Page 68 of Melt His Heart

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It’s fucking cold in Ohio. No one told me. I mean, I knew it was going cold, but why does it feel a bit colder here than New Jersey? I’m sure it’s the same, but it doesn’t feel like it today. I pull my coat around my body tighter as we wait in line to get inside the arena. There’s so many people. I try to huddle closer to Liam and Kevin.

“Hopefully this line moves a little, it’s cold as fuck.” Kevin laughs.

“Yeah. Cold is definitely right.” I say, shivering in my thick jacket. That’s not helping.

“We should get some snacks!” Liam grins.

I’m surprised he seems even more excited than Kevin about this game. Though I think Liam is more concerned with me and Carson seeing each other than anything.

Kevin gave us the entire rundown of every player on Ohio’s team and the odds of us beating them; he says we’re evenly matched. But I hope Carson and his team can pull through and do well tonight.

We finally get into the arena and grab snacks, mostly to appease Liam. Kevin leads the way to our seats. I tried to make sure we were close, not only so I can see Carson, but I’m just super thankful for the two of them coming out here with me. I want them to know in some way, even if I haven’t said it.

It must be working because Kevin is gushing to Liam about the seating I chose.

“Mmm, I can’t wait to see the boys.” Liam grins.

“Can you cut it out, Liam!” Kevin rolls his eyes. He says he hates it when Liam talks about how hot the hockey players are, but I think we both know he’s also thinking it too.

“Thanks for the tickets, Julian.” He says over Liam’s lap.

“Oh no, of course, thanks for coming with me.” I smile.

“Hey, I mean if you wanna take us to games with damn near on the ice seats to get your man back, call anytime,” Kevin replies, and all three of us laugh.

“You’re so silly,” I say.

“Have you told him you’re here?” Liam whispers.

“I haven’t…I want to text him but…”

“You should.” He says, winking at me before turning his attention to Kevin’s third verbal essay about hockey.

I pull out my phone while they’re distracted, opening me and Carson’s thread. We haven’t texted one another since the day of our spat. It’s making me sick seeing visual evidence of how long it’s been since I’ve spoken to him.

Me: Hi. Why didn’t you tell me Ohio is so cold too?

Carson: baby…

Carson: are you here?

Me: Maybe.

Carson: i’ll come to you, where are you?

Me: If you win, I’ll forgive you.

Carson: guess i’ll be winning then ;)

Me: :)

Carson: i missed you…

Me: I missed you too. Good luck tonight.

I take a deep breath, my hands shaking a bit as I put my phone away. The lights start to lower and the announcer calls out the teams. The crowd is rumbling as their home team races onto the ice, but not so much for Carson’s team. I almost want to laugh because it’s so different in figure skating where we’re all mostly cheered on, even if not equally.