I smile, dropping my hands from his face and chest. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“No, seriously.” He pulls his hand away from my waist and runs it through his hair, his fingers tangling in the messy strands. “Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?” I say, a small smile tugging at my lips. Never in a million years did I think I’d call Austin my friend—yet here we are.
He lets out a tired laugh, shaking his head. “I’m so glad I met you, Maisie. You have no idea.”
I shrug, flashing him a smile. “Anyone would’ve helped you, Austin.”
He holds my gaze for what feels like forever, swallows, then shakes his head. “That’s not the reason why.”
My heart stutters, and I want to say something, but I’m frozen. Waiting.
For what? I don’t know. But I can’t seem to move.
After a few minutes, we both settle back down on my bed, and this time, his arm swings around my shoulder. I stiffen for a second, before letting myself lean into him.
The movie keeps playing, but I barely register what’s happening onscreen. Every few minutes, I sneak a glance at him. Just to see if he’s still here. Just to make sure this isn’t in my head.
His knee nudges mine, and he doesn’t move away.
I don’t either.
15
AUSTIN
I’m early.
Which is ridiculous, because I’m never early. Especially not to practice, where I now do nothing but watch my teammates on the ice. Yet here I am, parked on the bench at the side of the rink, my water bottle in hand.
Really, I’m just waiting.
The skating team still has a few minutes left, and I know—because I definitely, totally checked the group schedule—that Maisie’s practice runs right up against ours today.
I stretch my legs out in front of me, roll my shoulders, and try to play it cool even though all I want to do is just watch her.
She’s not even doing anything fancy. Just gliding, her arms stretched out for balance, her head tilted slightly to one side. But it’s still… captivating. Still enough to make me stop and watch her.
A month ago, I didn’t even know her name. Now it’s like my eyes search for her without asking me first. She’s just… there, in my brain.
She’s a part of my day now. My week. My everything, kind of. And I’m not sure how it happened, only that I don’t want it to stop.
The guys clatter in behind me, loud as always. Ryan’s the first one through the rink doors. Logan and Nathan trail him, mid-argument about whatever it is they’re arguing about today. Cole’s quiet, as usual. Dude needs to lighten up. I wonder if his face hurts from constantly frowning.
“Hey, look who’s already here,” Logan says, grinning as he drops his gym bag onto the bench with a loud thud. “Is that Austin freaking Rhodes, early to practice? Alert the media.”
Ryan arches a brow at me. “You trying to win points with Coach or just waiting for your girlfriend?”
I scowl. “She’s not my—” I pause. Start over. “I’m not waiting for her.”
He scoffs. “Right. You just like hanging out at figure skating practice now.”
The sound of a skate landing on the ice reaches me, and I don’t even try to be subtle as I glance up.
Maisie has her arms stretched out as she lands a jump, and my eyes drift to her cropped top that shows the tiniest sliver of her stomach when she moves.
“You’re literally drooling,” Ryan whispers beside me.
