Page 6 of Ice Melts

She hesitated, not sure how to explain the mix of frustration and guilt that came with her job. “It’s not personal,” she said finally.

Travis raised an eyebrow, his pace steady. “Doesn’t feel that way.”

“Well, it’s not.” She paused, debating whether to leave it at that. But this was Travis—he’d always been able to get her to say more than she intended. “It’s just… some of these guys, they don’t realize the impact they have. The partying, the arrests—it’s not just their lives they’re messing with. It’s the kids who look up to them.”

He was quiet for a moment, his gaze focused straight ahead. When he spoke, his tone was softer. “I get that. But you know we’re not all like that, right?”

She nodded, her chest tightening. “I know.”

He didn’t press her, and for that, she was grateful. They ran in silence again, and she found herself sneaking a glance at him. He looked the same as he always had—calm, steady, like he belonged here. Travis had always been different. Even when they were kids, he’d been the one who stayed after to help clean up the ice or played goalie when no one else wanted to.

“Have you ever thought about writing the other side of it?” he asked suddenly.

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Instead of tearing people down, what if you wrote about the ones who are doing it right? The players who work hard, stay out of trouble, give back to their communities.”

She let the question hang in the air, unsure how to answer. It wasn’t a bad idea, but it wasn’t whatSportsZonewanted. Positive stories didn’t generate clicks.

“Maybe someday,” she said finally.

Travis nodded, like he understood. “I’d read it.”

The simplicity of his statement caught her off guard. She smiled, a small, genuine smile that she didn’t have to force. “Thanks.”

They finished their run, stepping off the treadmills in unison. Sarah grabbed her water bottle, suddenly hyperaware of how sweaty she was.

“Coffee?” he asked, slinging his gym bag over his shoulder.

“Are you asking or telling?”

“Asking.”

“Then, sure.”

They walked toward the exit together, the cool air outside a welcome relief after the stuffy gym.

“Do you ever miss it?” Travis asked as they waited for the crosswalk light to change.

“Miss what?”

“Skating. Playing. All of it.”

She hesitated, the question catching her off guard. Did she miss it? The hours they used to spend on the lake, the late-night games, the feeling of gliding across the ice like nothing else mattered—of course she missed it.

“Sometimes,” she admitted.

“You should come out with us sometime,” he said. “The guys would love it.”

Sarah laughed, the idea so ridiculous she couldn’t help herself. “Yeah, I’m sure they’d be thrilled to see me after my last article.”

Travis smiled, but there was something thoughtful in his expression. “Maybe they’d be surprised.” He bumped into her with the side of his body. “Maybe you would be too.”

The light changed, and they crossed the street. Sarah glanced at him, trying to read his expression, but he was already looking ahead.

When they reached the coffee shop, Travis held the door open for her, the gesture so casual it almost made her forget her usual guardedness.

Almost.

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