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“Oh, let me help you.” Sadie helped her to her wobbling feet as they skated together over to a rest area off the rink. The whole time, Ellie was keenly aware of Sadie’s arm around her back, supporting her. Touching her. “Are you okay?”

“I think only my pride is damaged,” she sheepishly smiled at Sadie. “What are you doing here?”

“I saw on Brayden’s Snapchat that you all were here, and I wanted to talk to you.”

Talk to me? Sadie wants to talk to me.

Ellie's palms began to sweat.

Taking a deep breath, Sadie began to talk.

“I’m really sorry about the other night, Ellie. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I was upset Charlie had pulled me from the game, and Abigail was annoying me as usual. I took my frustrations out on you, and you didn’t deserve that. I’ve been kicking myself for two days trying to figure out how to tell you how sorry I am.” She paused to take a breath. “I’m so sorry.”

Ellie didn’t know what to say. Not only had Sadie also been upset about what happened, but she’d also been getting up the nerve to tell Ellie she was sorry. No one had ever cared about Ellie enough to do that. Well, besides her family. But it was different when it was Sadie.

“Ellie?” Sadie asked after a few moments. “Did you hear me?”

It was then that Ellie realized she had zoned out. She quickly shook her head, “Oh, my god, I’m sorry. I think my brain just short-circuited because Brayden was right.”

“How so?” Sadie laughed.

“He told me I should talk to you about what happened to clear things up.”

Sadie blushed, averting her eyes away from Ellie’s. “I’m so sorry. Not only for what I said but for making your brother right.”

“It’s really the best of times and the worst of times.”

As they laughed, Ellie suddenly realized that her hand had been on Sadie’s thigh for God knows how long. But instead of removing it at the realization, Ellie kept it there.

“I’m glad you came.”

“Me, too.”

“And I’m glad you cleared that up. I was worried I had pissed you off.”

“You could never piss me off,” Sadie said in barely a whisper.

Ellie had seen enough teen movies to know they were at the point where someone would confess their feelings or ask the other one out. As she debated which one to do, Ellie was surprised it was Sadie that beat her to it. Sadie lowered her gaze from Ellie as she covered her hand still on her thigh with her own.

“I like you, Ellie.” She let out what seemed to be a pent-up breath as her eyes slowly lifted back up to Ellie’s.

Ellie didn’t have to think about what to say next. She’d known it for weeks but had been too scared to vocalize it. But hearing Sadie say it first and knowing she felt the same way gave Ellie all the confidence she needed to say, “I like you, too, Sadie.”

Sadie blushed again as her smile spread wide across her face. Ellie wanted desperately to lean in and kiss her, but she knew that a public place after just confessing they liked each other wasn’t the place. Especially not with Brayden and Bridget undoubtedly spying on them somewhere.

So, instead, Ellie stood and reached out her hand to Sadie. “Wanna skate with me?”

Taking her hand, Sadie let Ellie pull her to her feet as she nodded. Hand in hand, they skated back out onto the rink where they spent the next hour laughing and singing along to the songs on the speakers. They met back up with Brayden and Bridget hung out with them until they were all too tired to skate anymore.

Still holding hands, Ellie walked Sadie over to her car as they left the skating rink. She still knew Brayden was watching them, so she didn’t want to full-on kiss Sadie. But she couldn’t let her leave without doing something.

“I’m glad you came tonight.”

“Me, too,” Sadie grinned. “And I’m glad you feel the same way. About everything.”

“I do.” Ellie nodded. Taking a deep breath, she leaned in and kissed Sadie’s cheek before she could overthink it. It was a quick peck; Ellie didn’t even have time to register how her lips felt on Sadie’s cheek. “Text me when you get home, okay?”

“I will.”