Page 82 of Breaking the Ice

“Did you know, once upon a time, I was an education major?” She smiles and shakes her head. “I was blinded by cute kids, but then I realized I don’t like it enough to do it every day.”

“And now you’re studying computer science?” I open a White Claw and take a sip. Apparently, movie nights are a big tradition among the hockey players, so Evan was pretty excited when Jonas texted us about this. I’m not sure I understand the significance, but I like Hadley. Her roommate, Kendall, seems nice, too.

“Yep.” She laughs. “Pretty different from teaching kindergarten. But it can take a while to figure out what’s gonna stick, you know?”

“Definitely. I started out music performance and ended up changing my mind and transferring here, so I totally understand all that.” Huh. Was it only a semester ago that I started at Harrison—and hated it? Nothing has gone the way I planned, but I glance into the living room at my husband. Maybe there’s something to be said for spontaneity and tossing the playbook out the window.

I turn to Kendall, who is snacking on a handful of trail mix. I think there’s almonds in it—note to self, make sure Evan doesn’t have any. “What’s your major?”

“Communications, but that’s not interesting.” Her dark eyes light up. “I want to hear all about life with Evan.”

“Um.” I’m not even sure where to start. What does she mean?

Hadley must sense my panic because she laughs and nudges her friend. “Don’t scare her off like that, girl.”

She clears her throat and turns to me. “She just means, what’s it like to go from flirting to married to someone? And in college, too? How’s it going with your dad? And⁠—”

“Is Evan good in bed?” Kendall bobs her brows, and my cheeks heat. Good doesn’t even begin to cover it.

“Ignore her.” Hadley rolls her eyes. “You don’t have to answer that one. But how are you doing?”

I blow out a breath and lean back against the kitchen counter. “I’m good. It’s…a lot, honestly. I went from living at home with my parents to being married overnight. But Evan is amazing, so that helps.”

“Awww.” Kendall’s voice is saccharine sweet. “You guys are so in love. It’s adorable.”

Are we? I wish I knew how Evan felt.

“My dad…well, that part is a little more complicated.” I haven’t spoken to him since I stormed into his office to give him a piece of my mind, and my mom hasn’t texted me, either. It stings. Evan said he’s still getting the cold shoulder from Dad at practices. Hopefully once this suspension is over for him, things will thaw out.

I don’t want to get into all the details, so I nod my head towards Mateo. He’s a center on the team and has been dating Kendall for a few months now.

“How are things going there?” I ask, changing the subject.

Kendall’s dark eyes practically turn into hearts. “So good. We met each other’s families over Christmas.”

I have a flashback to the married student potluck, and my stomach lurches. I hope she doesn’t ask about our Christmas experiences.

“I don’t want to rush things, but we’ve been talking about the future a little, too.” She perks up, glancing between me and Hadley. “Do you guys want kids?”

I choke on the sip of White Claw I was drinking, and Hadley pounds me on the back. I didn’t think it could get worse than the Christmas conversation, and yet, here we are.

“I’m fine.” I wave off her concern, but my face burns. That’s a totally normal question for people who are married—and something I should definitely know about my husband.

Kendall shuffles her feet. “Oh, sorry, that’s probably too personal. You don’t have to answer. Mateo and I both do, but like, way in the future. I just wondered if it hits differently once you’re married.”

“Um,” is all I manage to squeak out.

Hadley gazes over at Jonas. “You know, I didn’t want kids for a long time. I was scared. And I certainly don’t want them soon. But seeing Jonas with his nieces…”

She sighs, a contented, wistful sound. “It makes me think that it would be an adventure, something we’d be partners in together. It’s less terrifying than it used to be.”

They both look at me, waiting for my response. “I love kids,” I say.

It’s the truth. It’s part of the reason why I switched from music performance to music education without feeling like I’m settling. For all that I’m not close with my older stepbrothers and my dad and I struggle to connect, I’ve always known I want to be a mom someday.

And Evan? He’s so great with the students in his gym class—laughing and playing with them but also correcting them and teaching them how to be kind and respectful. He was amazing with the peewee players who came to the hockey clinic all those months ago. Some people are just more comfortable with kids than others, and Evan will clearly make a great dad in the future.

I settle for, “Evan loves them, too,” because it’s true. Although he’s my husband, I should know how he feels about this topic.