Chapter 20: Breakaway: Chapter 20

I CIRCLE around as my students practice skating on their own again, in the middle of the ice this time so they’re pushing off with the power in their own bodies, rather than using the boards for momentum. Aside from a couple of spills, they’ve been balancing well, giggling as they skate from one orange cone to the other. It reminds me of learning to ice skate with my mother. My parents had a very typical boy-meets-girl love story, and it all started at an ice rink just like this. They bumped into each other during a free skate at The Boston Common Frog Pond. She was with her friends; he was with his, and they ditched both groups to get hot chocolates. The way my mom used to tell it, she knew right away that he was a hockey player and didn’t want to get involved, and he could tell that she was a figure skater and assumed she’d be stuck up, but by the time the hot chocolates had cooled, they’d made plans for a real date, and never looked back.

I meet Cooper’s gaze. He’s on the other end of the ice, talking to Ryan. Ryan is wearing a Capitals sweater again, along with a knit cap that covers most of his forehead. He’s waving his arms around as he talks to Cooper, and Cooper’s laughter booms across the echoey space in reply. I don’t bother hiding my smile. Here I am with my own hockey player, although love isn’t on the table.

Since we hooked up in his car, I’ve been floating on air. I haven’t felt this good since Dr. Faber finally got me situated with Lexapro after trying three other anti-anxiety medications. I might’ve failed my chemistry test and have a pile of work to finish, but I have a new friend, and this arrangement—casual, sexy, fun—is exactly what I needed. Cooper knows how to push my buttons, and judging by his relaxed attitude, I’m not doing a bad job of keeping up with him.

Before him, I never felt truly sexy. When I’ve had a guy’s attention, it’s been about objectification, not desire. With Cooper, though? He’s ten yards away and I can feel the heat in his eyes. I took care putting on my makeup and picking out a cute skating outfit before heading to the rink; I’m in pink leg warmers, black leggings, and a tight pink sweater. Combined with the scrunchie holding my thick braid in place and my little gold hoops and necklace with the butterfly charm? I look like a hockey player’s wet dream. The second we wrap up class, I’m going to skate over there and kiss him.

He beats me to it, nearly colliding with me in his eagerness. “Ryan’s mom is signing him up for hockey,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist and squeezing. “I’m going to talk to her about it super quick, okay? Then we can get out of here.”

He raises his hand as he skates to the exit. “Ms. McNamara!”

I bite the inside of my cheek as I follow, watching him ruffle Ryan’s hair as he talks to his mom, who is wearing scrubs; she told us last week that she’s a nurse. I unlace my skates, saying goodbye to a couple of the kids as they pass with their guardians, and rub my aching knee.

Nikki gives me a smile as she walks by. She’s dressed for coaching and has a clipboard tucked under her arm; her junior figure skaters are coming on after this. “Good class?”

“They’re getting the hang of it.”

“Wonderful.” She glances at Cooper. “It seems like he’s a natural with kids. He should work with a hockey team, don’t you think?”

The thought is adorable, and Cooper would probably enjoy it, but I doubt he has the time. I think he’s roughly as behind on his schoolwork as I am. Still, when he walks over, I say, “You’d make a great hockey coach.”

“Ryan’s mother asked if I was going to be working with the team,” he says as he settles down next to me and pulls at the laces on his skates. “Don’t tell your dad this, but I wish I could.”

“He knows you like the lessons.”

“Which he’s thrilled about, I’m sure.”

I put my skates into my bag and trade them for street shoes, a pair of boots with nice fuzzy insides. Uggs used to be the special shoes I would only wear at the rink; otherwise, I’d stick to a pair of Birkenstocks, but here I have more uses for them. “He’s used to his plans working out. He’s an evil genius that way.”

He sidesteps that to say, “Pizza?”

“God, yes, I’m starving. Let’s order from Annie’s.”

We walk to the exit together. “No way,” he says as he holds the door open for me. “Annabelle’s is the way to go.”

I stop in my tracks, even though it’s raining lightly and I’m already shivering. When Cooper offers me his jacket, I take it without argument and sling it over my shoulders. I should have worn my winter coat, even though it makes me look like a lumpy cloud. “That’s slander, and I won’t stand for it. Annabelle’s has crust like a communion wafer.”

“And that’s not slander? Annie’s sauce tastes like it’s from a dusty old can.”

I make a face. “Rude. We’re ordering from Annie’s, and we’re getting it with tons of veggies, plus the Caesar salad.”

“Veggie pizza? Come on, you’ve got to be kidding me. You need to go meatball and sausage or bust.”

I flounce ahead of him. “If you’re such a meathead, order two pizzas, but don’t forget the garlic knots.”