Page 13 of Westward

“I’m okay. I’m just fucking with my brother.”

“Language,” Rune and Teagan said at the same time. The two met gazes and burst out laughing.

I was pretty sure Teagan and Rune cursed more than all of us combined.

“If everybody will take their seats, we can get started,” the deputy mayor said into the mic, and the room’s noise increased for a moment before settling down as chairs shifted and people found their seats.

Teagan moved to speak with Felicity, and Callum took Felicity’s other side.

Bodhi wasn’t here, and frankly, I wasn’t surprised. He rarely came to town meetings if he didn’t have to, even after falling in love with Kiera and healing. Kiera was out on tour and would be back soon, along with Briar. I missed my friend, and I hoped that she would stay a little bit longer in Ashford now that her dad was gone.

I looked around before I took my seat, and realized that Thatcher, Finnian, Kellan, Promise, and a few others weren’t here. Sterling and Bronwyn were, with Bronwyn sitting over with another group of people, and Sterling taking the other side. A woman I didn’t recognize, but who looked familiar, came in with Keely, and the two sat behind us.

“That’s Tess,” Sterling whispered, and I nodded, remembering where I had seen her. School drop-off.

Rune took the other side of Atlas, and suddenly I found myself sitting next to my ex-boyfriend.

I knew for a fact there were phones pointed towards us, and this photo would end up in the town paper. Because why not?

“Really?” I asked.

“Hey. I can’t help it that I just happened to sit here.”

This time, I rolled my eyes and shoved him with my elbow slightly.

“Ow. I’m all broken.”

“You’re a hockey player, you’re always slightly broken.”

He smirked at me, and he opened his mouth to say something else, before the mayor began to speak over the mic.

“Welcome to our town meeting.” People clapped politely, and I leaned back into my seat, turning to see if my parents had come through when I hadn’t been looking. I frowned, looked down at my phone, but didn’t see a text from them.

“Your parents?” Atlas whispered, his voice barely audible.

“They may have decided not to come. I’ll text them after the big speeches are done.”

There was a no phones policy, and I was already breaking it. My parents sometimes decided not to come to town halls, not because of their age, but because they didn’t like the current mayor. But they usually texted me.

“The first thing on our agenda is to welcome home our favorite son.” I stiffened as Atlas sighed, but he kept a smile on his face. People cheered, even as Rune booed jokingly, and I shunned Atlas slightly.

“Stand up, or this will never stop,” I said with a laugh.

Atlas gave me a look that spoke volumes before he stood up and waved.

“Thank you. Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t bring the Cup home, but hopefully next year.”

“Does that mean you’re playing next year?” a voice said from the back.

I wasn’t sure anyone else would’ve caught it, but I saw the flinch on his face, the tightening around his eyes. He hadn’t meant to mention next year. Nobody knew what his plans were. He could end his contract early this year, having played his last game and not knowing it. Or his next year could be his last since his contract was at its end. Or he could continue on, breaking his body for a game that he loved.

“You’ll have to speak with my agent,” Atlas said with a laugh, and the others joined in, before he finally took a seat. Without thinking, I reached out and squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back. I met his gaze, both of us freezing at the action, and I quickly pulled my hand away, hoping no one had seen.

I had a feeling that it wouldn’t matter anyway.

“Okay, our next item on the agenda is our reunion dance.”

Now, the groans were far more audible, but before the mayor could elaborate, Jasmine moved up to the podium and grinned.