Once in a Full Moon Page 0,32

Brandon had invited into his house since he'd arrived in Legend's Run. Were his grandparents home? Perhaps I was the first and only one to visit him. His house seemed so different from mine - with so much more character and charm. I was sure it was highly decorated on the inside, and I was more than curious to see how he lived. However, I wanted to exit the enormous property before Brandon saw my silly wrestling card.

"Thank you anyway. I really have to go."

"Always leaving me," he teased.

I couldn't help but break a smile. "I should be getting back home," I told him.

"You can at least wait until I open the card."

"That's okay - "

Before I could retreat, he was trying to slit the top of the envelope but was struggling with his wounded hand.

I took the envelope, opened it, and handed it back to him.

"Thanks," he said. His gaze lingered a bit on my face, then he read the card.

"Wow - this is so nice. You made it?"

I nodded, embarrassed.

"I don't think anyone has ever made me a card before. Thank you!"

I pointed to the bumper sticker on his car. "I thought it was for World Wrestling Federation," I confessed.

He laughed and then I did, too. There was something special about Brandon. His eyes were seductive.

There was a silence, and then I said, "Did you see a doctor?"

"Yes. I had to get stitches."

"I'm so sorry - "

"No - don't be sorry. That's not why I told you."

"I'll have to bake you more brownies now." We both laughed again.

"It's fine. Really," he said.

"That must have hurt."

"Nah," he said. "I'm a big boy."

"I'm sorry about Nash - that he gives you a hard time."

"Well, it's nice to have someone stick up for me, especially someone as pretty as you."

I blushed. So much so that I could feel my whole body redden.

"Wow - you have your own pond," I said. "You can go ice-skating."

He nodded, as if everyone had their own frozen pond. "Would you like to?"

"Like to what?"

"Skate? It's very shallow, so it's already frozen solid."

"You skate?" I asked quizzically.

"I played ice hockey at school. When I was growing up I came here during winter break and I got to practice. It was really cool."

"That does sound amazing."

"So, would you like to try?"

"I have plans this weekend...."

"I mean now."

The thought of doing something spontaneously was unusual for me, to say the least.

"Now? I don't have any skates."

He sized up my boots.

"You might be able to use my grandmother's."

"She plays hockey?"

"No." He smiled. "But she has a pair of figure skates hanging on the wall."

"I wouldn't want to use her decoration."

"They aren't plastic. They're real. She used them herself. Besides, she'd insist."

Before I could say no, Brandon was on his way into his house. A few moments later, he came out with two pairs of skates.

Brandon handed me a tiny vintage pair of worn white dainty leather skates. His were in sharp contrast - sturdy, bold, and black.

He wiped off snow from the bench of the picnic table with his glove and offered me a seat. We sat down and removed our boots.

"I think these are a little big," I said, trying one on.

Brandon pulled my skate-wearing foot up onto his lap. "You just need to tighten them."

I loved how Brandon took charge - not in a bossy or controlling way but in a confident manner. I sat back as he tugged on the laces. I was mesmerized that he was being so attentive to me. "Now the other," he said.

"A girl could get used to this," I said. I continued to stare at him until he was finished.

It had been a few years since I'd put on a pair of skates. I was shaky when we stood, but Brandon handled himself like a pro.

"It's easy, just relax." He threw his other glove onto the table and extended his hand. I grasped it in mine. Even though I had stretchy gloves on, I could feel the power and warmth from his grip. I wobbled on the grass until we reached the frozen pond. I was a bit nervous, imagining myself lying flat on my back within seconds.

Brandon smiled and helped me onto the ice. It took me several moments to balance. "It's like riding a bike, right?" he said.

"Only on ice," I said.

"Yes, I guess there is that," he said.

"Now, let's go."

"We have to move, too?"

Brandon began