Page 171 of Ice Mechanic

It’s been two weeks,four days, and two hours since I left Lucky Falls.

Returning to my old team isn’t easy.

To be fair, it never was.

Competing at the highest level always comes with a cost. My teammates and I weren’t close before, but they’redefinitelynot pleased that I caused them to play with one less member right before the biggest game of the season.

Can’t exactly blame them.

Suffice it to say, the cold welcome Gunner, Theilan, Watson and Renthrow gave when I first joined the Lucky Strikers is as warm as a Caribbean cruise in comparison.

At least Derek is keeping me busy with brand deals so I don’t have to think about how much I miss my previous teammates.

That night, I finish up with a photoshoot for a famous men’s haircare line and head straight off the set to get my cell phone.

“What time is it?” I ask Derek.

He checks his watch. “It’s eleven pm.”

I do a quick mental calculation. It’s too late to call April. As much as I want to hear her voice, I hate disturbing her when she’s already asleep.

“Phone?” I hold out a hand.

Derek hesitates a second before handing it over to me.

I give it a quick glance, see that there are no new messages and slip it into my pocket. “How did the pictures turn out?”

“Great.” Derek slaps me on the back. “You’re doing great, Chance.” He reads me a list of the weekend’s schedule while I wipe all the makeup off my face. “I’ve been testing the waters to see if the fans would object to your suspension being lifted. So far, there’s been a great reception. Once you officially announce it at this weekend’s press conference, you’ll have a world of support. It’s only up from here.”

I nod distractedly.

“You need me to drop you off?” Derek offers.

I nod. “I’m going to the arena.”

“You’re training this late?” Derek raises an eyebrow.

“I have five AM training, so I’ll be able to get a bit more sleep if I’m already there.”

Derek drops me off, and I sleep until I hear my teammates filtering in for the morning.

After a laborious five AM training, I shower and catch a cab to my hotel room. Since I’ve been so busy with hockey and my brand deals, I haven’t had time to find an apartment.

April joked that I moved from one hotel to another. And she’d be right. Despite being back in the city where I spent most of my life, I haven’t feltsettledonce. It’s like I’m suffering from a jet lag that won’t go away.

The sunshine is bright in an uncharacteristically cloudless blue sky.

I snap a pic of the horizon and the skyscrapers standing proudly in the distance and send it to April with a text.

Morning, beautiful.

I roll the windows down and allow the wind to blow through the car. The sunshine is warm on my face.

My phone buzzes.

APRIL:It’s afternoon here.

I stare at the text from April and something odd tugs at my gut, but I can’t put my finger on it. Wishing her ‘good morning’ despite the time difference is a running joke between us. She usually acts amused. This time, her response feels cold and angry.

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