Page 193 of Ice Mechanic

CHANCE

May and Rebel show up at the same time to visit Mr. Brooks. I’m forced to let April go so she can escort her best friend and sister into the nursing home.

The moment the door shuts behind April and I’m left alone, my arms ache with longing.

I’m down bad for this woman.

There’s no other explanation for the way everything in my life feels okay as long as April’s beside me.

Since I came back to town without much of a plan, I decide to get dinner for everyone before checking into a hotel.

Phil’s Burgers is my first stop.

The bell jangles cheerfully behind me when I step in. I nod to all the patrons who stop and smile at me.

“Chance! Heard you’re back.”

“Welcome home, son!”

“We missed you.”

I wave and return all the greetings with a warm grin.

The teenager behind the counter beams when I walk up. “Hey, Chance.”

“Stella.” I nod.

Stella wipes her hands down the apron with my signature on the front. “Are you really back with the Lucky Strikers?” she asks, punching in my order.

“Yeah, I am.”

She glances up with a barely suppressed smile. “Because of April?”

“Among other things.”

She takes my card.

Mr. Mathews, the town plumber and a fan who’s never missed a Lucky Strikers game, immediately pops up and offers his card instead. “It’s on me.”

“There’s no need, Mr. Mathews.”

“Consider it a welcome home meal,” he says.

“Thank you.”

“Go Strikers!” He pumps two fists and jogs out with his order.

Stella taps away. “So you’rereally, reallyback?”

“I am.”

“To stay? In this small town where nothing ever happens?”

“That’s right.”

Stella rolls her eyes, though she doesn’t stop smiling. “I guess Lucky Falls is more special than I thought.”

I silently agree as I take a seat around a table to wait.

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