Page 74 of Various Intentions

“I didn’t think there was anything Nic couldn’t do,” Matteo said, with a smug look on his face.

I held up my hand. “There is nothing I can’t do that I want to do. I don’twantto go skating.”

“Hmm,” Matteo muttered. “The only thing is, I’ve already told Zarah we’d meet her at the canal around two this afternoon. She’s eager to get out.”

I cocked my head. “Is it even wise for a pregnant woman to skate?”

Matteo frowned. “She’s not even showing yet.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

Vincent was trying not to laugh, which I thought was extremely unfair. I pointed a finger at him.

“Stop. It’s not an area I’m familiar with.”

“Like skating?”

“Oh, fuck off.”

Vincent huffed a laugh. “I’m sorry. It’s simply cool to know you’re not an expert in absolutely everything.

“Yes, well, pregnancy is definitely one, and skating is another. So, what are we going to do?” I said.

Matteo picked up the empty laundry basket and headed for the bedroom door. “We’re going to meet Zarah at the canal, and if you want to keep your boots on, you can. Or you can ‘man’ up and rent some skates.”

I glared at him. “That’s a low blow, Matteo.”

He shrugged. But he had a point.

“I’ll fall. What if I break my leg?”

Matteo rolled his eyes. “You’re not going to break your leg.”

I put my hands on my hips. “How do you fucking know?”

“Because there will be three of us there to help you.”

I scratched my chin, conflicted. On the one hand, I didn’t really want to put on skates. On the other hand, what was the big deal? In all honesty, I was afraid of looking stupid.

“Can Zarah even skate?”

“Yes. It was her idea.”

“Well fan-fuck-ing-tastic,” I sighed. “Fine. I’ll do this.” I pointed at them one at a time. “But if either of you makes fun of me, laughs at me or tricks me into falling head-first into a snowbank, you will pay for it back here tonight.”

They could barely suppress their amused smiles as I resigned myself to my fate.

* * * *

What did I get myself into?

I sat on a bench in the lobby of the Dow’s Lake Pavilion, tying up my rental skates. It had been too long to contemplate since I’d attempted this questionable…sport? Pastime? I wouldn’t be here now except to show my support for Zarah and Matteo, which was an important thing to do.

Vincent and I had accepted that Zarah and her forthcoming child were going to be a vital part of Matteo’s life, now that she’d left her asshole of a husband. Far be it from me to stand between a parent, their child and future grandchild. I would support Matteo in whatever he decided was important, as long as it didn’t compromise our relationship.

So I did up my borrowed hockey skates and tried to stand. Vincent and Matteo, who had already laced theirs and now watched me as I struggled, didn’t offer assistance. I had scared them off with my bad-tempered silence in the car, since I was insecure about being out of my comfort zone and likely to get mad. But now that I had the damned skates on, I was worried about injuring myself.

“Can I get some help here?” I asked, clutching the arm of the chair I was trying to lift myself from.