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“I thought you liked that,” I reply, laughing as he pushes off the wall and glides towards me. He’s slightly less wobbly than me, but that doesn’t mean he’s good, either. His legs are as straight as a ruler, as if his knees have been fused into a line.
He awkwardly pushes his feet forwards and holds his hands out for me. I think about moving back for, like, a second, but I really do prefer it when we’re touching.
I laugh. “You’re tragic at this.”
“Don’t tell anyone.”
He takes my hand, and we very slowly move forwards, skating near the wall of the rink.
“Look at that prick. Show off,” he mutters.
“Jesus, Casper, he’s only about six.”
Scowling, he side-eyes me. “We should’ve come later… When he’s in bed.”
“Shown up by a child.”
On our fourth circle around the rink, we begin to settle into it, looking less like we’re about to faceplant on the ice. Casper and I hold onto each other as we go, and it feels so natural, I can’t believe we were ever in a place where I hated him.
“What are your plans after uni?” he asks.
“Get a job.”
“Here?”
“Yeah, and find somewhere else to live.”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
I wobble, holding onto him tighter. He keeps me upright, which is a miracle because he’s crap at this, too.
“Marvin and Reggie leave soon so I’ll need somewhere else to live. Are you going to be difficult if I suggest we move in together?”
I look sideways, so startled that I almost go backwards. He gasps and turns, grabbing my arm with his other hand. It’s too late, we both go down. He pulls me against his chest and twists his body so that I land on him and not the hard ice.
People glide past us like they were born with skates on their feet. From the cold, hard ground, I also start to think the children whizzing past us are pricks.
“Are you okay?” I ask, laughing as he rubs the back of his neck.
I get to my feet awkwardly, and he does the same. “Fucking ice. Why did the thought of living with me make you hit the floor?”
“Because we’ve been together a matter of days and a lot has happened.”
“We’ll work through it all together.”
“Yeah, but don’t you think it’s too soon?”
“This should’ve happened years ago, Ainsley. Please. I don’t want to spend any more time apart. Just give me a chance to fix every shitty thing I’ve done in the same place you are.”
“Worried I’ll leave?”
“Fucking terrified.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Then, move in with me.”
