Skating With Hearts

heart pounding and your mascara running, I would've stayed in my dorm, curle

college party and practically gl

tone that was already slipping into the signature s

r turn down free pizza, cheap

t-for just a moment-that I'd been feeling like a fadin

ruins jacket over a tight black tee, and walked with

ooked at me the right way. Even though those butterflies we

pheromones. Bodies moved like smoke in the haze of neon lights a

ward. I followed as I tried not to think about how

alcohol flowing like tap water. Couples made out in corners. Girls i

't let go of

did, I migh

were the texts that went unanswered. The dates that got "rescheduled." The j

t. And acting like it didn't matter that the

rm wrapped around my waist in a manner that caused my

hiccuped in response.

eaned down to kiss me.

y. But he obviously liked it because he laughed against my lips and pulled me close unti

ade sure everyone knew he was mine. I don't know why I cared so much about making sure that everyone including him knew he was mine. Maybe it was because I still remembered wha

ed. Seen. Even if I had

ld to him tightly like an

r here!" one of his teammates s

blue eyes gleamed with t

I'm not dragging your drunk ass ho

my cheek and disapp

as so done with waiting especially as I was sick of the damn party already. I found him back in the living room with shots lined up in

s my eyes rolled to the bac

o pull him away

rry'. Then a splash. Silence resul

dread, I turned just in time to

s Ma

hunders. My brother's best friend. Six-foot-two with a jaw that could cut glass, tousled brown h

sticky beer soaking his hoodie courtesy

hen and growled, "You trying

omething? You spilled it. Chill out. Besi

u're telling m

re I realized it. "Caleb,

e. "Of course you

. "What the hell

answer, Caleb

one. He swung. Missed. Swung again. Fists flew, furniture crashed and suddenly the entire living room

. Hockey boys and dam

hing the fight. Cups flew. I watche

as I tried to get through the mess. I couldn't believe

brother, who right now, was six feet of fury and muscle with a scowl perman

grabbed him by the coll

ame at

ou touch him again and I'

You need to keep your b

ped at my brother as I felt frus

p dating idiots

th

ing as theroom buzzed with leftover adrenaline and spilled beer. Now that the fight was over, people we

highlight of this party, I turned to him and with trembli

mped i

aid s

"You think that

s, Caleb, you embarra

n response. "Why do you

act like a go

eren't so cling

ed hard

ted that word ev

response but

watching me like I'm gonn

s I looked hi

" I whispered when I

someone perfect? Go flirt with Maddox. Bet he'd love

th like he'd punch

. You.

ittle. It was like maybe h

was t

away, rage and humiliation burn

e on," he said as h

ght blurred as tears threatened my eyes but I wasn't go

bed my hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't m

d my ar

oice was rough with un

h his hands cupping my face. "Baby, you know I love you.

nner that was slow,

ally mean person and the next momen

you," he whispered aga

d to believe him even as my brain knew better.

pull me in. L

eve he was goin

continue to kiss me even though I knew