Page 39 of Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

I shook my head. I was full of nervous energy.

“No, you must need something,” I said. “I’m sure?—”

Just as I was about to continue my frantic search for something to do, Archer reached out and gently took hold of my hand, pulling me over to the side of the bed. His touch was warm and reassuring, causing a wave of calm to wash over me. It was as if his presence alone had the power to soothe my troubled mind.

I slowly sank down to sit on the edge of the bed just beside him. He pulled me closer, as best he could with the weird set up of the hospital bed. The softness of his touch sent shivers down my spine, and a sense of relief washed over me as his arm snaked around my waist.

“Thank you so much for being here,” he whispered. I smiled softly and brushed a hand across his face.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” I murmured. As I leaned closer to Archer, I could feel his warmth seeping into my very being, grounding me in this moment of contentment.

I glanced up, wanting to keep an eye on the hallway and make sure his mom or anyone wasn’t about to walk in and find us like this. But to my surprise, I noticed that there already was someone standing silently in the doorway: Adelynn.

My heart skipped a beat as I locked eyes with Adelynn, her expression unreadable. The air in the room grew heavy with anticipation, and I could feel my palms growing sweaty. What was she thinking? Would she be angry or disappointed? All these thoughts raced through my mind, threatening to overwhelm me.

Adelynn stepped into the room, her gaze shifting between Archer and me. Her features softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. It was a smile that said it all, without a single word needing to be spoken. Adelynn has always been so perceptive, able to sense things before anyone else. And now, as she saw our love unfold right before her eyes...well, let’s just say she knew exactly what was going on without any explanation needed.

Then she mouthed something at me, so simple and yet hitting me right in the heart.

Thank you.

twenty-five

Archer was dischargedthe next day and it wasn’t a moment too soon. He was desperate to get out of there, although I had to wonder how much better it was for him to be at school. He must have suddenly had a lot of free time in his life, since most of his clubs revolved around hockey in some way. Plus, everyone was stopping him to ask how he was doing and if they could sign his cast, which had to get on his nerves eventually, right?

Whenever we spoke, I tried to avoid the topic of skating in case it would upset him. I knew I couldn’t avoid it forever but I figured it was best to let him be the first one to bring it up. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

“Skate at midnight tonight?” Archer asked the next Tuesday as we were studying in the library. I slowed down writing as I processed his words and slowly lifted my head to look at him.

“What?” I asked.

“We haven’t gone to the rink at night since I got out of the hospital,” he said. He cocked his head. “Want to go tonight? You’re probably itching to skate.”

“Oh,” I said. I rubbed a hand along my forehead. “Um… No. That’s fine. I don’t really feel like skating.”

“Bri,” he said, clearly seeing through my crap. Archer was perceptive, always able to read me like an open book. I cursed myself silently, knowing that I couldn’t fool him.

“No, really,” I insisted, forcing a smile. “I’m okay with just hanging out tonight. We can watch TV or something. Maybe even stay in our rooms overnight. Crazy, right?”

Archer leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, revealing his amusement at my poor attempt to mask my longing for the ice under the moonlight.

“I know you too well, Bri,” he said. “I can see it in your eyes. You haven’t been sleeping. You want to skate.”

I bit my lip, trying to come up with a convincing excuse. But as I looked into Archer’s eyes, I knew there was no point in lying to him. There was a silent understanding between us that went beyond words. He knew me better than anyone else, and trying to hide my true feelings was futile.

“Okay, fine,” I finally admitted with a sigh. “I’m dying to go skating, but I don’t want you to feel left out because of your leg.”

Archer chuckled. “Bri, you don’t need to worry about me. Just because I can’t skate right now doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate watching you skate.”

“As if you don’t watch my practices everyday.”

“It’s not the same.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Oh? Why?”

“You just look different when you’re skating alone,” he said. “Happier. More carefree.”

I blinked at Archer, taken aback by his observation. How could he tell? I thought I had been so careful in hiding my true emotions, burying them deep within me while on the ice with my team. But now, it seemed that even in the midst of my most convincing façade, Archer could see through it all.

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