Back to You

Ethan

I couldn't sit there anymore. I was so angry, I understand that she was afraid, her ex abused her but why run, why not come to me, and ask for help. I could have helped her but instead she just disappeared knowing she was carrying my child. She could have even messaged me and lie to me but to leave with nothing, that's what got to me the most. I walk the street for a good couple of hours before heading back to the hotel. I'm hoping that nobody is in my room when I get up there. The last thing I want is to have to talk to them. Alex was the one that suggested I hear her out, Jake has suggested it numerous times too. But Alex knows my past, told me I might get the closure I need but my head is just has fucked up now as it was before.

I make my way back into the room I'm sharing with Alex to find it empty, looking at the time I figure they are out getting dinner. I decide I need a shower, maybe that might help clear my mind. Getting in with the room filled with steam I stand under the running water and close my eyes. All I see is Mia's face as I stood up and left this afternoon. She was so vulnerable and upset and I just left her sitting there by herself. It makes me feel like an asshole but I was getting angry. I couldn't stay. Quickly I turn the water off as this is clearly not helping me. I dress and exit the bathroom to find Jake sitting on my bed with a bag next to him. He looks up from his phone when he hears the door open.

With nothing said, he pulls out a container from the bag ad passes it to me. He got me dinner. Sitting back on my bed without a single word he turns on the tv and put on some action movie. Knowing that he isn't going to leave any time soon, I take my spot on my bed and lean against the headboard and start to eat the burger that he brought for me. I'm not even paying attention to the movie my head is still thinking about Mia everything that Mia told me about her parents and then that her scumbag of an ex shows up after 2 years.

We finish eating in silence and Jake gets comfortable on my bed. I just wanted to be alone tonight and I'm not sure why he is even here. It's our last night and I know a group of the guys have gone out to the bar trying to find a hookup for the night and that is one of Jake's favourite things to do. "Why are you here?" I can't stand this anymore. There must be a reason.

"Wanted to watch a movie" he answers so casually while pointing at the TV.

"And why can you not do that in your room?"

He sighs and mutes the TV and turns to look at me "I know you saw Mia this afternoon. I just wanted to make sure you're ok." I knew they had been in contact since we'd been here, he just didn't want to tell me. He's obviously spoken to her after I left her at the lake. I need to know that she was ok, I left her in tears by herself. "How is she?" I ask before I can stop myself.

"Not great. Upset as you can imagine." I nod my head knowing exactly the state that I left her in. She must have called Jake after I walked away. I can see he wants to say more but he's holding back. After a couple of minutes of silence he speaks again "Listen Ethan, I get you're upset and probably still trying to get your head around this whole baby thing, but figure your shit out. You either want her and your kid in your life or you don't. She doesn't need the extra stress in her life, it's not good for her or the baby"

He pats me on the back and stands to leave the room. As he reaches for the door handle, he doesn't turn to face me "Just remember she is still scared, her ex is still out looking for her. And don't take too long to work out what you want" and with that he leaves me with my head all over the place again. Mia must have told him why she left and what happened during their relationship. Jake is right I need to figure this out but I also need to concentrate on hockey, we have a game next week that we have to win to make it to the final. That has to be my priority at the moment.

I find myself drifting off to sleep but my mind is still racing. After what Jake said about stress and the baby, I don't want that. And with Mia's ex still out there, that can't be helping but there isn't much I can do other than hope he gives up sooner rather than later.

The ride back to Boston on the bus was quiet, I kept to myself and just listened to some music. Once back at the apartment, I go straight to my room and change into my gym clothes. I need my head back into hockey mode for the next week. Unfortunately that means trying to stop thinking about Mia and the best way for me to do that is to get back into my training routine.

For the next week, I am fully focused on hockey. I need to concentrate and we need to win this game. This is our final year of college and playing together and the hope is to win the championship something that we haven't been able to do since I've been in college. None of my friend mention Mia to me at all in the week leading up to the game. Jake and Alex can tell I am fully focus but I'm sure that once the season has finished Jake will start dropping hints about her again.

The finals are being held in Boston this year which is great for us as we don't have to travel anywhere. The morning of our Frozen Four game I wake up and prepare breakfast for all of us like I normally do, followed by a quick skate then a nap before the game. This has been my routine since I started hockey here at college. I'm able to get my mindset right and play to my best.

Walking into the arena you can feel the buzz in the air. Being held in our home stadium just adds to the experience. The crowd will be behind us and hopefully help push us all the way. Getting ready in our dressing room helps to calm the nerves a little too. It's all familiar but I know this is one of the biggest games I've played so far and I need to stand up and lead from the front for the rest of the team. Checking my phone one last time before warm-up I notice a few messages from friends and my mum wishing me good luck tonight but the one that catches my eye is from Mia.

Just wanted to wish you luck today. I know you'll play great.

It's just a simple message but it makes me smile and wonder if she's watching the game. I haven't heard from her since I walked away from her at the lake. I can't be thinking about her now, I have a game a win. Putting Mia to the back of my mind I make my way out to the ice and warmup with the team.

This game is intense, we are in the 3rd period and scores are locked at 1-all. Both teams defense today has been hard to break. We both got goals from break-away plays but they are rare in a game like this. With only a minute to go I know this game is going to go into overtime. Both teams are getting to exhaustion and one slipup by a player and the other team will capitalize. Once the final siren sounds we re-group. Coach runs us through a few plays that he believes could work. The first line is back on the ice for the start of overtime, which includes Jake, Alex and myself. We've been playing together for the past 4 years so I know that we can get this done.

Only 2 minutes into OT and Jake rushes towards one of their players, he must see an opening because he won't put the rest of the team under pressure unless he can see an opportunity so I follow. He takes the intercept and skates towards the goals drawing the defender while I skate my fastest to get into position for Jake to pass the puck across to me. We have done this play so many times, I'm on auto. Jake flicks the puck back to me and I take a quick slapshot and it hits the top right corner of the net. The noise coming from the crowd is deafening. I'm surrounded by my teammates as we cheer because we've made it to the championship game. I can't believe it, we've made it. Now to top off this year, we have to win.