Page 22 of The Love Comeback (Glaciers Hockey #3)

Chapter Eighteen

Ella

“Are you ready for this?” I ask Colton as I pull into a parking spot at the rink.

“I think so…” he says as he unbuckles his seatbelt and grabs his bag. “But Aaron told me today there’s a bunch of guys trying out who’ve been playing for years.”

I turn around in my seat, which stops Colton mid-reaching for the door.

“It doesn’t matter how long those other kids have been playing or skating.

What matters is all the work you’ve put into this.

You can’t compare yourself to them.” I give him a warm smile, even though, on the inside, I’m torn.

I want Colton to make the team more than anything, but…

I still haven’t come up with five thousand dollars.

“Thanks, Mom. You’re the best,” Colton says, breaking my thoughts as he finally pushes the door open and hops out.

I’ll figure it out. Just like always.

I climb out of the car and follow Colton across the parking lot. Valerie and Aaron are already waiting for us inside, and I’m grateful to have someone to sit with.

“Do you think Kade will be here?” Colton asks as I grab the door and open it for him. “I told him about it at practice.”

I sigh, giving him a sympathetic look. “I don’t know. He had an away game this week. I’m not sure when they will get back.”

He responds with a half-hearted nod, and I can see the disappointment on his face as we head inside the skating rink.

We make our way to the herd of kids, all preparing for tryouts.

I spot Valerie and Aaron almost immediately, thanks to their bright red hair.

Colton jogs off to get ready with Aaron, and I take my place beside Valerie and all the other parents.

“I’m nervous for him.” Valerie laughs, eyeing me. “It’s amazing how I’m not even the one out on the ice, and I think I’m more nervous than he is.”

“I get it,” I tell her, folding my arms across my chest. My sweater feels scratchy, and the jeans I wore seem too tight around the waist. “I’m nervous, too. I feel like I’m about to go on stage for a debate or something.”

She giggles. “Neither one of us was much when it comes to sports, I see. ”

“No way.” I let out a sigh and then glance up to the bleachers. “Maybe we should go take a seat now?”

She nods and then gestures for me to lead the way.

I do exactly that and find a good spot at the very front.

We have a great view of the rink, and Valerie plops down beside me.

We watch as the boys—and a whole bunch of other kids—skate out onto the ice.

I notice immediately that Colton’s skill on the ice stands out.

He’s … good .

And it makes sense, considering he’s been coached by Kade. Of course, he’s going to stand out, even if he’s not been doing this as long as some of the other kids.

“I’m surprised Kade isn’t here,” Valerie comments, sipping on an iced coffee I didn’t even realize she had. “I figured he’d show up to support Colton.”

“He had an away game,” I say, keeping my eyes on Colton. I smile as he scans the crowd, his eyes searching through the shield. His gaze finally lands on mine, and I give him a big, gaudy wave. He grins and then goes back to talking with Aaron.

Valerie and I watch as the tryouts begin.

“They’re doing really well, I think,” Valerie remarks. “I think they have a good shot at making it.”

I nod, but before I can say anything at all, someone shouts and hollers from behind the stands, and the crowd of parents begins to cheer.

“Go, Colton!” a deep voice booms across the skating rink.

I whip my head around, though I already know who it is.

My eyes land on Kade, holding up a poster board that says, ‘ Kill ’em, Colton!

’ It’s decorated up like all the signs at his games—well, and any other game, really.

I’m not sure the quality of the sign changes much between high school and professional sporting events.

Regardless, Colton gives Kade the biggest smile I think I’ve ever seen…

And I know this moment means more to him than even making the team.

Kade cheers for him once more, and then his eyes shift to the stands. My cheeks heat up as I watch his dark eyes search for me. At least, I assume he’s searching for me, and that’s confirmed when his gaze locks on mine—and then he flashes me that painfully sweet smile.

Ugh. Why does he have to be so handsome?

Kade holds up the sign, still facing the rink, as the kids get directed into groups. Then he makes his way to me, his gaze never leaving my face. My heart thrums nervously in my chest, and I try to focus my attention on the rink.

“He’s doing really well,” Kade comments, and I just nod, refusing to look over at him. “I had to drive like a NASCAR driver to get here in time. I didn’t want to miss it.” His sweet words hit me like a knife to the chest, and I can’t help it anymore—I finally look over at him.

“It means a lot to him that you’re here.” My voice isn’t nearly as strong as I want it to be, and I know it’s because of the way Kade genuinely cares for my boy. It’s rare for someone to choose to be in another person’s life the way Kade has chosen Colton.

“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Kade says, his voice confident as he rests the sign in his lap. “He’s definitely gonna make the team.”

Valerie leans over with a grin. “Is that because you’re pulling strings?”

“Ha ha.” Kade smirks. “I suppose that maybe I could, but that wouldn’t benefit the team or the boys. They need to earn their place. Though, I think they’re both going to make it on their own accord. Aaron is good.”

Valerie beams with pride. “Thank you. I’ll have to tell him you said that. I know it will mean so much to him coming from you. If I said such a thing, he’d just roll his eyes.” She lets out one of her eccentric laughs, and Kade chuckles along.

As he does, the director of the youth program clears his throat over the microphone. We both turn our heads to the middle-aged man standing in the center of the rink, a bright smile on his face.

“We’re going to wrap up tryouts for the evening.

We just wanted to thank everyone for coming, and the way you all support the league in the city.

We’ll have the results posted tomorrow evening.

If you don’t make it,” he addresses the herd of kids on the sidelines, watching him, “don’t give up.

A ‘no’ this year doesn’t mean a ‘no’ next year.

We have limited spots, and unfortunately, there’s just not enough room for everyone.

With that being said…” His voice trails off, as a song starts to play over the PA system. “Have a good night!”

The kids skate off toward the exit, and we stand to our feet, along with all the other parents.

It’s super crowded, and based on where we’re at, it’s going to be a while before we reach the boys.

I cling to my purse, all the while Kade holds his sign and Valerie leads the way.

Something about the moment feels natural.

It’s as if we’ve done this a million times.

It takes us about ten minutes to make it to Colton and Aaron, who, by the time we show up, have already changed into their street shoes. Colton has his bag slung over his shoulder, and the grin on his face makes my chest swell.

“Kade!” Colton explodes with sentiment as soon as we’re in earshot. He then rushes to Kade, wrapping his arms around his waist. “You made it! Ella said you might not make it, but you did! I knew you would!”

Kade gives him a tight squeeze, and the moment sends a rush of longing through my body.

Seeing the two of them interact in this way makes me wonder what it would be like if we didn’t have to go home to separate houses.

What it would be like if we got to spend every day together.

What it would be like if we were a … family .

That’s a dangerous thought, Ella.

Yet my mind keeps pulling me toward it.

“Have they announced it yet?” Colton asks for the hundredth time.

I open up the youth hockey webpage for the umpteenth time and check, which only leads to me shaking my head at an empty list. “Not yet. They said they would post the roster this evening. But they didn’t give a specific time…

” I give him the best smile I can manage, but honestly, I’m feeling his nerves, too.

“I’m sure it’ll pop up soon,” Kade says as he lands beside Colton and then pats his shoulder. “You can’t let it distract you too much.”

Colton gazes up at him, but even Kade can’t seem to quell the frustration. “My lessons will all be for nothing if I don’t make the team.”

Kade’s dark brows furrow, and he leans against the railing. “If you don’t make the team, then the lessons are even more important. I can talk to the director, figure out why you didn’t make the cut, and then we can work harder on developing your skills.”

Colton nods, but I can see how much this is weighing on him .

“You’re going to be okay, regardless of the outcome.” I repeat, telling him the same words I’ve been telling myself all evening.

“I guess I’ll just keep skating for a little while longer,” Colton huffs, pushing off the rail and heading back in the direction of the cones that Kade has set up.

Kade holds my gaze a little longer, just enough to cause me to squirm from the heat in his eyes. Then, Colton calls for him, and he pushes off the railing in the same fashion my son did a minute ago. I try to shake it off, but my heart beats unevenly.

I lean back against the bleacher behind me, the metal digging into my upper back.

It’s uncomfortable, but the support allows me to close my eyes for a moment and relax with a couple of deep breaths, doing my best to swallow the nerves about everything.

I want this for Colton so badly … but why does it have to be so dang expensive ?

Just take it one step at a time.

My eyes flutter open, and I reach down, once again refreshing the website. This time, the team roster pops up, and the columns are full of names. My heart jumps to my throat, and I brace as I zoom in and start working my way through the list.

I spot Aaron’s name first and smile, knowing that he’s probably elated—and so is Valerie. I continue down that list until I make it to the very last name.

“Colton Whimsy,” I read aloud, a mixture of emotions once again bubbling to the surface.

Just celebrate with him. Worry about the rest later.

Keeping my phone clutched in one hand, I stand to my feet and then make my way to the railing. Kade and Colton don’t notice my movement, as they’re working the puck through the maze of cones.

My eyes drop down to Kade’s biceps, curled and taut as he demonstrates to Colton what he wants him to do.

My mind flashes back to the parts of high school that only he knows, and it involved those arms being wrapped around me.

Goosebumps pop up on my skin, and my stomach shifts from knotted to fluttering.

Longing erupts in my chest, and I find the ache that I worked so hard to overcome a decade ago returning like it never left.

Ugh. I clear my throat, hoping to cut through my feelings while also getting Kade and Colton’s attention. They both stop and look at me. Kade instantly reads whatever is on my face and turns to Colton.

“I think Ella has some answers for us.” He keeps his tone even, calm, and basically all the things I’m not feeling right now.

“Is it posted?” Colton’s voice takes a shrill edge as he comes speed skating over, his hockey stick still in hand. “Mom, did I make it? Did I?”

“Do you want me to tell you? Or do you want to look for yourself?” I ask, keeping a blank look on my face, just for the sole purpose of not ruining the moment for him.

“Let me look,” Colton breathes out, his voice shaking. He extends his hand, and I hand him my phone. He opens the page, his face shifting to pure concentration as he reads. Finally, his body grows rigid, and a grin sweeps across his face. He turns to Kade. “I made it!”

Kade explodes with excitement, and together we all celebrate the moment, though I spend most of mine internally feeling smaller than ever. I have enough savings to cover the initial payment due at the end of the first practice…

But that’s where my finances end.

I might have to ask for help.

My eyes flicker to Kade, who’s already put his offer to pay on the table. As if he feels my eyes lingering on me, he whips his head around.

He gives me a concerned expression. “Everything okay?”

I nod. “Totally. Everything’s fine.”

It’s all fine…