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VIOLET

An involuntary shudder ran through me as I pushed through the front doors of the ice arena.

This morning was bitterly cold, and the thick layer of fresh snow that had fallen overnight seemed like a sign from the universe that perhaps I was better off staying home today; perhaps I was better off not knowing the truth behind Reed’s scar.

I’d considered texting him several times to say I couldn’t make it this morning. I had to get to work soon anyway. However, my curiosity had won out over my dread, and here I was, mentally preparing myself for whatever explanation Reed had in store.

I’d arrived a little early to the arena since I’d given myself extra time to navigate the snowy roads this morning. I wasn’t sure if Reed was here already or where exactly we were supposed to meet, but I figured he’d be inside near the ice.

The center was quiet this morning, with only a few people hanging about, but as I approached the ice, I heard high-pitched squeals of laughter and the sounds of blades scraping against the smooth firm surface.

It was coming from a group of young girls who were skating around the wide perimeter of the rink.

They were so tiny I was surprised they could walk, let alone skate, and most of them clung to support frames for stability.

“Look at me, Reedy,” one girl cried, as she skated past with no support. “I’m doing it.”

“That’s great, Amelie.”

My jaw dropped as Reed skated up beside the tiny girl and cheered her on. It looked like Reed was teaching the kids to skate. Surely this wasn’t related to the injury he’d received? And why would he be worried I’d think less of him for it?

I continued to watch as Reed gave the small children pointers, supporting them when they needed it and praising them when they’d done well.

His gentle gestures and kind words radiated a sense of genuine care that would have surprised anyone who didn’t truly know him.

It was certainly a stark contrast to the guy who intimidated pretty much everyone he met or the Devil who took to the ice every weekend.

I’d come here today, bracing myself for bad news, but it was difficult to keep that in mind as I watched him playfully lift one of the girls into the air and spin her around.

Eventually, the class came to an end, and as Reed called the group together and said his goodbyes, two of the little girls grabbed his legs and gave him loving hugs. He smiled affectionately down at them and patted them awkwardly on their heads.

“I’ll see you girls next week,” he said. Again, I struggled to believe what I was seeing. How was it that no one knew the big bad Devil Reed Darling taught little girls to skate.

He hadn’t realized I was here yet, and when he turned from waving farewell to the kids, he finally caught me watching. His cheeks turned slightly pink, but his expression was stoic as he moved across the ice toward me.

“So, is this what you wanted me to see?” I asked.

“Uh, no.” He scratched the back of his neck and glanced toward the retreating figures of his tiny little students. “You’re early.”

“Wait, that wasn’t why you asked me here?”

“To see me teach a beginner’s figure skating class? No, that’s not what I wanted to show you.”

“Figure skating?”

Reed’s cheeks turned pinker still.

“Why would you teach figure skating?”

“It’s a long story.”

I crossed my arms as I waited for him to continue. He’d dragged me here on a Sunday morning, and he couldn’t leave me hanging now.

“Meet me by my bag,” he said, nodding at the entrance to the rink. He skated off before I could refuse, and with a sigh, I walked to meet him.

When I reached him, he was pulling another set of ice skates from his bag. “You’re the same size shoe as my sister,” he said, offering them to me.

“And you know that because…”

“We went bowling together,” he replied. “Not because I have a thing for feet.”

“Now, that would be a good rumor.” I smirked. “Maybe I’ll have to start that one on my own.”

“Don’t you dare.”

I laughed before frowning down at the skates. “You don’t actually want me to put those on, do you? I’ve never skated before.”

“I guess it’s lucky I’m a good teacher.” He thrust the skates closer to me, but I didn’t take them. The thought of stepping onto the ice filled me with dread; it seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.

“How about you explain why you brought me here instead?”

“Tell you what,” Reed replied. “Come for one lap of the rink, and I’ll show you.” He held my gaze, and I had a feeling he was determined to get his way.

“Okay, fine.” I accepted the skates from him. It was one lap of the rink. How bad could it be?

It only took two seconds on the ice for me to realize it would be terrible.

My skates wobbled as soon as I stepped onto the rink, and when I tried to push away from the boards, they instantly slipped out from under me, sending my feet flying up into the air.

I was falling faster than I could blink, but instead of slamming onto the cold, hard ice, I felt Reed’s strong arms wrap around me.

“You’re supposed to wait for your teacher before you launch yourself onto the ice,” he said with a laugh. My heart was already racing with adrenaline from slipping, and the feel of his strong arms keeping me upright only made me more breathless.

“I didn’t realize it would be so difficult,” I replied. “You make it look easy.”

“Probably because I learned to skate before I could walk.”

“Well, I—” For the second time, my skates slipped out from under me, and my breath was stolen from my lungs.

Reed gripped my waist tightly as he supported me, once again stopping me from landing on the ground.

Reed had already seen me fall in the snow.

I could only imagine how much more painful and embarrassing it would be to hit the ice in front of him.

“I’m beginning to think your explanation isn’t worth this,” I said as he steadied me.

He grinned. “You’re doing better than you think.”

“Not likely,” I muttered, which only made his smile grow wider.

I did my best not to look at him or, more specifically, his smile as we continued to skate. Whenever I glanced his way, I tended to send myself sprawling, which was something I very much wanted to avoid.

Reed was sweet as we skated and kept trying to encourage me. But I was a terrible student and constantly on the verge of pulling the two of us down. The only plus to the whole experience was the fact he didn’t let go of me once. That was definitely something I could get used to.

It was only after we finished our lap and I was safely holding on to the boards again that Reed started talking.

“The story behind my scar is a little embarrassing,” he said.

“I don’t like to talk about it. And if you ever tell anyone, I’m not sure I’ll be able to forgive you.

” He was speaking quickly, and his usual confident demeanor was replaced by a hint of hesitation. Was he nervous?

“Is it really that bad?” I asked.

“It is,” he muttered. “But I guess I should just rip off the Band-Aid.”

I was genuinely beginning to worry.

“So, you were right, the scar was caused by an ice skate,” he began.

He’d told me as much last night, and I instinctively gripped the boards beside me a little tighter as I motioned for him to go on.

“And the skate did belong to a girl…”

“Okay…” I braced myself for what was coming.

“But that girl was my sister.”

It took a moment for the revelation to sink in. “Wait, are you serious?” I glanced at the scar again. “Cammie was the one who did that to you?”

“Yes, but it’s not what you think,” he added. “She didn’t throw the skate at me.”

"Then what happened?”

Reed drew in a breath before he continued.

“When we were younger, my dad would work every Sunday morning, and my mom didn’t trust us boys to stay home alone, so my brothers and I would get dragged to Cammie’s figure skating lessons.

We had the choice of joining in the lesson or sitting in the bleachers doing homework.

I chose to pick out a pair of figure skates. ”

He was struggling to meet my eyes, and it was clear he was embarrassed. I wasn’t sure why it would be such a big deal.

“Grayson outright refused to try, and Parker lasted half a lesson before he was kicked out for distracting the girls in class. But I was surprised to find I liked it. I picked up the moves easily, and I enjoyed focusing on the intricacies of skating rather than just the puck and my hockey stick. I didn’t do it all that long.

My dad eventually hired someone to help with his workload so my brothers and I could stay home.

“I thought my figure skating days were over, but then Cammie needed a partner to practice with for a contest, so I offered to help. She’s an incredible skater, but she goes through partners like she’s trying to find a new outfit.

” He pulled down his top to reveal his scar.

“We fell while we were practicing a particularly challenging lift. She accidentally cut me with her skate. That’s how I got the scar. ”

“You were figure skating?”

“Yes.” He grimaced. “And if anyone ever found out, it’s safe to say I’d never hear the end of it.

I’ve been doing my best to hide the fact I’ve been covering Cammie’s figure skating class for the last couple of weeks.

If anyone ever found out I could actually figure skate myself, I’d be laughed off the ice at my next game. ”

“So, you don’t normally teach the class?”

“No, it’s only temporary. Cammie’s got a new partner, and they have extra training sessions at the moment. I wouldn’t be doing it if she hadn’t begged me. Especially this season when a Saints player could walk in here at any moment.”

I leaned against the boards as I peered up at him. “You seriously expect me to believe you’re a secret figure skater?”

“I’m not a secret figure skater. I just got injured doing it.”

“Hmm, okay.” I pretended to look thoughtful. “So, did you ever have to wear Lycra?”