The little bell above the coffee shop door jingled as Riley pushed it open and she stepped inside, brushing the cool air off her jacket.
The warm scent of roasted beans and cinnamon hit her immediately, wrapping around her like a blanket. She didn't come here often. It wasn't her place.
It was Ethan's place, She told herself she just needed caffeine before heading back to the garage, but the thought rang hollow.
Her boots echoed against the wooden floor as she moved toward the counter.
"Riley?
Her stomach dipped at the sound of his voice. She turned, and there he was, seated at a corner table with his coffee and a notebook open in front of him.
Ethan He looked up at her with that same sharp focus he had on the ice, only now it was directed at her.
"Hey," she said softly.
He closed the notebook, sliding it aside. "You came in.
"I needed coffee," she replied, her tone defensive.
He smiled faintly.
"Sure. Just coffee.
She exhaled, rolling her eyes.
Don't start.
"I'm not starting," he said, rising to his feet.
"I'm just surprised, I thought I'd have to run into you on the street again to get more than a hello.
The barista behind the counter called, "Next in line?
Riley glanced over her shoulder.
"One black coffee, please.
Ethan was already at her side, pulling out his wallet.
"I've got it.
"You don't need to pay for me," she said quickly.
"Maybe I don't need to, but I want to.
The barista gave them a knowing smile and rang it up.
Ethan slid cash across the counter before Riley could protest further.
"You're stubborn," she muttered.
"Take one to know one," he shot back, grinning tugging at his lips.
She sighed, shaking her head.
"You really haven't changed.
"Neither have you," he said, handing her the steaming cup once it was ready. "Come sit.
Riley hesitated, her eyes darting around the room, a couple of people were tucked away with laptops, a mother entertained her child near the window, and two old men were arguing about hockey stats at the far end.
No Vipers in sight, For now.
"Fine," she said at last, and followed him back to his table.
They sat across from each other, the air between them charged but strangely comfortable.
"So," he began, leaning back.
"What's life like at the garage?
She took a careful sip of her coffee.
"Loud, Greasy. Full of people who think they know more than they do.
"Sounds familiar," he said with a smirk.
Her lips twitched.
"And is hockey any different?
"Touché," he admitted.
"The rink's the same, Everyone thinks they've got the magic answer. But at the end of the day, it's just me and the puck.
She tilted her head.
"And the scouts are watching you.
His jaw tensed slightly, "Yeah. Them, too.
"Are you nervous?" she asked, curious.
He shook his head, though his eyes betrayed him.
"Not nervous. Just… aware.
She studied him for a moment, then said softly, "You've always carried the weight of the world on your shoulders, even as a kid.
"That's funny," he said, leaning forward,"Because I always thought you carried it too.
Just in a different way.
The words hit her deeper than she expected. She looked down at her cup, trying to hide the flicker of emotion in her eyes, "You don't know what it's like now.
Being tied to the Vipers isn't something you just walk away from.
"I know," he said carefully. "I know better than you think.
But I also know you don't deserve to be stuck in it forever.
Her head snapped up.
"You think it's that simple? That I can just cut ties? You don't understand how deep it runs.
"Then explain it to me," he urged.
She hesitated, words catching in her throat.
"It's family. Loyalty. If I turn my back on them, I turn my back on everything I was raised in.
They might be rough, they might be flawed, but they're mine. They're all I have.
"You had me once," he said softly.
The statement hung heavy between them. Riley's chest tightened, and she forced out a laugh to cover it.
"That was a long time ago.
"Not long enough to erase it," Ethan said, his voice low but steady, "I still remember the way you laughed when we rode bikes past curfew.
I still remember how you'd throw rocks at my window just to tell me you were bored. You're not just the Vipers, Riley, You're you.
Her throat worked as she swallowed hard,"You make it sound easy.
Like I can just be me without everything else attached.
"Maybe you can," he said.
"Maybe you just don't believe it yet.
She sat back, her fingers drumming against the cup, "You talk like the world is wide open.
For me, it's not. My world is small. Confined. Yours is the one with doors waiting to open.
"I don't want doors without you," he admitted.
Her heart skipped, but she quickly masked it. "You can't say things like that. Not here. Not now.
"Why not?" he asked, frustration creeping in.
"We're sitting in a coffee shop, drinking like normal people. No ice, no engines, no Vipers watching. Just us. For once.
Why can't I say it?
"Because the second someone sees us, it's over," she whispered.
"They'll question me. They'll question you. And I don't know if either of us can handle that fallout.
He leaned closer, his voice almost a plea.
"Then let them question,I don't care.
Her eyes locked on his, and for a heartbeat, she wanted to believe him.
She wanted to believe it could be that simple.
The bell over the door jingled again, Riley's head whipped around, her heart jumping.
But it was only a group of teenagers, laughing as they ordered milkshakes.
She exhaled shakily, her shoulders lowering.
"We shouldn't be here together.
"Yet here you are," Ethan said softly.
Her lips parted, but she couldn't find an answer.
The warmth between them was undeniable, but so was the tension pressing in from all sides.
She stood slowly, placing her cup on the table. "Thank you for the coffee.
"Riley," he said, rising too.
She hesitated, then whispered, "I wish things were different.
His eyes softened. "So do I.
And with that, she turned and walked out, the bell jingling behind her, leaving Ethan staring after her with a mix of hope and frustration burning in his chest.