Chapter Twenty-Nine

The next day after George and Nora had left to run errands for the day, Casey helped Derek into the car. He groaned as he slid into the passenger seat, making Casey wince. She had been up all night thinking back on what he had said to her. He was right...it was her fault he was in this position. If she didn't help him get back on that ice and impress the scouts...if she ruined his shot at college...Casey knew she would never forgive herself. After helping Derek inside, she slid into the driver's seat.

"If Mom and George find out..." she nervously clenched and unclenched her fists on the steering wheel.

"They won't," Derek retorted, staring out the passenger window, "Unless someone let's it slip." He didn't even take his eyes off the window. Casey sighed, gripped the steering wheel, not knowing what to say. She felt sick to her stomach as The Prince took off down the road to the high school. She could only picture this ending poorly and her being blamed further. If Derek became injured again, not only would he blame her but so would their parents. And they would know she had helped him back on the ice. She wished she hadn't agreed to this. She just wanted to turn the car around and go home. She wanted to still be in her pajamas and having a movie day painting her nails and eating junk food. Not helping Derek only make things worse for himself...and for her.

When they got to the school, Casey helped Derek out of the car, and held onto his elbow as they made their way into the ice rink. Derek slid his school ID and the door slid open. Casey took a deep breath, hoping this wouldn't be just another regret. They headed towards the ice and Casey helped Derek sit down on a bench. She dug their skates from his gym bag and helped him with his. He winced and jerked his foot away from her as she slid his foot into the boot of the skate.

"Damn it," Derek hissed, gripping the edge of the bench with his fists. Casey sighed, trying to be patient and trying to ignore the fact that him jerking away almost caused the skate to slice her hand open.

"It's going to hurt no matter what," Casey explained, "I don't know what to do."

"Get me the Demerol."

"You've already had two today..."

"It's just one more pill," Derek shrugged, "Besides, it'll be worth it when I am skating for a college team, Case. Hand me the Demerol."

Casey did as she was told and handed him the orange perscription bottle from his bag. Derek popped two pills and swallowed hard. Casey had to bite her tongue as to not say anything. Carefully, she slipped his foot back into the skate and began to lace it up. After she had finished helping him, she put her own skates on.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked, standing from the bench, "We can just..."

"Case," Derek snapped, "No! I need to do this. You know that. I need this shot, Case. This is my only shot. Help me up."

Sighing, Casey helped Derek to his feet. His balance shook and she had to struggle to keep him from falling.

"Damn it! This Demerol better kick in soon!"

"It will," Casey tried to sound assuring, "Now, what I want you to do is just walk around the rink once holding on to the rail. Do that as many times as it takes until you feel confident in your skates. How does that sound?"

"Like I'm fucking three and learning how to skate for the first fucking time."

Casey winced and Derek caved, "But if you think it will help..."

"It will," Casey said assuredly. She helped him towards the ice and he instantly grasped for the wall of the rink. Casey gently placed a hand on his shoulder, "You got this."

Derek wasn't so sure. Always on the ice, he felt so confident. It was the one thing he actually owned. He was good at it and knew it. Now he felt like he was starting from square one. He could remember his mom taking him to the rink for the first time and teaching him how to skate. He felt stupid for having to start completely over. But Casey was there, and for some reason that comforted him. She was right. He had this.

Slowly, he moved around the rink, gripping the wall the whole time. He was shaky, but slowly he felt more and more confident in himself. After making him circle the rink five times like that, Casey finally skated out towards the middle of the ice and asked him to skate towards her. Derek looked down at his hands, his knuckles white from grasping the wall so tightly.

"You can do it," she said hopefully, "Just skate towards me."

"What are you going to give me if I do?" Derek jutted his chin out, challengingly.

Casey bit her lower lip, mulling it over, "Well...how does a kiss sound?"

"Right now?" Derek glanced down at his skates, willing his foot to cooperate with him, "Pretty damn good."

"Then get over here."

Derek grinned and pushed himself off the wall. He skated towards her, his ankle killing him with each slide of the skate's blade on the ice. When he reached her, Casey caught him to keep him from falling. After steadying him, Casey placed her hand on his cheek and gently brushed his lips with hers. He could taste her cherry Chapstick as she pulled away. He pouted.

"Is that all?"

"For now," Casey smiled, "Now then, hold on to my hands. We are going to skate back and forth the rink until you are confident to do it on your own."

After about an hour of practice, Derek finally skated on his own.

"You're doing it!" Casey cheered, stopping her figure eights to clap for him, "Great job!"

"Now if I can just do this for the championship," Derek skated over, grabbing Casey and kissing her, "I'll be set!"

"You'll be great," Casey kissed him back, "Talk to Coach Samuels tomorrow morning and let him know you can skate. If...you feel up to it."

"Of course I feel up to it!" Derek grinned, feeling the cold from the ice just a bit deeper against his skin, "I feel great."

When they got back to the bench with their things, Derek made sure to pop another Demerol while Casey's back was turned.

I feel fucking great!