Free Always (Bold as Love) by Lindsay Paige

his car, when Mr. Benson arrives. Jake's jaw clenches and he mutters that he'll be right back as he follows Mr. B inside the house. Jake came home one night after riding around to find that Mr. B left Drake home alone to go get drunk. Sitting in the car, Drake and I can hear the argument thanks to the open driver's door and the front door. Jake is finally having his say with him. Torn between interrupting or waiting, I hear a gut wrenching sound.
    Jake yells in frustration and walks out the door, slamming it as he storms out. My eyes find the source of the painful sound. Jake must have punched a wall because his knuckles are bleeding. Looking up, Jake sees me. His shoulders relax as he keeps coming towards me.
    “ Are you okay? Let me see your hand,” I ask as he gets in the car, shutting his door with a bang. Jake doesn't utter a single word. He sticks his hand out, and I look down at his, cradling it in my own. His warm, rough fingers move against my palm. I can feel his gaze on me.
    “ Hold on,” I say, reaching into the compartment in the dash. I find a napkin and begin to wipe the blood off gently. “I'm sorry,” I say, practically speaking to his hand. Drake is watching silently from the back seat. I finish wiping Jake's hand while Drake asks if we can get McDonald's for breakfast. Almost scared to look Jake in the eyes to see the anger, even though it's not directed at me, I answer Drake. I release Jake's hand, and he backs out of the drive way.
    We go through the drive-thru and eat on the way to the rink. Drake disappears inside, and I take the chance to talk to Jake.
    “Let's go in with your brother and have fun. No matter what you feel right about now, Drake probably feels worst. If I were him, I would feel as if my father abandoned me for a drink. Maybe you should talk to him.”
    “ You're right. I will later. Let's go have some fun,” he finishes as we walk inside. Being back at this place brings a twinge of anxiety. I take a deep breath and push it away. We are skating for about thirty minutes when Jake's old coach shows up, a big grin on his face.
     

 
    18
     
    Jake
     
    “ Well if it isn't Jake Benson, Mr. Big Time!”
    Turning, I see Coach. I skate my way over to the side of the rink where he waits.
    “It's good seeing you,” I say with a hug.
    “ How's college, son?”
    “ It's good. I actually just got back from a camp in Canada, and I'll be heading to Jersey soon.”
    “ Yeah?” Coach's eyes twinkle with excitement and pride. “That's great, son. I'm so happy for you. How was the camp?”
    “ It was amazing.” At the sound of Emily's laughter, I turn my head to see Drake pulling her around the rink.
    “ I look at my wife the same way you look at Emily, you know. There are but a few loves like the kind we have found. I just wanted to stop by for a moment, but before I go, I want to give you a piece of advice. You love her, right?”
    I nod.
    “Make sure that for every second she knows that. Never allow her to second guess your love and what you would do for her. People make mistakes and you will make some, for sure. But she should never think twice about how much you love her.”
    “ You know, sometimes, I feel as if I'm still battling her past for her. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather do it than her, but she's got to fight too.”
    “ Once she figures out how she's going to handle it and feels comfortable with it, she'll fight it.”
    “ Thanks, Coach. I'm just worried about her.”
    “ Give her time, son.”
    Coach wishes me luck, says his goodbyes and the rest of the day is spent with my two favorite people. It's a good day filled with laughter and absolutely no worries.
     

 
    19
     
    Emily
     
    While skating around the rink, I have done lots of thinking. I can't wait to have some alone time with Jake and tell him what I've decided. However, Jake has other plans. He asks me to drop them off at his house for some brother time. I just hope I don't change my mind.
    I bite my