Page 213 of Snap Shot

I follow his exiting path a few minutes later, then head to the rental counter. The smile on my face doesn't budge. Frigid air cools me with every breath when I get to the other rink. And the moment my skate meets the ice? It's the high I've searched for. Pure magic. Serene. Mind-clearing.

It's home.

Chapter 49: What Are You Waiting For?

Landon

“How was this morning?”

Otto's foot bobs by his knee, shifting the notepad in his lap. My hand rubs over the stark, tanned line at my bicep. A reminder of too many days golfing at Wade's house in Fort Lauderdale during the off-season.

“Practice was fine, yeah.” I recline on the sofa. “Coach talked our ears to death after, but otherwise, I think the team's looking good. They rallied this summer. Jaeg doesn't even hate the rookies.”

“Ready for the first game?”

“It's a pre-season match.”

“Even so.”

Gaze traveling to the ceiling, I release a deflated breath. “I'm trying to stay focused, I really am. And my game is strong, thank God.But my mind wanders.”

“To failure?”

“To her.”

“It takes time.” My therapist is far more patient than I am. His finger dents his cheek after discarding his pen and pad on the side table. “Have you been doing the guided meditations I shared with you?”

“Every day.”

“Great! Keep going. And give yourself a grace period.”

“It's been almost six months.”

Feels like forever. Damn ego. Damn pride. I've wanted to talk to her on so many occasions, but those two pesky critters hold me back. What if she did move on? I couldn't bear to face her.

“In the grand scheme of things, that's notthatlong. You had a history, a deep connection. It's hard to let go.”

“Oof. Salt, meet wound.”

“Sorry, I didn't mean it like that.” He sighs. “What I'm saying is: you had a happy life and successful career before her, and it's okay to take time to find it again.”

My head sways, not quite buying into the idea I'll ever get over Indi, but what other option do I have?

Directly from therapy, I drive toward Toronto. Laney sent the Acton rink address for Sadie's game, and I follow the directions mindlessly. My sister waves me over from the glass. Seth leans on a railing, seemingly nervous.

“You're late,” Laney chides.

“They haven't started!”

“They're on the ice.” She glares.

“Barely.” I draw a hand to the rink, pointing out the twenty or so kids toddling about. “They'refive.”

“This is a big deal for her! She's been begging to be on a team.” Seth grunts in agreement. “The new girls' league is a game changer.” She fixes her baseball hat and crosses her arms, glancing toward the players.

“Which one's Sadie?”

“Number fifteen.”

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