“Maybe, but I believe every word. You’ll get through this,” I reply with a small shrug, trying to keep my tone casual. “And I’ll bring you pancakes with maple syrup one day soon.”
“You really had to twist the knife, didn’t you?” he asks playfully. The genuine smile that follows eases the tension in the room. Even as the weight of his earlier words lingers between us.
“Hey, if pancakes are the only thing I can promise, I’ll do it.”
He inches himself higher against the pillows, grimacing as the wires tug at his skin. “I’m not going to lie, Ivy, but this is pretty fucking hard. But I, um, appreciate you being here.”
The comment hits in that weird spot between professional concern and the echo of my old crush. I take a small breath to steady the flutter.
“You don’t need to have all the answers right now. I’m here with the rest of your care team, and we’ll figure it out as we go.”
“Thanks. I guess I also need someone who’s not afraid to give it to me straight.”
“I’ll try my best to stay true and honest.”
He flashes a smile that would make my teen self faint. “I’ll hold you to it.”
6
IVY
DECEMBER 6
Teddy glides fast and effortlessly across an empty rink, in his hockey uniform, and stops in front of me. He pulls off his helmet, his eyes finding mine and winks. The motion is equal parts trouble and invitation; my stomach flips like I’m seventeen again.
When he says my name, it comes out low and raspy. I don’t so much hear the two syllables as feel them curling heat in my stomach. He skates closer, bridging the distance with confidence. His calloused hand reaches for mine, fingers warm as they slide between mine. Everything blurs until it’s only the two of us in the center of the vast space. The sweet smile that tilts his kissable mouth isn’t the cocky grin from the interviews, it’s only meant for me. He bends down?—
I jolt awake. His phantom touch lingers against my skin, the ghost of his husky voice whispering in my ear. Then the ceiling of my apartment swims into focus. It was just a dream.Nothingmore.
My phone won’t stop buzzing, the vibration rattling against the nightstand. That must be what woke me from the hot dream. I bury my face deeper into the pillow, hoping it’ll stop, but another message pops up. With an annoyed groan, I grab the device and squint at the alarming number of notifications. There are new texts waiting from my family, Kayla, and other friends who don’t usually blow up my phone.That’s odd.We’re not a group that checks in on weekday mornings unless something’s terribly wrong.
Rubbing my eyes, I read the first of the family group texts.
Dean
Ivy, please tell me you’re on the team taking care of him
I can’t believe you didn’t say ANYTHING
Max
It’s Teddy Seaborn after all. Your all-time favorite player.
Dean
Bubbles, reply ASAP
Mamma Campbell
Leave your sister alone. She must still be sleeping. I’m sure you’ll have confirmation at some point today.
Dad Campbell
Proud of your work, kiddo
Wait a fucking moment. Has the news about Teddy and where he’s being treated leaked?It can’t be.The information is supposed to be locked down, handled only by a select group of people. My stomach twists as I leave the group chat, ignoring the rest of the unread messages stacked on top of each other.
I open the browser and checkThe Puck News, the site dedicated to the latest events in the hockey world. The first thing staring back at me is an official statement by the Woodpeckers organization pinned at the top of their feed.
