Page 54 of Icing on Top

“Maybe they saw us talking and didn’t want to interrupt,” Miah offered.

Whatever their reason for not returning, I was grateful for it. I felt cracked open and raw. I’d never told anyone my story. I couldn’t even recall the last time I’d faced the memories of my accident straight-on. But I could breathe easier now having shared them with Miah.

Chapter 22

Zoe

Miah might as well have been the rope in a game of tug-of-war, his arms stretched in opposite directions trying to keep a hold of both mine and Charlie’s hands. Charlie walked as fast as her little legs would take her, dying to get to the arena, and then there was me, dreading what awaited me inside and dragging my feet.

I’d been sick to my stomach all day, and I’d considered cancelling more times than I could count. But every single time I picked up my phone to text Carter and tell her we weren’t coming, Charlie’s precious, little face popped into my head and I put it back down.

Carter hadn’t been able to meet up today since the team had barely gotten to Denver with enough time for a pre-game skate due to weather, but we made—tentative—plans to grab lunch tomorrow before they left. It at least bought me another day before I had to properly face her on my own after shutting her out for so long. Maybe by then I would be able to put into words how sorry I was for it.

At least I would have Charlie there as a buffer tonight. Carter had invited the two of us to sit on the bench while the team warmed up. Charlie had squealed so loud when I told her that my ears rang for several minutes after. I, on the other hand, had heart palpitations.

But I would do it for Charlie. Anything for her. The whole point of this was to have a special night for the two of us. And it would be. Even if I had to fake a smile all the way through it.

Miah walked with us into the back area, having already known his way around thanks to Wes, but that ended when we reached the doors that lead to the locker rooms. Charlie moved to stand in front of her dad, blocking his path.

“It’s girls only, Daddy.”

“Yeah. No boys allowed,” I managed to tease.

His eyes narrowed slightly at me, but the corner of his lips twitched in amusement. Outnumbered, he took a step back.

“I get it. Let you have your special time with Zoe and the team. I’ll get some pictures of the two of you out there.” He bent down to press a kiss to the crown of her head. “Have fun, Tot.”

“I will!”

Miah shook his head before turning to me. He didn’t even hesitate to lean in and give me a kiss as well, except mine was on the lips. I glanced nervously toward Charlie. We’d never shown any affection around her outside of hugs or holding hands. But she just grinned up at us like the Cheshire Cat, and, if anything, that just made my cheeks burn even more.

Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me through the doors. Miah shot me an encouraging thumbs up before they swung shut behind us. I spotted Carter as soon as we rounded the corner, talking to a staff member. I’d recognize her tall frame anywhere. Her dark waves were braided and wrapped up in a secure bun at the nape of her neck, her signature hairstyle. The nostalgia hit me hard.

She turned at the sound of our footsteps echoing along the concrete and hurriedly excused herself from her current conversation before jogging over to us.

“Danny!”

God, how long had it been since I’d heard that nickname?

I forced a smile onto my face as Carter held her arms out for a hug. With her pads already on, I could barely get my arms around her.

“Hey, Carter.”

She pulled back to look me over, and I wilted under the scrutiny of her dark brown eyes.

“Wow. It’s been, what? Ten years? And you still look exactly the same as you did in college.”

I scoffed, waving her off. “Oh, hush. You look amazing. Far more in shape than I am.”

Carter opened her mouth to argue, but then she registered Charlie beside me and instantly bent down to her height.

“You must be Charlie. Zoe told me that you’re a goalie. Is that true?”

I’d never seen Charlie at a loss for words, but she was starstruck. All she could do was give her a shy smile and the smallest hint of a nod.

Carter wasn’t fazed. “I’ll have to introduce you to our goalie, Marley.”

Then she stood and turned her dazzling smile back onto me once more. I subconsciously reached for Charlie’s hand again, more so to ground myself than to keep her close. I trusted her not to wander. Couldn’t say the same for myself.