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He swings around and extends his hand. It’s not even a question in my brain to take it. More like instinct. His grip tightens around me as I step onto the ice and glide across the smooth surface. Tension vibrates through every muscle.
It’s been a long time since I’ve done this, and it no longer feels second nature the way it did when we were younger. My other hand tightens in an effort to stay upright so that I don’t end up on my ass. If I was worried when I first rose to my feet near the bench, it’s nothing compared to the unease I feel right now.
It's as if Wolf can read my mind. He tugs me forward until his arm can slip around my waist to steady me.
“See? Easy peasy. Just like riding a bicycle.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I say with a snort. “In fact, if this is the same as getting on a bike again, then I probably shouldn’t attempt that either because it feels like I’m seconds away from breaking a few bones.”
“I would never let that happen.”
With his arm banded around my middle, he tugs me closer. I’m more or less being propelled forward as my feet stay firmly planted on the ice.
Well, as firmly planted as they can be.
It takes one full lap around the oval before the stiffness filling my muscles gradually dissipates and I begin to enjoy myself. I stop focusing on the possibility of face planting and become more aware of the guy at my side. Even after the trauma of our past, I still trust Wolf to keep me safe. That thought continues to circle around in the back of my mind.
Only now am I able to fully acknowledge it.
When we were children, Wolf went to great lengths to protect me.
He’d take a hit for me.
Or Miles.
I suppose that’s why the loss of his friendship had been so devastating. Or that I was so hurt by the way he disappeared from my life without a word.
Other than my brother, I’ve never trusted anyone more than Wolf.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he asks softly, knocking me from the past that continues to slyly wrap around me.
Instead of admitting the truth and delving headfirst into something so painful, I keep it light. “The pond near our house and how we’d skate there in the wintertime. You and Miles would clear off the snow and set up goals at each end.”
“And we wouldn’t go home until our fingers and toes were numb, and our teeth were chattering,” he adds with a twitch of his lips.
I can’t help but smile because it was one hundred percent true.
Snow days were the best days. The boys would play hockey. Sometimes other kids from the neighborhood would join us, but I always liked it best when it was just the three of us.
“Those are some of my favorite memories,” he says softly.
“Me, too.” Nothing since then has ever compared.
How could it?
Before I realize what he’s doing, Wolf spins me around so that I’m skating backward in front of him with our hands tightly clasped.
“Relax,” he whispers, continuing to steer us. “I’ve got you.”
His eyes bore into mine as I force my muscles to loosen.
If I’m being completely honest—Wolf has always had me.
He’s forever possessed the power to suck me in and hold me captive.
When we were growing up, I didn’t want to break free. It was never a thought in my head.
Now I’m no longer sure.
