Page 5 of The Love Comeback (Glaciers Hockey #3)

Chapter Five

Ella

“I love Mondays!” Colton beams as he climbs into the car. “I’m so ready to skate. Kade said we might start working on harder drills today.”

“That’s exciting,” I say, keeping a smile on my face as he climbs in and tosses his backpack across the backseat. Kade’s been pouring himself into Colton, and it strikes a nerve in my chest—so much so that I have to just … not watch .

“Aaron told me today that you’re best friends with his mom,” Colton says, changing the subject, and I’ll take it, considering most of our conversations involve Kade these days.

“Well, Valerie and I do work together.” I drive toward the ice rink.

I’ve been eating lunch with Valerie every day since the morning we made the robotics team application, and I must admit that it’s starting to feel like we might be friends.

Which is nice, since I don’t really know anyone here in the city.

“Why can’t you just say that you’re friends?” Colton makes a face. “It’s not that big of a deal to be friends. Grown-ups are so weird.”

“Tell me about it,” I snort, which makes him laugh. His eyes light up and he leans back, content with our conversation. I run through options for dinner tonight. Though cooking isn’t my strong suit, I never have enough time to spend on it, and by the time we get home…

I’m too tired for complicated recipes. So we usually end up eating some variation of chicken and rice.

I navigate through the parking lot, noting a pretty redheaded woman wrapped in the arms of one of the Glaciers’ hockey players leaning against a sports car.

I’m sure that Kade is friends with them, and the fact that I have no idea who most of the people are that he hangs out with only serves to make the disparity feel greater.

“I’m going to be a pro one day,” Colton says as he unbuckles his seatbelt. “And when I am, will you come to my games?”

I raise my brows as I grab my bag. “Of course. I’d be at every single one of your games—and I’d have one of those great big signs. Maybe it’d say, ‘That’s my little boy out there!’”

He crinkles his nose in disgust. “Please don’t do that.”

“Oh, I will,” I tease him, climbing out of the car as he lets out a pained huff. My eyes flicker back to the couple standing by their car, watching us. I swallow hard as they smile and wave…

Like they know us.

“That’s Cameron Hastens,” Colton points out, waving back at him. “And I think that’s his wife or something. I only know ’cause Aaron says he’s with some redheaded chick that kind of looks like his mom—and that he wishes his mom would’ve married Cameron instead.”

“Wow, okay,” I mutter, ducking my head and guiding him toward the front doors. “You need to tell Aaron that he shouldn’t compare people like that.”

“Yeah, and Aaron’s mom is way too old for him. She’s, like, thirty-five.”

“Is that when they start serving senior citizen meals?” I giggle, making Colton laugh along with me. “Maybe I’ll be on the discount menu soon.”

“You’re only twenty-seven.” Colton nudges me. “When you turn thirty, you’ll probably have to worry.”

“Good to know,” I say. “I’ll write that down.” I hold open the door for him and he slips through, his skating bag slung over his shoulder. He picks up into an excited jog, and I hang back, per usual.

By the time I’m through the doors, Colton is already fitting his rental skates to his feet while Kade leans over the rails, a grin on his face.

My heart flutters in my chest, but I ignore it.

It doesn’t matter how handsome Kade is, or that he’s giving Colton skating lessons that I can’t afford.

Though I know I could express my gratitude better.

It’s just so hard to open up to someone who hurt me so badly…

Even if it was years ago.

It’s not like I hold it over his head, and that’s what I remind myself as I take my seat on the bleachers.

There’s no unforgiveness when it comes to how things went down between us.

He did what was best for himself, and I can’t fault him for that.

There’s just a part of me that’s worried about getting too close.

Because I might start to fall for him again.

My mind throws out the obvious answer, and I know that’s it. I’m self-aware. I’ve been through therapy, thanks to my divorce. Well, that, and I’m trying to be as best of a mother figure to Colton as I can.

Anyway, I know my limitations. I know I have trust issues.

And therefore, I know that Kade is a bad, bad idea.

“Alright! Ready?” Kade’s voice booms through the rink, sending a shiver down my spine as my mind tries to remind me that I know what that voice sounds like in the dark and quiet, too.

“Let’s go!” Colton pumps his fist into the air and skates out onto the ice with a level of confidence that he didn’t have a couple of weeks ago.

It makes my heart happy to see him skating with ease—and so joyfully.

Despite everything he’s been through, Colton has a heart of gold and joy that lights up a room.

May we all be more like Colton.

Kade cheers for him as he skids to a stop in one graceful move, and I can’t help but smile at the sound. I shout some praise as well, but Colton only sees Kade. He’s beaming down at Colton with pride written all over his face, his eyes alight with so much joy. It’s palpable, even from the stands.

He’ll make a great dad someday…

The thought comes with a startling thump in my chest, and I push it all away. This is exactly why I have to be careful around Kade. He’s so charming, it could be a sin. Everyone loves Kade, and if they don’t, then they’re crazy, honestly. He gives everyone everything…

Well, except for me.

I scoff at myself, ignoring the little pang of hurt that reverberates in my chest cavity. It’s unwanted, and considering how long it’s been since Kade and I broke up, it shouldn’t even be there. I should be able to see Kade and not think about what happened between us all those years ago.

But I saw forever with him … and he only saw hockey.

It’s a decision that’s clearly paid off. He’s a professional hockey player now, and can probably have just about any girl he wants…

Meanwhile, I’m a single parent—and divorced.

Ugh .

With a sigh, I dig into my bag and fish out my phone, deciding now is as good a time as ever to check in with my mom. I hit the call button and put my phone to my ear. It rings a few times, and then, as soon as her voice comes over the line, I breathe a little easier. “Hey, Mom. How’re things?”

“It’s fine and good,” she says shortly. “How’s Colton? Does he have skating lessons today?”

“Yes, he does,” I say, noting that she’s currently in her lucidness. “And I think he’s starting to like Kade more than me.”

“Well, Kade always was a charismatic kid, more so than his twin brother … Nate? I think that’s his name.”

“You’re right,” I tell her. “It’s been about a decade since we’ve even really talked about the Santos brothers, you know? And now, here I am, watching Kade Santos teach Colton how to skate.”

“I bet that would make Brett happy.”

I swallow the grief. “I know it would make him happy. Colton’s definitely got his dad’s talent for this. It’s clear as day.”

She laughs softly, though it holds an air of sadness. “Well, Colton’s got one of the best coaches he could possibly have, too, so I’m sure that’s helping.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” My voice falls flat.

“I’m really glad you reconnected with Kade,” Mom chimes. “I sure liked him. He was a good kid. He just had to grow up. Seems like he’s done that, and he’s successful, too.”

And can date models if he wants.

I hold my tongue and instead make an “uh huh” kind of noise. I don’t feel like expanding on the subject of Kade after sitting here and mulling over how amazing of a father he’d be.

It’s just pure torture to continue.

“Well”—I clear my throat—“I was just hoping to call and check in on you. I hadn’t heard from you in a few days, and you know I get worried.”

“Oh, I’m fine. You worry too much about me, El. I’m right as rain here. You know Chandra keeps a close eye on me, too. The woman will barely let me walk outside without following me like a little dog.”

I laugh, but it fades to a sigh. “I know it’s a little much, but she’s just trying to do her best. I don’t know what we’d do without her.”

“I know, I know ,” Mom mutters. “I’ll keep her around—and I kind of like her, but don’t tell her that.”

“You got it.” I giggle, shaking my head as my eyes flicker back out to Colton and Kade. They’re laughing, skating patterns on the ice through cones Kade set up. Colton is grinning ear to ear, and Kade is going easy beside him. He makes it look so effortless, and I hate the way it’s mesmerizing.

“Well, I’m about to eat dinner,” Mom says, cutting into my thoughts. “I’ll let you go. Tell Kade ‘hi’ for me.”

I don’t think I’ll do that.

“Okay, love you, Mom.”

“Love you, El. Have a good evening. Oh and—”

“Yes?”

“Be easy on Kade. He was just trying to make everyone happy all those years ago. He was under a lot of pressure.”

“Yeah, okay,” I say quickly. The guys start skating in my direction.

“Talk to you later, mom. Love you.” I hang up just as they make it to the gate, feeling a mix of emotions.

I’m grateful for days like today, when I can talk to my mom and she remembers details about my life.

But I’m also sad, knowing it’s only a matter of time before her dementia takes over.

I plaster the sweetest look I can muster on my face as Kade and Colton approach. “Hey, lessons are already over?”

“Yeah.” Colton’s shoulders slump. “Kade says he has plans tonight, so he needs time to get ready.”

“Oh?” I cock a brow, unable to hide my intrigue—mostly because Kade’s cheeks are lighting up in a shade of crimson. “Big plans with the team?”

He shakes his head. “No, it’s a … date .” His voice comes out awkward.

I ignore the way my heart drops in my chest.

“Well, that’ll be fun.” I stand to my feet, my knees feeling like they might give out at any moment. “I hope you have a great time.”

“Yeah, we’ll see. It’s kind of a blind date,” Kade explains with a shrug. “Nate set me up with her, so who knows how it’ll go.”

I nod. “Those are always fun. Though, I’ve never been on one.” I turn to Colton, who already has his Converse on again. “ Let’s get going. We need to get out of here so Kade has the time he needs to get ready.”

“Okay,” Colton hums, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he hops up.

I give Kade a smile and a small wave, then lead Colton through the doors and into the lobby. He looks up at me with a curious look on his face.

“How come you didn’t marry Kade? He’s super cool.”

My smile falters as I push open the door for him. “It just didn’t work out.”

And he didn’t want to marry me.