Page 134 of Blindside Me
The locker room shifts into higher gear, the last pieces of equipment are secured, water bottles are filled, and final preparations are made. I finish lacing my skates, the new ones I need to embrace, left first, three loops, double knot. The ritual remains, but the desperation behind it has faded.
As I stand, stick in hand, I sigh as an odd twinge settles in my heart. This feels different somehow. Still me, but with a new outlook. Something that wasn’t there before the fight, the suspension, and the long silence with Jade.
Maybe it’s hope. Maybe it’s just the absence of fear.
I follow Blake toward the door, mind already planning how to approach Jade. Not with rehearsed speeches or careful strategies. Just honesty. The messy, imperfect truth about who I am and who I want to be with her, if she’ll let me.
A plan formulates.
Across the room, Easton’s talking shit about something dumb as usual, but I don’t hear it. I’m already thinking ahead.
Of loudspeakers.
Of crowds.
Of a voice Coach hopes reaches the one person who needs to hear it most.
“Hey, Easton.” My voice is low but sure. “You still owe me a favor, right?”
Easton quirks a brow. “Depends. Is this about wings or about something that’s going to get me benched?”
I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face. “Neither. But I need your help.”
Easton studies me, then nods. “I’m in.”
I don’t say more. Don’t need to. For the first time in weeks, I know exactly what I have to do.
For the first time in my life, I don’t want to be perfect. I want real. And that feels like the biggest win already.
The cold hits my face like a reset button as we file onto the ice. I’m not skating to escape something. I’m skating toward something. I don’t know if I’ll say everything right. I don’t even know if she’ll open the door.
But I’m done hiding. Done letting fear make choices for me. If she answers, I won’t let silence speak for me again.
I won’t leave her waiting in the dark.
Not ever again.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Jade
There is a crackle in the air, the kind that makes your skin feel too tight for your bones. The crowd buzzes with excitement, but all the noise washes over me like static.
I tug my sleeves over my wrists, fingers twitching with nerves I can’t explain away. I should be focused on the game, on the ice, but my eyes find him instantly. Drew. Gliding across the rink with that same calculated precision, like every movement is another item checked off his mental list.
Warm-up drill. Check.
Wrist shot. Check.
Avoid looking at the stands where I’m sitting. Double-check.
He hasn’t looked this way once, and I hate how badly I wish he would.
“Could you be any more obvious?” Callie smirks, nudging my ribs with her elbow. Amanda and Maddy laugh beside her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lift my hot chocolate to my lips, hoping the cup hides my expression.
“Sure.” She rolls her eyes. “You haven’t blinked since he skated out.”
