Love on Ice

Chapter 10 - Olivia

I open my eyes and bring my head back up slowly.

As I do I notice a figure in one of the windows on the other side of the arena.

I notice its James and give him a quick wave.

I see him chuckle to himself.

I grab my phone and dial his number.

I look back towards James and see him standing with his phone to his ear.

I answer, "would you mind not stalking me while I'm working James."

I hear him snicker again through the phone, "sorry, I was just looking out at the arena, not my fault you're within my vision."

"Okay fair enough, how long have you been standing there?" I ask.

"Not long, don't worry, I'm not that weird," he replies.

I laugh.

"You're working late tonight," he adds.

"Yeah, I wanted to get through most of these photos while I have time," I reply.

"Are you headed out soon?" he asks.

To be honest I was thinking about heading home, my headache is starting to return.

Damn you arena lighting.

And I'm starting to feel the cold of the rink around my arms.

"Yeah, I was actually," I reply as I bring my feet down and push my phone between my ear and shoulder.

I start closing down my laptop and logging out.

"Did you drive?" he asks.

Shit.

I hope he's not mad.

"Er, no, I didn't want to risk it, so I got an uber," I reply.

"For fuck sake Olivia, I asked if you needed a lift and you said no. I told you if you still didn't feel up to it," he replies, pissed but not angrily.

"Sorry, it was fine though, I probably would have been able to drive but I just wanted to play it safe so got an uber. You're not my personal driver James."

"I know Liv, but I just want to make sure you're safe," he replies.

Jesus.

What?

He wants me to be safe?

What's that about?

Maybe it's his police side, worrying about women in a city.

"James, it was a bloody uber, I didn't hitchhike."

I stand and put my laptop and camera in my bag.

"I will give you a lift..." he starts.

"Nope. Thank you very much for the offer. But nope." I state bluntly as I walk down the isle.

Who does he think he is?

He doesn't own me.

"Olivia please," he says softly.

I stop at the end of the isle and look back up towards him.

"James, I appreciate your concern but I am perfectly capable of dealing with my own mistakes of being currently unable to drive."

I shuffle down the steps and make my way towards the double doors as I hear him sigh through the phone.

When I get to them I turn back around and look back up to James again.

"Have a good evening James, I'll see you on Saturday for the game."

Before I even let him reply, I hang up and give him a sarcastic wave before turning on my heal, hair whipping behind me and exiting the arena.

I order an uber and am pleased to see its only a minute away.

I walk through the corridors and think how maybe I was harsh on him.

Why was I so rude?

He was only trying to be helpful.

I exit the uber app and open a message to the unsaved number.