Page 28 of Like I Never Said

“They’re supposed to call me once it’s tracked down.”

“All right. Do you need to stop and buy anything while we’re in town? Canmore doesn’t have many shopping options.”

“No, that’s okay. I should have everything I need at my aunt’s.”

Josie nods. “That’s right—Elliot mentioned you have some family in town. Katherine Grant, right?”

“Right,” I confirm.

“Her photos are just beautiful.”

“They are,” I agree.

Josie is easy to talk to, and the drive back to Canmore passes quickly to the soundtrack of her happy chatter. I stare out the car window as the scenery turns familiar. The sidewalk lining the street that leads to the rink is barely visible between the countless cars parked along it. I tap my fingers against my thigh anxiously with one hand, glancing at the clock on the dashboard of the car as I feel the anticipation build in my stomach.

My phone goes off in my lap, and I glance down quickly, hoping it will be the airline calling. Instead, I seeDadflash across the screen, so I quickly silence it. He’s not happy about this trip. He wanted me to be completely focused on college visits and preparation this summer, not “gallivanting around with your mother’s distant relatives,” as he put it. I refrained from pointing out that Mom’s sister isn’t all that distant, and I definitely didn’t mention the fact that I wasn’t even coming here because of my aunt and cousin.

“Any updates from the airline?” Josie asks.

“Unfortunately not,” I reply. “I’ll definitely be taking a carry-on next trip.”

Josie smiles in response as she navigates the SUV into the packed parking lot that surrounds the ice rink. After stopping at the end of a row in what seems to be a semi-legal spot, we climb out and head toward the front doors.

A gust of cold air greets me first. I experience a fresh burst of adrenaline as I walk through the entrance and hear the roar of the sold-out crowd. Grateful I at least wore jeans today, I rub my arms as the chill grazes my bare arms.

The game has already begun. They’re no longer selling admission tickets, so we’re able to walk straight through the entryway toward the massive rink that emerges in front of us. The noise grows deafening as we enter the main area surrounding the ice.

“This way,” Mrs. Reid says, beckoning me to the left. I follow her after quickly glancing at the scoreboard. Canmore is winning 2-1 with 4:03 left in the second period.

We start to walk over toward the bottom row of seats directly in front of the center line. Josie heads straight for a middle-aged man sitting with three blonde girls who I’m assuming are Elliot’s stepfather and half-sisters.

The man stands as we approach. “You must be Auden,” he says warmly.

I nod. “Nice to meet you, Jeff.”

Surprise flickers across his face. I know Elliot’s not close with his stepfather. Did he not think Elliot would mention him to me?

“Are you Elliot’s girlfriend?” One of Elliot’s sisters followed her father over to me. The youngest, Isabella.

“Um, no. I’m a girl and his friend, but not his girlfriend.”

She nods. “That’s what Elliot said, too.”

Okay then.

I don’t miss the glance Josie and Jeff exchange.

After saying hello to Elliot’s two other sisters, Mia and Lucy, I take a seat on the hard wood of the bleachers. None of Elliot’s family asks me any questions, but I can feel them all studying me as I look at the ice. It feels strange to be sitting with them. I may know Elliot well, but these are total strangers. Unless I want to sit alone, they’re my best option, though. The only people I got to know aside from Elliot during my last visit were his three best friends—Josh, Lucas, and Oliver—and they’re all out on the ice with him right now.

The volume in the rink suddenly increases. A Canmore player streaks down to one end of the ice, and I know without looking at the number who it is. A flick of the wrist, then what sounds like the entire stadium erupts in chants of “Reid! Reid! Reid!”

I think I underestimated the local obsession with hockey—with Elliot.

The fast pace of the game and the enthusiastic crowd command my full attention. When the buzzer signaling the end of the second period sounds, I’m startled.

I’m even more surprised when my phone vibrates with a text from Elliot two minutes later, considering he’s in the middle of a game. I figure he’d be listening to an inspirational speech from his coach right about now. Maybe I’ve seenMiracleone too many times.

Elliot:You look cold.

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