“Maybe you should get out there. Go get your girl.”

“They’re doing some kind of routine.” I reply evenly, though I feel some level of panic.

“Notice how intimate this routine is. Note how good they are at it?”

“That’s probably because they’ve done it a million times.”

“So you don’t have a problem with the way they’re touching each other, then?”

I glance at her to see whether she’s serious. She looks it. “Do you?”

“They grew up together, so it’s probably fine, right?” She watches them for a few seconds before she asks, “Does Lily bone like she figure skates?”

I open my mouth to tell her I’m not at liberty to say, but she cuts me off with a wave of her hand. “Never mind. I already know the answer to that question. Guys like you don’t go back for repeat sexing if isn’t stellar. I bet she fucks like a goddamn prostitute on steroids. I bet her pussy is like Fort Knox. Do you think she ever crushed on Alex?”

“I doubt it.”

“Do you know for sure?” she asks.

The real answer is I don’t. I’m guessing. And I’ve already mentally asked myself that question. I open my mouth, but Violet goes on one of her tangents.

“I need to take stripper dance classes so I can move like her. Lily may have small boobs, but she could get a boob job to have ones like mine and try to seduce my man.”

“That’s not going to happen and Lily’s boobs aren’t small.”

She gives me another one of her looks as she stands up and wobbles on her skates.

“It won’t. And they’re nice.”

“Nice and small. There’s nothing wrong with that.” She puts a hand on my shoulder and stares me right in the eye. “Don’t think for a second that I buy you not caring about what’s going on out there, Balls.” She grimaces but doesn’t even thrust once. “I see how you look at her. I was there when you dry-fucked her in my laundry room, and I saw the expression on your face when you made her come. You want to pretend all you’re doing is buddy-fucking, go right ahead, but I see through you like watery jizz. Now help me get on the ice so Alex can show me how to skate.” She clutches my arm. “And I’m glomming onto you, just so you know, not because I want him to be jealous, but because I’m pretty sure I’ll fall flat on my face otherwise.”

I cock a brow.

“Okay, I want him to be a little jealous, but not worried I want to bone you or anything. Because I don’t. Now help me.”

“Don’t worry. I got you.” Violet comes maybe to my shoulder, if that. I thread my arm through hers. There’s no way to avoid brushing the side of her boob; it’s that big. I pretend it’s not happening.

I step out onto the ice first and direct her to hold on to the ledge until she gets her footing. “You’ve never skated before?”

“I’ve skated. I was a kid. All I remember was that I didn’t like it, and I hurt myself, and my mom didn’t make me do it again. I avoided sports. I did math camp instead. Oh, and cooking classes because I love eating.”

Once she gets both feet on the ice, she freezes.

“Okay. Time to let go,” I tell her.

“Of you?”

“No, the wall.”

She does what I tell her, but her attention is divided between me, the ice, and Lily and Waters. He misses catching her this time, and she stumbles, ending up in his arms. They’re laughing, and Sunny’s clapping again. If I had a free hand and a camera ready, it’d make a great picture. Except I don’t want pictures of her and Waters.

Then Violet flails, and her feet go in two different directions. She really is the most uncoordinated person I’ve ever met. Maybe her boobs throw off her center of gravity. She grabs me with both hands, kicking me in the shin with one of her skates in the process. It hurts, but I’ve been kicked way worse, so I try not to make a face or anything. I grab her under the arms as she shrieks and tries to get her skates under control. All she succeeds in doing is kicking my feet out from under me.

I roll to my back as we go down, making sure she’s on top so I don’t crush her when we land.

Waters puts Lily down, shooting me a dirty look. “Baby, what’re you doing? I would’ve come to get you!”

“I want you to spin me around like that!” She turns back and gives me a devious smile. Her voice drops. “Just so you know, I was totally fucking with you. I’m not worried about Alex and Lily. He and I are solid. But your response told me everything I already knew. It’s pretty damn obvious Lily’s more than just your fuck buddy. Maybe you should man up and do something about it.”

I’m about to laugh that off when Waters skates over and helps Violet up, Lily right behind him. Violet smirks as Alex holds her against him, and Lily gives me a holy shit face, coming to a stop beside me as I push to my feet. Her cheeks are pink, and she’s breathing heavy.

She presses her body flush to mine. “Are you okay? Violet’s a menace.”

“I’m fine. You looked good out there.” I won’t admit that I didn’t like Waters’ hands on her, or that Violet may be on to something.

“Thanks. Alex and I used to practice together sometimes. Come on, I’ll teach you some moves.” She circles me, urging me to follow her. And I do.

We spend the next hour on the ice. Lily’s incredibly talented. Between her and Waters, we finally get to the point where Violet can make it around the rink without falling. She still has to hold on to someone, but at least she isn’t landing on her ass.