Practice Makes Perfect

by Charlene Groome

  “Don’t believe what she says,” Jared says, approaching. “She likes to get me into trouble.”

  “I’m allowed to. I’m the oldest,” Jane bickers.

  “Uncle Jare took me into the dressing room!” Beckham exclaims. “I got to meet Mason Ward and Alex Price. It was so cool.”

  “It is pretty cool,” Meghan says. “Did you see the center of the room? It looks exactly the same as the rink’s center ice.”

  “You’ve been in the dressing room?” Jared asks, staring at her blankly.

  “Does that surprise you?”

  “Oh, well, I guess you have. I mean you work here . . . it’s just that the room isn’t open to anyone all the time and you’re new . . . so—”

  “I’m not that new.” She holds a stare with the blue-eyed guy whose tasteful lips are parting as though he wants to speak, but can’t seem to get the words out. Instead he smiles, just enough to show a glimpse of his top teeth that are not perfectly lined, indicating his teeth must be real. “Besides, you don’t need to be a player to walk into the dressing room.”

  “I thought—”

  “You do have to have credentials, which I do, and a reason for being there and I did.” Her eyes are steady on his, making sure he gets the point that she’s not just an employee but an important part of the franchise. Jane is snickering, and Jared is listening inattentively.

  “I didn’t mean it negatively,” Jared corrects.

  “Can we go now?” Beckham asks, tugging at his uncle’s shirt, springing up and down.

  Jared keeps his focus on Meghan. “I’m surprised, that’s all.”

  “I have a lot to do with the Warriors that you might be forgetting,” she says.

  “I know what you do.”

  “Because you’ve been on the third floor, so you think you know what’s going on?” she teases.

  “I do now.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “You . . . you organize events.”

  “Uh-huh. And?”

  “And you talk to different organizations.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Can we go!” Beckham cries. “Pleeeease.”

  “Okay, okay,” Jared says to his nephew, trying to shush him with a wave of his hand. Jared holds his gaze with Meghan. “Aren’t you skating?”

  “I told Meghan she can borrow mine.”

  “It’s okay, really, I’m not skating. Besides, I’m sure we’re not the same size.”

  “I bet we are! What size are you?”

  “Eight, eight and a half.”

  “I’m an eight! I told you! Now here, put them on.” Jane shoves the skates at her.

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “There should be some perks to the job. Of course you should!”

  “And just start skating by myself?” Meghan laughs nervously.

  “Jared will take you. Right, Jare?”

  “No, I’m fine,” Meghan protests. “You better get Beckham. He’s on his own.”

  “He’s been skating since he could walk,” Jane says.

  “I’ll be back,” Jared says, walking to the bench to put on his skates.

  She turns to Meghan. “Good to see my brother relaxed.”

  “He’s not always?”

  “No,” Jane says, trying to spot her son skate. “I wish he’d settle down. He’d be a good dad.”

  “He loves his nephew.”

  Jane grins. “He does. That’s for sure.”

  “Is your husband here?”

  “Yes, he’s here on a business trip. I decided to make it a family event,” she says. “It worked out nicely.”

  “Aren’t you coming?” Jared calls from the open boards. “I know you wanna,” he teases.

  “You go, it’s your family skate,” Meghan says.

  “It’s my brother.” Jane winces and the two of them laugh.

  “You can skate with Beckham,” Meghan says.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “Why?” Meghan asks.

  “Jared doesn’t know,” Jane whispers. “But I’m eight weeks pregnant. I don’t want to risk it.”

  “Congratulations!” Meghan shrieks, with a clap of her hands. “That’s exciting news!”

  “It’s a secret.” She lowers her head.

  Meghan brings her finger to her lips. “I won’t say anything, promise.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Aren’t you coming?” Jared asks.

  “All this pressure,” Meghan teases.

  “No pressure,” he says.

  Jane hands her the skates.

  “I don’t know,” Meghan says. “I’m working. I shouldn’t.”

  “I need to skate with someone,” Jared says.

  “You have Beckham,” Meghan says.

  “He’s already gone,” Jared says. “You don’t like skating?”

  “I do!”

  “Haven’t you ever been on skates?”

  “Last time was at a high school field trip.”

  “Come on,” he says, waving his hand. “You’ll be fine.”

  Meghan looks at Jane. “Thanks. See what you’ve gotten me into?”

  The women laugh.

  “Go!” Jane tells her.

  “I could get into trouble,” Meghan says.

  “Jared wants you to skate with him,” Jane pushes. “You should go.”

  “But—”

  “Put the skates on!” Jane urges.

  Meghan takes the skates and sits on the bench to put them on. She looks up to see Dana’s worried face.

  “What are you doing?” Dana asks.

  “Going for a skate.” She ties up the boot, her fingers are so jittery that she has to retie it.

  “You brought your skates?” Dana asks.

  “They’re Jared’s sister’s. She wants me to take her place.”

  “You’re brave. I wouldn’t be caught skating with these guys. I’d be laughed at for holding on to the boards.”

  “That’ll be me in a few minutes.” Meghan tightens the skate and stands up, her legs finding balance. She’s trying her best to hold still with each step. “Wish me luck.”

  Meghan takes a small step on the ice, unable to hold herself up. She grabs the boards firmly with both hands, trying to get her balance. Her knees are bending as she can feel her legs wobble like those of a fawn standing up for the first time.

  “Bend your knees a little more. Find your balance,” Jared insists.

  “I’m trying.”

  “Let go of one hand,” he says.

  “No. I don’t want to fall,” she calls out. Fear is setting in.

  “I thought you said you’ve done this before.” She can tell by his voice he is amused.

  “I have.” She can’t look at him, afraid she’ll slip. Nice and steady, she tells herself, moving one foot in front of the other. It’s more of a forward and backward glide, hardly moving.

  “Did you use the buddy bar?” he asks.

  Meghan’s face is feeling warm.

  “Okay, okay. No biggie. You just have to get your balance and let the blade glide you until you can lift a foot.”

  “I’m not lifting anything! I’m going to fall!”

  Her heart is thumping so hard in her chest she’s afraid she’s going to bail. What a scene that would be in front of her peers and Jared, who seems to be paying attention to her every move.

  “You’re not going to fall,” he reassures.

  “You have more faith in me than I do myself.” Meghan’s knees are buckling and her legs are feeling wiggly. “I think I better save this for another day.”

  “You’re doing the moonwalk.” He is laughing.

  Meghan starts to laugh with nervousness. “I can’t help it.”

  “Go forward.”

  “I’m trying,” she says, watching her feet. If she looks into his eyes one more time, she’ll lose her concentration. “I’ll never make it around the rink.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll help you. Take my hand,”
he offers, reaching for her.

  Meghan looks at his hand; it’s strong and could probably pick her up if he tried. She then looks at him and she can’t move. “Come on, take it.” His smile is wide and his eyes are a gentle stare.

  Slowly she lets go of the boards, her legs wobbly again. Her arm starts flapping as she tries to get her balance. Jared grabs her hand before she falls, the other pulling her into his chest. A tingle runs down her spine. She feels safe now, just how she imagined she would, given the chance to be held by him.

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he says, giving her hand a squeeze. Suddenly she believes him and a part of her believes that he’s enjoying watching her struggle. “Move your left foot.”

  Meghan tries to push her foot forward.

  “Now the next one,” he tells her, paying close attention to her.

  Meghan does and slowly with the help of Jared for balance, she is moving at a snail’s pace, but managing to keep her feet moving, which pleases her. Kids are laughing and skating fast past them reminding her of her twelfth grade skate, when her laces had been done up so tight that her feet had started to fall asleep.

  “I think I have this if you want to find Beckham,” she says, not wanting him to feel obligated and taking up all of his time. Doesn’t he want to socialize with his family or teammates?

  “He’ll come find me if he wants to. He’s playing tag with Buckley’s kids.”

  “Hey, Jare, are you giving private lessons?” a guy shouts out as he skates past them.

  Jared chuckles.

  “Seriously,” Meghan says, trying to look at him, but afraid to lose her concentration watching her feet. “I don’t mind if you want to find your nephew, I’ll be fine.”

  “You’ll be fine?” He smirks, his lips arched at the side. “We’re halfway around the rink and you want me to leave you?”

  “You’re not here to coach me,” she says.

  “I sure can’t have you stranded at the boards. What kind of guy do you think I am?”

  “Uncle Jare!” Beckham yells, skating up to him. “Watch me! I can do a crossover.” The boy demonstrates his new move.

  “Very good! Don’t forget to bend your knees a little more. Yeah, like that. You got it!”

  The boy yells and skates as fast as he can.

  “Beckham’s a sweet boy,” she says. “He loves your attention.”

  “I don’t see him much.”

  “He looks up to you.” There’s a pause. “Any children of your own?” Meghan asks.

  “No.” His answer is so soft that she wonders if he wishes he had or it’s triggered a memory of someone he used to be with. It wouldn’t surprise her if he answered yes. He strikes her as a family man considering the affection he has for Beckham.

  “How about you?” he asks.

  “Me? A mom? No. I’m an aunt. My brother has two kids.”

  “How old?”

  “Six and eight.”

  “You didn’t bring them today.”

  “It’s for the players,” she says.

  “Thanks for doing this.”

  “It’s my job,” she answers. She’s never had a player thank her before, although by the looks of it, she’s the only staff member on the ice. Meghan glances at her watch. “Oh, it’s time to do the announcement. I gotta get back.”

  “What’s the announcement?”

  “Ted Walker wants to thank everyone for coming.” She wobbles back and forth trying to get her balance. A wave of panic flows through her. Meghan’s back arches and her head flings back, knowing she’s going to fall, but just then, Jared’s hand grabs her waist and he pulls her in close.

  “I gotcha.”

  “Thanks,” she says, drinking up his blue-eyed stare. Her stomach rises and falls. “That would have been embarrassing.”

  “For you or me? I’m the skater. I couldn’t let you fall. The guys wouldn’t let me live that one down.”

  “There’s Ted. I have to move faster. I don’t know how he feels about his employees taking part in team functions.”

  “He won’t see you,” Jared says. “And what’s he going to say?”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.” Meghan looks ahead to how far she has to go. “He’s going to see me. What am I going to say?” She grits her teeth. Don’t panic. Jared can’t see her stress. She’s got this. “A hundred more steps and I should be there.”

  “Not even,” he says.

  Meghan tries skating faster, but the blades are like dull knives, hardly making a dent in the ice. She is skimming the surface barely moving.

  “He’s coming over! I think he sees me.”

  “No way,” Jared says easily. “He’s watching the kids skate.”

  “I think he’s wondering why I’m on the ice . . . with you.”

  “Relax. Don’t sweat. He’s just taking it in. It’s not often there’s an event just for the players, right? So he’s just checking it out, seeing who’s here.”

  “Yeah, he sees me.” Meghan bites her bottom lip. “I’m in trouble.”

  “No, you’re not.” Jared pulls her from the boards.

  “What are you doing?”

  Jared secures his hand around her waist and takes her left hand in his. “Glide,” he says.

  “I don’t want to fall.”

  “You won’t fall. I’ve got you.” His voice is firmer. She believes him.

  Meghan squeezes her eyes shut for a second feeling the cold air tingle her nostrils, her legs getting the hang of it, even though her legs are shaky.

  They reach the opening.

  “Mr. Walker,” Jared says. Meghan is trying to gain her balance; she prays Jared won’t let go of her. She can barely stand on one leg as she eases her foot off the ice.

  “Jared,” Ted says, and turns to Meghan, lowering his full face to meet her eyes. “I see this turned out to be a good event. Everyone showed up, I see. Are you enjoying yourself?” He shoves his hands into his pant pockets. “Is Keri around?”

  Meghan gives a quick glance to where she expects Keri to be. “Yes, she’s by the refreshment table.”

  “Is she cutting the cake?” he asks. “Or are you?”

  “Um . . . that would be me,” Meghan says.

  “You’re busy,” Ted says. “I’m sure Keri can.”

  “No, no, I’m doing it,” Meghan says, taking a step forward.

  “I asked her to skate with me,” Jared interrupts.

  “Well then, let’s get the cake cut,” Ted tells them.

  Meghan hurries to the bench to take off the skates. As she unties them, she notices a pair of Bauer skates loosely laced. She looks up to see Jared standing in front of her. “You didn’t have to cover for me.”

  “He looked upset. I didn’t want you to get into trouble. It’s supposed to be a fun time, right? I don’t think it’s a big deal.”

  Neither did Meghan, but hosting events is part of her responsibilities, she has to show the owner and Keri that she is more than capable of being part of the festivities.

  Meghan slips on her flat shoe. “You didn’t tie your skates.”

  “I don’t need to. Not for something like this.”

  His legs must be stronger than she thought and his ankles must be like rocks.

  Meghan stands up. “Thanks for the skate.”

  “Anytime. When are we doing this again?”

  “There will be another family skate before play-offs, at least that’s when I’m trying to schedule it.”

  “No, I mean us. We should go skating.”

  “Us?”

  Jared laughs. “Yeah.”

  “Here? At the Dome?” she asks. “I don’t think that will happen. These functions aren’t easy to book. I gotta look at the Dome’s schedule. Maybe at a local arena.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “Do you know how many kids would go nuts if you showed up for a public skate?”

  “No, I—”

  “It would be insane! You wouldn’t be able to skate.”
/>
  “I . . . I didn’t think about that.”

  “I have to get this cake cut.”

  “Right. Well, we could—”

  “I’ll see you around,” she says with a quick wave. “Thanks for the skate!” Meghan hurries over to the dessert table where Keri is standing.

  “Where have you been?” Keri asks.

  “Skating.”

  “Skating?”

  “With Jared Landry. He asked me to join him,” she says, trying to hide her grin.

  “I didn’t know you had an interest.”

  “I don’t know how to skate,” Meghan admits.

  “No, I mean with him.”

  “Oh.” Meghan looks away. “Jared was helping me. He skated with me.”

  “Like held your hand?”

  “A little, yes. He mostly kept me at the boards and made sure I didn’t fall.”

  “Oh.”

  “I almost fell a few times.” Meghan laughs. “I didn’t know I’d be so wobbly. Jeez, it’s not easy getting your balance. He makes it look so easy. Well, they all do. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the ice . . .”

  “Do you want to start handing out cake?” Keri hands her a plate. “Don’t forget napkins.”

  “Right.” Meghan grabs forks and places them neatly on each plate. As she turns around, people are holding their hands out for a slice. The cake is half done when Jared approaches her. Automatically, she hands him a piece.

  “No thanks.”

  “You don’t want double chocolate with custard filling?”

  “I’ll give one to Jane and Becks.” He takes two plates.

  Meghan watches Jared disappear into the crowd.

  “He’s something else, isn’t he?” Keri asks as she organizes the table with more napkins.

  Meghan grins. “He’s all right.”

  “My friend used to date him.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yup. He broke her heart. He’s not one for commitment, apparently.”

  “Did he cheat on her?” Meghan asks, intrigued.

  “No. He told her he was done. Wanted to date other people.”

  “He’s not with anyone now?”

  “I don’t think so. I don’t know.”

  Meghan sighs.

  “Are you interested?” Keri asks.

  “Me? No. Not me.”

  “That’s good. I’m pretty sure they’ll get back together. He said they were on a break.”

  “Did he say why?”

  Keri shakes her head.