Page 62 of Breakaway to You

I blinked. Of all the things I’d expected, that wasn’t one of them.

“You’ve been playing some great hockey,” Raymond continued. “We know you’ve been traded around a lot these past few years, but I’m happy to say you seemed to have found a rhythm here. You’re a veteran in the locker room, and frankly, we think you’ve got at least one more solid year left in you.”

I exhaled, leaning back in my chair. A year ago, this would’ve been an easy yes. Hockey had always been my life—my only constant. But after the past few months with Piper, something had shifted. I had someone in my life who made me think about more than just the next game. Which had me second-guessing if playing another year was what I wanted, or if it was just what I was used to.

Raymond studied me. “I expected you to be a little more excited.”

“I am,” I said quickly. And I was—sort of. But the feeling was tangled with something else, something uncertain. I passed a hand through my hair. “I just…I need some time to think about it.”

Raymond nodded, leaning forward. “I get it. You don’t have to give me an answer right now. Take some time, talk it over with whomever you need to. But we’d love to have you back.”

I forced a smile. “I appreciate that.”

I stood, shaking Raymond’s hand before leaving the office.

As I walked down the hallway, my mind raced. This was everything I had ever wanted—a team that wanted me, a place where I could finish on my own terms. But for the first time, I was questioning whether holding onto hockey meant letting go of something even more important.

And I wasn’t sure which scared me more.

I felt lost in a way I hadn’t in years. Hockey had always been my identity, but now? Now, I wasn’t sure who I was outside of it. There was only one person I could think of who might understand—Crew.

He and I hadn’t always been the best at keeping in touch, but we both knew we could call each other any time. Except a phone call didn’t feel like enough right now.

Without overthinking it or stopping off at home, I grabbed my keys and got into my truck, setting off for the hour-long drive that would take me to Glacier Grove. This was a conversation I needed to have with Crew in person. If anyone could help me wade through the different choices and possibilities I had running through my head, it was him.

I hadn’t been back to Glacier Grove since I’d left after high school. The only good memories I had there were playing hockey for the town’s team, the Glacier Gators, and hanging out with friends. The rest of the town reminded me of how alone and unwanted I had been growing up, nothing left there to make me want to return.

But now, as I pulled onto the familiar streets, the trees budding with the first signs of spring, nostalgia hit me like a punch to the gut. Everything looked the same, yet different. I drove past the old rink, then the Glacier Cone where the team used to get ice cream after games, passed the roads Crew and I had biked down as kids.

Finally, I pulled up in front of Crew’s house, a two-story with a wraparound porch and a swing that swayed gently in the breeze. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out and walked up to the door. I hesitated for only a second before knocking, hoping that showing up unannounced wouldn’t be a mistake.

The door swung open, and a young boy looked up at me with his mouth agape. “Oh, my gosh. You’re Zeke Lawson.”

I smiled, happy to know someone this young still knew who I wasandsounded impressed to see me. “Hi. You must be Tyler.” I held out my hand for him to shake.

He shook my hand, but continued to stare at me in shock.

“Tyler, who is it?” a woman’s voice floated toward the door before Addie rounded the corner. Her face lit up at the sight of me, and all the worry I’d had about coming here went out the window. “Zeke,” she said excitedly, tucking her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. “What are you doing here?”

“Can’t I come and see my favorite girl from Glacier Grove?” I gave her one of my most charming smiles.

Crew appeared so fast that I wondered if he had some kind of special hearing when it came to anyone remotely flirting with Addie. “Would you stop flirting with her?” he said, forgoing a hello, his voice a mix of annoyance and laughter, reminding me of how I’d always done this to get a rise out of him. “She’s my fiancée now. She’s not interested in The Zeke Man—and never has been.”

I laughed, already glad I’d made the rash decision to come here. “I know, I know. Calm down. She’s only ever had eyes for you.”

Addie just rolled her eyes at the two of us and waved me inside. “Come in, come in.”

Once the door was shut behind me, she placed a hand on her son’s shoulder. “This is my son, Tyler. He’s been a fan of yours since he was little.”

“Yeah,” he nodded vigorously. “My mom and I have watched all your games. Just like we used to watch Crew’s.”

I raised my brows and threw a look at Crew. “Looks like you weren’t the only one she was watching over the years.”

He threw back a cocky glare. “Yeah, but it was only my jersey she wore. Do I need to remind you that I’m?—”

“Crew Freaking Anderson,” we both said in unison, laughing at the name I’d given him in high school.

I’d never had a thing for Addie, but it had always been fun to give Crew a hard time about it. And Addie had always been a great friend to me, so she knew it was all in jest.

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