Page 52 of Knot Sharing the Ice

"The moment right before a jump," I say before I can stop myself. "When you're gathering speed, and everything narrows down to that single point of focus. It's like the whole world disappears, and for just a second, you're suspended in time."

The room falls quiet, and I realize everyone is staring at me. I duck my head, embarrassed by my sudden burst of eloquence.

"That's beautiful, Em," Mom says softly.

I risk a glance up and find four pairs of alpha eyes fixed on me with an intensity that makes my breath catch. There's understanding there, recognition of that feeling I've just described.

"It's the same for us," Adder says, his voice low and intimate. "That moment before a big play. When everything else fades away and it's just you and the ice."

I nod, unable to look away from him. "Exactly."

The air between us feels charged, heavy with unspoken words and shared experiences. For a moment, I forget we're sitting at my parents' dining room table. All I can think about is how much I want to kiss him, to feel that connection again.

"So, um," I clear my throat, desperate to break the tension before I do something stupid like climb into Adder's lap infront of my entire family. "What's the hardest part of playing professionally?"

It's a lame question, but it does the trick. The guys launch into a discussion about grueling practice schedules and the challenges of staying in peak physical condition. I let their voices wash over me, only half-listening as I try to get my racing heart under control.

I catch Taylor's eye at one point and she winks at me. I know what she's doing. Getting to know them, making them feel welcome.

I owe her a big hug for it.

As dinner winds down and Mom starts clearing plates for dessert, I excuse myself to help her in the kitchen. I need a minute to breathe, to collect myself.

"They're lovely boys," Mom says as she pulls the apple pie from the warming drawer. "Especially that Mason. Such good manners."

I smile innocently, thinking of all the decidedly unmannerly things Mason did to me during the snowstorm. "Yeah, he's... nice."

"And they clearly care about you," she continues, giving me a knowing look. "I haven't seen you this happy in ages."

My chest tightens.

"Mom—" I start, but she waves me off.

"You don't have to explain anything, sweetheart. Just know that whatever makes you smile like that? I'm all for it."

I blink back sudden tears. Even if she doesn't know the whole truth, her support means everything.

When we return to the dining room, I find the guys deep in conversation with Dad about his latest research project. He's gesturing animatedly, explaining something about geological formations, and they're actually paying attention.

My heart swells at the sight.

"Who's ready for pie?" Mom announces, and the conversation pauses as everyone enthusiastically accepts.

As she serves the slices, I notice Adder watching me with that intense look that usually precedes him pushing me up against a wall. I shake my head slightly, and he grins, turning his attention back to his pie.

"This is amazing, Linda," Carter says after his first bite. "Would you mind sharing this recipe too?"

Mom practically glows. "Of course! Though you'll have to come back for the secret ingredient. Family tradition, you understand."

"We'd love to," Adder says, his voice warm. "Wouldn't we, guys?"

They all nod enthusiastically, and I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling too widely. They're already planning to come back, already thinking long-term.

It makes my heart do funny things in my chest.

"Well, you're welcome anytime," Dad says, and I can tell he means it. "Any friends of Ember's are family to us."

If you only knew, I think, watching as the alphas beam at my father.

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