Page 174 of Ice Mechanic

“I didn’t know,” I remind her. “If I did…” I run a hand through my hair in frustration because now I’m just repeating myself and it sounds less convincing every time.

“I think this thing… between you and I… I think might have been a little hasty,” April says.

This thing?Suddenly, I can’t breathe.

“A relationship is like a car. Some say the engine is the most important, but a car can’t go anywhere if it doesn’t have wheels, or brake pads, or a frame.” She inhales deeply. “The engine gives it power to move, but it’s not everything.”

April licks her lips.

I clamp down on the fidget spinner.

“I know you care about me, Chance.”

“I do,” I say through a tightening throat.

“I care about you too but,” April’s voice breaks, “sometimes, you need more than that.”

“No, you don’t, April. Don’t be like this. We’ll find a way through.”

“Chance, we have to consider that we might have an engine but no wheels here.”

“April.”

“Look at us, Chance. Like you said, I amneverleaving Lucky Falls. And you will always be Chance McLanely,thehockey star. Your dreams will take you further and further away from this little town and I can’t, no—I won’t follow you there.”

Everything inside me goes deathly still. I stare at the woman I love more than my next breath and speak the words I’ve never wanted to say.

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“I don’t know,” April says.

A little hope springs out of the rubble of my heart.

Until she adds:

“But I think we should consider if a car with no wheels is worth keeping.”

CHAPTER

FIFTY

APRIL

Maytiptoes into my bedroom the next morning, her eyes drowning in concern. She takes one look at me and abandons the medicine pack on the desk.

“April… your face! You look awful!”

“Thanks,” I say wryly.

“I think we should go back to the hospital.”

“There’s no need for that. I’m okay,” I croak.

“Your eyes are blood-shot. It looks like you didn’t sleep a wink last night. And your face is puffy like you were crying…” She gasps. “Were you in pain and didn’t tell me?”

“No.” I sit up and draw my knees to my chest.

“Your face is telling me a completely different story,” my sister accuses.

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