Page 103 of Breaking the Ice

“And you’re worried if you help me, you’re going soft?”

“Maybe?” My dad frowns. “I have to keep my job and the respect of my players even after all this. I have next season to think about, along with the rest of this one.”

“Dad.” I wait for him to meet my gaze. “Your players have always respected you. Maybe it would be okay to let them love you, too.”

His mouth drops open, speechless.

“This is the perfect time to lighten up a little,” I tell him. “No one would lose respect when it’s your son-in-law. And I think they’d like seeing a more personal, relaxed side of you.”

“You’re the expert on hockey players, now?” He huffs a little laugh.

I smirk. “I’ve lived with one all my life, and now I married one. So yeah, I think I am.”

“Okay.” He reaches out and grabs my hand. “What’s this idea you need my help with?”

I tell him, and he helps me hammer out all the details. I’m nervous, but I think I can pull it off.

“Bella,” Dad says as I hover by the door, getting ready to leave. “Are you and Evan free tomorrow for dinner?”

“Probably.” It depends on how he reacts tonight but saying that entertains doubts. “Are you inviting us over?”

“Yes. I’d like to spend more time with my daughter and her husband.” He raises his brows. “How does that sound?”

“There’s nothing I’d like more.”

I close the door, and hope rises in my chest. I can do this. I can confess my feelings and communicate with my husband. I can grow in this marriage thing. He deserves nothing less. If I can talk to my dad, Evan will be easy. And despite our rocky moments, I’m pretty sure he loves me back, too.

Guess I’ll find out tonight.

Chapter

Fifty

EVAN

Isabella: Sorry I missed you at home! I got sucked into a fog of studying at the library.

Evan: If I ever say those words, please know that I have been kidnapped and someone is trying to steal my identity. Send help.

Thanks to our win last night over Notre Dame, we made it to the second round of the Big Ten tournament. As a top seed, we get home team advantage on our own ice today against Minnesota. It’s weird how it’s sandwiched in the middle of the NCAA tourney, but it keeps things competitive. I heard they had a hard time scheduling the ice time this year, so the schedule is wonky. Whatever.

“How’s it going, man?” Jonas asks, sitting down next to me in the locker room to strap on his shin guards. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

We were on the ice together last night, but I know what he means.

This season has been different than I expected. Felt different. Not living in Hockey Hall anymore, not having classes on campus this semester—it’s been hard to stay connected. My faculty advisor recommended that I wait and student teach next fall, but I didn’t want to stay an extra semester or have a semester without hockey. But after balancing my student teaching responsibilities with the demands of hockey, I understand what he was getting at. Early morning conditioning before school, a full day of work, practice after, and then staying up late to plan lessons with no breaks in sight—I’m exhausted.

“This semester’s been a lot, you know?” Jonas nods, and I continue. “Maybe too much. But at the same time, I don’t want to wish it away.”

For all that I want to sleep for a month, I’m not ready for my last season of college hockey to end. A bittersweet feeling rises in my chest as I survey the locker room. Some of these guys will go on to play pro—Mateo, for sure, and maybe Caleb if he wants. He’s good enough.

That has never been my plan, partly because I think my mom would have liked it too much. While she hates sports, she’d love the bragging rights. Me, disappearing into obscurity as a gym teacher is the ultimate revenge plan. And I actually like teaching, so it’s okay.

I can play in a beer league or coach peewee. But I only have a few more weeks left with these guys, so despite my exhaustion, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.

“Right?” Jonas leans back in his chair and adjusts his socks, dark circles under his eyes. “Clinicals are kicking my butt. But I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

“It’s our last Big Ten tourney.” I shake my hair out of my face. “And then our last Frozen Four run. It feels like just yesterday we were little freshmen. Time flies.”