Page 133 of ICED
When Lila’s finally asleep, after three books, two bathroom trips, and one demand for “the song with the big bear voice”, I find Owen in the kitchen, wiping down the counters.
I step in close. Place my hand on his chest.
“You keep showing up,” I say.
He looks down at me, cupping my face. His brows are low, his expression unreadable and full of everything.
“So do you.”
I lean up and kiss him. Slow. Certain. Not because I’m afraid, but because I’m not.
Because I want this. Him. Us.
The way he holds me like I’m not fragile, just precious.
Once we’re curled up on the couch in his hoodie, a half-eaten muffin in my lap and my feet tucked beneath his thighs, I realise something.
I’m not waiting for the next disaster. I’m not flinching at every sound.
I’m just here.
And for once,herefeels like exactly where we belong.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
JACKO
Ispot her the second I skate out for warmups. Front row, right behind the Raptors bench. Maya, wrapped up in my hoodie, and Lila beside her in full kit; jersey, beanie, even a foam finger almost as big as her head. She waves it wildly the second she sees me. My chest tightens and stretches all at once.
I tap my stick against the boards as I skate by. She beams. Maya mouths, “Good luck,” but it’s Lila who steals it.
“GO BEAR!” she screams, like her little lungs were built for it.
I grin under my helmet. Yeah, I hear you, kiddo.
It’s a big one tonight. Second to last game before playoffs. We need this win to lock in a spot in the championship. The other team knows it. They’ve come out swinging.
By the second period, we’re tied 2-2 and the game’s gone feral.
I’ve taken three hits I wouldn’t call clean. Neither would Jonno. He’s barking from the bench, jaw tight, eyes scanning like he wants to suit up and go in himself.
Murphy’s already bleeding from the lip. Dylan’s got a slash across his shinpad that split the tape. And I’m seeing red, not just from the scoreboard.
They’ve got a guy on the other team, number 57. Big, greasy, and smug. He’s been targeting our rookies all night,chirping, elbowing, getting under everyone’s skin. He checks Ollie hard behind the net and skates away grinning.
Ollie pops up. Tough. But I can see the wince.
That’s it.
Jonno gives me one look and a sharp nod.
I drop the gloves.
Meet him centre ice. The crowd surges to their feet. I can hear the roar through the boards. Hear Lila yelling somewhere in the chaos.
57 turns, smug expression fading fast.
Good.
