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“Did he hurt you?” I all but growled. “Because if he did, I swear to⁠—”

“Calm down.” She patted my arm. “He didn’t hurt me, unless you count shredding my heart. It’s more that I don’t trust myself around him.”

“Mm.” I studied her, full of questions. “Is that why you quit the Hawks?”

After a summer away with Cece, Georgia had decided to leave her position with the team. The news had come as a surprise, but I could see how much she’d enjoyed her travels.

“I wanted⁠—”

“Don’t give me the canned answer you’ve been telling everyone,” I said. “I want the truth.”

“The truth is,” she sighed, “I need to make some changes in my life.”

I nodded. “I can understand that.”

Before I could press her on it, she stood, tugging on my arm. “Come on. Let’s get this over with. I promised my brother I’d come for family day, and I won’t let him down.”

“Fine.” I stood, lumbering down the tunnel toward the ice.

The whole team was already out there, and I hung back at the entrance to the rink, watching as they laughed and took photos with their families. Gabe’s mom and sister were wobbling on their skates, smiling at him. Cece couldn’t make it, but I figured she didn’t want to distract from the team. Frasier was wearing Morgan in a baby carrier as he and Bryn skated around the ice.

I frowned, wondering if that would ever be me. Wondering if Logan would ever be out there on the ice with me, by my side. She was my family, my heart, and I didn’t want to go another day without her.

“Am I making a mistake? Giving her space? Should I be going after her or doing something?” Anything?

I’d been trying to give Logan what she’d asked for. I was trying to be patient. But after nearly two weeks, I was going out of my fucking mind.

“One of the reasons you and Logan work so well together is because you don’t push her—you support her. And even though it feels like you’re doing nothing, you’re actually giving her exactly what she needs.”

I hmphed, crossing my arms over my chest. Even if Georgia was right, this still sucked.

Georgia tensed, but she continued smiling brightly. “Now, I need you to do me a favor.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Don’t leave my side.”

I peered down at her. “Am I going to lose my job over this?”

She laughed, her hand resting on my arm. “Of course not.”

One glance at Atlas, and I wasn’t convinced. He looked as if he might murder me, and he definitely had the means to cover it up. But I wasn’t scared of him, and I’d do anything to protect my friends. And as I glided onto the ice, with Georgia at my side, I felt a little less alone.

The rest of the event was fine. I distracted myself by sharing some content to my socials, hoping my smile didn’t look as forced as it felt. I scored some tickets to an LA Leatherbacks game, and I was looking forward to watching our pro soccer team dominate.

But by the time I finally made it home, I was drained. I kicked off my shoes and tossed my keys in the bowl before heading for my bedroom to change. But when I reached the doorframe, I froze.

Logan was crouched over a suitcase, and my heart stopped. She was here. She was back. I ached to hold her in my arms. God, how I’d missed her.

She stood, slowly unfurling herself. She looked tired, tortured almost. And something inside me broke a little at the sight of her looking so defeated.

“Hey,” I said, still stunned to see her. I hadn’t even realized she’d returned to LA. Had she been hoping to grab the rest of her things while I was out, avoiding me entirely? I winced at the idea.

“Can we talk?” she asked, her eyes still on the floor.

Shit. I cringed because I knew exactly what that meant, but I tried not to show it as we headed out to the living room. She was ending things.

“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked, even though the apartment felt like her home as much as it did mine. At least, it had to me.