Page 83 of Undone

Lily is on the ice, saying something to the group of kids in front of her before sending them on their way to do swizzles on the blue line all the way across. As soon as the last one takes off, her demeanor shifts, arms crossed, mouth pursed, eyebrow raised.

Just for a millisecond, her pupils flare and cheeks flush. I run a hand through my hair, messy and damp from the quick shower I rushed through this morning. I’m sure there’s still an imprint of my sheets across my cheek.

“You’re a half hour late, Tor,” she whispers as I skate up to stand just beside her.

Tor. I wish that soft name didn’t do so much for me.

“Keeping track of me? So obsessed.”

A little chuckle cuts off whatever berating comment she was about to toss back my way before a body collides with my legs.

“Hey, Mr. Toren,” the girl says, her eyes sparkling as she nearly falls backward. I smile down at her—ginger hair, freckles everywhere, and green eyes. “We missed you.”

“Did you?” I smile, my lips spreading wider at Sadie’s sneer over the top of the girl’s beanie-capped head. “Sorry, Jo; I decided to skate all the way here.”

Jo laughs. “But it isn’t even snowing!”

Lily shakes her head again as she reaches for Jo’s outstretched hand. “Wanna come over here with the group? We’re gonna play Red Light, Green Light. You can help me set up the cones.”

“’Cause I’m the best skater?” she asks, eyes wide and hopeful. Lily nods and presses a finger to her lips like it’s a secret.

She’s really good with the kids. The first day she seemed worried, nervous—but they all took to her so quickly. Especially Liam, who looks at her like she hung the moon, a bit in love with her.

Before I can follow them, Lily nods her head toward the bench on the opposite side, swinging her shiny ponytail. I want to grab it.

“He’s been there the whole time.”

My stomach is already in knots before I look over at the lonely kid on the hockey bench, arms crossed, kicking his feet.

Liam Brown desperately wants to play hockey, though I’m not sure why, but he’s terrible on the ice. The possibilities of him getting hurt are too high, something that’s always on my mind when I watch him skate. Now, it only pushes that anxiety to the front of my mind as I speed over to him.

“Hey, kid,” I say, stopping by the edge of the bench and leaning down. “What are you doing?”

He doesn’t say anything, which isn’t normal for the kid. He’s always too talkative.

I try again. “Do you want to play Red Light, Green Light with them?”

Nothing at first—and then the slight shake of his head.

“All right. You and I can practice some skating on the other side of the rink if you want. We’ve got a few minutes before they open it.”

“You promised you’d be here.”

The words are physical blows. I’m not sure how I manage to stay upright beneath the weight of this kid’s disappointment.

“I know,” I say, dropping my voice, dropping my body into a near squat to get eye to eye with him. “I’m sorry I was late.”

He shrugs. “It’s whatever.” It clearly is not whatever. “I don’t even want to skate anyway.”

Liam stands up and pushes out the door onto the ice, skating slowly, before wobbling and falling on his back. I’m quick on his tail, clocking the way his eyes well up.

Lily appears quickly, hovering nearby. “Liam—you okay?”

He’s going to cry and his cheeks are bright red in embarrassment.

“He’s just fine. I think he hurt his ankle, so I’m gonna carry him off, okay?” I say. Lil’s worry seems to only ratchet higher, her hands reaching out like she wants to carry him. “Watch the others. I’ll be right back.” I scoop him up in my arm and skate off.

Liam cries quietly into my shoulder, even as I get him off the ice. He’s upset—about more than falling or me being late.