Page 10 of Trick Play

“No!” I stretched past him, reaching for the offensive item. Larry didn’t move, just kept his arm where I couldn’t reach it.

I’d pressed myself against him, full body, breasts in the ridiculous costume rubbing on his fabric-covered chest. Since I was on tiptoe, our faces were almost level. I stared, and his grin dropped, something charged in the air between us.

“Hey, Hanny!” His teammate’s voice interrupted us.

I dropped to my flat feet and stepped back, only to be jerked forward as Larry turned.

“Got a cop here. If you can convince him you’re not supposed to be cuffed, he’ll unlock you.”

Suddenly the evening was a lot less fun.

Larry

* * *

The story didn’t sound any less ridiculous telling it again to the patrolman who’d been sent to release us. My baggy costume didn’t help me seem any more trustworthy, but the guy was a Blaze fan and in a rush since it was a busy night for the police. He pulled out his key, and fortunately, it worked. The cuffs opened and I rubbed my wrist, enjoying the freedom.

Kelli was doing the same. There was a red mark around her slender arm. I’d tried to be careful, but skating with someone like we’d been doing made it impossible to not pull on her frequently. She’d been a good sport, and a lifesaver with the little kids we’d been dealing with.

She looked up, a smile appearing and dropping quickly.

“Since I’m free, I can get a Lyft.” She stopped. “Damn it, I don’t have my purse.” We’d left her mom’s place so quickly we hadn’t taken it.

“Do you need it now?”

She shrugged. “It’s got my phone and my keys, as well as my wallet.”

“I’ll give you a ride back to get it. It’s the least I can do after all your help.”

“But you’re not done here.”

Was she anxious to leave? I’d hoped, after that moment we’d had, that maybe something was there between us. “I can call an Uber for you, or if you’re willing to help out a little longer, I’ll give you a ride when we’re done.”

She looked away. “I don’t want to put you out.”

Relieved that she didn’t jump on the Uber option, I assured her it wouldn’t put me out (though it would). “Are you staying at your mom’s tonight?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t plan on it. I took transit from work, but if it’s too late I can stay with her.”

Or I could give her a ride to her place and find out where she lived.

“That’s settled.” I ushered her back inside.

The Hawaiian pizza was gone, so we ate the mundane ones. Kelli helped clean up the younger kids.

Crash stopped beside me. He was wearing a clown costume that fit, which meant it must be easier for him to skate, but somehow I didn’t mind my bulky one.

“Now that you’re free, do you want to play hockey? Luke or I can help with the little ones.” He was watching Kelli where she was kneeling in front of the toddler, gently cleaning off her face. “Is she seeing anyone, do you know?”

My fists clenched, and I had to relax them deliberately. “I’ll stay with the kids and Kelli. We’ve got a good system going.”

Crash smirked. “I guess I have my answer, then.”

I shot him the finger, and followed Raggedy Ann to the second rink.

This time we could split up, so she helped the kids who wanted to learn to glide and spin, and I did hockey stuff with the rest. Danny was working on figure eights while I checked his edge work, then he asked, “Is she your girlfriend?”

I looked at Raggedy Ann, makeup fading, bulky skirt ruffling as she showed a spin to a four-year-old.