"Who..." Tolliver's voice cut out as he spotted me. Skating to the edge of the rink closest to us, he was smiling again. "What are you doing here?"
Before I could respond, Eli said, "She was crying."
His eyes shot to his brother. "Was she?"
"Yep, but I made her laugh."
I glanced sideways at him, wondering whether I should be upset with him for outing me or amused. "Thanks a lot."
"Welcome," he said then waved bye to me as he walked down to the ice.
Tolliver crossed his arms, so I crossed mine.
"Who's that?" Elle asked Eli.
"Not sure," he said, "but I think Tolliver likes her."
"He did stop practice to talk to her."
"I think she likes him too."
"Looks like she's blushing."
I fought the urge to feel my cheeks.
"Suicide drills," Tolliver shouted then blew his whistle as all the kids on the ice groaned. "Get on the blue line. Let's go."
After he blew it again, we continued our stare-off.
"So, you wanna talk about it?" Tolliver said, looking at me like he had all the time in the world.
"Not really," I said.
"Okay."
A beat passed, then for some unknown reason, I blurted, "My mom's getting remarried."
"Is she?"
"Yeah, and her new daughter, Stacia, is basically perfect. Older, prettier, kinder, more athletic. Disgustingly perfect."
"Hmmm. Perfection's overrated," he said.
My lips twitched. "She wants me at the wedding—even though I hate weddings, and I don't know what my dad is going to say, and I'm basically depressed about everything."
Tolliver nodded as I stopped for a breath. "Anything I can do?"
"Can I catch a ride with you? I mean, if there's room."
His smile reached epic proportions. "Absolutely, Freya Kent. There'll always be room for you. I've got about 30 more minutes here, then we can go. You willing to wait?"
Wait here for Tolliver, or return to the awkwardness that is my mother and her new family?
Was it even a choice?
"I'll wait," I said.
"I'm glad," Tolliver said.
