Finding Claire

Chapter 24

"Oh! And use protection if you kids plan on doing that tonight! I'm too young to be a grandmother!" my mom yelled as we walked out the door. I froze, felt myself go red immediately and slowly turned around with a glare. She just stared at us with a big smile and waved us away before slamming the door.

"Wow," Nathan finally laughed and I sent my glare over to him.

"That is not funny. That is so embarrassing!" I cried and he smiled. He pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead as I stood there, not bothering to move my arms.

"No it's not," he tried not to laugh, but failed miserably. "Come on let's go. Your dad is already glaring at me and the baseball bat on his hand is not helping."

I rolled my eyes at the image of my dad, but nodded and walked the few remaining steps to his car. After being a gentleman, he got in and drove away shaking his head as I asked the same question as before.

"So where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"You know you are just being cliché right? Every boy says that to their date, knowing the girl will just get even more frustrated and nervous about where they are going."

"Yeah. I know. And it works too. I thought you would know by the way I suggested you dress," he laughed and I looked down at my clothes again. Dark, blue jeans, white long sleeve shirt with a red undershirt, a red scarf and my black jacket.

"This looks like something I would wear when it's cold outside. Are we going to be outside?"

"Yup," was all he said and I groaned. It had only been about three weeks since we have started to date and he is still the annoying goof ball from before. He didn't change or treat me differently. He just held my hand more often, sat closer to me then before, hugged me more and even kissed my face more. He hadn't kissed my lips yet and I was itching to kiss him any time he wanted.

"Can you at least give me a clue?" I asked and he shook his head after a moment.

"We are almost there. Can you please be patient for a few more minutes?"

"Fine," I pouted and crossed my arms like a little girl. He laughed at me, squeezed the hand he had managed to get and then cleared his throat a few moments later.

"We're here."

I jumped out the car and smiled as the name came into view. A couple feet away, there were couples dancing and twirling around in a circle while music echoed around, making it even more entertaining.

"Joe's Ice Rink?" I laughed and he shrugged. I squealed, grabbed his hand and dragged him to the small booth on the side so we could rent our skates. He just laughed at my reaction and paid for everything as I kicked off my shoes and replaced them with the skates.

"Woah. Hold on speedy. You need to put them on near the ice, or else you won't be able to walk."

"That's why I have you to carry me," I joked but he took it for real. He shrugged, carried me bridal style and laughed as I squealed for him to put me down. "Don't you ever do that again!" I threatened him as soon as I was safe on the floor. He stood up expertly on the ice as I wobbled near the corner and he started to skate away as he wiggled his eyebrows.

"I won't make that promise."

"Nathan!" I shrieked as I tried to hit him without letting go of the side. I had never done this before, and I was so not letting go so I could plummet down to my death on this ice trap.

"Oh come on. Don't be a wimp. Just let go," he laughed as he skated back and forth. Show off.

"Come and help me you moron. You are not being a good boyfriend right now!" I yelled at him as he just laughed and skated away. Suddenly, he turned around and started to skate right at me, looking like he wasn't going to stop. I screamed, turned around to cover as much of my body and face as I could and waited for the impact.