“Come skate with me?” My voice is soft and inviting.
She brushes her teeth over her bottom lip and nods. We got out skates for her when we first arrived, but she landed on her ass within thirty seconds of getting on the ice and, thanks to Kade’s laughing, wouldn’t get back on.
Maybe she sensed we needed to blow off some steam. But we’ve done that now and all I want to do is glide around the ice with her in my arms.
Sappy and romantic—yes.
But I’ve got to admit that I’ve basically been hanging out with her nonstop this past week and she’s making sappy and romantic easier and easier to find.
Clambering across to the rink, she grabs the wall before snapping an ankle. I take her hand and help her to the gate, holding her steady as she steps onto the ice. As soon as she’s stable, I take her other hand and gently glide backwards, pulling her forward as I go.
We can’t stop grinning at each other. We’re saying so much without talking.
Emotions are clogging my throat, only getting worse as her eyes start to mist over. I’m pretty sure she’s thinking about when she has to go.
“Don’t think about it,” I croak. “Just be in this moment with me.”
She nods, sniffing at her tears and forcing another smile.
I turn just before we hit the wall and then stop in the middle of the rink. She glides to a stop against my chest, wrapping her arm around my waist.
It’s quiet in here. Like we’re the only two people at the school…in the world, even.
I gaze down, studying her face and trying to paint a picture I won’t forget. I hate the idea of her leaving. We don’t know when that will be, but it can’t be far off. She’ll be picked up and taken to a courthouse to testify against a killer. It’s going to be terrifying for her and I won’t be there.
“I want to keep you safe,” I finally whisper. “I want to keep you right here…with me.”
“I want that too.” Her lips rise into a slow smile, killing any doubts I may have had that this thing growing between us is a one-sided deal.
Sadness sweeps over us as we both think forward to the inevitable.
I run my thumb over her forehead, smoothing out her frown lines. “It’s gonna be okay. I know you’re scared, but you’re strong too. Much stronger than me.”
“What are you talking about?” Her voice pitches. “You’re the strongest person I know.”
It’s nice that she thinks that, but it’s not the truth.
I dip my head with a sad sniff. “My muscles might be bigger than yours, but you…” I look her in the eye. “You’ve got an inner strength that I’ve wanted my whole life. I could have saved my mom, you know? But I was afraid of the flames.” I swallow. Admitting this out loud is harder than I thought it’d be. I don’t even know why I’m doing it. “The house caught fire. I woke up and there was smoke everywhere. I ran into the hallway and her room was right there.” My face bunches, my insides coiling like they always do when I relive my stupid decision to act like a coward. “But it was so hot and terrifying. I just…” My voice peters out to nothing.
Her fingers are soft as they skim down my cheek. “How old were you?”
“Twelve.”
She squeezes my waist, pressing her cheek against my shoulder. “You were a kid. You can’t hold yourself responsible for that.”
“But she was everything to me,” I mumble into her hair. “I let my everything die.”
“Where was your dad? What about him?” Her questions come out sharp and snappy.
“Business trip.” I swallow. “He’s never been the same since.”
Pulling back, she takes my face in her hands and forces me to look at her. “I hate that you lost her…and him. But look at what you’ve gained. Kade and Riley are gold. They’re your family. Your wolf pack.” She grins. “And whether you like it or not, you’re their leader. They look up to you because you’re strong.”
Her words floor me, along with the conviction in her eyes. She believes everything she’s saying right now. She believes in me.
Lurching forward, I plant my lips on hers, pouring everything I have into it. I’m not just kissing her because she’s hot anymore, or because I’m trying to prove how manly I am.
I’m kissing her because she’s finding a home inside me.
This isn’t a fast and frenzied make-out session where we’re resisting the urge to take things to the next level.
This is a slow dance. Unmasked. Open. Honest.
My hands glide up her back, melding us together. I don’t know how I’m ever going to let her go.
I’m falling for this girl.
I don’t even know her real name.
She’s going to leave me soon to do the right thing.
And when she does, she’s going to take away one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.
#25:
A Ten-Digit Number
Christiana