“Usually, trying something new means joining a pottery class together or going to a new restaurant. Not standing on top of ice with razor blades on our feet,” I say after finishing my drink and following him toward the rink.
Luke chuckles, opening the door for us. “It’ll be fun.”
“Move it, Grandma,” the eleven-year-old, who just ran into me, shouts from over his shoulder.
I fall, slamming into the freezing ice with a loudthud.
“Grandma? Are you kidding me?” I mutter, attempting to steady myself on these death skates, only to fall a second time, my arms and legs spread out as I’m spinning in circles, very much howBambilooked when he was on ice.
“I’m on my way, Granny.” Luke makes his way over to me—ungracefully, might I add—and reaches out a hand to help me up. The smirk on his face quickly vanishes as he stumbles, falling on his face, and I would laugh if I didn’t notice the blood seeping from his nostrils when he looks up at me.
“Luke! Are you okay? You’re bleeding.”
“I smashed my nose.” He winces, reaching over to touch his face and frowning at the redness on his fingers. “I’m starting to regret this decision.”
“You think?”
A sweet elderly couple stops in front of us. “Oh dear. Do you need some help?” the woman asks, reaching a hand out to Luke.
“Yes, please,” he grunts as he takes her hand and wobbles onto his feet.
The man does the same for me, and once we’re on our feet, he reaches into his pocket and hands Luke a tissue. “Thanks,” Luke says, gently patting his nose clean.
I start to slip, and the man wraps his arms around me to keep me from falling. “Looks like you found yourself the perfect boyfriend!” the eleven-year-old shouts as he makes another lap around us. I have had it with this kid.
“Thank you,” I say to the elderly couple, who give us a nod before skating off hand in hand like the cute little angels they are. I clutch tightly onto Luke’s arm, refusing to let go, which is a poor choice on my behalf because as we start to skate again, he slips and falls, bringing me down with him.
I land on top of him, groaning as a sharp pain shoots up my leg, and that's when I feel the cold air seeping through my leggings.Oh no. This can’t be happening.I lift my chest up so I can reach back, and sure enough, my leggings are ripped right down the middle. Thank goodness I’m wearing a long skirt.
“Luke!” I whisper-yell.
He opens his eyes, grunting once he touches the back of his head.
“Are you alright?” I ask.
He grunts again, blinking his eyes a few times, as he softly says, “Is this heaven? It's so bright in here, and there’s this hot, red-headed angel on top of me.”
“You’re clearly fine,” I snap, which earns a chuckleout of him. “I ripped my leggings, and I’m pretty sure that teenage boy that passed by just saw my underwear!”
“Are they the ones with little candy canes on them?”
“How do you know— Shut up!” I exclaim, slapping Luke’s shoulder, who fakes a painful groan.
“That’s it. This was a terrible idea. How do we get out of this hell?” he mutters once we push ourselves to stand, and I make sure to cover my exposed backside with my skirt.
To our luck, two workers skate our way and help us off the rink. I’m thankful for their guidance and the fact that they don’t laugh at us. They look genuinely annoyed, and I can’t blame them. I thank Jesus for the fact that we are in a town where no one knows who we are. If this would’ve happened in Covewood, the whole thing would have been recorded multiple times and spread across the town within the hour.
“Are you all okay?” Luke’s cousin Dani rushes toward us. Behind her is Jerrica and Aunt Andy, who are both laughing hysterically, looking at Andy’s phone.
“Did you seriously record us?” I ask, tossing my skates to the ground and slipping my feet back into my boots. So much for thinking we could forget about this horrible nightmare.
“Not all of it. Just the last five minutes or so,” Aunt Andy says with a grin, her eyes still planted on the screen.
“Why would you all attempt ice skating if neither of you could skate?” Dani asks, helping me to stand up.
“Ask Luke. It was his bright idea.”
Luke shrugs his shoulders. “Come on, Cupcake. Let's get away from my judgy family and go find some mistletoe.”
