"What's going on? And don't say 'nothing' because I've known you too long."
Jake told him about last night—about Lucy asking for space, about the article, about feeling helpless to fix any of it.
Tommy was quiet for a moment. "You know what your problem is?"
"I'm sure you're going to tell me."
"You're trying to fix it. But some things can't be fixed—they just have to be lived through. Lucy needs to make her own choice about the bakery. The town needs to adjust. And you need to decide if you're willing to wait while she figures it out."
"What if she decides I'm not worth it? That we moved too fast?"
"Then you'll deal with that. But Jake—don't make the decision for her. Don't pull away because you're scared she will. That's not fair to either of you."
After Tommy left, Jake sat in the empty rink and checked his phone. No messages from Lucy.
He should text her. Should ask when she wanted to talk. But something held him back—fear that she'd changed her mind, that she really did want space, that last night hadn't been a panic but a realization.
His phone rang. Derek.
Jake answered. "Derek. What's up?"
"I have good news. Steve Kowalski called. They're still interested despite you turning them down last week. They have another spot open—someone got injured—and they want to know if you'd reconsider."
Jake's heart stuttered. "They want me to reconsider?"
"Yeah. Same offer. Two-way contract, AHL with NHL call-ups. But they need an answer by tomorrow. Can't wait longer than that."
"I—" Jake looked around the empty rink. His home. His choice. "I already turned it down."
"I know. But situations change. Maybe yours has changed too."
After Derek hung up, Jake sat in the silence and thought about Lucy. About how she'd questioned whether they really knew each other. About how the town was turning on her. About how everything felt like it was falling apart.
What if he'd made the wrong choice? What if turning down Nashville had been a mistake?
What if Lucy left for culinary school in a few months and never came back? What if Jake stayed in Timber Falls, coaching hockey, eating pork buns alone, wondering what might have been?
His phone buzzed. Marcus.
Marcus:Read the article. How's Lucy?
Jake:I don't know. We're supposed to talk today but she hasn't texted about when.
Marcus:You should go to her.
Jake:She asked for space.
Marcus:She was scared. That's different from actually wanting space.
Jake:Or maybe she was being honest and I need to respect that.
Marcus:Jake don't do this
Jake:Do what?
Marcus:Pull away because you're scared she will first. I've watched you do this for three years with everything in your life. Don't do it with her.
Jake set down his phone without responding. Marcus was wrong. Jake wasn't pulling away—he was giving Lucy what she'd asked for.
