Page 166 of Ice Mechanic

“Absolutely not. Never.”

“Then it’s decided. I won’t stop you from enjoying your night.”

“Let me at least walk you to your car,” I offer.

Taking her hand, we step out of The Tipsy Tuna. It’s windy and I notice April hugging herself for warmth. Shrugging out of my jacket, I swing it around her shoulders.

April protests. “You keep giving me your hoodies. Do you have any left?” She laughs softly. “May’s warming up the car. I don’t need this for such a short walk.”

I wrap my fingers around hers. “Keep it until you get to the car.”

“Okay.” Despite not wanting my jacket, she burrows into it like a turtle hiding in its shell.

“Thank you. For the party.”

“It was Derek’s idea. I think he just wanted the pictures of you being chummy with your teammates to prove you’re leaving the Lucky Strikers on good terms.” She shakes her head with a wry grin. “But I was happy for the privilege. You deserve this, Chance.”

I stop in the middle of the parking lot and look down at her. “I, uh,” rubbing the back of my neck, I admit, “I thought you were angry with me.”

“Why would I be angry?”

“To be honest, I knew this was coming a while ago. It wasn’t official, but… there are some things we need to discuss. About us. About how we’re going to do this. I know long distance is difficult but I’m going to do everything?—”

April places both hands against my cheeks and stares at me with her sparkling green eyes. “We’re going to be fine. Do you hear me, Chance? You and I? We’re going to be okay.”

CHAPTER

FORTY-EIGHT

APRIL

It’s been two weeks,three days, and sixteen hours since Chance left.

I’m okay.

This is totally okay.

I lived my entire adult life without him. A few months ago, I barely even knew he existed. And he definitely had no clue I existed.

I can survive a long distance relationship.

Sure, I brighten every time I see someone wearing the Lucky Strikers hockey jersey, thinking Chance is back.

And maybe I do drive by the houses we saw together, imagining a life where Chance actually bought a property in Lucky Falls and stuck around.

But I’m fine with the way things are right now. We call and text as much as our schedules allow which is…

Well, it’snotthat often anymore.

But hedidfly out to see me a few days ago. It wasn’t a long visit since he was actually on a layover and had to leave a few hours later, but it was something.

I’m perfectly fine…

This is…

The wrench in my hand clanks to the ground and the noise rings louder than a gong.What on earth?I stare at the tool near my foot. I want to pick it up, but I can’t. The more I command my hand to move, the more my body rejects the assignment.

I lift my hands slowly and look at them. My fingers are wonky, like someone stretching a picture until it becomes pixelated.

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