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“What do you want, Brayden?”

“Come on.” He ripped the blanket off Ellie as she groaned dramatically. “You’re coming out with me and Bridget.”

“I don’t wanna,” she whined, reaching out of her blanket.

“Well, too bad. I already told Bridget you’re coming, and she’s excited. So, come on.” He motioned for her to stand, which she reluctantly did. “Go change. We’re going to the skating rink.”

“The skating rink? What is this, the nineties?”

“Ha ha. Just get ready. Bridget will be here in a half hour.”

Against her desire to flop back onto the couch, Ellie changed her clothes once Brayden left and, within an hour, was at the skating rink. Skate Around the Clock had two different skating options to choose from. On one side of the converted warehouse was an ice-skating rink they maintained all year long. The high school frequently used it as practice space, and several tournaments had been hosted there.

On the other side was a classic skating rink with old wooden floors, neon lights, and the faint smell of sweaty socks. Ellie was relieved that was the side where they were headed, as ice skating wasn’t her forte. Brayden had gotten all of those skills.

In the middle of the two different rinks was a large concession area with tables, restrooms, and a rental station for both types of skates. Due to the temperature difference in the two rinks, each had a door you had to enter off the common area. There, the trio laced up their own personal skates—there was no way Ellie would ever usesharedskates—before heading over to the rink.

Sundays were eighties nights at the rink, and they were immediately greeted by a Michael Jackson song blaring loudly from the speakers. Brayden took Bridget’s hand as they skated out onto the rink. They looked back at Ellie, motioning for her to join them. She followed closely behind them, only mildly wanting to barf at the way they looked so annoyingly cute holding hands and laughing.

I justlovebeing a third wheel.

As much as Ellie didn’t want to think about her brother being in a relationship, she was glad he had met Bridget. She seemed good for him, and they did look cute together. Bridget was a cheerleader, so they fit into the stereotypical jock dating a cheerleader trope perfectly. But Bridget wasn’t like the mean girl cheerleaders Ellie had seen in movies.

And had met in school.

Bridget was actually really nice and smart, and their parents loved her, which was a hard feat to accomplish. Brayden was the only boy in their family, and Ellie was sure they’d never approve of anyone he dated. Then Bridget came along. Even Ellie had to admit she liked her as a person.

After a few laps, Brayden turned to skate backward.Showoff.

“Is this working to cheer you up?” Brayden asked over the music.

“Who said I needed cheering up?”

“Your parents,” he chuckled. He skated over to the carpeted pony wall that lined the rink, and Bridget and Ellie followed. “Although, they didn’t tell me why you’re all depressed.”

“I’m not depressed.”

“Is it Sadie?”

Ellie couldn’t punch his arm fast enough. Brayden gasped dramatically, always shocked that his sister would do that to him, no matter how many times Ellie had done it over the years. Of course, her goal was never to hurt him. It was just to let him know he’d overstepped.

“So that’s a yes,” he grumbled.

“Wait,” Bridget’s eyes widened, and Ellie knew exactly what was coming, “are you and Sadie dating?”

“No,” Ellie answered quickly. Maybetooquickly. “No. Sadie and I arenotdating. At all. We’re not dating. Okay? Why—why would you ask that?”

Bridget looked to Brayden, who shrugged before turning to Ellie to answer.

“I mean, we all saw the way you two were at the play.”

“God, it was just ahug,” Ellie whined.

“Braydenneverhugs me like that.” Bridget gave him a look that said he better start, which momentarily distracted Ellie. “And then there was the pool game.”

“You saw us playing pool?”

“The whole table was talking about it.” Brayden’s comment earned him an elbow to the ribs from Bridget. She gave him a look that clearly said hewasn’tsupposed to tell Ellie that. “Geez, why is everyone ganging up on me?”