Page 81 of The Save

The guys nodded, tapping their sticks on the concrete. The energy shifted. Excitement buzzed like static electricity. Guys slapping each other on the back, tapping sticks, pointing out old teammates across the room.

“Alright. Get changed. Let’s get on the ice.”

As the guys hustled to the locker rooms, I turned to Kaplan. I’d guzzled my entire bottle of water and hadn’t taken a second to use the washroom. “Scrimmage teams are posted by the east door. First face-off is in thirty. Can you get them warming up?.”

He nodded, and I jogged down the corridor toward the back hallway. I turned the corner and ran into something solid.

I gasped, stumbling back, but strong hands caught my elbows. “I’m so—” Every cell in my body stood on its head.

Chase.

His hair was longer than the last time I’d seen him, brushing the tops of his ears. His grey tee hugged his chest and shoulders.His eyes were warm, a little tired, but soft in a way that made me think of Clearwater.

My breath slipped. “You got my letter.”

Chase’s brows drew together. “I haven’t gotten a letter in a couple of weeks.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. How long ago had I sent it? Definitely not weeks ago. But if he hadn’t gotten it . . . “But you’re here.”

He nodded, looping his thumbs in his jeans pockets, then thinking better of it and crossing his arms. “I caught your speech.”

My eyes widened. “You were here?”

He nodded. “In the stands.”

My cheeks flushed. “It wasn’t really a speech. Just logistics.”

There was the exhale followed by the eye drop. My heart fluttered, waiting for the smile that came next.

“This is amazing, Maddie. I’m so proud of you.” He glanced up, peering at me through his dark lashes.

“Is that why you came back? To tell me that?” My hands tingled. I didn’t want to seem impatient, but not knowing why Chase was standing in front of me gave me heart palpitations. He hadn’t gotten my letter, which meant he didn’t know how I felt. Writing it was one thing, but I didn’t think I had the courage to say it to his face. Especially when I didn’t know if?—

“I moved back,” Chase said in a rush.

The words sank into me in layers. “You—what?”

Chase smiled, a little crooked, a little unsure. “I’m back in Calgary. I’m coming back to coach.”

My eyes flooded without warning. I blinked to clear them, then pressed my lips together. He was coming back? Relief and hesitation rushed through me in equal measures. All I’d thought of was Chase coming back, but in every scenario I envisioned—Iwas becoming a master at fantasies—he and I were together. But if he was coming back to coach . . .

We’d have to keep things professional, keep our distance. The thought of that made my chest feel like it was caving in on itself. And he didn’t know I’d decided against the Rhodes, so maybe him coming back had nothing to do with me in the first place. Maybe he was here because of Blakely and Kaplan.

Chase’s smile faltered. “Maddie, I thought you’d be happy. I hoped—” He took a step closer and pulled me to him. “What the hell was in that letter?”

I shook my head, lifting a hand to his chest. “I don’t think I can do that again. I’m so glad you’re back, but if you’re going to be working here—I have one year left?—”

“One year? I thought you only had six months.”

The tears came faster. He wasn’t here because of me. My heart split at the seams, and I couldn’t stop my shoulders from shaking.

“Hey. I’m not coming back to Douglas. Is that what you’re upset about?” He pulled back and lifted his hand to my face. His thumb brushed the tear that slipped past my cheekbone.

“What?”

“I’m not coaching here.”

“But you just said?—”

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