Read Losing the Ice (Ice Series #2) for Free Online

alarm, and I said, “He tried to play the piano and had some trouble remembering.”
    “I couldn’t remember anything ,” he corrected.
    “Well, Joshua, you bashed your head on a block of ice. Of course things will be muddled up there.” She patted his back. “Give it time. You’re going to be just fine.”
    Meredith placed her small tray on the bar. “Court, can I get a vodka tonic?”
    I lingered a moment before gathering the bottles I needed for the drink. I stayed busy the next hour, so I only caught bits of Josh and Mrs. Cassar’s conversation. I didn’t hear much of the standard laughter. When Mrs. Cassar went to the ladies’ room, I refilled Josh’s water and included a smile. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with uneasiness.
    “What if I forgot how to skate?” he asked.
    “You haven’t. You’ve been doing it for too many years—”
    I stopped when I realized he’d been playing the piano just as long. But skating was more physical. His muscle memory would trump his mental memory, wouldn’t it?
    “I don’t think you should worry about that,” I said quickly.
    “Josh!” our boss Ronnie bellowed as he came out of the kitchen. “You said you wouldn’t be here.”
    “I just came for dinner. I’m about to head out.”
    “Stay and play a few songs. We need some life in here tonight.”
    I cringed on the inside as I waited for Josh’s response. He gripped his glass tighter and kept his head down.
    “I… I can’t,” he said.
    “Come on, just thirty minutes. I know you—”
    “I said I can’t!” Josh jumped up from his stool and stormed out the door.
    I stood motionless with the water pitcher frozen in my hand, while Ronnie’s eyes doubled in size. “What was that?” he asked.
    “He’s just… he’s upset because he doesn’t remember how to play right now. It must be an aftereffect of the concussion.”
    “Damn, I wouldn’t have bugged the kid if I’d known.”
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here or I would’ve given you a heads-up.”
    He drummed his fingers on the bar. “It’s just temporary, right?”
    “I’m sure it is.” I tried to make myself sound more confident than I felt.
    Ronnie left to circle the room and greet the customers, and Mrs. Cassar soon joined me and asked, “Where’s Joshua?”
    “Ronnie asked him to play a few songs, obviously not knowing his… condition, and he blew up and walked out.”
    “Blew up? Joshua?” Her eyes grew as big as Ronnie’s had.
    “It surprised me, too.”
    She glanced at the door. “What’s he doing — standing in the rain?”
    “I don’t know. Can you go check on him?”
    She slipped on her coat and picked up her umbrella at the door. When neither she nor Josh returned after ten minutes, I assumed they’d gone home. Which meant Josh had left without saying goodbye.
    Near the end of my shift I checked my phone and had no messages. I pulled up Josh’s number and typed a text.
    Me: Are you still up?
    I stared at the screen until it went black, and I dropped it into my apron pocket. By the time I closed down the bar, I had a reply waiting.
    Josh: Yeah
    Me: Do you want some company?
    I didn’t receive an answer until I was inside my car, buckling my seat belt.
    Josh: I wouldn’t be great company.
    My heart pinched. I hated the idea of him being alone with nothing but worrisome thoughts filling his head.
    Me: We don’t have to talk. We can just watch a movie. I’m skating the late session tomorrow, so I can stay over.
    Josh: I haven’t been sleeping well, so you wouldn’t get much rest.
    I put my head back against the seat. Take a hint, Court. He doesn’t want you there. No matter how much you want to be there for him.
    Me: Okay. I’ll stop by after I leave the rink tomorrow.
    I waited for a response but got none. At least he hadn’t told me not to come.
    When I reached Em and Sergei’s house, I quietly let myself in and turned off the kitchen light they’d left on for me. I took off my shoes