Page 44 of Ice-Cold Truth

As the server walks away, Elyse leans back in her chair, regarding me with a pensive expression. “Jack, can I ask you something?”

I nod, bracing myself for whatever question she might have.

“What made you change your mind about us? About letting me in?” she asks softly.

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “Honestly? It was you, Elyse. Your determination to stand by me, even when I tried to push you away.” I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. “You saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself, and you refused to give up on me.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m glad I didn’t give up,” she whispers. “You’re worth fighting for, Jack Ford.”

A lump forms in my throat at her words, and I can only nod, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion swirling within me. As we linger over the remnants of our meal, the weight of the world seems to lift from my shoulders, if only for a brief moment.

All too soon, it’s about time for me to head to practice, and I reluctantly suggest we head out. We make our way back to the bustling streets, our hands intertwined, savoring these final moments before the demands of the world intrude once more. As we approach the arena, I slow to a stop, turning to face Elyse.

I reach out and smooth a strand of her hair away from her face. She blinks up at me, eyes wide and vulnerable. “I meant what I said, you know,” I murmur, my voice low. “I love you.”

Elyse’s eyes search mine, and she gives a small nod. “I love you too, and I’ll be right here, every step of the way.”

Her words make my heart swell. This amazing woman, standing with me through the chaos and uncertainty. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve her loyalty and love, but I’ve never been more grateful.

Slowly, she rises on her tiptoes, her hands curling around my neck. I meet her halfway, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

Chapter 20: Elyse

Irush home from the office, my heart pounding with excitement. Today has been a whirlwind of emotions, and I can barely contain myself as I bound up the stairs to the apartment. The news I received is life-changing, but I can’t wait to share it with Jack and Sam when they get home.

As I approach the door, I hear their voices from inside, and a knot of worry forms in my stomach. Why are they home so early from practice? I pause, hand on the doorknob, and strain to make out their words.

“I can’t believe Coach is finally gone,” says Sam with a mixture of relief and disbelief.

My breath catches in my throat. Coach Mathews? The man at the center of the Firebirds scandal?

Jack’s gruff tones follow. “I know. After everything that’s happened, I didn’t think the team would actually take action.”

I push open the door, my heart racing. Sam and Jack are seated on the couch, still in their practice gear. They turn to face me, surprise etched on their features.

“Elyse, you’re home early,” says Sam, rising to greet me with a hug.

“So are you.” I return the embrace, my eyes never leaving Jack’s intense gaze. “What’s going on? What happened with Coach Mathews?”

Jack motions for me to join them on the couch. As I sink into the cushions, he takes my hand. “The owner came in during practice today. He put Reginald on immediate leave and announced he’d be settling Vince’s lawsuit against him.”

My jaw drops as the weight of Jack’s words settles over me. “Vince is getting a settlement? From the team?”

Sam nods solemnly. “Apparently, it’s a generous one too. The owner didn’t mince words. He said Reginald would be on the hook for his part of the lawsuit, which hasn’t been settled.”

A triumphant grin spreads across my face as I squeeze Jack’s hand. “This is incredible news. After everything Vince…you…went through because of that monster…”

Jack’s expression remains guarded, a muscle twitching in his chiseled jaw. “I can’t say I’m not relieved Reginald is gone, but part of me worries about what this means for the team going forward.”

Leaning forward, I place my free hand on his knee, my eyes boring into his. “You know this is the right thing. With him out of the picture, you can finally heal—physically and emotionally.”

His steely gaze softens as he studies my face. A ghost of a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “I’ve been so focused on winning, I lost sight of what’s really important.” He pulls me into a fierce embrace, his lips brushing my ear. “Thank you for opening my eyes, Elyse. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

As Jack holds me close, I catch Sam’s eye over his shoulder. He winks at me, a proud grin spreading across his face. Everything feels right—the future is finally bright again.

The news of Reginald’s dismissal and Vince’s settlement is a weight lifted from our shoulders. Jack pulls me closer, his muscular arms enveloping me in a warm embrace. I inhale deeply, savoring the familiar blend of his cologne and the lingering scent of the ice rink.

“Can you believe it?” I say against the solid plane of his chest. “After everything we’ve been through, justice is finally served.”

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