Page 28 of The Love Comeback (Glaciers Hockey #3)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Kade

“He scored the winning goal in his last game, I wonder what he’ll do tonight,” I muse aloud. We’re currently driving to the airport for an away game, which means I’m missing Colton’s second game—something that I’m not happy about.

“I’m sure he’ll play really well,” Cam assures.

I sigh. “I just wish there was a way to watch it. It’s not like I’ll have anything better to do on this six-hour charter flight. Might as well be able to watch the game.”

“Yeah, I don’t think they stream ten-year-olds playing hockey, bro.” Dylan snorts from in front of me. “You’ll be better off just trying to imagine it in your head. ”

“Man, what’s wrong with you tonight?” Cam shoots at Dylan.

“Sorry,” he replies, leaning his head back and shutting his eyes. “Just dealing with annoying family stuff. My sister’s best friend is coming over for dinner this weekend, but she’s planning on bringing her boyfriend this time, and he’s literally the most annoying person I’ve ever met.”

“Wow, must be bad if you’re saying that.”

I check the time on my watch, pinpointing that Colton’s game will start about twenty minutes after take-off.

“You have no idea,” Dylan groans, but then doesn’t offer up any other amount of information. I don’t bother to ask any more questions.

“You could see if someone is streaming the game on Facebook or something,” Blaze speaks up, bringing my thoughts back to Colton. “Some parents are into that.”

“Maybe…” My voice trails off as the SUV pulls into the airport. I rub my forehead, knowing I should be thinking more about my own game than trying to catch Colton’s. But for whatever reason, his game seems equally as important.

And I can’t help that he means a lot to me.

The team filters out of the SUVs to make our way to the charter plane.

My bag bounces against my shoulders as I walk across the pavement, the whir of the jet engines already purring.

I glance down at my Nikes, which are beat up and old from years of running on them.

But they’re still my favorites, so I travel in them.

I make my way onto the charter plane and find a chair, plopping my bag down at my feet.

I pull my phone out, put it in airplane mode, and then connect to the Wi-Fi.

I scroll to social media and start scouring for any footage of Colton’s game.

I find a couple of posts, but none of them are talking about actually streaming the game.

With a defeated sigh, I drop my phone in my lap and rub my temples. I suppose I could ask Ella to record it. But would that be crossing a line? I swallow hard at the thought. Would that break her rule of putting distance between us?

Probably.

“Ugh,” I grumble under my breath, knowing that the time is ticking away. I don’t want to miss seeing his second game—not after he finished his first one on such a high.

I pick the phone back up and scroll for a few more minutes, double-checking the league website and anything else that might lead me to a streaming video.

But my efforts are fruitless. If I want to see any part of Colton’s game, I’ll have to ask Ella to do something for me.

I turn to Cam, who’s sitting directly across from me. “Hey,” I call out to him. “You think it’d be okay to ask Ella if she could record the game? Or do you think that breaks the whole distance thing? ”

Cam makes a face. “You’re really that determined to see it, huh?”

“Yeah,” I don’t even hesitate. I don’t care. “I need to see his game. Otherwise, I won’t know what we need to go over the next time I have a chance to give him a lesson.”

Cam studies me for a few moments. “Well … if you can’t find some other way to watch it, maybe just send Ella a quick text and ask her.

Just don’t get upset if she says no or something.

She doesn’t have to do that for you—and don’t double-text her, either.

Say everything you need to say in one message. ”

“I second that,” Blaze calls from beside him. “Don’t ever double-text someone who’s asking for space. That’s pushing it too far. Addy would totally tell you that.”

“But didn’t you double-text Addy at one point?”

“We don’t talk about that.” He shrugs.

“Uh-huh. And what do you think, Dylan?” He doesn’t look up, currently engrossed in his phone.

“Do whatever,” he mutters, his eyes still glued to his screen.

“I guess it’s settled, then.” I swallow my nerves and navigate to the text message thread with Ella. I carefully type out a message, stopping once or twice to ensure that it sounds not pushy, extra-distant, and strictly about the game.

Me: Hey, I’m missing Colton’s game tonight. I’m pretty bummed about it. I looked online to see if it was streaming anywhere, but I guess it’ s not. Would you mind recording it so I can watch it? If not, that’s totally cool! Thanks.

I hit the send button, second-guessing myself as the bubble turns blue and then immediately shows that it’s been read. Anxiety pumps through my veins as I stare at the screen.

Come on, Ella. I just want to see the game.

My mouth grows dry as the three dots pop up on the screen, and I wait for her to type something out…

Part of me is preparing for a long text, lecturing me about bothering her.

But nothing comes.

In fact, ten minutes pass, the plane takes off into the evening, and I’m still staring at a completely blank screen.

I suppose no answer is an answer. Trying to push away the disappointment, I set my phone down in my lap and shut my eyes, attempting to will myself into a nap of sorts.

However, as soon as I start to drift off, my phone begins to vibrate in my lap, and I’m startled awake.

I almost silence it, but then choose to pick it up to see who’s calling me.

But it’s not just a phone call.

It’s a FaceTime call. From Ella.

My heart pounds as I slide to answer it, unsure if it’s a buttdial or on purpose. It takes a second to connect, and I adjust my earbud right as the noise of the crowd nearly explodes my eardrum .

I quickly turn down the volume as Ella’s face goes from pixelated to clear. “Hey,” I say, the word coming out as more of a question than a greeting. “What’s up?”

“Hey,” she replies slowly, her cheeks slightly blushed.

I try not to think about how gorgeous she looks with her hair half-up and her natural makeup done.

“I was thinking maybe you’d like to watch the game live.

It might be easier than me recording the whole thing and then figuring out how to get it to you.

Is now a good time?” She seems a little shy as her eyes bounce away from the screen and back to it.

“Uh yeah, this is totally cool,” I tell her, trying not to show too much of my excitement—about the fact that Ella is FaceTiming me. “We can make this work, but you definitely don’t have to,” I add quickly.

“No, no,” Ella mumbles, fumbling with the phone. “I don’t mind at all. I just need to get this camera switched around so that you can actually see the game… They’re about to start right now…” The phone screen switches from showing Ella’s face to the rink, and I brush away the moment of longing.

I swear, I could stare at Ella all day long.

However, as soon as the whistle blows and the game starts, I get lost in the moment, watching Colton skate like a pro. He works his position perfectly, and I cheer him on as quietly as possible, trying not to disturb my teammates on the plane.

“Go, Colton, go!” Ella’s voice fills my ears, and I smile as the camera shakes in her hand. She’s caught up in the moment, and I lose the view of Colton scoring a goal. It’s fine, though. Hearing Ella cheer him on is just as good. “He’s so talented,” she says from behind the camera.

“He is,” I agree. “He’s very talented. I’m really impressed with how well he’s playing. You’d never know this is his first year, El.”

“I know.” She beams and then sighs. “Well, actually, I guess I don’t know, but it’s clear that you taught him really well. It’s showing on the ice. I’m proud of him.”

“Me, too,” I say, my voice thickening. I stop myself from saying anything more than that, turning my attention back to the game.

For the next hour, I watch it play out, with Colton scoring three more goals.

We cheer for him every time, and about halfway through, Cam and Blaze join me, all three of us lost in little league hockey.

“I never knew this could be so entertaining.” Blaze chuckles, leaning over as a kid wipes out on the ice.

Ella gasps in my ear, but the rest of the guys can’t hear her reaction. It warms my heart that she’s so concerned for the kid’s wellbeing. That’s the way a mom should be, and I’ve always known that Ella would make the best mom. She’s just got that sense about her.

“Dude, they’re unstoppable,” Cam breathes. “And I hate to say this, but Colton is totally carrying the weight of the team. He’s got major talent. I bet he’ll be an all-star if he keeps after it. ”

“Do you really think so?” Ella’s voice chimes in my ear. “Do you think that he can be that good? I don’t want to get his hopes up…”

“If he keeps working hard, then yes,” I answer her, taking a deep breath.

I don’t know why the topic of the future suddenly feels like a weight on my chest, but the realization that I might not be a part of Colton’s future hits me like a freight train.

It’s a heartbreak in and of itself, but I don’t let it on.

“I’m really excited to see where hockey takes him, Ella. ”

“Me, too,” she replies, and while I can’t see her face, I can hear the smile in her voice.