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Sitting in the locker room listening to Piper while unlacing my skates for our lunch break, it occurred to me that I could live like this forever.

When I first arrived in Chicago, I was a nervous mess, just hoping not to be alone anymore. Now it felt like I belonged to a family. This version of after was better than I could’ve ever dreamed it to be. I just wanted to stay in this happy bubble for the rest of my life.

“Ooh, wait, better option– how about we get that sandwich shop down the road, yeah?” Piper asked. “I’m craving their chocolate chip cookies. They heat ‘em up and make them all gooey in the center. God, I need one.”

I laughed. “Okay, let’s do it. You mind if I sneak over to the back rink and ask Colt and the guys if they want anything?”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, if we’re doing a whole catering service, make sure you ask Hans, too.”

I grinned as I popped up from the bench and headed to the lobby.

I couldn't get over how quickly things changed– how I went from debating leaving Chicago because Colt skated here, to now loving that he practiced in the same building as me. Being able to swing by and watch him skate with his team, seeing him watching me coach from the stands, and stealing kisses in the locker room hallways made it feel like we somehow transported back to Centre Ice, back to the best time in my life, except this was better, because we were the ones in charge around this rink.

As soon as I swung around the corner of the pro-shop, I pulled back swiftly to avoid colliding with someone and my knee screamed in protest of the sharp movement.

“Sorry about that, I didn’t see–” The rest of the sentence died in my throat as I took in the face in front of me.

“Ah,” his deep chuckle filled the cool air, “I was wondering when we were going to bump into each other.”

Dread sliced through me, paralyzing me on the spot.

He came close, way too close, and whispered, “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

My muscles went taut with panicked tension.

He clucked his tongue. “Your poor neck.” He lifted a finger like he was going to touch me and that finally jolted my body into action to move.

“Don’t touch me.”

His deep chuckle filled the air as he looked me up and down with disdain. "Wouldn't want to.”

With that, he stalked past me with his long, steady stride, his head held high. He was completely unaffected, while I struggled to stay standing.

My legs felt like jello as I fought my head to stay in the present while walking back to Colt.