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“Did it hurt with you and mom?” Senna asks, taking another spoonful of ice cream.
Ethan takes a moment to think. Finally, he replies calmly, “Not really. Your mom and I are better as friends than as husband and wife. In the end, it was a relief.”
“Really?” I ask, intrigued, my ice cream melting as I mix the flavors together. “You two seemed like the perfect couple.”
He shrugs, savoring some of his ice cream, then replies with his usual calm, “We had learned to play a role. It wasn’t fair to either of us to continue it.”
He looks at his watch then turns to Senna. “Hey kiddo, go ahead and finish up your ice cream. In a few minutes I have to drop you off at the hotel with your mom then head to practice. I’ve got to get ready for the big game tomorrow.”
I’m humbled as I sit there, lost in thought. How often had I complained about Ryan and myself, unaware that the seemingly perfect couple before me had been grappling with their own inner turmoil?
Quietly, I finish my ice cream, say goodbye to Ethan and Senna, and head back to my hotel room to enjoy the rest of my Saturday before the big game tomorrow.
Chapter Four
ETHAN
The St. Louis Rapids were using the arena in the morning and there are still remnants of their practice on the ice. The Zamboni has smoothed out most of the rough patches, but some areas still need attention. As I lace up my skates for practice, my mind wanders to the events of the past few days.
Having Mia back in our lives, and Amanda teasing me about it, stirs up a flurry of emotions I’d rather leave alone. Although I try to focus on the drills, Mia’s presence lingers in my mind, pulling my attention away.
I shake my head, attempting to clear my thoughts. I have a game to prepare for, and I can’t afford any distractions.
As I step onto the ice, the familiar chill of the rink envelops me, and a sense of calm washes over me. The sound of skates scraping against the ice fills the air as my teammates and I go through our drills.
During a break, I skate over to Ryan, who is watching from the sidelines. Right now, his head is down, engrossed in whatever he is reading on his phone.
I know he attends our games and practices to show his support as the CEO of a sponsoring company, but I also think he’s there because he still loves hockey. He used to play, but he chose to pursue business when his hockey career didn’t take off. I like to think he’s here to support me as my brother too.
But as I reach him, I can’t ignore the tension simmering between us.
“Hey, Ryan,” I say, gliding to a stop before him.
Ryan looks up, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. “Hey, Ethan. How’s practice going?”
“It’s going alright,” I reply, trying to keep my tone casual. “Listen, about the other day...”
Ryan’s expression darkens, and he nods, acknowledging the unspoken tension. “Yeah, Ethan, there’s something I need to talk to you about, too. It’s about Mia.”
My expression softens, but I can’t resist the urge to tease him. “What is it? Do you want her back?”
Judging by his downturned gaze, it looks like Ryan really needs a friend right now. “I know I made a lot of mistakes.”
My gaze is sympathetic, though I don’t pity him. Stalling over a girl like Mia for over eight years just for her to finally leave must be eating at him. “Then what is it?”
Ryan sighs loudly and runs a hand over his face. “She’s doing just fine without me, man.”
I shrug, eyes wide with surprise. “What did you expect? For her to be crying over you?”
He tenses, growing more and more exasperated. “I just didn’t expect her to be so… indifferent.”
I bob my head from one side to the other, trying to understand. “Do you regret that you two aren’t together anymore?”
“She was the best,” he admits. “However, I realize I let it go on too long. I felt comfortable with her, and in my selfishness, I stayed in the relationship, knowing deep down I couldn’t give her more.”
I reach out a hand, placing it reassuringly on his shoulder. “Try to see this as a learning experience. I got Senna and a good friend out of my relationship. What did you two get together?”
Ryan sighs with frustration, his jaw clenched. “It was a learning experience,” he murmurs. “Seeing her again was harder than I thought it would be, and I feel terrible.”
