This time, they hustle. Satisfaction settles over me as I lean against the boards to oversee them while they work on their skills and coordinate with their teammates.
It’s only my first day but a sense of rightness flickers to life, settling in my gut to ground me. I just have to hold on to it while I’m here.
Until David Lombard finds someone more qualified to bring in permanently.
FOUR
EVE
As I makeit through the week, I feel more like myself again. By Wednesday, I’m proudly focusing on myself, as I should be. I’m fully invested in romanticizing my life.
This morning I spent time picking out my outfit and doing my hair so I feel cute and confident on my day off. I’m in my staple red platform booties, a cozy sweater dress, fun tights covered in hearts, and a pink scarf tied in my hair.
The initial shock from Shawn has passed and the breakup is beginning to sink in. This time it’s final—I’ll never get back together with him.
I smirk, the melody of one of Taylor Swift’s breakup anthems with that sentiment playing in my head. I’ve blasted a playlist full of empowering songs the last two days.
Art inspiration struck me last night. I wanted a reminder to keep my head up when things are looking down. The adorable end result of daisies and the uplifting reminder of no bad days makes me smile.
No bad days. That’s my new outlook.
I ordered stickers so I can plaster them everywhere when I need a positivity boost.
Ideas for products I could do other than stickers come to me as I stroll across Heston U’s campus to meet Dad. Whenever I have time, I like to have lunch with him.
On my way inside the practice rink, a text distracts me. The message from the group chat with my friends makes me smile. We bonded for life in college, and although we don’t see each other every day like we did on campus, we get together as often as we can.
Caroline:Craft night soon? Please, I’m desperate for a girls’ night.
Eve:You know it! How’s next weekend? I have off Friday and Heston’s playing away so I don’t have plans.
Julia:Yes!!!!!!
Caroline:That’s perfect for me. We’ll bring the wine!
Lauren:I’m in, see you then queens!
I wonder if now’s the right time to tell them about Shawn, or if I should wait for our crafty session. Pursing my lips to the side, I draft a few ways to word the news in my head.
“Keep it up. That’s it. Get ahead of the play.”
I stop in my tracks, head snapping up. I forget all about texting. Though I’m used to being at the rink to visit Dad, the familiar voice following the sharp blare of a whistle has me whipping around.
Cole is here. On the ice.
Not just on it, but skating with the hockey players geared up for practice. He borrows one of their sticks and demonstrates a defensive move I remember from watching him play hockey in high school.
He glides in my direction after giving the order for the players to run through it again. My mouth goes dry when heleans against the half wall separating us. He’s tall enough on his own, but his height when he wears skates has always made me warm all over.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt.
Cole blows his whistle again, then turns to face me, resting his arms on the boards.
“Hey, Evie.” His smile is crooked with the whistle caught between his teeth.
A pulse of heat hits my core.
Oh god. Why is that hot? My gaze sweeps him again, taking in the athletic jacket with a Heston U Hockey logo on one side of his chest. It saysSTAFFbeneath it.
