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It feels like I’m choking on every single letter.
Aiden,
You were my only safe place. You were my home, and when you left, you took that with you. I don’t write this to make you feel bad. I know you regret the past, but unfortunately, the past has a way of resurfacing.
I know you went back there. I know you asked questions. I should say that I’m sorry for coming back to you, but I’m not. Having one more minute with you was worth it. Even if I have to lose you to keep you safe. But as long as you’re with me, you’re not. I lied to you when I said I wasn’t hiding something. I lied to you every time I didn’t speak my truths.
I can’t lie to you anymore. I did something. Something that eats away at me. I can’t have that hurting you.
I killed someone. His blood is on my hands.
The longer you stay with me, the more danger I bring to you. It’s only a matter of time before my drama hits you. I’m sorry. I love you. But to save you, to protect you, I need to leave. I can’t be responsible for ruining your dream.
I love you now and always.
-Your Pip
“Slate! What the fuck, man,” Dane screams, and I shake my head, pulling myself away from the memory.
I push forward, charging toward the puck. But I’m too late. Maverick, the Empires center, is pulling back and shooting. Mason tries to defend the goal, but the puck pushes past him.
As the game continues, I try to rally. Skating with determination, I relentlessly pursue the puck, but it’s no use. No matter what I do, I can’t move forward. I need to get to the bottom of Cassidy’s words. For the first time in my life, something is more important than hockey.
Now back at the airport, ready to head home, I step away from my teammates and grab my phone. I dial the number for Tony, the private investigator Mike had given me.
“Slate. Tough loss, but going into game seven on a tie is more fun. I know—”
I don’t hire him to make small talk. “No time for that. I need you for a job.”
“I’m listening,” he drawls.
“I need you to look into the death of Ace Sawyer. He died around eight or nine years ago.”
At some point, I put together a theory. My mother said Ace was dead. That he had touched Pip differently. She said she killed someone. What are the chances that it was Ace?
“Location?”
I sigh. I wish I had more to go on, but I don’t, so I give him the only information I have. “That I’m not sure, but he’s from East Sanford, Michigan.”
“Okay, on it,” he says, but I’m not finished with my request.
“I want to know everything. Every detail. I want the coroner’s report. You hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
I hang up the phone and head back to where everyone is.
“You okay, man?” It’s Hudson who speaks first. He’s always the first to get into everyone’s business.
“I’m fine,” I snap.
He whistles. “Yeah…well…you don’t look fine. Spill.”
“Give the man a break. He’ll talk when he’s ready,” Dane cuts in.
Not surprising too. Dane is almost as closed off with his life as I am. The only reason I know anything about him, despite him being one of my closest friends, is because of his sister. Molly’s the one who lets bits and pieces of his life slip out in conversation. If it were up to Dane, he wouldn’t let anyone in. He’s harder to crack than Fort Knox.
“What he said,” I grunt out even though I’ll never be ready. Because whatever I find out isn’t my story to tell.
