The charity game was over, but the energy in the arena hadn't settled. Fans flooded the main hall, voices bouncing off the high ceilings, cameras flashing as kids waved their jerseys in the air.
Riley walked close to Sam, trying to keep her head down, but her pulse hadn't calmed since the third period.
She told herself it was the noise, the lights, the sheer chaos of the place. But she knew better. It was him.
Ethan Cole.
He had been everywhere on that ice, and every time the crowd roared his name, she felt something sharp twist in her chest.
She should have left right after the final buzzer, but Sam's grip on her arm had been iron.
Now the crowd pressed tighter, and Riley's patience thinned.
"Sam, I'm serious. We should go before this turns into a madhouse.
Sam laughed, raising her voice over the din. "You're acting like you're allergic to fun, Relax.
Look at all these people. They're here because they love the game, because they love him.
Don't you want to see what the fuss is about?
"I already know," Riley muttered. "I don't need to see it again.
Before Sam could reply, a voice cut through the crowd.
"Riley?
Riley froze. The sound of her name made her blood run cold. Slowly, like she was moving through water, she turned her head.
And there he was.
Ethan stood only a few yards away, still in his jersey, hair damp, eyes locked on her as if no one else existed.
People jostled around him, asking for signatures, but he didn't seem to notice.
His gaze burned through the noise, through the years, pinning her to the spot.
Riley's throat closed up. She forced her body to stay still, to keep her face neutral.
Sam leaned close, whispering with a grin, "Told you he'd remember you.
"Shut up," Riley hissed, but her voice shook.
Ethan said something to the fans around him, excusing himself. Then he pushed forward, weaving through the crowd with determined strides.
Riley's breath quickened with each step he took.
"Riley Storm," he said when he reached her, his voice lower now, but threaded with disbelief.
"I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.
Riley swallowed hard. "Looks like they weren't.
For a long moment, they just stared at each other. Ethan searched her face, taking in every detail like he was memorizing her all over again.
Riley shifted uncomfortably, wishing Sam would disappear.
Ethan broke the silence with a small, almost nervous laugh. "You're actually here. I can't believe it.
Riley forced herself to shrug. "Sam dragged me. Don't get too excited.
Sam raised her hand like she was proud. "Guilty.
Ethan's smile widened. "Well, thank you for dragging her, Sam.
Riley shot Sam a glare, but Ethan's attention didn't waver from her.
"It's been a long time," he said softly.
"Years," Riley agreed, her voice flat.
"You look…" He hesitated, then shook his head. "You look the same. Just tougher.
Riley crossed her arms, a shield. "Life does that.
His expression shifted, serious now. "Yeah. I guess it does.
For a beat, the noise of the crowd faded around them. All Riley could hear was her own pulse pounding in her ears.
She hated how easily he could pull her back to that pond, that garage, those stars.
Ethan tilted his head. "Do you still skate?
Riley blinked. "What?"
"Do you still skate? On the pond, I mean.
She shook her head.
"No. Haven't in years.
His smile dimmed, almost sad.
"That's a shame. You used to love it.
"I used to do a lot of things," she replied.
The words hung between them, heavy and sharp.
Sam, sensing the tension, clapped her hands. "Alright, you two. I'm going to grab us something to drink.
You kids catch up.
Before Riley could protest, Sam slipped into the crowd, leaving her alone with Ethan.
Ethan's eyes never left her.
"She hasn't changed either. Still the meddler, huh?
"Always," Riley muttered, glancing around as if looking for an escape.
"Relax," Ethan said gently.
"I'm not here to trap you. I just… I can't believe you're here. I've thought about this moment more times than I can count.
Riley raised an eyebrow. "Really? Silver Ridge's golden boy thought about me?
His jaw tightened. "Don't say it like that. You know you were never just anyone to me.
Her chest ached, but she masked it with a smirk. "Funny. You didn't seem to think that when you left.
"That wasn't" He cut himself off, running a hand through his hair. "That wasn't about you, Riley.
"Everything's about something," she said quietly.
He looked at her, his eyes steady.
"I didn't leave because of you. I left because I had to chase this, because if I didn't, I'd always wonder what if. But I never forgot you. Not for a second.
Her throat tightened. She wanted to call him a liar, but his voice held no hesitation, no cracks. And that was what scared her.
She stepped back slightly, creating space.
"People forget. It's what they do.
"Not me," Ethan said firmly.
Silence stretched between them again. The noise of the arena swelled back in, fans still chattering, kids laughing.
But for Riley, the world had narrowed to the boy she once knew and the man he had become.
Ethan's gaze softened. "Do you ever think about it? About us?
Riley clenched her jaw. "Don't go there.
"Why not?
"Because it doesn't matter anymore," she snapped. "Whatever we had, it's gone. Life moved on.
Ethan didn't flinch.
"Did it? Because standing here, looking at you, it feels like nothing ever changed.
Her heart pounded so loud she thought he might hear it. She shook her head, her voice quieter now.
"You're wrong. Everything changed.
Ethan studied her, but he didn't argue. He just let the weight of her words settle.
Finally, he gave a small nod.
"Maybe," he said softly. "But I'm glad I saw you tonight. Even if it's just this once.
Riley opened her mouth, but no words came. She hated that part of her wanted to ask when she'd see him again.
Sam reappeared, drinks in hand, her grin wide.
"So, what'd I miss?
"Nothing," Riley said quickly.
"Everything," Ethan countered with a small smile.
Their eyes locked once more, a silent promise neither dared to voice.