Page 15 of The Love Comeback (Glaciers Hockey #3)

Chapter Thirteen

Kade

“And any time you guys want to come to a Glaciers game, just let me know. I can get you great seats, free of charge.” I grin as Colton tears into a slice of cheese pizza, his appetite reminding me of my own as a kid—and now as well.

I could eat a whole pizza and never think twice about it.

That’s just one of the pros of burning so many calories every day.

However, as my eyes cast to Ella, who’s staring down at her one slice of pepperoni pizza, something feels off.

“Are you not hungry?” I try to play it cool as I ask. This was supposed to be a celebration—Colton nailed some complex footwork today, and I suggested pizza as a reward. I expected Ella to be excited, but instead, she’s been oddly quiet since we left the rink .

She shakes her head. “I had a big lunch at school today.”

I purse my lips, not buying one word of what she’s saying. I know Ella. Well, I used to know her. And back then, it was easy to tell when something was off, because she’d do that exact same zoning-out spell.

“I can’t wait to tell Aaron I’m trying out for spring hockey with him,” Colton says around a mouthful of pizza. “I know that I might not make it since this is my first year, but—”

“You’re good enough to make it,” I say with confidence. I don’t say it just to hype him up, either. I mean it. Colton has natural talent, and has surpassed most kids who have been doing the sport for years.

“Really?” Colton sets the remnants of his pizza down, which is just a thin piece of crust. “You think I can make it?”

“I do.” I glance at Ella as she shrinks into herself even more so. This surprises me. I thought she’d be excited.

“Yes!” Colton grabs his napkin and wipes off his greasy hands. “I’m gonna be one of the cool hockey kids at school!”

“Yeah, for sure,” I say, reaching into my pocket and grabbing a couple of twenties. “And why don’t you go take this, get some change, and hit the arcade? That way, Ella and I can talk about it all for a few minutes.”

Colton’s eyes grow wide, but he eagerly accepts the bills. “Thank you so much! You’re the best!”

Ella winces.

What’s wrong with you, El ?

I wait for a few moments, letting Colton get well out of earshot, all the while watching Ella pick at the meat on her pizza. She just peels a pepperoni off and then places it right back where it was. Over and over again.

“So…” I begin as soon as we’re in the clear.

“So…” she echoes, never looking up from her plate.

“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you, or should I just pretend I don’t notice that you’re upset?”

She exhales slowly, her fingers now fiddling with the paper napkin in her lap. “I’m not upset.”

I raise a brow. “Ella, I’ve known you since we were fourteen. I can tell when something’s wrong.”

“It’s nothing,” she insists, but the way she avoids my eyes tells me it’s definitely something. “Just … do you really think it’s possible Colton will make the travel team?”

“I do,” I say without hesitation. “Why?”

She bites her lower lip, a battle clearly raging behind her eyes.

And that’s when it clicks.

The travel team. The costs. Money.

I’m not oblivious to the reality of Ella’s situation. Single guardian, teacher’s salary, raising a child who isn’t biologically hers. I know she must be stretched thin, and youth hockey isn’t exactly budget-friendly. Between equipment, league fees, travel expenses … it adds up fast.

“It’s … expensive,” she admits before I can say anything, her voice barely audible over the restaurant noise.

“Really expensive. I looked it up after practice today,” she goes on, her eyes darting to the arcade to make sure Colton is still occupied.

“The fees alone are over a thousand dollars, and that’s before equipment, travel costs, tournament fees…

” She trails off, shaking her head. “It’s just not in our budget right now. ”

The defeated slump of her shoulders causes a protective surge to shoot through my chest.

“I can help,” I offer immediately, keeping my voice casual even as my heart races. “It would be no problem for me to cover—”

“No.” The word is firm, definitive. Ella sits up taller, pride straightening her spine. “Absolutely not.”

“Ella—”

“You’re already giving him free skating lessons, Kade. That’s more than enough.” Her voice softens slightly. “I appreciate the offer, I really do. But I can’t accept that kind of charity.”

I wince at the word. “It’s not charity.”

She shakes her head again, more firmly this time. “I’m his guardian. It’s my responsibility to figure this out, not yours.”

“I just want to help,” I say, unable to let this go.

“I know.” Her expression softens as she looks at me. “And you are helping—more than you know. The skating lessons are huge for him. Not just the skills, but having you in his life. As a role model.” She swallows hard. “That’s worth more than any team membership.”

Her words warm something deep inside me, but they don’t erase my concern. How can I make her understand that I want to pay for it? I would’ve paid for it regardless of her financial situation.

“I’ll figure something out,” she continues, determination replacing the defeat in her voice. “Maybe I can pick up some tutoring gigs.”

I nod, admiring her resilience even as I wish she’d let me make this one thing easier for her. “You’re one of the strongest people I know, Ella Smart.”

She gives me a small, genuine smile. “I don’t know about all that. I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

“That’s exactly what makes you strong.”

A comfortable silence falls between us, filled with the clinking of glasses and the distant sounds of arcade games. I watch as she finally takes a real bite of her pizza, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.

“By the way,” I say, trying to lighten the mood, “Colton’s crossovers today were seriously impressive. He’s got this natural edge control that you can’t teach. He gets that from his dad.”

Ella’s expression warms at the mention of her brother-in-law. “Brett would be so proud of him.”

“He would,” I agree. “But he’d be even prouder of you.”

Her eyes meet mine, something vulnerable flickering in their hazel depths. For a moment, I think she might say more, might let me in just a little more. But then Colton comes bounding back to the table, cheeks flushed with excitement.

“I got the high score in the racing game!” he announces, sliding back into the booth next to Ella. “But I need more quarters to beat the bonus level.”

Ella laughs, the sound lighter than anything I’ve heard from her tonight. “Finish your pizza first, champion.”

I watch as she smooths Colton’s hair back from his forehead, the gesture so naturally maternal it makes my chest ache. The worry hasn’t left her eyes completely, but she’s pushed it aside for now, focused entirely on her nephew’s joy.

And every moment I’m around her, I’m reminded of just how much I miss her being mine.

“Oh no!” Colton’s exclamation cuts through the momentary calm at our table.

His eyes go wide with sudden panic, pizza forgotten as he claps a hand to his forehead.

“I totally forgot! I have science homework due tomorrow. We have to label all the phases of the moon and explain why they look different and … it’s worth, like, a ton of points!

” The urgency in his voice reminds me of Ella when she was younger, always stressing over what assignment was due.

There’s something about it that hits me right in the chest.

Or maybe it’s just the motherly look that fills Ella’s eyes.

“You didn’t tell me you had homework.” Ella’s voice is soft, understanding, and not remotely upset at his admission. “Did you bring it with you, or did you leave it behind?”

“I brought it. It’s in my backpack,” Colton says with certainty, relief flooding his face. “Can we just do it here?” He then turns to me. “Can you help me with my homework?”

“Uh…” My voice trails off as I glance at Ella, who suddenly has a smirk on her face. “I can … I can try . Homework isn’t really my thing.”

Ella giggles. “I always had to help Kade with his homework.”

“It’s true.” I nod. “Ella single-handedly helped me graduate high school. And I barely got through college without my tutor’s help. It was rough. I’m more of a hockey player than a bookworm.”

Colton’s brow furrows. “I like doing both. I like school.”

“You get that from her.” I shoot Ella a wink, and I swear, I actually see a blush creep up her pretty neck. “But yeah, you want me to run out and grab your backpack from the car?”

“Um, that’s okay,” Ella says, pushing back from the table. “I’ll get it if you’ll just stay here with Colton.”

“Yeah, of course.” I barely get the words out before she’s out the front door.

Colton looks up at me with big, earnest eyes, a wide smile brightening his face. “Ella’s the best,” he says, his voice filled with such admiration and love that I can’t help but feel a pang in my chest, because it’s true . “I don’t know what I’d do without her…”

“She really is the best,” I agree, and I mean it.

I can’t shake the mix of admiration and regret that hits me when I think about how much she’s had to take on alone .

How much I wish things could be different for her, for us.

It only deepens my resolve to be here, to be part of their lives, for as long as she’ll let me.

“I want to be like her when I grow up,” he says. “And like you, too. I can be both, right? A hockey player and really good at school?”

“You can be anything you want to be, Colton.”

As Ella returns with the backpack, she gives me a grateful smile before settling back into the booth.

Colton scoots around the bench until he’s between Ella and me, his homework spread out in front of him.

It strikes me how naturally we’ve positioned ourselves—Ella on one side, me on the other, both of us angled toward Colton in the middle.

Like two pillars supporting the same structure.

Like … a family.