Entangled (49 page)

We get to 42
nd
street and Broadway and though I like walking around here better at night, we walk. There’s so much to do around here, it’s a lot of fun. “Hey are you okay?” Maddy nudges my arm. I hate lying to her but I just don’t feel like discussing anything personal. I force a smile on my face and tell myself to snap out of my weird mood, for her sake. Sandy is gone, she didn’t see it. I can forget about it.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Do you wanna go to Dave and Busters?” I gesture to the building in front of us.

“Oh, I didn’t even see it. Hell yes, I’m down for playing some games.”

So we do. We race, we play shooter games, air hockey and I even win her a silly little prize from the machine. “Are you hungry?” I finally ask, after having enough fun.

“A little.” She replies. I find us a table, we order food and drinks. “I could come here every day. It’s so fun.” Maddy beams.

“And crowded.” I add. I didn’t mind coming here with Spencer. It helped get my mind off shit that was going on at home.

“That too, but crowds never bothered me.”

“It would be a good place for a singing career, if you ever went that route, in the future I mean.”

“I told you, I won’t. I can’t.” I open my mouth to say something but the last thing I want to do is piss her off and argue over the same shit, so I shut it and finish my burger.

My phone beeps in my pocket, I rise up to pull it out. “It’s Spencer.”

“Ask him to come skating with us.”

“Hey Spencer, what’s up?” Maddy watches me.

“Hey, how’s the tour going?”

“We’re at Time’s Square, eating at Dave & Busters. Next we’re going ice skating, you should join us.” Maddy’s smiling now, hopeful.

“Oh really? I’m not a good skater, you should know that. I’d fall all over the place and make a fool of myself.” I laugh at his true statement.

“Yeah, but you’d make for some good entertainment at our expense. Besides, no one will even notice you falling. It’s for fun.”

He snickers in dislike, “This is a weekend for you two, you should go, and I’d be in the way.” I feel guilt for him thinking he’d be in the way. As much as I want to spend time with Maddy, I also wanted to hang out with my best friend. It’s not like I see him that often. “No, you wouldn’t be in the way, we both want you to come and hang out with us.” I look at Maddy, “Right Maddy?” I put the phone on speaker so she can have her say as well.

“Spencer, you better get your ass over here and go skating with us. I’ll help you, it’ll be fun. It’s so boring without you. Entertain us with your awesomeness.” She quickly shakes her head at me, letting me know it was only said to get him to come. I’m not offended though, because I know it will be less tense with him here.

“Alright, fine. You’ll have to wait a while but I’ll be there. You better be glad I love you guys enough to agree to bust my ass and knees. Seriously, I suck at skating. I should wear pads for the ice.” I try not to crack up, picturing him falling a million times. “Just get over here and quit complaining. I hang up and get out of my seat. “Let’s go babe. I nod my head, leaving the restaurant.

“Okay, a few photos first of Times Square and then we can head back to Rockefeller Center.”

Chapter 55

Maddy

Well a few pictures became a few too many. I took pictures of the strip on one side and then on the other side and then I proceeded to do a few individually. I’m aware that I’ll have to buy a couple more cameras soon. But there’s just so much worth remembering here. Seeing all these sights has been an experience. I sent a couple of pictures to Andi from my phone, wishing she were here. It may seem insensitive but I want her to understand that even though I’m here having a blast with Noah and Spencer, she’s never far from my mind.

We get back to 48
th
Street, which by the way confuses the hell out of me. Noah’s tried explaining the streets and the order they appear and I can’t comprehend it very well. I mean you have avenues, and then you have streets and then there’s even numbers mixed in. Why can’t there just be streets without avenues? It’s so confusing, but then again, I am easily confused so it could just be me.

It’s really crowded, but being a Saturday night, it shouldn’t be surprising. “It’s not as busy in the early morning or before 4. I should have warned you.”

I shake my head, antsy and anxious, “I would’ve suggested skating at night anyway. I love skating at night.” Though it’s been years since I set my foot on the ice. I’m hoping I remember how, but if I fall, I’ll just get back up and shake it off. I’m here to have fun with my great people.

Noah pays for our skates while I stand by the window, looking in at the skaters circling the rink. I’ve always been fascinated with those that can twirl really fast and not lose their balance. That takes real talent and a lot of practice. And I’m sure they’ve all fallen a million times, getting back up.

“Here’s your skates.” Noah approaches me, I take them and we find a bench to change our shoes. He’s really quiet and it has me wondering why the change in mood. Every time I ask though, he says he’s fine which I’d like to believe. But I know him better than that. He’s not fine and I hope to get the truth out of him, one way or another.

“Babe, are you okay? You seem so distracted, distant lately. Is there something on your mind?” He looks up while tying his laces, “I’m just fine. I’m excited about skating with you.”

“Oh brother, get me a barf bag.” We both laugh and glance at Spencer, who’s finally made an appearance.

“Glad you decided to join us.” I tease.

“Yeah, I’m starting to regret that decision.” He shakes his head, making a gagging noise. “I need to buy my skates, you guys go on ahead, I’ll catch up. Or you’ll hear me cursing against the side, trying to get up as I’ve hit the ice a time or two.” We find a locker to put our shoes and my purse in. Walking in skates on the regular floor is pretty easy, even if you’re not used to being in them. When I step onto the ice, I hesitate for a split second.

“Are you okay?” Noah grabs my hand and I pull away. “Yes, but I need to
get used to being on the ice again first.” I hold onto the side as I step on, almost getting trampled by a cluster of skaters. I try to concentrate on what I’m doing. Noah comes up beside me on the other side, waiting for me to let go. And when I finally do, I start skating, though a little wobbly at first. But my feet quickly remind themselves how to move and it’s like riding a bike in the sense that I haven’t really forgotten how to skate. Once I’m on the ice, my feet do the moving without my mind really thinking about it. I bend my knees and shake my butt, moving from side to side. “Look at that, I guess I still remember how to skate after all these years.” The music in the background has me swaying my hips to the rhythm.

“You’re doing great.” Noah keeps up with me, circling the rink. “There’s nothing to it.” We’re both speed skating, weaving in and out of people. I watch a little girl with pigtails skate with her dad. I smile in awe.

“Uh, someone wanna help me?” We look behind us at Spencer holding onto the side, struggling. I slow down and put on my best poker face and let him catch up to me. “Hold onto me, take my hand.”

“No, I’ll fall and pull you down with me. It’s better to hold onto the side.”

“Just do it.” I tell him firmly. He grunts, letting go long enough to grab onto my arm. A kid almost runs into us but I dodge him at the last second. It’s difficult holding a grown man upright, but I do my best. After all, this is what makes it fun and that’s why I wore pants, in case I fall, it’s less painful…and cold.

I watch the girl that does a spin like 3 times, as if it’s the easiest thing in the world. I feel envious of those who are so graceful and can glide on the ice without breaking bones. I used to wanna skate like Nancy Kerrigan when I was younger.
When I miss colliding with a guy, Spencer is not so lucky and trips over his skate, losing friction, landing on his tail bone. “Fuck, that’s gonna bruise tomorrow.” I help him up, glancing around for Noah whom I’d just noticed has left our side.

“Looking for someone?” He appears from behind me and kisses my cheek before skating off again.

“Go skate with him, I’ll be okay.”

“Nope, I’m gonna help you. Come on.” We skate for a little while; I keep a hold on him, even as he falls but he gets back up and starts falling less. But after some time, he skates to the wall by the door. “Seriously, I’m done for the night. I’d rather just watch you guys. I’m tired.”

“You’re not the only one falling; there are plenty of unstable skaters here. But you’ve done great. Go sit and rest.” I move back and forth and circle around him. “Hey, can you go get my camera from the locker and take pictures? You’ll need to get the key from Noah.” He steps out of the rink to put his shoes back on. I skate off on my own, gliding from side to side and putting some sway into my step. I skate a couple of laps, passing Noah. I finally bend my knees and close my eyes for a split second to pretend I’m a figure skater in a competition, getting ready to do a jump when out of nowhere a stranger loses control and rams right into me before I can move out of his way, sending me to the ground and I break my fall, landing hard on my knee. His body is tangled with mine and there’s a lot of cursing and pain coursing through my body. Tears blur my vision, and when he finally pushes himself off me, he realizes what he’s done.

“Holy shit, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Oh my god, can you move?” He panics, trying to help me
up and I cry out in agony, sitting back down on the ice cold ground.

“Maddy!” Noah rushes to my side, frantically reaching my hand to pull me up.

“No, no I can’t get up right now. My knee, it hurts.” I’m crying and I want to curse the guy for knocking me down but I know it was my fault for not paying attention.

“God dammit, I’m so sorry for leaving you. I need to get you off the ice.” I grab my knee, shaking my head.

“Noah, what happened?” I hear Spencer’s voice beside me.

“Help me get her up.” He says with a little more anger than probably intended. If I’d been more aware of my surroundings instead of playing around in a crowded skating rink, I wouldn’t have gotten hurt. I would’ve saved us both.

“I’m…I’m okay.” My grip on Noah’s shoulder tightens as he helps me out of the rink.

“I’m so sorry, I tried to stop. I was going faster than I realized.”

“It’s okay, I’m okay. It was an accident.”

“It’s not okay; you need to watch what you’re doing. There are little kids around and you could have really hurt her or one of them worse.” Noah warns him, irritably.

“Babe, stop it. I’m okay. I’m hurt but not dead, I’ll survive. I just need an ice pack. Quit being rude.” Noah helps me remove my skates quietly but I can feel the anger bouncing off his body. As much pain as I feel, my main focus is to keep him calm.

“This would’ve been a great Kodak moment, huh Spencer?” I joke, he laughs.

“Yeah, sorry I missed that. It would’ve been epic.” He jokes back.

“This is not funny.” Noah gripes at us both. I push his hand away, boldly.

“I’m fine Noah. I can joke about it. You need to get a hold of yourself. You’re overreacting.”

“Overreacting? Really? It could’ve been worse. I could be taking you to the fucking hospital all because I left your side
to go skate by myself when I came here to skate with you. God, I’m so-“

I realize he’s angrier with himself than anything, blaming himself for the accident. I grab his hand and he jerks away. He paces back and forth. I focus on putting my boots back on.

“Noah, calm down, she’s fine.” Spencer intervenes at my expense.

“Don’t tell me to calm down. I left her and got rammed into pretty hard. You remember the last time I left someone, don’t you?” I put pressure on my leg, attempting to walk and pain shoots up to my knee. I wince, trying to be discreet. I really rather not go to the hospital tonight.

“Maddy.” Noah rushes to my side but I put my hand up, stopping him. “No, I’m okay. Stop babying me.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just angry that I left you. I thought you were okay, skating with Spencer and then I saw you get knocked to the ground and I moved as fast I could from the other side, without pushing others down. I got so pissed when I saw that douche on top of you. I should’ve stayed with you guys. I’m so sorry.” Hearing the concern and pain in his voice softens my irritation enough to grab his hand and twist him around to face me so he can see the sincerity in my eyes. He bites his lower lip hard, almost drawing blood.

“Stop that, your lip is going to bleed.” He pulls me against him, whispering “I’m sorry” into my hair a dozen times. I can’t help but wonder why he’s acting so strange. I glance at Spencer over Noah’s shoulder. He smiles sadly at me, kicking the ground.

“I’m sorry, I was trying to act like a skater in a competition getting ready to do a jump in the air and wasn’t paying attention to what was around me. It was my fault; I was going to catch up with you. I know it was stupid to do that in a crowded rink. It wasn’t your fault so stop blaming yourself.”

“Well, let’s get you back to Spencer’s so you can rest and put an ice pack on it” I don’t argue as we walk back to the subway. I try to keep most of my weight on my other foot.