Page 111 of Broken Hearts
“Traded up already?” Elias lifts a brow.
Mav cackles. “Traded up. That’s hilarious, and thanks for saying up instead of down.”
“The other one is currently on my shit list, so it isn’t hard to look better than him right now.”
“Elias!” I slap his arm.
“I know. I know. His ex died. It’s awful, but I’m still pissed he took off.”
The guys shake hands and then Elias takes us on a quick tour of the building. It’s impressive and I find myself already missing the hours I’ve been lucky enough to spend on the ice the last four years. Oh, how I’m going to miss skating every day.
“I have to get back. How long are you staying? Can we skate together?”
“I would love that.” I look to Mav. “Do we have time?”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind checking out that ice myself.”
“Awesome.” Elias grins. “Sit wherever, don’t talk to the mean-looking lady with the flaming red hair, and I’ll be done in about two hours.”
“Mean-looking lady with the flaming red—Ah! Found her.” Mav leads the way to a row about midway up.
I snort. “That’s his coach and she’s amazing.”
There are two other pairs on the ice, but it’s Elias and Taylor I focus on. I’ve seen videos online of their competitions and some clips that Elias has sent, but they’re even better in person. Taylor has this presence about her and Elias is a great partner, syncing with her and making every movement seem so connected and like it’s all about her.
“What are you doing over there?” I ask Mav a while later. We’ve barely spoken since we sat down since I’ve been so enthralled with watching. He’s leaned back smiling at his phone.
“Sexting Kota.”
“What?!” Well, that definitely has my attention. “No way. Let me see.”
He sits up and shows me a picture of Dakota holding Charli. “O-kay. I was expecting something a little… sexier.”
“She’s watching her for me while I’m gone.”
“That’s nice, but how is that sexting?”
“Trust me. I invented this move.”
“What move?”
“Sending chicks I’m interested in pictures of my dog to get their attention. It’s a signal and way more effective than nudes.”
“Wait a minute.” I pull out my phone and scroll up toward the beginning of mine and Rhett’s text history, then show Mav.
He covers his mouth with a fist. “Worked, didn’t it?”
* * *
“Of courseyou traveled with your skates,” Elias says as I step onto the ice.
“Mav did too.” I nod my head to where he’s skating around, hockey stick in hand.
“This place is incredible.” I look up and take in the view from down here. “And here I was feeling sorry for you being in small-town hell.”
“It’s pretty nice,” he admits. His gaze goes to Taylor.
“How arethings?”
