The roar of the crowd hit Riley like a wave the moment she stepped inside the Silver Ridge arena. The lights were blinding, the air buzzing with excitement, and the smell of popcorn clung to every corner.
She tugged at the sleeve of her leather jacket, already irritated.
"Remind me why I'm here again?" she muttered.
Sam grinned beside her, practically bouncing with energy. "Because I dragged you out of that garage before you turned into part of the floor. Come on, Riley.
It's a charity hockey game, not a death sentence.
Riley narrowed her eyes. "Feels like one.
Sam rolled her eyes. "It's fun. You know, fun? People cheering, players smashing into each other, money raised for the children's hospital.
Try smiling for once.
"I smile," Riley argued.
"Not enough." Sam elbowed her.
"Besides, rumor is the great Ethan Cole is playing tonight.
Riley stiffened, her throat tightening.
She tried to sound casual. "So?
"So?" Sam laughed. "You two were inseparable once. He's basically the pride of Silver Ridge.
You don't want to see him?
Riley kept her eyes fixed on the crowd. "Not really.
Sam gave her a knowing look but let it drop, they found their seats near the middle, the rink glowing white under the arena lights.
The players skated out, the crowd roaring louder. Riley's gaze flicked across the ice, scanning for the number she remembered.
When she saw him, her chest tightened.
Ethan Cole.
He moved with the same grace he had as a boy, only sharper, stronger.
His jersey clung to broad shoulders, his stride powerful as he sliced across the ice.
The crowd cheered his name, but Riley heard something else, the echo of his voice from years ago. Friends forever.
Sam leaned close. "There he is. Your childhood crush.
Riley shot her a look. "Shut up.
Sam smirked. "Don't tell me you forgot.
"I didn't forget," Riley muttered. "I just don't care.
But she did.
The game began, fast and fierce, players slamming into the boards, sticks clattering, the puck flying across the ice.
Ethan was in the middle of it all, commanding the flow, his presence undeniable. Riley tried not to watch, but her eyes betrayed her.
Halfway through the first period, Ethan scored. The crowd erupted, fans on their feet, chanting his name. Riley's hands tightened in her lap, her heart racing.
Sam clapped wildly, shouting along with everyone else.
"You can admit it," Sam teased between cheers. "You're impressed.
Riley shook her head. "It's just hockey.
But it wasn't. It was Ethan.
During the break, music blasted through the arena. Riley stood to stretch, trying to shake the strange weight pressing on her chest.
She felt Sam's hand on her arm.
"What?" Riley asked.
Sam grinned. "He's looking this way.
Riley froze. Slowly, carefully, she glanced toward the ice. Ethan stood near the bench, helmet in hand, scanning the crowd.
For a split second, his eyes met hers. Her breath caught, her body rooted to the spot.
Then the whistle blew, and he turned back to the game.
Sam squealed. "Did you see that? He saw you.
Riley sat down quickly, heat rushing to her face. "You're imagining things.
"Nope," Sam said, smug.
"That man remembered you.
Riley stared at the ice, her mind spinning. She remembered the pond, the garage, the stars.
She remembered promises made with the certainty of children. She hated that her chest still ached at the sight of him.
By the third period, Riley wanted to leave, but Sam was too invested.
The Vipers never had crowds like this. The energy was addictive, even for someone as stubborn as Riley.
When the game ended, Ethan's team won. The crowd poured out of the stands, buzzing with excitement. Sam tugged Riley toward the exit.
"Come on," Sam urged. "We're going to the after-party.
Riley dug in her heels. "Absolutely not.
"Absolutely yes," Sam countered. "You need to live a little. Besides, if Ethan's there.
Riley cut her off. "That's exactly why I'm not going.
Sam crossed her arms. "You're scared.
"I am not.
"You are. You're terrified of what seeing him will do to you. Which is exactly why we're going.
Riley glared at her, but Sam only grinned wider.
Minutes later, they slipped into the crowded hall where players greeted fans, signing jerseys and taking pictures.
The atmosphere was buzzing, cameras flashing. Riley hung back, but Sam pushed her forward.
"There he is," Sam whispered.
Ethan stood at the far end, surrounded by fans. He smiled, signed autographs, and posed for photos. He looked older, yes, but his smile was the same.
Riley swallowed hard. "We should go.
Sam refused. "Nope. You're not running this time.
Riley turned, ready to argue, when she heard her name.
"Riley?
Her heart stopped. She turned slowly, and there he was. Ethan Cole, no helmet, hair damp with sweat, eyes fixed on her like no one else was in the room.
For a long moment, neither of them moved. The noise of the crowd faded into nothing.
Finally, Ethan smiled, soft and disbelieving.
"It's really you.
Riley's throat tightened. "Yeah. It's me.
Sam beamed like she had orchestrated fate itself.
Ethan stepped closer, his gaze searching her face. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again.
Riley forced a small, guarded smile. "Life has a way of keeping people apart.
He studied her, eyes lingering on the grease under her nails, the stubborn set of her jaw.
Then he laughed quietly, shaking his head. "You haven't changed.
She bristled. "You don't know that.
"Maybe not," he admitted. "But I know it feels like no time has passed at all.
Riley's chest tightened, her pulse racing.
he wanted to say something sharp, something to keep distance between them. Instead, she found herself whispering, "Forever is a long time.
Ethan's smile faded into something softer, more serious. "Not long enough.
Sam nudged Riley, grinning ear to ear, but Riley ignored her.
Her eyes stayed locked on Ethan's, and for the first time in years, she let herself remember what it felt like to believe in forever.