Page 87 of Cross Check

I do better than that, clocking a twenty-seven-second run that leaves me drenched in sweat.

“Didn’t think I’d be getting a workout today.” I stop for water and to catch my breath. “I need to remember not to get frantic.”

“Controlled urgency is a good way to look at it.” She skates up to me and hops on the boards to sit. “You want to be quick, but you don’t want to be sloppy.”

“Do I look like I do anything sloppy?”

“No.” Her eyes travel from my hair to my face, moving down to my chest and arms. The tension between us is palpable, and I swear her cheeks are darker than they were before. “You look like you’d be very meticulous.”

I might not have a ton of experience, but the sure, impressed lilt in her tone, the slight tip of her head and teeth clamped on her bottom lip make me think there’s another meaning behind her observation.

Flirting, maybe?

Wishful thinking?

I’d be so fucking careful with her.

I take another sip of water and look away. I’m afraid if I don’t, I’ll push her against the plexiglass. I’ll show her how meticulous I’d like to be, how hard I’d try with her.

“Now is your chance to show off your speed in a race,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t sound like it’s cracking in two. “End to end, turn at the goal line, then head back to where we started. First person to cross the blue line wins.”

“How about we agree it’s best two out of three? We’ll switch sides each turn to keep it fair. You know this place better than I do.”

“I’m sure I do, which is why I’ll even let you take the right side and I’ll go up the left. Maverick swears he moves faster on the right, but I don’t know if I believe him.”

“Guess you’re going to find out.”

We head for the far end of the ice, skating side by side.

“I’m scared,” I say, and her laugh echoes around us.

“Why?” she asks. “This is going to be fun, Everett.”

“More like this is going to be Coyote and Road Runner. Don’t drop an anvil on my head when you’re waiting for me at the finish, okay?”

“Where’s the guy who signed an eight-year contract extension?” She shifts, creating distance between us. “I know you’re going to give it your best effort.”

“I always do.” I crouch low, energized. “Three, two, one. Go,” I yell.

Amelia takes off like a bullet from the get-go, and I’m already behind by center ice. I stay fairly close—close enough to believe I still have a shot—until we turn and head back to the starting line. When we do, she kicks into another gear, and I never stood a chance in this race.

She finishes a full two seconds ahead of me, not even winded when I cross the line and put my hands on my thighs, greedily sucking down as much oxygen as I can.

“That was an ass kicking,” I pant. “God damn, woman. Are you sure you didn’t grow wings and fly?”

“Come on.” Her grin is lethal. The sight of it makes me want to faint. “You can do better than that.”

“I don’t know, Coach.” I swallow, forcing my heart rate to slow down. “I’m not sure I can.”

“I believe in you.” She puts a palm on my shoulder, squeezing once. Fucking butterflies swarm in my stomach. “Use your size to your advantage. You’re smaller than a lot of the guys you’re going to be up against, so try to keep your center of gravity low.”

“I will attempt to keep that in mind.” I straighten. “I’m ready now.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Let’s go. And don’t you dare try to take it easy on me this time.”

“Please.” Her laugh tells me she finds the concept hysterical. “You know me better than that.”