Page 84 of Second Chance Faceoff

Riley: Bold Move

The family lounge outside the locker rooms was louder than I expected—half-empty soda cans on the tables, someone’s toddler bouncing on a couch, and a woman in a jersey already retelling a play-by-play to anyone who’d listen. I stood near the back wall, nervously twisting the cap on a water bottle I hadn’t opened.

Colton’s dad was across the room, chatting with a couple who looked like they belonged—seasoned family members who knew this dance. Me? I felt like I’d walked into a party where I didn’t know the rules.

Then the locker room doors opened.

He came through, hair damp, jacket slung over one shoulder. When his eyes landed on me, there was nothing subtle about it. The grin that took over his face was pure sunshine.

Before I could even say hi, he crossed the room in three strides and pulled me into a hug.

All the noise in my head—the flights, the planning, the what-ifs—just went quiet. He really does give the best hugs.Something about the way his arms wrapped all the way around me made it feel like the rest of the world could wait. Plus—he always smelled like clean soap and just a hint of whatever cologne he pretended not to wear.

“Are you kidding me?” he said into my hair. “You actually came.”

I smiled into his shoulder. “Tessa booked the flight. Your dad gave me a ticket.”

He pulled back just enough to look at me. “Wait—my dad?”

He tilted his head slightly, the way he does when something doesn’t quite track.

I turned my head, tilting it towards his father behind me. “Yeah. He’s right here.”

Colton blinked. “You’ve been talking to my dad?”

“And yes,” his dad added with a smile, “I’ve already met your girlfriend. I have the bruises to prove it—she about crushed my forearm during that last breakaway.”

Colton laughed.

Of course, I blush. "Yeah, sorry about that."

“Great game, son,” his dad said. “Really proud of you.”

His dad offered a hand. Colton took it without a word. Both of them were smiling, just slightly.

It was short, just a few words. "I'll leave you two to catch up."

"Thanks for coming, Dad. And for getting Riley a ticket."

Colton gave his dad a quick nod, then turned back to me.

“I’m starving. “Didn’t eat before the game. Too nervous.”

I raised an eyebrow, smiling. “You get nervous? I was starting to think you were biologically immune.”

“There’s this spot near the arena,” he said, ignoring my teasing. “Maddens. Total dive. But they’ve got booths in the back. Quiet. The bartender usually saves a few booths for the guys who want to unwind after home games. You up for the best burgers in the city and the greasiest fries you've ever seen?”

I grinned. “Absolutely.”

He reached for my hand. “Let’s go.”

***

The place was exactly as advertised—dim lighting, vinyl booths that had seen better decades, and a jukebox in the corner, playing something twangy and low. Colton slid into a booth in the back, and I followed, settling into the cracked cushion across from him. A server dropped off two menus without a word.

He didn’t open his. “I still can’t believe you came.”

I shrugged, glancing down at my water. “I wanted to be here for your first game back. And thanks to Tessa and your dad. Well it all came together."

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