Page 47 of Born of Ice

“Nothing.” She smiles reassuringly despite the tears. “It’s nothing important.”

“Lia, have you met my prickly pear over here?” Stella points to me and this time my groan is not subtle.

“Jesus Christ, will you stop with that nickname?”

“If the shoe fits and all that.” She waves me off. “Anyway, Aurora, meet Exton ‘Axe’ Quinn.TheExton Quin.” She places special emphasis on my name and now I’m the one with pulled brows.

“Prickly pear, this is another one of my students, Aurora Johnson.”

“Past student.” Aurora clears her throat and extends her tiny hand my way and I take it, shaking it. “It’s a huge honor to meet you, Exton.”

“Really? You’re a fan?” I assess the girl in front of me who looks nothing like the typical puck bunnies who claim to be myfans, and neither does she look like an actual die-hard fan girl. Those who know the stats of every player in the league and the time and date for every game.

No, Aurora is definitely not it.

“Um, not me, no. Although, I do know way more about you and hockey in general than I ever wanted. No offence,” she adds sheepishly, and I chuckle.

“None taken, so who’s the fan? Your boyfriend, husband?”

“Son,” Stella answers for her, and Electra nearly jumps out of her own skin yelling, “Son?”

Aurora’s throat works like she swallowed a huge lump, and she sighs. “Yeah, my son Emett.”

“You have a son?” Electra’s blue eyes are about to pop off from the sockets.

She nods, reaching for her pocket and pulls out a phone with the most adorable little boy with a toothy grin on the screen. He seems to be around four or five years old if I guess right.

“Oh my God.” Electra blinks at the screen. “How come I didn’t know anything about this?”

“I-I didn’t think you’d want to know anything about it,” Aurora says quietly, and I watch as my little fallen star deflates, feeling those words in her core.

“Okay, how about you two meet up on your own time and discuss all of this. I’m in a rush so let’s wrap this up,” Stella breaks the moment, because of course she does.

“Yeah, right. Okay, I’ll leave you all to enjoy your dinner—” Aurora once again tries to leave but Stella interrupts. Again.

“Aurora, you need to take him to Boston. I talked to my friend, and he said he can take a look at him. There are no promises there, but it’s a chance.”

“No, no,” Aurora shakes her head vehemently. “I can’t. Please, thank your friend for me, but I can’t.”

“Boston? What’s in Boston?” Electra asks the same question I was wondering myself while also slowly putting two and two together.

“Coach Hill.” Stella locks eyes with me. “Emett is exceptionally talented on the ice.”

“He is?” I perk up.

“Stella is exaggerating. He’s just a little four-year-old boy—”

“Who can outskate boys twice his age,” Stella finishes for her with undeniable pride for the boy. “But there is no one in our town who can give him what he needs. And that’s quality training.”

“Stella.” Aurora lets out a tired breath. “I really do appreciate all your help, but without that grant…I simply can’t take him anywhere. We won’t make it,” she adds very quietly, almost as if she feels ashamed and scurries away before any of us can ask any more questions, with tears in her eyes.

“Money?” Electra asks with a strain to her voice and Stella nods.

“Yeah, that poor girl is working three jobs to make ends meet. She has way too much on her plate, and it kills her that she can’t give Emett what he deserves, so I found this grant for them to apply for. It’s for young, talented hockey players, but I guess it was a bust.”

“Three jobs? Why? Is Joey helping at all? I assume that’s his son.”

“No.” That’s all she says, and I know Electra has more questions but it’s clear Stella won’t answer them.

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