Page 135 of My Brother's Enemy
Tyler paid in cash.
“Do you need skates?” the attendant asked, now actually looking at us.
Tyler shook his head. “Got our own.” He had grabbed a pair he kept in his truck and led me to the rink, sitting on one of the side benches.
More than a few people followed us, watching. Phones were being lifted and aimed at Tyler. “You okay with the attention?”
Tyler had bent over to put his skates on but looked around before shrugging. “A few of the younger skaters might come over for an autograph, but it’ll be fine. You okay with it?”
I laughed. “After last night’s game?” It was meant as a joke, but some of my chuckle faded because truth be told, I didn’t think I’d ever get used to it. But this was Tyler and his world and I wasn’t leaving. I reached over to squeeze is knee. “I’ll be fine.”
He was still studying me, serious, and straightened after he finished with his skates. “You sure?”
I nodded, bending to put mine on. “What’s your plan?” I stood when I was done.
Tyler grinned, his eyebrows dipping a little as he observed me. “What do you mean?” He stood as well and I led the way.
“I mean…” Once my skate hit the ice, everything synced up inside of me.
It felt like home. Me. Tyler. Feeling the glide underneath me. A sudden rush hit me, making me dizzy. I quickly eyed who else was on the ice. Little kids that were pushing penguin and seal skate helpers. There were some teenagers. Moms and dads. A few older people as well, but in the rink, mostly everyone was paying attention to themselves.
My gut stirred. That was about to change.
I flashed Tyler a grin as I smacked his arm. “Tag. You’re it.” Then I was off.
I heard his laugh and knew he was skating behind me.
Neither of us could go as fast as we would’ve in an empty rink, but it was fun. Dodging people. Using the skate helpers to block him. People were watching us. I knew that. Caught more than a few phones pointed our way from the side, but I couldn’t bring myself to worry about any of the attention.
It was a rush, almost matching Tyler in speed. He caught me, but he didn’t catch me right away and I could tell that we were both surprised at how much he had to work to get me.
After the eighth time we just transferred who was “it,” Tyler came up behind me and grabbed my hips. His chest warmed my back and he held me, as we both continued skating at a more leisurely pace. He dipped his head and I felt his breath against my neck. “I want this forever.”
My insides exploded.
Twisting my neck, I looked up at him and found him watching me, his eyes were so dark, filled with a piercing somberness. His hands squeezed my hips. “Forever, Rain.” He was slowing us down and he had drawn us over to the boards. At the moment, no one was around us so we had our own little section here. “I want this till I’m shitting my pants.”
“Tyler.” I half-laughed, half breathless too.
He moved around so he was facing me and pulled me against him again. “I mean it. If you don’t want the same, you need to let me go. Do it now while I’ll still shatter, but later…you’ll absolutely destroy me.”
I slid my hand up his chest, around his neck, and my fingers sank into his hair. Taking a good fistful before I looked him straight in the eyes. “You can shut up about that.” I yanked on his hair. “It’s forever for me too.”
His eyes were smoldering. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
He closed his eyes, his shoulders loosening, and he touched his head to mine. “Where have you been all my life?”
A twinge went up my spine, making me feel alive. Intoxicated.
My throat swelled up. “Lost.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “Not anymore and not ever again.”
My heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest.
He dropped his forehead to my shoulder and sighed. “I booked us our own dine-in theater.”
