ALMOST LETTING GO

Ethan was kneeling beneath a canopy full of white roses and petals, decorated in both blue and gold. His grin was impossible to hide—the kind of smile she once believed was meant only for her.

Standing before Ethan was Sophie, a diamond ring sparkling on her finger. Her stomach twisted. She couldn't look away from the ring, from Ethan's smile, from the hand that should never be holding that ring.

The caption beneath the post read, "She said yes. Our happy life starts now."

“Whatever.” Her voice came out barely above a whisper. Her thumb moved before she could stop it, scrolling down the comments. She spotted the first few.

“The ring is gorgeous.”

“He definitely upgraded.”

“Looks like he found the right one.”

Every comment seemed to be on Ethan's side. No one asked where she had gone, not even a single person. She stared at the screen in silence.

Just then, three sharp knocks echoed through the apartment, cutting through the silence.

“Lena," Emma called.

She remained silent.

“If that's you pretending to be asleep, then I'm using the spare key now.”

Lena groaned. Damn it, she had been caught. She threw herself onto the bed, clutching a pillow to her chest. Emma stepped inside, concern creasing her forehead.

“Hey, babe. You okay?” Lena simply stared at her. The words felt heavy to say. “He is engaged.”

Emma exhaled slowly. “I saw it, and I know it must be hard for you, especially with that goddamn bitch Sophie,” she said, irritation creeping into her voice.

“He is dead to me, so he can go on engaging whoever the fuck he likes.”

“That's the spirit!”

“Did I just say that?” She let out a soft, humorless chuckle. “I guess I'm already moving on.” It didn't erase the ache in her chest, but for a moment, she felt relieved.

“There's something I need to tell you,” Emma said, dragging a hand down her face before continuing. “Aiden has officially been chosen to play for the New York Blizzard.”

“He got chosen.” Emma gave a small nod.

 “Holy crap!”

How could she forget the promise she made to her brother, Aiden, that she'd be seated in the front row if he happened to be chosen, and he was—unfortunately, during her breakup week.

“Remember the promise you made to him."

She wouldn't have hesitated to go, but every invitation came with the fear of running into Ethan.

“Aiden has always had your back, Lena, through every situation, and this promise you made to him means a lot to him. Breaking it now means breaking his heart, just like Ethan did to yours.”

“I... can't.”

“No, you can't do that now. Is it because of Ethan?” Emma blinked at her.

“Ethan will be there, reporting live from the arena.”

“Then don't look at his damn face. Don't let that fucking asshole ruin your promise to Aiden.” Silence settled between them once more.

Emma grabbed the newspaper she had kept on the table earlier and tossed it onto Lena's lap. “Look at this,” she pointed to the front page. “That's your brother on the front page, representing the New York Blizzard. This was his dream, Lena.”

Lena barely heard her as her attention had shifted to the newspaper on her lap. She flipped to the next page, desperate to focus on anything other than Ethan. She came across an ad on the third page.

She stopped mid-turn.

Her eyes landed on a tall, broad-shouldered man in the newspaper. He had dark brown hair that looked more like burnt orange with a touch of blonde.

His sharp blue eyes were fixed on the camera, a hockey stick resting on his shoulder, and his other hand held a bottle of the sponsor's drink to his lips.

The light smile on his lips was impossible for Lena to read. Her gaze dropped to the bold name beneath the photograph: Noah Hayes—hockey superstar.

Her thigh clenched.

Damn it.

The guy in the newspaper looked hot. His abs looked perfect, hotter than her fucking ex-boyfriend.

“Lena.” Emma's voice cut through the silence that rested in the room for what felt like forever.

“You know what? Screw Ethan. I’ll go to Aiden's game.”

“Really?” Emma's grin appeared instantly. Besides, there would be plenty of hot hockey players. Who knows? if you would get to hook up with someone. A small smile tugged at Lena's lips. “You’re impossible.”

Lena stood in front of her closet as her gaze drifted over the rows of clothes before settling on a pair of blue jeans and the Blizzard jersey.

Emma had given her twenty minutes to get ready, but somehow she found herself taking thirty minutes. If going to Aiden's game would distract her from the breakup, she would be more than willing to go.

“Lena." Emma's voice cut through her thoughts.

“Coming,” she dragged her feet to the living room, wearing a pair of vibrant blue jeans and white pair of sneakers paired with Aiden's Blizzard jersey.

She had simply made sure she looked presentable, even if she knew she was a little overdressed.

“Hmm! Looks like someone is planning to hook up with a hot new dude.” Emma's teasing voice echoed through the living room as she sipped a cup of steaming coffee.

Just trying to look good,” Lena replied.

“And hot,” Emma added with a shrug. A small smile escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Emma talked almost the entire drive to the arena while Lena stared out the window, half-listening.

Her gaze landed on the billboards that was staged on every street they had driven past. It featured the same hockey player she had seen earlier in the newspaper.

Noah Hayes.

His face stared down from the billboard.

There was a small smile on his face, she hadn't realized she'd memorized from that single glimpse of him in the newspaper.

For some reason, she felt as though Noah Hayes's eyes were following her as the car drove past.

Her nipples felt hard.