Page 126 of Unraveling Rain
It’s covered with red hearts and cherries.
My heart skips. Hard.
And then I see her.
Rain is here.
She’s here.
Fuck.
I don’t even feel like I’m controlling my skates anymore—my body just moves. I glide straight toward her like I’m being pulled in by some invisible force.
She’s standing near the glass, her face lighting up the second our eyes meet. Her smile stretches across her juicy lips—those lips I miss more than I can say. And her piercing gray eyes follow my every move.
“I didn’t think you were coming,” I say loud enough to reach her through the roar of the crowd.
“I know. I’m sorry. I should’ve told you…” She shrugs, sheepishly. “I wanted to surprise you.”
I can’t help it. I smile. “It’s okay. You’re here. That’s all that matters.”
I lift my gloved hand to the glass, and she lifts hers to mirror me. I just stand there for a second, drinking her in. Committing every detail to memory.
Her hair’s up in a ponytail, a white bow perched on top.
She’s wearing my jersey.
Mine.
And for the first time in weeks, the knot in my chest finally loosens.
She made a sign. She showed up. She’s here to cheer me on.
Whatever happened before—whatever distance was between us—we’ll figure it out later. We have time.
She mouths,I love you.
And just like that, I feel like I can breathe again.
I mouth it back.I love you too.
A hand lands on my shoulder.
“Let’s go,” Matt says behind me.
I give her one last lingering look. One more second of connection.
Then I turn and skate back to the bench, ready for the puck drop.
Ready for anything.
The first period blurs past in a mess of missed shots and heavy legs.
No matter how hard I push, I can’t seem to catch a fucking break.
I’d never admit it, but for the first time, I feel my age pressing down on me.
In the locker room, Coach lays out adjustments and tells us where we need to tighten up. Just as I’m heading out, he stops me with a hand on my shoulder.
