We talk for a few more minutes.
Normal things like Christmas plans and his upcoming games.
Then the call ends and the room is quiet again.
I open my laptop and type the name into the search bar.
Justine Blainey.
The results appear instantly.
Articles.
Photos.
I can’t believe I’d never heard of her.
31
LEONORA
It feels wrong the second I step into the arena.
Like I’ve walked into somewhere I’m not supposed to be anymore - the stands.
I pull my coat tighter around me as Willow and Katie flank me like bodyguards, one on either side, as if that might make this feel normal. It doesn’t.
We slip into seats near the back, away from most of the crowd. Still close enough to see everything.
“You okay?” Katie murmurs.
“Yeah,” I say automatically. I’m not.
The ice gleams under the lights.
The Giants are already out for warm-up.
My eyes go straight to the line.
To my line - my position.
Except it’s not mine anymore.
Grant skates where I used to.
He looks good. Solid and well recovered.
It’s almost like he was always meant to be there.
Willow leans over. “You don’t have to stay if this is too much.”
“I want to,” I say. And I do.
Because this isn’t about me - not today.
The whistle blows. The game starts.
I force myself to watch properly.
