Page 106 of Ice Rebel

We both snapped our heads in the direction, her whisper harsh. “What was that?”

While she couldn’t hear, I could. Footsteps. “We’re not alone.”

Chelsea slapped her hand over her mouth, nodding toward the tunnel. Ready to bite my head off when I took my time getting off the ice.

From there, we scrambled to put our clothes back on while the footsteps came closer, the hard thud of a man’s boots jarring. She was beside herself, biting her lip while her body shook.

I had to finish fastening her jeans and you better believe I would hold it over her pretty little head.

The sound was echoing, the person getting closer. Finally, we were on the bench, acting as if nothing had happened.

“Cole.”

“Mr. Watkins.” I stood, noticing he’d aged more than a couple of years should have required.

“Nick told me you might drop by. And he said you had a special lady friend with you.” He rubbed his hand on his dungarees before holding it out to her. “Charlie Watkins. I’ve known this fine young man since he was barely this high.” His other hand was shaking as he held it maybe two feet off the floor.

“Nice to meet you. A nice young man, huh?” she teased.

“Yeah, but you gotta watch him. Aren’t you going to introduce me, son?”

“Oh, sorry,” I threw out. “Chelsea Black.”

His eyes narrowed as if he knew her then grinned. “Are you going to tame this boy down?”

“I’m going to try, if that’s possible,” she said, laughing.

“He comes from good people. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

There was a sadness about him I wasn’t used to. “What’s with the for-sale sign?”

“Gotta do it, Cole. The rink doesn’t make much money. Hasn’t for years. Everyone heads to Seattle. I might have an offer, a decent one.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah, some group wants to put a data center in town.”

“Wait. This isn’t outside of town.” I was instantly angry.

“I guess the footprint is expanding. Anyway, it’s the only bite I’ve gotten so I feel like I need to take it. The bills are getting to be too much.”

What was I supposed to say? We weren’t regulars at the rink any longer. “I’m sorry, Charlie. Times are tough.”

“Yeah, they are. Anyway, just dropped by to get a few things. Didn’t mean to interrupt. Are you going to see your parents?”

I hadn’t really planned on it, but maybe I should. “Yeah.”

“Tell them I said hello.”

As he walked away, his gait a little slower than in the years when he’d chased one or all of the Kendrick brothers around the facility after one of us had pulled a prank, it hit me how much I missed the way things had been.

Maybe simpler.

Maybe more closely knit.

I glanced at the banner now celebrating the Kendrick brothers and their success and wondered what the fuck I was missing.

“Do you trust me?” I asked, mostly out of the blue. She wasn’t quick to respond so I turned my head.