The locker room smelled of sweat, leather, and the faint chemical tang of melted ice.
The team laughed and celebrated the win, tossing towels and cracking open water bottles. Ethan sat on the bench with his jersey half pulled off, his gaze distant.
Cole, man, you killed it out there," one of his teammates said, grinning.
"Yeah," Ethan replied flatly.
Another player chuckled.
"What's with the mood? You score, we win, the crowd goes wild, her smile a little.
Ethan forced a small grin.
Guess I'm just tired.
But he wasn't tired. He was unsettled. Seeing Riley had stirred up more than he was ready for.
He leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes, and for a moment the noise of the locker room faded.
He heard voices from the past, rough laughter, the roar of motorcycles in the distance.
"Ethan, are you coming or not?" The memory of an older boy's voice cut through his head.
He had been sixteen, restless, and angry at the world.
The Vipers had been everywhere in Silver Ridge, their bikes like thunder on the streets. Back then, to a kid aching to belong, they seemed untouchable.
"Yeah, I'm coming," the younger Ethan had said, climbing onto the back of a bike, his heart racing.
The memory stung. The nights with them had felt electric at first, but the thrill turned sour fast. Fights, drugs, broken glass.
He had watched people he knew fall apart, and he had nearly gone down the same road.
You ever think you'd end up like them?" a teammate's voice cut through his thoughts, dragging him back to the locker room.
Ethan blinked. "Like who?
"The Vipers," the guy said casually.
You grew up here, right? Everyone knows they ran the streets.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Yeah. I knew them.
The teammate shrugged.
"Lucky you got out. Some of those guys are still stuck riding in circles, wasting their lives.
"Yeah," Ethan said softly, "Lucky.
When the room started to clear, Ethan stayed behind.
He pulled on a hoodie, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed for the back exit.
In the quiet of the hallway, he felt the past pressing harder.
The Vipers had given him scars, ones he still carried under the skin.
He remembered Riley's face when she mentioned loyalty.
Her words had been sharp, defensive, but they had also been familiar.
He knew that same loyalty. He had once bled for it.
Outside, the night air was cool against his skin.
He leaned against the wall, staring at the faint glow of streetlights.
"Cole," a voice called.
Ethan turned. Coach Daniels stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"You played well tonight," the coach said.
"Thanks.
"But your head wasn't fully in it.
I've seen you long enough to know when something's eating you.
Ethan sighed.
Just memories.
"Bad ones?
"The kind that doesn't leave," Ethan admitted.
The coach stepped closer. "You want to talk?
Ethan hesitated, then shrugged. "It was the Vipers.
I ran with them when I was younger. I thought I belonged there.
It nearly ruined me.
Coach's brows lifted. "Didn't know that. You've never talked about it.
"Not something I'm proud of," Ethan said quietly.
"But when Riley mentioned them tonight, it all came rushing back.
"Riley?" the coach asked, curious.
"She's someone I used to know. Someone important. And she's tied to them. Still loyal to them, like they're family.
The coach sighed.
"Do you care about her?
Ethan didn't answer right away.
He shoved his hands into his pockets, staring at the ground. "I don't know what I feel.
But seeing her reminded me of who I used to be.
And I don't want her stuck there the way I almost was.
"You can't change her choices," the coach said firmly.
"You can only decide yours.
"I know," Ethan muttered.
"But it's hard to see her tied to the same chains I fought to break.
The coach studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Maybe that's why you're here now.
To see if you can face what you left behind.
Ethan let out a long breath.
"Maybe.
The coach clapped his shoulder.
"Go home, Cole and Rest, Tomorrow's another day.
When the coach walked off, Ethan stayed behind, staring at the stars barely visible in the city glow.
"Chains," he muttered.
"They never really let go.
His phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number lit up the screen.
We saw you at the game tonight so i decided to tell you Don't forget where you came from.
Ethan's blood ran cold; he knew only one group of people would send something like that.
The Vipers.
He clenched the phone, his jaw set. The past wasn't just a memory.
It was waiting for him.
And with Riley tied to them, he knew things were about to get complicated.