8. Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Mac ‘Oli' Oliver

M aking my way over to the sign-up sheet, I think about everything I learned today. Liz had been breathtaking with the kids. The smile on her face was soft and friendly. She looked happy. I'd only planned to skim the sign-up sheet for hockey lessons before spending a little time on the ice myself. I didn't realize she would be here teaching a class of her own.

I would have gone the moment the kids left. At least, that was the plan, until I saw her fly across the ice. Fucking hell. I have two sisters who love ice skating. There is something about female grace when it comes to watching them on ice that has always mesmerized me. My sisters are beautiful and talented, but Liz… she was breathtaking. I was surprised she hadn't noticed me or even Lewi, for that matter, when he came barging in.

"The fuck you hiding for?"

I grab him quickly, covering his mouth. "Shut up!"

He grumbles and struggles until his eyes land on her. I can tell he's just as mesmerized as I am when he sags in my hold. Fucker is just as smitten by her as I am. I stiffen at the thought… smitten? Shit. I am smitten. I like her. We are friends, yes, but I want to be more than that.

Well… fuck. I look over to find Lewi watching her with soft eyes. In all the years I've known him, the man had never had soft eyes for a single woman. With Liz, though, he will test her patience but will never fight her. He listens and does what she asks.

My eyes dart back to Liz when I hear her scream. She's still skating, but tears are streaming down her face. Lewi tries to pull out of my grasp, but I hold him back. Something tells me she needs to finish her routine.

"Not yet. Let her finish." The look on her face says that this is important. Whatever demons she's fighting, this moment is important. We watch on bated breath as the song ends, and she finishes, breathing hard. Then she falls.

I don't hesitate. I race onto the ice, leaving Lewi behind.

I turn away from the sign-up sheet to head back to Lewi and Liz, pausing for a moment when I see Lewi massaging her foot, his gaze narrowed. He mutters something I can't hear from here, but when my eyes shift to Liz, I see a wide grin on her face and her eyes closed.

The music switches to a song I've heard only once, mainly because I have younger sisters. Could Have Been Me by Halsey . There's a flutter in my chest as I walk over and sit next to her on the bench. The lyrics remind me of the conversation we had at the beginning of the week. I can't help but ask her, "So, do you still feel like you're standing behind the glass?"

She lets out a soft laugh. Turning my way, she opens her eyes just enough to peek through her lashes. "I believe I've finally made it to the other side."

I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face. "I knew you would." I bend to take my blades off when she touches my forearm. Turning to face her, I arch a brow. "Need something?"

"Were you planning to skate?"

I shrug as I turn back to finish removing my blades. "I was going to skate for a bit after I checked the board, but it's fine."

She taps my arm again. "Go skate, Mac." My eyes meet hers, and she gives me a smile as she gestures to the ice. "Go. I'll be fine. I don't mind waiting if you both really feel the need to make sure I get home."

My jaw tightens before I give her a nod. "As long as you're sure?"

She smiles as she pokes Lewi with her other foot. "Go put your skates on too. Have some fun."

He rolls his eyes and continues to massage her foot. "I don't need to skate, Lizzy."

"If you don't go get your blades and have some fun, I'll tell the dietitians to take away your cheat day."

His eyes widen before he glares at her. "You wouldn't."

With a grin she takes out her phone. "I'll text them right now."

He growls before lowering her foot to the ground. "Fine," he grunts, then marches off to grab his blades.

She snickers as she puts her phone away. I can't help but chuckle. "You would really take away his cheat day?"

She shakes her head. "No, but he doesn't need to know that."

Shaking my head with a laugh, I step out onto the ice. It's only a few minutes before Lewi joins me. We do a few laps around the edge before I hear Liz yell, "You two should race!"

My eyes meet his, and he grins wildly. "You think you can keep up, goalie?"

I snort a laugh. "I can skate circles around you."

"Then you better catch me!" he yells as he takes off across the ice.

"Fucker!"

I hear Liz laughing as I chase after Lewi. Her laughter causes a flutter in my chest, and a grin spreads across my face when Lewi looks toward her too. He yells over his shoulder, "Come on, slow poke! All that time guarding the net has you falling behind!"

I let out a playful growl. "Fuck off!" I don't know the last time I had this much fun. However, I have a feeling it has something to do with a certain raven-haired, blue-eyed woman sitting on the sidelines.