Page 81 of Catch
“I don’t know how to hold your stick—” Jett starts.
I bite back a laugh.
“No jokes, Ethan.”
“That’s like asking me not to breathe,” I quip. “Don’t worry, I already know that you’re very good with your hands, so there’s no question you’ll be an expert at handling my stick.”
Jett rolls his eyes at my corny line. I slide behind him, wrapping my arms around his body so I can place his hands in the correct position.
“Dominant hand on the top of the stick, and the other halfway down the shaft.”
“Are we still talking about hockey?” Jett whispers.
“Focus, Jett. Eye on the puck.”
I should take my own advice, but I’m distracted by the warmth of his body against mine.
“The puck. Right.”
I show him how to wind up and then let him go. When Jett makes his first shot, it slides right into the net. Dane skates up to me and taps my arm.
“He’s a natural.”
I nod and watch Jett take another shot. Silas and Axel givehim pointers, and seeing him out here in the place I love most, with my closest friends, makes my stomach flip over.
“You ever think of giving up rowing?” I call out.
“Never. But I’d still like to learn how to skate.”
“I’ve got an extra pair you can borrow. I think we’re the same size.”
“Promise you won’t laugh when I fall on my ass?”
“No, but I promise to always help you back up.”
“I’ll need a massage afterward.”
“I’m your man.”
The words leave my mouth and there’s no taking them back.
CHAPTER 19
ETHAN
“Great practice, guys, we’re done,” Banning calls out. “I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
I turn to watch Silas and Banning skate off together, smiling at each other. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the fact that my teammate is married to our coach. There’s not a huge age gap between them—Silas is twenty-two and Damien’s thirty—so I think it’s the getting hitched part that has me flummoxed. In any case, it seems to be working for them.
“Help me off the ice?” Jett asks.
“Of course.”
I offer him my arm and when he touches me, even with all my gear on, I’m vibrating.
“Did you enjoy that?”
“I did. I was serious when I said I wanted to learn how to skate. Think you’d want to teach me?”
