Page 53 of Zero Pucks Given
“I know, I know. I have no excuse. That’s the point of this date, right? To teach me how?”
“And to show you that it’s harder than it looks. After today, you won’t be able to call what I do figure skating with a stick.”
Josie was already gorgeous, but she was even more beautiful when she grinned. “I can assure you I will continue to make fun of your sport.”
“Why am I not surprised?” I grabbed a pair of skates from the bench and shoved them at her. “These should fit you. I borrowed them from Mason’s locker. His feet are fucking tiny.”
She looked at the skates like they were going to explode. “Am I allowed to wear a pro’s skates? Instead of, like, something for amateurs?”
“You’re allowed because I say you are. And if Mason complains, I’ll kick him out of my place.”
Josie continued staring at the skates.
“They’re hispracticeskates,” I said. “They handle easier than his game skates. But be careful. They’re still sharp.”
“They don’tlooksharp.”
I reached forward and removed one of the protective covers, revealing the shiny blade underneath.
“Oh.”
She sat on the bench and swapped her shoes for the skates. I resisted the urge to help her. I desperately wanted to put my hands on her, even something as innocent as lacing up her skates for her.
Fortunately, Manny showed up before I could give in. I chatted with him for a few minutes, discussing where he would be in the stands along with the videographer. Unlike our date on the River Walk, today we would be recording video.
“You’ll probably fall, so be prepared for that now,” I warned as she stood at the edge of the ice.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because everyone falls the first time. Ice skating is hard.”
“What if I’m a natural?” she asked.
“You won’t be.”
Tentatively, she touched the ice with one skate. Then she gripped the railing and put her other foot out. She wobbled for a few seconds, and I wascertainshe would fall on her ass, but then she started wobbling forward with chaotic little motions.
“Told you I wouldn’t fall!” she said proudly.
“It’s early.”
She began pushing forward with a more natural motion, staring down at her feet in concentration. “Hey! This isn’t that hard!”
“Because you’re barely moving.”
“It’s easy!”
“You look like a duck trying to flap its wings to get out of the nest.”
“It’s for balance, dummy.”
“You won’t be able to do that when there’s a hockey stick in your hands.”
“Oh yeah? Watch me!”
Josie slowly lowered her hands to her sides while skating a little faster. I followed along beside her, watching carefully.
Her foot slid out from under her, and she fell backward.
