’ve never seen you light up as much either.”
“Take it from me,” Gunner warns. “Don’t let years go by with misunderstandings and unspoken feelings. It seems easier to distance yourself than to hash things out. But just because it’s easier doesn’t mean it’s better.”
“She’s made herself clear,” I growl. “There’s no need for more words.”
“What did she say?” Chance challenges.
“That’s between me and her.”
Chance raises his hands, conceding to my stubbornness. “I won’t pry. Just…don’t be an idiot over something you could clear up with a conversation.”
“Misunderstandings that a conversation could resolve are the worst,” Gunner grumbles as if he learned from personal experience.
“If she means something to you, if she’s worth it, fight.”
