Chapter 17 Guilt
Liam Carter
I slammed my stick against the ice, the sharp crack echoing through the empty rink. My lungs burned, my muscles screamed, but none of it could be compared to the fire in my chest.
Ava was gone. She walked out after yelling at me in front of the entire team. And the worst part? I couldn’t even be mad at her for it.
I braced myself and got back up, ignoring the way my knee protested. One more round. I needed to get this right. I bent my knees, ready to push off, coach’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
“Enough Liam.”
I didn’t listen.
“Liam!”
I went for the move anyway, a tight stop into a sharp pivot, but the pain shot up my leg like a damn electric shock, and before I could adjust, my skates slid out from under me. I hit the ice hard, my stick clattering a few feet away.
I lay there, breathing heavily, willing myself to get up.
I clenched my fists against the ice and forced myself upright as I finally turn to face coach, with his arms crossed, face unreadable.
“What the hell was that?” he scolded
I wiped my face, the cool burn of the ice doing nothing to cool my temper.
“Late practice.”
“No, that was you being reckless.”
I pushed past him, skating toward the bench.
“I don’t need a lecture coach.”
“You need a reality check,” he shot back. “You think pushing yourself like this is going to fix everything? You think proving a point to Ava is going to change the fact that you’re not ready yet?”
At her name, my grip on my gloves tightened. “This isn’t about her.”
He snorted. “Right.”
I yanked my helmet off, tossing it onto the bench before grabbing my water bottle. I took a long drink, but the words sat heavy in my stomach, making everything taste bitter.
“Fix your attitude, Liam,” he warned, “My daughter will leave this job if she says so and you’re going to lose more than just your shot at coming back. You’re entire career could go too.”
I didn’t answer. I just grabbed my things and headed toward the locker room.
8888
By the time I got back to the apartment, the anger had settled into something worse…guilt.
I had expected Ava to be gone or still pissed, but when I walked in, she was curled up on the couch, reading a book like nothing had happened.
I tossed my bag near the door, stretching my sore muscles before leaning against the kitchen counter.
“You’re still here.”
“Yep.” She replies, not even looking up
“No passive-aggressive comments?” I frowned.
“No point.” She turned a page.
That got to me more than I wanted to admit. “Snowflakes… I…”
“I don’t care, Liam.”
“Bullshit.” I stalked closer, dropping onto the armrest of the couch.
She finally set the book down, pinning me with those sharp eyes.
“You don’t want help? Fine. Ruin your damn knee, throw your tantrums, push everyone away. It’s not my problem.”
Something about the way she said it, like she meant it, pissed me off. I leaned in, smirking.
“Oh, so now you don’t care?”
“Nope.” Her jaw tightened.
“Even after that whole dramatic speech in the middle of practice?”
“God, you are so….” She scoffed.
“So what?” I cut in, enjoying the way her eyes flashed.
“I’m going to bed.”
“I was an asshole.” I grabbed her wrist before she could move.
I was here to apologize and I knew first hand that a real apology was to be served hot and not left to linger
“Yeah. You were.” She blinked at me, clearly not expecting that.
“I shouldn’t have yelled at you.” I say letting go of her, raking my hand through my hair.
She hesitated, then nodded.
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
“I’m sorry I did”
“You definitely should be” she shrugged
I chuckled. “You gonna make me beg for forgiveness?”
She smirked, standing up.
“Oh, absolutely.”
And just like that, the tension shifted into something lighter.
She walked past me, her shoulder brushing mine as she turned to the hallway
“Goodnight, Snowflakes,” I murmured as she disappeared down the hall.
She didn’t look back, but I didn’t miss the way her steps faltered for half a second.
Yeah. She cared.
And for some weird reason, I liked that she did.