Maybe Ramsey realized it too, because he was quiet as he finished tightening the laces on Nate’s first skate and switched to the other.
“There,” he said, letting Nate’s foot drop to the ground after one last reassuring tug on the laces. “Better.”
“Thanks,” Nate said and tilted his head up.
Ramsey smiled, a small, private thing that, despite the frigid temperatures, made Nate feel warm inside. Outside too, like the two of them were tucked away in a cozy bubble that nothing and nobody could burst.
He leaned in and brushed his mouth across Nate’s cheek. “Anytime,” he said. “You ready to skate now, baby?”
Was heready? Nate didn’t know about that, but he was going to do it anyway.
He stood and only Ramsey grabbing his arm saved him from toppling right over. And they were on solid fucking ground still, his skate blades sinking into the rubber mats scattered around the outdoor rink.
“Shit,” Nate muttered.
“Give it a sec,” Ramsey said, gently, with much more reassurance than Nate expected. He’d been such an ass about how hockey had to be easy, so easy anyone could do it, and here he was, unable to even stand up while wearing skates.
“I—” Nate cut off when he wobbled again. But then he felt like he steadied a bit. Enough to keep upright. “Okay. I think I’m okay.”
Ramsey raised an eyebrow but when he spoke, he was still being nicer than Nate probably deserved. “Just take your time,” he repeated. “You’re good.”
Nate let out a breath. Got his bearings and yeah, he really was going to be okay.
Still, Ramsey didn’t let go of him as they walked towards the rink. “Don’t be a hero,” Ramsey murmured under his breath. “Take it slow. And if you’re going to fall, just let yourself fall, okay?”
“I’m not going to fall,” Nate said. But then he took his first step onto the ice and promptly, immediately fell on his ass.
Ramsey leaned over him, and now hewaslaughing, under his breath. “Shit, babe, youdidgo right down, didn’t you.”
Nate made a face but took Ramsey’s arm when he held it out. And he’d known Ramsey was strong, but it was another to experience it, as Ramsey hauled him like he weighed fucking nothing.
“Yeah,” Nate grumbled.
“Told you. Go slow,” Ramsey counseled gently. “Come on. Try not to step but to glide.”
It took him a minute, but Nate felt like he got a handle on it. But of course when he did, that was the moment they reached the curve of the rink.
“Shit,” Nate exclaimed. “We gotta—”
“You got this. Just follow my lead.”
Nate wasn’t going to do anything else, because he really didn’t want to hit the ice again. Unsurprisingly, it was hard. And cold.
They cautiously, gingerly, skated around the first curve. Okay, he’d done it. Nate relaxed a fraction. Loosened his death grip on Ramsey’s forearm, and when he did, Ramsey looked over at him, eyes dancing with delight.
“You good, baby?”
“Better,” Nate said. Now that he’d gotten the hang of the balance and the rhythmic motion of the skating, itwaseasier. He’d never be fast. Or agile. Oreverbe able to play a game while on skates, but maybe he wouldn’t embarrass himself.
“Yeah, you’re a natural,” Ramsey teased.
Nate barked out a laugh, then regretted that, because of how it shifted his weight and made him wobble terrifyingly.
“I mean it,” Ramsey said seriously. “You took to it faster than I thought you would.”
Several people, all clearly experienced skaters, fast and nimble, skated past them at a much quicker clip, and Nate didn’t miss how Ramsey eyed them.
“You can . . .you know, skate without me. I’m good. Really.”
