Misadventures of a Rookie (Misadventures #11)(20)

Tearing my gaze from her mouth, I looked down at her ankle. “How you feeling?”

I had taken her home the night before. She lived about six blocks from me, in a sublet that she and a friend were sharing. It was a nice location, but she wouldn’t let me take her upstairs. Her friend had come down to help, which upset me. I wanted to help her. I wanted to be there for her, and it was annoying that she wouldn’t let me. I wasn’t sure what her deal was, but I was going to find out.

When I looked up, she shrugged, grimacing a bit. “It’s achy, but I’ll be fine.”

“Did you keep it elevated?”

She shot me a deadpan look. “I know how to take care of myself.”

“Not saying you don’t. I just want to make sure.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. “I did.”

“Good.” I wished I’d been there helping her. I’d spent all night worrying and wishing I had gotten her number so I could check on her. “Hey, you should give me your number.”

Her brows pulled together as her lips pursed. “For what?”

This time it was me with the deadpan look. “In case I’m stuck in traffic or something and I’ll be late.”

“So you won’t text me dick pics?”

I laughed, surprised. “Not today, but maybe next week,” I said with a wink, and she rolled her eyes before handing me her phone.

“Do as you please.”

“Oh man, wrong thing to say to someone like me,” I teased, but she wasn’t listening. She was leaning on the balance checker.

“Cute kid,” I said, holding the phone up. “Your brother, right?”

Something moved in her eyes, but it was gone quickly, and her eyes narrowed as she reached for her phone.

I held it up out of her reach. “I’m not done. What’s his name?”

She seemed uncomfortable as she said it. “Davis.”

“Oh? They didn’t name him Hank? Or Bocephus Jr.?”

She laughed, and it was a real laugh. From her stomach as her eyes closed a bit, but then she stopped abruptly. “I must be high to think that was funny,” she muttered, and now I was laughing as I typed in my number. “No, actually, I wouldn’t let them.”

I nodded. “Well, he’s gonna love you extra hard when he’s older.”

“Probably not,” she muttered, but before I could ask what she meant, she looked up at me, her bright-blue eyes burning into mine. “How are your jumps?”

I shrugged. “Good. I mean, I haven’t practiced them in a while, but I’m sure I still got it.”

She nodded, biting her lip. “We’re working on her Salchow jump. She’s almost got it.”

I scoffed, waving her off. “Oh, I have that easy. Let me get my skates on. When’s she gonna be here, and what’s her name?”

“Tenisha, and she’ll be here in about ten. I asked for you to be early so we can go over a few things.”

My brows rose. “What things? Need my credentials? Wanna call my mom?”

She waved me off. “No, I need you to know that I take my job seriously. There will be no playing around.”

I nodded. “Check.”

“And don’t flirt with me.”

“In front of the kids, right?”

“At all when we’re on the ice.”

I made a face. “That’s hard, though. You’re so hot.”

She shook her head. “For real. I take this completely seriously, and I need you to realize that. I depend on this money.”

There was desperation in her voice, and I didn’t understand it. My work ethic was sound. I didn’t get why she would assume it wouldn’t be here. “Fine, I’ll be completely professional. I won’t let you down.”

She swallowed hard and then nodded. “Thank you.” She looked past me and then smiled. “There she is. Let’s do this.”

I held up my fist. “Yeah, let’s kick ass.”

Her eyes widened a bit, but she pressed her fist to mine and smiled. “Yeah. Don’t embarrass me, please.”

Before I could say anything, she was wobbling away, and I couldn’t help but grin.

Because I was excited to prove her wrong.



Bo was sucking on her lips as she tapped her good sneaker into the rubber floor. Her lips were pursed, and her hair was a little messy from trying to demonstrate. When she couldn’t do it, she ran her fingers through her hair angrily. Her face was red, her nose especially, as she moved her hands through the air. I wasn’t sure what she was doing, so I just sat there, waiting for her to speak to me.

We had finished all her privates. All the girls were great, and I enjoyed working with them. They were adorable, but I especially loved watching Bo with them. She was so motherly and gushed on them. She was nothing like my mom, who did a whole lot of yelling and direction. Bo was nicer, which surprised me, given how bitchy she was most of the time.

She especially had a soft spot for the little skaters. I guess I did too. We went over time with Amelia because she was trying so hard to get her leap and we wanted her to get it. It was fun—lots of fun—and I didn’t regret coming to help instead of going out with the guys for a beer. I wanted to be here.

With Bo.