Page 137 of Taking Sides

I haven’t seen him in forty-eight hours, so I was fully prepared to walk out on the ice in my sneakers to kiss him if necessary. He was gone Thursday night for a game, then last night my team traveled. I’ve reached my limit of missing him. I hope his friends are prepared to watch us make out.

“Are you taking vitamins? And what about caffeine? I heard you’re supposed to limit your intake.” Victor’s voice comes through the car speakers with such genuine concern, I’m not sure how to respond.

“Where did you hear that?” I park my car outside the rink.

“Alexis. One of her sisters just had a baby. Oh, and I sent you something in the mail.”

“What?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Is it Bella?” I joke. I miss that dog.

“As if.” He huffs a laugh.

“Yeah, don’t mail her. Book a flight and I’ll pick her up.”

“It’s something I found at Dad’s house.”

“Ominous.”

“It’s nothing. I saw it and thought you should have it.”

“All right, but if it’s Dad’s copy of The Art of War, I’m tossing it.” I kill the engine and open the door. Conrad’s truck is here, so I know he’s inside already. “I have to go. Call you this week sometime. Good luck in Nashville.”

“Should be an easy win with all their injuries,” he says. Despite his words of confidence, it’s his first game back after the suspension, so I have to imagine he’s feeling some pressure to come back strong and prove his worth to the team and stop the media coverage of his game misconduct.

After we hang up, I get out of my car and head inside the arena. It’s quieter than I expected, but there are lights streaming out from the rink.

I unlock my phone with the intent of texting Conrad, but Danny appears first.

“Hey,” I say as he walks toward me.

He’s dressed casually in athletic pants and a T-shirt. “You made it.”

“Yeah. Not hard to find with the bright purple glow of this place.”

He lets out a quiet chuckle.

“Where’s Conrad?”

“He sent me out here to make sure you found it.”

“O-kay.” It’s unclear why he didn’t come himself.

Danny tips his head toward the ice. I follow him down several flights of stairs, then to their locker room, where I can change into my skates. I keep waiting for Conrad to appear or for some sign of his other friends supposedly meeting us here, but so far, it’s just me and Danny and his ever-present smirk.

“Ready?”

“Yeah,” I say, suddenly feeling a little nervous.

It’s a short trek to the ice, but before it comes into view, Danny turns and faces me, stopping me from going farther.

He pulls out a black silk blindfold from his pants pocket. “Do you trust me?”

“No,” I deadpan. “What are you, a magician? Are you going to pull out a rabbit next?”

His grin stretches wide. It’s a smile that I’m sure gets him exactly what he wants most of the time. “Would you feel better if I told you it’s Conrad’s request and I’m just the messenger?”