I focus on a spot on the far wall, trying to find something to distract me. Then I see my brother's jersey, right as he skates to a stop next to Asher.
When I look back, he's no longer looking at me.
I breathe a sigh of relief even as my chest aches.
I hadn't seen him since the library.
The cold air of the ice rink bites at my cheeks as I take a seat next to Charlie, who is watching everyone warming up on the ice. Her gaze distant.
The energy in the arena is palpable, but the energy wafting off Charlie is tense.
I hadn't seen her in a week, but it felt longer. Ever since this whole mess with Asher started, I feel like Charlie and I had grown distant.
I couldn't help but think that was my fault. That I should've told her the truth - or better yet never started anything with her brother to begin with.
She startles slightly, her hand pressing briefly to her stomach before she lowers it.
"You all good?" I ask lightly.
"Yeah," she says too quickly. "Just tired."
We fall into silence.
The kind that didn't used to exist between us.
The rink is loud. The crowd restless. Skates carving ice below.
And somehow it still feels quiet up here.
I want to say something.
I want to tell her everything.
But the words feel wrong in my mouth.
Too heavy. Too late. Too selfish.
So, I don't.
We sit shoulder to shoulder, silent.
Not like we used to.
I focus back on the game, watching Asher and Leon skate side by side, the puck passing seamlessly between them.
Asher moves swiftly, his shoulders knocking into an opposing player that makes for the puck and for a moment I swear his eyes land on me through his helmet, before he's twisting back and skating down the ice, puck attached to his stick like a magnet.
"Asher's playing hard today."
"Yeah," she says but her focus isn't on the ice. She's not paying attention.
I glance at her instead of the game.
Her jaw is tight. Her fingers press into her sleeve. For a second her hand drifts toward her stomach again before she drops it like she caught herself.
I almost want to open my mouth and ask if she's okay, looking at the way her fingers flex like she wants to put them against her stomach again.
She's always gotten really bad periods, and cramps.
