Page 160 of Only Ever You

I don’t want to say goodbye.

But I need to.

Playing in the NHL has always been my dream. Being on the ice, qualifying for the Olympics in two years, is hers.

And sometimes, sacrifices have to be made. But damn, it hurts.

“I will always cheer you on. I believe in you, and I support you. That won’t change. And I will always be yours,” I tell her. “And you’ll always be mine. True or not true?”

She breaks into a beautiful smile. “True. And I plan to be your biggest cheerleader, no matter where I am.”

We’re silenced by an announcement through the overhead speakers. The attendant at gate twenty announces boarding has started.

“Kick everyone’s asses in Paris, Ice Queen.” I kiss her lips.

She shakes her head. “And you, Pretty Boy—make all those critics eat their words. Trust me. You, Michael Thompson, will be the greatest.”

I kiss her again, harder and faster this time. God, I never thought saying goodbye would be this painful.

“We’ll find our way to each other again,” I whisper against her mouth, my eyes filling with tears. “That’s a promise.”

She closes her eyes, breathes me in like she’s memorizing this moment, us, me. Then, she pulls back and lets go of my hand.

“Bye, Michael.”

Turning on her heel, she heads to the line waiting to board the plane. She doesn’t look back.

The organ beating in my chest follows her…because my heart doesn’t know how to survive without her.

Isla Walker will be mine. She’s my end game.

My everything.

part four

texts

December

Michael:

you were phenomenal! proud of you

Isla:

thank you

Michael:

that tells me everything I need to know about what you think of your free skate. can I call you?

Isla:

I’m with Elena now. I’ll call you later

Isla:

I didn’t win