Page 34 of Speed

“It’s… fast,” I said, my voice echoing in the empty rink. “But smooth. On some tracks, the car vibrates so hard I can barely get out after a session. This is… different.”

Noah glanced over, his smile softening. “Do you miss it?”

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I let the question hang between us as we glided around the rink, the quiet hiss of our skates the only sound. Eventually, we stopped and leaned against the barrier, catching our breath.

“Yes,” I sighed. “And no. I miss driving fast. I miss the adrenaline rush, the way everything else disappears when you’re behind the wheel. But I don’t miss the pressure, the insanity, the secrets.”

Noah’s expression was thoughtful as he nodded, his gaze fixed on the ice in front of us. “I get that,” he said. “Sometimes, I think about what it’ll be like when I’m done with hockey. If I’ll miss it or… if I’ll be glad to leave it behind.”

“You’ve got time,” I said, nudging his shoulder. “You’re just getting started.”

He smiled, but something in his eyes told me he was already thinking about the future.

“Come on,” he said after a moment, straightening. “Let’s go a few more laps. You’re starting to look like you know what you’re doing.”

“Careful,” I teased, pushing off from the barrier. “You’ll give me a big head.”

“Too late,” he shot back, laughing as he skated ahead, daring me to catch him.

I tried, but Noah was a professional, his movements effortless as he circled the rink. Whenever I thought I was gaining on him as he skated lazily, he’d pick up speed, a mischievous grin lighting his face. He was probably skating at two percent of what he could really do.

“Come on, Brody!” he called over his shoulder. “Is that all you’ve got?”

“Don’t push your luck,” I muttered, but I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. No matter how hard I pushed, I couldn’t catch him. He finally slowed, skating back toward me.

“All right,” he said, his breath fogging in the cold air. “Let’s try something different.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he grabbed my hands and pulled me closer. “What are you doing?” I asked though I didn’t resist.

“Dancing,” he said, spinning me in a slow circle.

“I’m not sure this counts as dancing,” I said, laughing despite myself.

“Trust me,” he murmured, his hands steady as he guided me. The motion was smooth, gliding as he twirled me. It felt like we were in our own little world for a moment, the rest of the rink fading away, and somehow, he even managed to sneak in a kiss.

But then, the dizziness hit. It started as a faint buzz behind my eyes, growing sharper with each spin until I had to pull away, gripping his arms.

“Noah, stop,” I said, my voice more strained than intended.

He stopped, his expression shifting to concern. “What is it? Are you okay?”

I pressed my fingers to my temples, the dull ache spreading through my skull. “Just… give me a second. Got a headache starting, that’s all.”

“Shit, Brody,” he said, his hands steadying me. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“Because I didn’t know until two seconds ago,” I replied, trying to smile through the discomfort.

He guided me off the ice, his arm around my shoulders as we returned to the bench. “Sit,” he said, pulling a water bottle from his bag and handing it to me.

“It’s not a big deal,” I said, though the throbbing in my temples begged to differ.

Noah crouched in front of me, his gaze steady and serious. “I shouldn't have spun you so fast.”

“I liked that,” I murmured.

Noah shook his head, already unlacing my skates with care. I stared at the top of his head, at the messy blond curls, catching the glint of the rink’s lights in his hair. I reached out, threading my fingers through the strands, letting the motion ground me. My headache was still there, a persistent thrum at my temples, but touching him, focusing on him, pushed the fear back.

Was this it? Was this the bomb inside my head, ready to explode? Was Noah the last thing I was going to see? My chest tightened, my mouth went dry, and the throbbing in my skull felt unbearable for a moment. Why hadn’t I told him? What would he do if I collapsed right here? It would kill him to see someone die in front of him. I should have told him…

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