When he chuckles about falling on the ice as a kid, my lips twitch, then curve into a smile I can’t fight. That soft, yet deep laugh is the same one I used to feel rumble through his chest when I’d rest my head there, the same one that made every bad day brighter. My eyes sting, but I force them open, because I can’t miss a second of him.
My phone buzzes beside me. On screen, Teddy’s voice cracks as he thanks the fans and chokes out his finalthank you.
Opening our group chat, I see the messages.
Kayla
God, he’s so brave
Max
That’s rough
Dean
Fuck, I have such a huge man crush on Teddy
Max
You and me both, brother
Kayla
Text him, Ivy! He needs to hear from you today.
Their voices echo in my head, like they’re here with me even though I’m alone. I press the heel of my hand to my chest, breathing through the sudden ache.
Kayla
I hate seeing you like this, Ivy. It’s written all over you.
Dean
Just say something
Max
Seriously. Don’t overthink it.
By the time the feed fades to black, my pulse isn’t frantic anymore. It’s steady and sure. My decision has already been made. I grab my phone and open our old text thread, my thumb lingering over the scroll of past messages.
I type Teddy’s name. Delete it. Try again with something else, then delete that as well. Then finally,finally, I let the words pour out of my heart, simple and honest.
43
TEDDY
MARCH 20
Oh my fuck, I actually did it. I walked away from the game that has been my life for as long as I can remember. No more maybes and waiting. It’s done. I’m no longer a professional hockey player in the League.
My phone won’t stop buzzing in my pocket on the way back to rehab, the vibrations stacked one on top of another until it feels like the whole world is reacting at once. I pull the device out and hand it toward Em. “Can you check if there’s anything important?”
“There are your usual suspects: Jensen, Foster, Lance, Zimmerman, and the rest of the Woodpeckers roster. Jasper. Jake,” she lists off. “Then…oh.”
My stomach twists. “What is it?”
“Ivy texted you.”
