The practice rink was quieter than game night, but the scrape of blades on ice filled the space as players ran drills.
Ethan skated hard, sweat dripping down his temples, his focus sharp but his mind drifting every few minutes back to Riley.
From the bench, Coach Daniels watched, arms folded across his chest. His sharp eyes didn't miss a thing.
"Cole," the coach barked as Ethan skated past.
Ethan slowed, coasting toward him. "Yeah?
"Pick it up. You're fast, but your head's not in it.
Ethan bristled, "I'm skating fine.
"Fine isn't good enough when scouts are in town," Coach said firmly.
Ethan blinked. "Scouts?
The coach gave him a look.
"Don't play dumb, NHL reps. They're coming to watch this weekend.
They've had their eyes on you for a while.
Ethan's chest tightened. "You didn't tell me.
"I just did," Coach said dryly.
"I wanted you to focus on the game first, Now, you've got a shot to make something bigger than Silver Ridge hockey. Don't waste it.
Ethan leaned on his stick, catching his breath.
"Bigger than this? This is already big.
The coach shook his head, "You're thinking small. You've got talent that can take you national.
Maybe further. But you've got to commit.
"Commit?" Ethan repeated.
"Yeah, commit fully," Coach said.
"That means no distractions, no ghosts from the past dragging you off course, You know what I mean.
Ethan frowned,"You're talking about Riley.
The coach's silence was enough.
Ethan pulled off his gloves, running a hand over his face. "She's not a distraction.
"She's already in your head," Coach said flatly.
"Last game, your eyes were on the stands more than the puck.
Ethan's jaw clenched.
"You think I don't know what's at stake? You think I'd blow my chance because of her?
"I think you're human," Coach replied.
"And being human means you let feelings cloud judgment. But hockey doesn't wait for feelings.
This chance doesn't come around twice.
Ethan exhaled slowly, "You don't get it.
"Then make me get it," Coach challenged.
Ethan sat down on the bench, elbows resting on his knees. "She's not just anyone.
Riley was… she was part of who I was before hockey.
She's tied to everything I left behind, I can't just ignore that.
The coach softened his tone, but not his message.
"I'm not telling you to erase her, all I'm telling you is not to let her drag you back into the mess you escaped.
Ethan looked up sharply and.. "You think she's a mess?
"I think she's still tied to the Vipers," Coach said bluntly.
"And you know exactly what that means.
Ethan's chest tightened, "I know.
But I also know she's not like the rest of them.
"Maybe not," Coach said, pacing a little.
"But loyalty like hers runs deep. And it could pull you under. The scouts don't care about your personal life, Cole.
They care about your game and you've got one job this week, and that's to prove you belong at the next level.
Ethan leaned back, staring at the ceiling of the rink.
"What if I don't want the next level if it means losing her all over again?
The coach stopped pacing, looking at him with surprise and wait "So you're saying you'd trade a shot at the NHL for a girl tied to the Vipers?
Ethan's voice was low but steady, "I'm saying I don't know what I'd trade yet.
But I do know that walking away from her once nearly broke me, Doing it again might finish the job.
The coach studied him carefully, then sighed hmmm "You've got fire, Cole.
That's why you're good. But fire burns both ways and If you want both hockey and her, you'd better figure out how to balance it, because right now, you're walking a tightrope.
Ethan nodded slowly, "I'll figure it out.
"You'd better," Coach said, clapping his shoulder.
"Scouts are ruthless.
One bad impression, and they move on. I'm not going to let you blow it.
Ethan tightened his grip on his stick.
"I won't.
The coach gave him a long look, then called to the other players.
"Run the drill again. And this time, I want clean passes, no sloppy plays.
The team groaned but got back into position and Ethan skated to the center, his mind still turning.
The thought of scouts watching him should have filled him with excitement and instead, it felt like pressure pushing against the walls of his chest.
As he lined up for the drill, one of his teammates skated up beside him.
"Scouts, huh? Big news.
"Yeah," Ethan said flatly.
"Don't sound so thrilled," the teammate joked.
Ethan forced a smile, "Just thinking.
"About what?
Ethan hesitated.
"About how sometimes the future and the past crash into each other.
The teammate frowned,"Deep talk for practice, man. Just skate.
Ethan chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Yeah. Just skate.
The whistle blew, and they launched forward just fast. Ethan's body moved on instinct, fast, sharp, precise.
But in the back of his mind, Riley's face lingered, along with the sound of the coach's warning.
No distractions.
But she was more than a distraction.
She was the part of him that refused to let go.
When practice ended, Ethan pulled off his gear slowly.
The coach was waiting near the exit.
"You'll be ready Saturday," Coach said.
"I'll be ready," Ethan replied.
"And Riley?" The coach asked.
Ethan met his eyes.
"She's not going away. Neither am I.
I'll handle both.
The coach's brow furrowed, but he didn't argue.
"Then handle it, Don't let me down.
As Ethan walked out into the evening air, the weight of choice pressed on him.
The scouts, the game, Riley, the Vipers. His worlds were colliding, and soon, he would have to decide which mattered more.
For now, he tightened the strap of his bag over his shoulder and whispered to himself, "I'm not letting either slip away.