Page 18 of In His Skates

“You’re not going through my things either.” I push him out of the way, but because I’m much stronger now, I almost send him to the floor.

“God damn it, Leigh. Stop manhandling me. I’ll end up with bruises on this puny body.”

“My body isn’t puny, jackass.” I grab a pair of granny panties and toss them at him.

They hit his face, but he manages to prevent them from falling to the floor. He looks at them, then back at me. “You’re joking.”

“Would you rather wear a thong?” I fish out the most uncomfortable underwear I own and dangle it in front of him.

He grinds his teeth. “I guess not.”

“Just get dressed. We need to go.”

9 KEANU

Leigh is pissed at me, but she has no reason to be. Sure, I took a shower, but only because it’s a need for me in the morning. If I don’t take one, I don’t feel right, and I have a lot of weirdness going on already. If I can make myself a smidge more comfortable in this body, then I’m doing it.

We’re on our way to see her friend Flora, the makeup artist from yesterday, who lives in an apartment in Venice Beach. We called a few times before coming here, but we couldn’t get a hold of her.

“She’d better be home, man, or we’re screwed.”

“She’ll be home,” Leigh replies with conviction.

“Not to stress the severity of our situation, but I have practice in the afternoon and a game tomorrow.”

“Well, if we’re still stuck, then you’ll have to miss practice and the game.”

“Are you out of your mind? Unless I’m severely ill or injured, I can’t miss those!”

She peels her eyes off the road for a second. “Are you suggesting I play in your place?”

Fuck. Leigh might be in my body, but she lacks my skills. If she steps foot on the ice, everyone will know something’s wrong with me. But what other choice do I have?

“You might have to.”

“You’re insane! I can’t do that.” The car swerves into oncoming traffic.

“Watch the road!”

“Shit.” She adjusts the car, but my heart is still stampeding in my chest.

“I swear to God, woman. Where did you learn how to drive?”

“Same place as you,” she replies through gritted teeth.

“What?”

“Your mom taught me, jackass.”

“Huh? No way. When?”

“Around the same time she taught you and Mia.”

“What? Why?”

Leigh clenches her jaw and doesn’t answer for a couple of beats. What am I missing here?

“Why didn’t your dad or mom teach you?”