Love on Thin Ice
The physical contact with the object was an absolute assault on my defenses.
The memories came rushing back in a violent, suffocating wave—the rough texture of his calloused thumbs wiping away my tears in the diner, the deep, reassuring rumble of his laugh against my collarbone, the terrifyingly beautiful weight of his body pressing me into the hallway wall just the night before.
The hatred between us was so loud, but the traces of our smoke were still thick enough to choke me.
I collapsed completely onto the cold hardwood floor, curling my knees toward my chest as I clutched the heavy rubber puck against my ribs.