"Blackwood." Hayes straightens when he sees me. "Heard you've been playing house in small-town America. How's that working out?"
"Better than Chicago, probably."
Cade snorts. "He's been insufferable all morning. Ignore him."
"Can't help it if I bring energy to every room." Hayes grins and drops onto the bench beside me. "So which one's the girl?"
My head snaps up. "What?"
"Come on. You've been checking your phone every five minutes since we got here. Either you're day-trading or there's a girl." His grin widens. "My money's on girl."
"Drop it, Matthews."
"That's a yes." He leans back, looking pleased with himself. "She coming to the game?"
I don't answer. Just focus on lacing my skates and trying to ignore the fact that my hands won't quite stay steady.
"She is." Hayes stands and heads for the door. "I'm gonna find her in the crowd. See what kind of woman makes Ryder Blackwood nervous."
"Don't even think about it."
"Relax. I'm just curious. Scout's honor."
He disappears before I can tell him he was definitely never a Boy Scout.
Cade moves to sit beside me. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just thinking."
"About the game or about whatever comes after?"
I look at him. Cade and I have played together for three years. Been roommates on road trips. He knows me better than most.
"Both."
"The girl from the stands? Section C, row five? Cream sweater?"
My pulse kicks up. "How do you—"
"You look at her like she's the only person in the building." He grips my shoulder. "Whatever you're planning, good luck."
I'm almost dressed when one of the game organizers appears in the doorway. "Blackwood. Someone wants a word. Backstage."
My stomach tightens. Connor. Again.
The backstage corridor smells like concrete and old ice. Connor leans against the wall, arms crossed. Not playing today, but here to support. His jaw is set but his eyes aren't as hard as they were this morning.
"Connor."
He pushes off the wall. "Emma's here. With Lucy. They're in section C."
"I know."
"She looks happy. Really happy." He exhales hard. "I haven't seen her like that since before Mom died."
I wait. Let him say what he needs to say.
"This morning, when you said you'd prove it..." He meets my eyes. "Going public today. That's how you prove it."
