The air is cooler than I expect, brushing against my face as I make my way across the lot. There are cars everywhere—familiar ones, parents’ cars, the usual chaos of a practice day. It’s normal. Which somehow makes the tightness in my chest worse.
I push through the front doors and step into the arena, the familiar chill of the rink wrapping around me instantly.
Voices echo faintly. Skates cut across ice. I glance around, and my stomach drops.
Standing in the middle of the ice with the team surrounding her is Emma.
Ty’s not there.
Something inside me empties. It’s like cold air floods straight through my system, sharp and sudden, leaving everything else numb in its wake.
“Oh,” I breathe, barely audible even to myself.
Emma looks up from across the ice, spotting me almost immediately. Her expression changes suddenly, and then she’s moving, skating hard in my direction.
I don’t move. I stay put, clutching the trophy a little tighter, my brain trying and failing to catch up.
She reaches the boards in seconds, bracing a hand against it as she looks up at me.
“Hey,” she says, a little breathless, but focused. “Surprise, I’m back.”
I stare at her, my jaw unhinged. “I—yeah. I can see that.”
Her gaze drops briefly to what I’m holding. “Is that the trophy?”
“I made it,” I say quickly, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “I mean, it’s not finished-finished, but it’s close. I wanted to bring something for today. It’s based on the sketches and conversations we’ve been doing in our sessions.”
Emma takes it, her expression shifting as she looks it over. “Wow,” she murmurs, genuinely impressed. Then she pauses, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tilts it toward the light.
“Wait,” she says, glancing up. “Vivian…is that a real diamond?”
“Yeah. I—uh…” I manage to clear my throat, my nerves are all over the place. “The Sullivan Collective wants to sponsor the girls’ team.”
“The Sullivan Collective?” Emma’s brows lift.
“New name, inspired by the new direction we’re taking the business.” I stand a little taller, wanting this moment to not pass me by. I point to the diamond. My old diamond. The one I didn’t know what to do with. “Your girls are amazing, and tough. They’re strong on the inside and out, and I can’t wait to see what your team becomes. I want in.”
“This is a work of art, you’re amazing! And we’d love to have you sponsor the team.” Emma grins at me before looking back at the trophy like she’s been handed the Stanley Cup. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” I say, looking around, hoping I might see Ty suddenly appear in the stands or on the bench, and trying not to be obvious. I start walking toward the community room. “So, I guess I’ll go set up for today…”
“Vivian,” Emma cuts in, not unkindly. Firm enough that I stop in my tracks. “You’re not running the workshop today.”
My tummy flips. “But I?—”
“No buts. I know about you and Ty, and I also know he’s been MIA all week.”
I blink at her. “Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.” She shifts the clipboard tucked beneath her arm. “He told me. About you.”
Heat climbs immediately into my face. “He did?”
“Vivian, he’s my brother.” Emma gives me a look. “Of course he did. And,” she continues more gently now, “I also know he shared with you what’s been going on with him lately. So I think it’s only fair that you and I just get on the same page for a second.”
I nod slowly.
“Good.” She exhales. “Because I don’t want you here today.”
