Hey, that was my job to put space between us.
I stepped forward, not liking the distance. “I didn’t say to go at full speed. You almost hit the wall a few minutes ago.”
“I’m a hockey player, and this is how we skate.” He chuckled, moving back a second time, making it clear this was not something that I was imagining.
“I know that, but you need to slow it down, at least for now,” I said, hands on my hips because I knew how hard he’d worked, and I didn’t want him going too fast just yet and risking another injury.
“Sure, Weeze. I can do that.” He patted me on the head before crossing his arms over his chest, like a barrier between us.
What in the hell was going on? Why was he suddenly acting so weird to me?
“Time’s up for your private skate, Chadwick,” Moe shouted from the doorway, pulling us from our conversation. “We’ve got a bunch of kids here for a party that will be out in the next ten minutes.”
“Thanks, buddy. I was just finishing up,” Clark said.
“Hey, Chadwick. You want to go with us to Booze and Brews for happy hour?” Laney shouted from behind the glass.
He looked at me, and I saw something pass in his gaze, but I couldn’t place it. He leaned down, his gaze locked on mine. “You want to go grab a drink? It is Saturday, after all. We’re off tomorrow.”
I looked up at Sasha and Laney, who were waiting patiently for an answer. “No, that’s all right. I’ve got plans tonight. You should go have some fun.”
Of course, I didn’t have plans. But I had no desire to go watch Clark get fawned all over by two beautiful women
His gaze held mine, and he nodded. “Yeah?”
“Of course,” I said with a nod. “Why wouldn’t you?”
His gaze once again locked with mine before he turned to look at the two women. “Sounds good. Give me a minute to change out of my skates.”
I didn’t know why my hands fisted at my side or why my heart raced when he agreed to go with them. I just insisted he go, and now I was annoyed.
He should definitely go. There was no reason not to.
I attempted to make my way off the ice, but of course, my freaking feet had me walking like a newborn deer.
“Need some help?” he asked, as he quirked a brow, and I continued to try to move forward, even though I was basically staying in the same place but exerting a lot of energy to do so.
“No. I’m fine,” I grumped.
“You’re not fine,” he said against my ear as he snaked a hand around my waist, my back to his chest, lifting me with ease as he glided me toward the opening to step off the ice.
My breath hitched as his lips grazed my earlobe before he set me down on my feet.
“Thank you. You didn’t need to do that. I had it.” I stepped out of the rink and glanced over my shoulder at him.
“Sure, you did,” he said, the corners of his lips turning up the slightest bit, but it seemed forced. He was acting all cool and casual, but something was definitely off.
He sat down and took off his skates while I stood there, brushing off the rest of the ice shards on my tank top.
“You want to come with us, Eloise?” Sasha called out from a few feet away.
And before I could answer, he answered for me.
“Apparently, she’s got a hot date,” he said as he winked at me, but there was an edge in his voice before he walked toward them and turned on the Chadwick charm. “So, you’re stuck with just me, ladies.”
And he walked off with them, not giving me so much as a second glance.
And it bothered me a lot more than it should.
