Page 57 of Ice Cold, Red Hot
Something inside me slid together, latching in place as I realized—this wasn’t the boy I’d met this summer. This wasn’t the jock who needed to win to prove his worth. Something had changed… and I wanted him even more than I had before.
But.
But it wasn’t up to me.
I watched him put an arm around Griff, and together they walked off the ice and disappeared.
Nat and I exchanged disappointed sighs and headed for the exits, though it was slow going through the mass of humanity taking their time heading out. The town of Coldwater was going to be drowning a lot of sorrows tonight, I guessed.
We’d almost made it to the door when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out as we shuffled forward, shocked to see the familiar name on my screen.
Shepherd: Hey. Team’s going out, but I’m not going. Do you have a few minutes?
I didn’t want to let myself hope. But what else could this be? I showed the message to Nat.
“Need me to type yes for you?”
Celeste: Sure. Just tell me where.
Shepherd: The bench outside. We talked there once before.
Outside the rink, Nat gave me a hug. “I won’t wait up.”
I headed for the bench halfway up the walk and sat down to wait.
CHAPTER 27
SHEPHERD
It was rough taking the loss. We didn’t even get the chance to move forward in the tourney, and getting defeated on our own turf just added to the sting.
But I wasn’t crushed.
I’d gotten to play, for one thing—and I was never going to take that for granted again.
And this time? I hadn’t played for the scouts in the stands, or for the highlights I knew Dad would watch later and call me to chew me out about. I played for me. For love of the game, and for my team. And there was nothing in what I’d done tonight that I was even a little bit ashamed of. I’d done my best—we all had. And we’d lost.
But for the first time ever, I didn’t feel like throwing my fist through a wall—or a snarky grad student.
Was this what growing up felt like?
I did play for me… but I also played for someone else. Celeste.
I’d had to put her to the back of my mind for the game—at least all the things I needed to say had to stand back.But seeing her there in the stands, finding her eyes after each play… it gave me a kind of strength I didn’t know I had. She was there not for the team, not to see us win. She was there for me—and knowing that was the best feeling in the world.
“You guys played hard, fought well,” Coach said, stepping into the locker room. “It went the wrong way, but I can say with a clear mind that it wasn’t because we did anything wrong. It’s been a great season, and an honor to be your coach. Go celebrate an incredible season together, and I’ll see you at the banquet in a few weeks.”
Coach went around and gave us each a handshake and a few words. When he stopped in front of me, he actually pulled me into a hug. “It’s been an honor coaching you, Shepherd. Especially this last season. I hope you understand how far you’ve come. No matter what happens next.”
“Thanks, Coach. I appreciate your faith in me.”
He held my eyes for a long beat and then moved on. It was sinking in slowly… that was my last college game. Maybe my last competitive game ever, if being benched had wrecked my chances of a future. I tested the way that felt when I thought about it… and found that it was okay. It wasn’t what I’d wanted, what I’d been working for, but maybe that was okay. I’d find another path if I had to.
Right now, I need to shower and get outside.
Someone was waiting for me.
The crowds had mostly cleared by the time I made it out ofthe rink, and guilt punched me when I realized I’d asked her to wait in the dark and cold by herself outside.
