Chapter 16 -Lena

The girls arrive early Friday morning, and for the first time in a long time, I’m actually excited about something.

Coach Daniels and I pull into the rental house driveway just as the van from the airport pulls up. The second the doors open, I’m nearly tackled by two of the younger skaters, Mia and Harper, both talking at the same time, both hugging me so tightly I can barely breathe.

“Lena, we missed you!”

“You look so good!”

“Are you eating enough?”

I laugh, overwhelmed in the best way. “I’m fine. I missed you too.”

Behind them, the others climb out, three more juniors, all smiling, all carrying way too many bags. And then, last as always, Sabrina steps out like she’s descending from a limo instead of a shuttle van.

She looks around Silver Ridge like she’s inspecting her kingdom. I still don’t understand why she came. Especially now that Evan told me he doesn’t even know her. But I’m not starting a fight. Not today.

Coach Daniels claps his hands. “Alright, ladies. Let’s get you settled. This place has three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and enough space for all of you. While you’re here, we’ll keep training on the pond. It’s been good for Lena, and it might be good for some of you too.”

The girls cheer. Sabrina… does not.

She wrinkles her nose. “The pond? Seriously?”

Daniels gives her a look. “Yes. Seriously.”

I hide a smile. Inside, the house is cozy, warm wood floors, big windows, a fireplace. The girls run around claiming beds and squealing over the view of the woods. Sabrina drifts through the rooms like she’s judging the décor. I focus on the younger girls. They’re the reason I’m happy today. They’re the reason I feel… normal. Once everyone settles, I gather them in the living room.

“So,” I say, trying not to grin too hard, “I have a surprise.”

Mia gasps. “What kind of surprise?”

“Evan got us all tickets to Saturday’s game.”

The room erupts.

Harper jumps up and down. “No way!”

“Are they good seats?”

“Is he playing?”

“Can we meet him?”

I laugh. “Yes, yes, and maybe.”

Sabrina steps forward, flipping her hair. “Well, obviously he did. I suggested it.”

The room goes silent. I blink. “You… suggested it?”

She smiles like she’s doing me a favor. “Of course. Evan and I talk all the time.”

I bite my tongue so hard it hurts. The younger girls look confused, glancing between us. I force a smile and move on.

“And after the game,” I continue, “he invited us to a team gathering. Just a casual hangout.”

More cheering. Sabrina beams like she planned the whole thing. I ignore her. Coach Daniels steps in. “Alright, girls. Unpack, rest, and then we’ll head to the pond for a light session. No pressure. Just movement.”

The girls scatter excitedly. Sabrina lingers, giving me a look I can’t quite read, something between smug and suspicious. I turn away, focusing on Mia and Harper instead. They’re the reason I’m doing this. They’re the reason I’m trying. And as I watch them chatter about the game, the pond, the weekend ahead… I feel something I haven’t felt in months. Hope. Even if Sabrina is here. Even if things get messy. Even if I’m still figuring out who I am without the rink. For the first time, I’m not doing it alone, and I liked it so much that I didn’t want to it go.