I didn’t hold back my chuckle. “Good thing she’s too far away to hear me.” But I hadn’t missed her watching me like a hawk during camp. As if suggesting I give Luca a ride without having a booster seat made me dangerous to every child at the practice.
“Good thing,” Luca echoed. He nibbled on his bottom lip for a moment before asking the question that was clearly stewing. “How do I go for it but not mess up?”
God, he was adorable. “We learn from our mistakes. What did you feel when you hit the cone?”
Luca’s little brow furrowed for a moment, and I could see him replaying the skate in his mind. “Before I hit it, I kept switching what I was looking at. Going back and forth between the cones and where I was going. But I was almost at the end and forgot to look at the cone. Forgot I had to think about my stick.”
“Bingo. Now you’ll know for next time. But you’re also still getting used to the stick. The more you skate with it, the easier it’ll be,” I assured him. “You’re doing amazing.”
Luca’s cheeks reddened, but he grinned hugely. “Thanks, Coach Reaper.”
Kenner blew his whistle. “We are done for the day. See you tomorrow, everyone.”
Some kids charged toward the rink exit and their waiting parents while others still raced around the ice in whatever game they’d made up. My phone buzzed as I started to head for the bench. I slowed and pulled it from my pocket.
Angie
How’s it going down there?
I winced at the text. It was hard to tell whether she was reaching out as head of PR for the Sparks or as my ex, which meant I had to thread the needle carefully. The last thing I wanted was to make her think there was an opening there.
Me
Good. Hope all is well.
Kind but to the point and ending the conversation. But my phone quickly dinged again.
Angie
Need me down there for anything?
Hell.That was the last thing I needed. But I’d brought this on myself.
Me
All good.
I shoved my phone back into my pocket just as two kids whizzed past me, Luca being one of them. As I followed their progress, I caught sight of a familiar figure at the edge of the rink. Before I could wave or head in that direction, Luca was moving.
“Rhodes!” he yelled, skating toward my sister.
Her smile was instant, her hazel eyes lighting at the greeting. Damn, it was good to see that. She’d been through so much over the past few months, and we’d all been worried. But apparently, recovery from nearly being killed by a psychopath came easier when you were head over heels in love. And while her ex-FBI-profiler boyfriend, Anson, might be a broody son of a bitch, he would do anything to keep Rhodes safe and happy.
“Luca!” she called over the noise of the excited kids. “You were incredible. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were a hockey superstar.”
The smile that split his face was so massive it had to hurt his cheeks. “I’m gonna play for the Sparks, just like Coach Reaper.”
The light in Rho’s eyes danced as she looked up at me. “Coach Reaper, huh?”
I flipped her off behind Luca’s back, which only made her laugh.
“Luca,” Evelyn called. “Come on. We need to go.” The scathing look she sent me told me she’d seen the middle finger I’d offered my sister.
“Aw, man,” Luca muttered.
I patted him on the back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Speedy.”
He nodded and then looked at Rhodes. “Can I come help on the Victorian soon?”
