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VIOLET
An involuntary shudder ran through me as I pushed through the front doors of the ice arena. This morning was bitterly cold, and the thick layer of fresh snow that had fallen overnight seemed like a sign from the universe that perhaps I was better off staying home today; perhaps I was better off not knowing the truth behind Reed’s scar.
I’d considered texting him several times to say I couldn’t make it this morning. I had to get to work soon anyway. However, my curiosity had won out over my dread, and here I was, mentally preparing myself for whatever explanation Reed had in store.
I’d arrived a little early to the arena since I’d given myself extra time to navigate the snowy roads this morning. I wasn’t sure if Reed was here already or where exactly we were supposed to meet, but I figured he’d be inside near the ice.
The center was quiet this morning, with only a few people hanging about, but as I approached the ice, I heard high-pitched squeals of laughter and the sounds of blades scraping against the smooth firm surface. It was coming from a group of young girls who were skating around the wide perimeter of the rink. They were so tiny I was surprised they could walk, let alone skate, and most of them clung to support frames for stability.
“Look at me, Reedy,” one girl cried, as she skated past with no support. “I’m doing it.”
“That’s great, Amelie.”
My jaw dropped as Reed skated up beside the tiny girl and cheered her on. It looked like Reed was teaching the kids to skate. Surely this wasn’t related to the injury he’d received? And why would he be worried I’d think less of him for it?
I continued to watch as Reed gave the small children pointers, supporting them when they needed it and praising them when they’d done well. His gentle gestures and kind words radiated a sense of genuine care that would have surprised anyone who didn’t truly know him. It was certainly a stark contrast to the guy who intimidated pretty much everyone he met or the Devil who took to the ice every weekend. I’d come here today, bracing myself for bad news, but it was difficult to keep that in mind as I watched him playfully lift one of the girls into the air and spin her around.
Eventually, the class came to an end, and as Reed called the group together and said his goodbyes, two of the little girls grabbed his legs and gave him loving hugs. He smiled affectionately down at them and patted them awkwardly on their heads.
“I’ll see you girls next week,” he said. Again, I struggled to believe what I was seeing. How was it that no one knew the big bad Devil Reed Darling taught little girls to skate.
He hadn’t realized I was here yet, and when he turned from waving farewell to the kids, he finally caught me watching. His cheeks turned slightly pink, but his expression was stoic as he moved across the ice toward me.
“So, is this what you wanted me to see?” I asked.
“Uh, no.” He scratched the back of his neck and glanced toward the retreating figures of his tiny little students. “You’re early.”
“Wait, that wasn’t why you asked me here?”
“To see me teach a beginner’s figure skating class? No, that’s not what I wanted to show you.”
“Figure skating?”
Reed’s cheeks turned pinker still.
“Why would you teach figure skating?”
“It’s a long story.”
I crossed my arms as I waited for him to continue. He’d dragged me here on a Sunday morning, and he couldn’t leave me hanging now.
“Meet me by my bag,” he said, nodding at the entrance to the rink. He skated off before I could refuse, and with a sigh, I walked to meet him.
When I reached him, he was pulling another set of ice skates from his bag. “You’re the same size shoe as my sister,” he said, offering them to me.
“And you know that because…”
“We went bowling together,” he replied. “Not because I have a thing for feet.”
“Now, that would be a good rumor.” I smirked. “Maybe I’ll have to start that one on my own.”
“Don’t you dare.”
I laughed before frowning down at the skates. “You don’t actually want me to put those on, do you? I’ve never skated before.”
“I guess it’s lucky I’m a good teacher.” He thrust the skates closer to me, but I didn’t take them. The thought of stepping onto the ice filled me with dread; it seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.
“How about you explain why you brought me here instead?”
