Page 70 of Breaking the Ice

“Yeah, I know I’m not doctor or lawyer material.”

Isabella snorts. “I meant fun. Genuine.”

For some reason, her words feel like praise.

She continues talking. “Hey, did you check your grades? They came out today. You should have gotten an email.”

“For once, I was responsible and I checked my email.” I preen. Was it to impress her? Maybe. “And you’ll be proud—I passed everything with a C in US History and a B minus in Elementary Math.”

“Evan, that’s fantastic!” Her face lights up the screen, brighter than the lights on my mom’s Christmas tree. “You’re awesome.”

“I had a good tutor.”

“But you also put in the work. Way to go.” Then she clears her throat, switching gears. “Okay, so, if you could spend the day watching Christmas movies, which ones would you watch?”

“Like, which ones are my favorite?” I ask.

“Yeah, I need a list.” She takes her hair out of the updo, shaking it around her shoulders, and I want to run my fingers through it, feeling the silky softness.

I settle on my bed, propping my head on my hand and getting comfortable. She yawns, looking like an adorable kitten. She might not be next to me like I wish, but this is better than nothing. It’s worlds better than the conversation happening downstairs in the living room.

“First of all, it goes without saying that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.”

“Obviously.” She gives a decisive jerk of her chin, and I’m hit with a rush of affection for her.

“So that’s on the list. Then A Christmas Story.”

“Let me guess? Your mom would never buy you a Red Rider BB gun?”

“Not in a million years.” I laugh. “Um, okay, A Muppet Christmas Carol.”

“Love it.” Isabella bounces on her bed, smiling wide. “That’s probably my favorite.”

“Then Elf.”

“My second favorite.” If possible, her grin gets even bigger.

“And then we’d have to end the day with something really traditional like It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“Not White Christmas?”

“I suppose I could be persuaded to watch both of them.”

“That sounds like the perfect day.” She sighs.

“Yeah. Maybe next year.” I pause as the reality of the future hits me. “It’s weird to think about what life could be like a year from now. Out of college, no more hockey, a real job. Who knows where we’ll all end up?”

My teammates, my friends, spread across the country. Cooper and Jasmine are in Denver. Hunter and Natalie moved to Chicago. What will Jonas do? Will he try to stick around Lafayette because Hadley will still be in school? Or have an adventure for a few years and see where life takes him?

And what about Isabella? Does she want our futures to involve each other? To stay married? In the moment in Vegas, it felt right. It was crazy, sure, and we did things out of order, but I don’t regret it. In fact, it’s been awesome. But regardless of how I feel, she only agreed to stay married for the team image.

I mean, I’m not really long-term husband material, am I?

“Is there a particular place you want to live?” Isabella asks me. “A part of the world you’ve always wanted to see?”

Does she see us staying together? My heart beats faster, but I try to play it cool.

I shrug. “Michigan is beautiful, and I love Grand Rapids and the lake, but as you’ve seen, I’m not close to my parents. I don’t want to get a job in the area. What about you?”