Eleanor came flying back down the stairs with her bag in hand.
“Yes, we are,” she shot back, and then she was past me, out the door, headed straight for my car.
I followed without question, heart pounding, not even sure what was happening anymore, just knowing I was going with her.
We barely had the doors shut before I pulled out of the driveway.
“What happened?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even as my heart hammered.
She launched into it, keys, phone, the silent treatment, her mom trying to ground her like she was still a kid. Every word made my grip tighten on the steering wheel. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Here,” I said, handing her my phone at the next red light. “Text Mel. Let her know you’re on your way.”
She typed fast, fingers shaking, then held it up so I could see.
This is El. Alex is my prince charming and saved me from the grips of my mother. I’ll explain. On my way.
I snorted despite everything. “That’s one hell of an entrance.”
We were already back on the road to the rink, and for the first time since I’d gotten there, I could finally breathe.
Somehow, Eleanor managed to get almost all of her gear on in the car.
By the time we screeched into the rink parking lot, she was strapped into pads and a helmet, skates clutched in her hands, eyes blazing with determination.
Five minutes.
That was all we had.
She kissed me fast and fierce and ran for the door, already pulling on her helmet as she went. “I love you,” she tossed over her shoulder, before disappearing into the team room.
She had just said she loved me. I wasn't even sure if she knew she said it. But I heard it, and damn it felt so good. I loved her too. More than I had loved anyone in a long time. I would tell her when she was done.
I headed for the bleachers where Becca, Ava, and Leo were waiting.
“Why was my mom late?” Ava asked, voice small but steady.
“I’ll let her tell you later,” I said gently. “But she’s here now. She’s ready to go.”
“Yay!” Leo bounced on the bench like he was made of springs. Derby bouts always wound him up, but tonight he was practically vibrating.
Ava sat quietly beside him, eyes on the track.
I couldn’t quite read her.
I just hoped she was okay.
We all sat there nervously waiting for the bout to begin.
47
ELEANOR
The last thirty minutes felt like a fever dream, from my mother, the shouting, the keys, to Alex at the door like he’d stepped out of a fairytale and into my life. Prince Charming, I’d joked to Mel, but it didn’t feel like a joke anymore.
He had come for me.
I took a shaky breath and forced myself to focus. The rink. The bout. The team waiting for me. This was mine.
