Chapter 46 Alex
ALEX
Iwas at the rink way earlier than I needed to be.
The place was already buzzing. I stood near the entrance, scanning every person who walked through the doors, waiting for Eleanor’s familiar smile.
Nothing.
I checked my phone again and sent her another text.
You close?
No reply.
I tried calling her.
Straight to voicemail.
A little knot formed in my stomach. That wasn’t like her.
I told myself she was probably just busy getting ready, or stuck in traffic, or wrangling Ava. But the minutes kept slipping by, and the knot kept tightening.
I tried again.
Voicemail.
Something was wrong.
Mel skated over, helmet tucked under her arm. “Do you know where Eleanor is? She was supposed to be here ten minutes ago.”
I shook my head. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of her. Nothing.”
We both stood there, worry settling in like a weight.
“Maybe Ava’s holding her up,” I said, grasping at something normal.
Mel frowned. “Ava’s with Becca. She’s bringing her and Leo in a little bit.”
That was when the knot in my stomach turned cold.
“I’ll find her,” I said, already pulling out my phone again as I headed for the door.
I was in my car before her voicemail finished greeting me.
As I backed out of the parking space, there was a soft thump from the back seat. I twisted around, and there it was.
Her blue skate. Sitting on the floor like a quiet warning. Something was wrong.
I drove like hell, every red light feeling like a personal insult, my pulse pounding in my ears. I made it to her mother’s house in less than five minutes, pulling up to the curb with my heart in my throat.
The place looked the same as always, pristine, silent, controlled.
I shoved the nerves aside.
There wasn’t time for that.
I grabbed the skate, got out of the car, and walked straight up to the door, lifting my hand to knock.
And then the door flew open.
There she was.
Eleanor stood on the threshold, eyes bright with tears, fury and heartbreak fighting across her face. She looked like she was about to cry or scream or maybe both at once.
I just stared at her, stunned, still holding her blue skate in my hands.
“Hey,” I breathed. “I think I found something of yours.”
“You came,” she said, breathless and wild-eyed.
“Of course,” I told her. “I’ll always come for you.”
She grabbed the skate from my hands and spun, taking off up the grand staircase two at a time. I stood there for half a second, completely lost, before I heard her mother’s voice raised inside the house.
“We’re not done.”
Eleanor came flying back down the stairs with her bag in hand.
“Yes, we are,” she shot back, and then she was past me, out the door, headed straight for my car.
I followed without question, heart pounding, not even sure what was happening anymore, just knowing I was going with her.
We barely had the doors shut before I pulled out of the driveway.
“What happened?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even as my heart hammered.
She launched into it, keys, phone, the silent treatment, her mom trying to ground her like she was still a kid. Every word made my grip tighten on the steering wheel. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Here,” I said, handing her my phone at the next red light. “Text Mel. Let her know you’re on your way.”
She typed fast, fingers shaking, then held it up so I could see.
This is El. Alex is my prince charming and saved me from the grips of my mother. I’ll explain. On my way.
I snorted despite everything. “That’s one hell of an entrance.”
We were already back on the road to the rink, and for the first time since I’d gotten there, I could finally breathe.
Somehow, Eleanor managed to get almost all of her gear on in the car.
By the time we screeched into the rink parking lot, she was strapped into pads and a helmet, skates clutched in her hands, eyes blazing with determination.
Five minutes.
That was all we had.
She kissed me fast and fierce and ran for the door, already pulling on her helmet as she went. “I love you,” she tossed over her shoulder, before disappearing into the team room.
She had just said she loved me. I wasn't even sure if she knew she said it. But I heard it, and damn it felt so good. I loved her too. More than I had loved anyone in a long time. I would tell her when she was done.
I headed for the bleachers where Becca, Ava, and Leo were waiting.
“Why was my mom late?” Ava asked, voice small but steady.
“I’ll let her tell you later,” I said gently. “But she’s here now. She’s ready to go.”
“Yay!” Leo bounced on the bench like he was made of springs. Derby bouts always wound him up, but tonight he was practically vibrating.
Ava sat quietly beside him, eyes on the track.
I couldn’t quite read her.
I just hoped she was okay.
We all sat there nervously waiting for the bout to begin.