The arena buzzed with noise and the sound of skates scraping against ice, pucks clattering, and the cheers of the crowd made the walls hum.
Riley sat stiffly in her seat, arms crossed, trying not to look impressed.
The Vipers had dragged her here to support the charity event, but her head was somewhere else.
She leaned toward Jade, one of the Vipers' girlfriends.
I still don't get why I had to come.
Hockey isn't really my thing.
Jade laughed, shaking her head as she said "You're impossible.
Just enjoy it, Look at the energy and also look at the guys playing their hearts out.
Riley's eyes drifted to the rink as the players skated with speed and focus, their moves sharp, and practiced.
She was ready to let her gaze wander away until one player caught her attention.
Number 27 he is a Strong stride, shoulders broad under the jersey, the kind of confidence that radiated even from across the ice.
He moved with a rhythm she recognized, something oddly familiar and her chest tightened.
"Who's that?" Riley asked, pointing casually, trying not to let her voice shake.
"That's Ethan Cole," Jade replied, eyes bright.
"Star forward, You must have heard of him and Everyone in Silver Ridge knows him.
Riley froze as she repeated the name Ethan.
The name hit her like a forgotten song, She sat back in her seat, her jaw tense.
Jade noticed the way Riley stiffened.
"Wait? Do you know him?
Riley forced a laugh, "No. Just the name sounds familiar.
But inside, her mind spun as she blinked, studying him more closely.
The sharp jawline, the focused expression, the way he tilted his head when waiting for the puck,It was him.
The boy from her childhood.
The boy who used to race her down dirt roads, who climbed trees with her until sunset. Ethan.
On the ice, Ethan skated hard, chasing the puck as he felt the rush of the game, but something tugged at him.
A pull from the crowd as his eyes flicked toward the stands during a break. That was when he saw her.
At first, his gaze swept past, just searching for a friendly face. But then his eyes landed on Riley, his breath caught.
"Riley," he muttered under his breath, his chest tightening.
"Cole, focus," one of his teammates snapped, clapping his shoulder as they prepared for the next play.
He nodded, shaking it off, but he couldn't stop himself from glancing back at her.
It had to be her.
The same dark eyes, the same fire in her stance She had not changed much, just grown sharper, stronger, like life had carved her into someone harder to reach.
In the stands, Riley shifted uncomfortably but she could feel his eyes on her.
Jade leaned closer, whispering, "Why is the star player staring at you?
Riley avoided her gaze.
"He's not staring at me. You're imagining things.
Jade smirked. "Oh, come on. He looked right at you.
Do you seriously not know him?
Riley bit her lip as Memories pushed against her defenses. The summers they spent chasing dreams.
The nights lying on the grass, pointing at constellations, promising each other they would never forget. But life had ripped them apart.
She whispered, almost to herself, "Yeah I know him.
Jade's eyes widened. "You do? Oh my god, tell me everything.
Riley shook her head quickly. "It was a long time ago. Doesn't matter now.
On the ice, the game picked up speed again. Ethan pushed himself harder, skating like the whole world was watching. But really, it was only her.
Every chance he got, he glanced toward the section where Riley sat. He wanted to be sure. He wanted to see if she would look back.
And finally, she did.
Their eyes locked for a brief second, Time seemed to stall. The sound of the crowd dimmed, and the only thing that existed was that look.
Riley's breath caught She whispered under her breath, "It's really you.
Her chest filled with shock, a flood of emotions she did not know how to place. She felt a pull of curiosity too, a need to know what had happened in all those years.
How had the boy she once knew turned into this man, a star under the spotlight?
She leaned back in her chair, trying to hide her racing thoughts.
Beside her, Jade whispered again, "I think he knows you.
Riley smirked, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"Maybe, Or maybe he's just looking at the wrong girl.
But Jade wasn't convinced.
Down on the ice, Ethan clenched his jaw.
He wanted the game to end.
He wanted to get off the rink, rip off the helmet, and ask her everything he had held back for years.
The whistle blew for a break. He skated to the bench, chest heaving, eyes drifting back toward Riley.
One of his teammates nudged him.
"What's with you? You're playing like you're chasing a ghost.
Ethan gave a half-smile.
"Maybe I am.
Back in the stands, Riley gripped the armrest of her chair. She whispered, almost too quietly for Jade to hear, "Why now? Why here?
Jade tilted her head.
"What?
"Nothing," Riley said quickly as she forced herself to look back at the ice.
But her heart wasn't steady anymore.
The game continued, but her thoughts swirled with Curiosity gnawing at her as she wanted answers.
She wanted to know what kind of man Ethan had become.
She wanted to know if he remembered everything she had buried.
And deep down, she knew he did.