“Quick, let’s get our skates!” Mackie grabs my hand and yanks me after him, making me laugh, but his enthusiasm is infectious.
We head to the circular booth in the middle, and after waiting in a short line, we pick our skates and walk over to a bench on the right. I take off my jacket and kneel.
“Conan?” Mackie asks, but I simply lift his left foot, take off his shoe, and do the same to the right. I can feel him watching me, but I grab his skates, lift his foot, brush off his sock, and help him into both before tying them and sitting back on my heels.
“Do they feel okay?” I ask softly.
He nods silently, his eyes wide as I smile and sit next to him,putting my skates on before standing. I take our shoes and coats and lock them up, tying the key around my wrist before returning to him and offering him my hand. “Come on then, baby boy.”
He lets me tug him up, but his skates go out from under him and he slams into my chest. Chuckling, I slip my arms around him. “I guess you’ll be clinging to me the entire time. Can’t say I’m mad about that,” I tease.
“Shut up. I slipped,” he scoffs, but he’s smiling, and he holds my arm as we carefully make our way over to the rink. I get in first and help him down, and once we’re there, he looks nervous. “I guess it’s been a long time since I skated.”
“My Mackie not good at something? Tell me why I find that so fucking cute, Mr. Perfect,” I tease.
“I’ll show you,” he grumbles, releasing my arm and pushing forward. He quickly gets the hang of it and skates circles around me in no time as I struggle to glide without falling. Even some old couples are passing us, but we ignore everyone else—apart from Mackie, who seems determined to master this straight away. I guess that’s his competitiveness.
Why is it so sexy?
I, on the other hand, look like Bambi on ice.
“Now who’s cute?” he teases, skating backward and holding my hands so I don’t fall. “I never thought I’d see the day when you looked nervous.”
“I’m always nervous around you,” I admit, and he blushes, something even I see under the lights. “But physical sports were never really my thing.”
“Really? With that body?” It’s my turn to blush, and he grins as he tugs me faster.
“I was always more of a read a book and stay indoors person,” I say as he skates at my side now. “Though, I’m currently seeing the benefits.”
Like having him beside me, smiling.
His laughter fills the air as the song changes to something upbeat,and the grin he aims at me is malicious. “Come on, old man, let’s move!”
He drags me around for hours, and I’ll admit, it’s a really good time, if not exhausting.
Slumping into the booth, I lean into Mackie as he relaxes into the sticky leather. The disco lights flash over us while the music flows through the air. “This is so much fun,” he says.
“Good, I’m glad.” I kiss his cheek. “When I can feel my legs, I’ll go get us drinks.”
“I’ll go, since I’m the youngest,” he teases with a wink before hurrying to the bar. I watch him. How could I not? I notice others doing the same, eyeing him hungrily, and I don’t blame them.
Mackie is beautiful, with his bright smile that lights up the entire room, not to mention how kind he is. People flock to him and share chats at the bar, but when he turns, his eyes are only for me, and I feel somewhat superior.
Sliding back into the booth, he hands me a drink. “Taste.” Leaning in, I suck on the little straw before wincing.
“Too sweet,” I mutter.
“Thought so. Here.” He takes the second one then offers it to me. This time, it’s much less sweet and more minty with leaves on top, whereas the one he takes has worms and candy hanging over the edge. He nibbles on them as he watches the others skate, and I settle back at his side to do the same, content to be with him.
Just then, a redheaded woman stops by our table. She’s young, probably younger than Mackie, and wearing a cute sundress. She smiles at us sweetly, flashing pearly whites as she leans into our booth. “Hi, I’m Whitney.”
“Hey, I’m Mackie, and this is Conan,” Mackie replies with a bright smile.
She giggles as she looks between us, and my lips tilt down in a frown at that.
“Are you single?” the cute redhead asks, fluttering her lashes, and I narrow my eyes as Mackie’s mouth drops open.
“He isn’t,” I snap.
