Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Cold begginging .7

Alex stepped out of the locker room and into the crisp evening air, the coolness hitting him like a refreshing wave. The parking lot was starting to empty as players and parents filtered out, their laughter and chatter trailing off into the distance. He spotted Erin leaning against the car, scrolling through her phone. She glanced up as he approached, a knowing smile on her face.

“Hey, how was practice?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, as if assessing his mood.

“Fine,” Alex replied, trying to keep his tone light, but he could feel the weight of everything pressing down on him again. “Just the usual.”

“Just the usual, huh?” Erin raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Alex shrugged, feeling the familiar frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “It’s nothing. Just a lot going on, you know? School, hockey... everything.”

Erin pushed off the car and crossed her arms, looking genuinely concerned. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything. I’m not just Cass’s sister. I care about you too.”

He offered her a small smile, appreciating her concern, but the words felt stuck in his throat. What would he even say? The last thing he wanted was to burden her with his feelings. “I appreciate it, but really, I’m good,” he insisted, even though the tightness in his chest suggested otherwise.

“Okay, but remember what I said. You don’t have to pretend around me.” Erin paused, a slight smirk forming on her lips. “And you’re definitely coming to the pep rally. You can’t hide from me forever.”

Alex laughed lightly, the sound easing some of his tension. “I’m not hiding! I’m just—”

“Busy? I know. But you need to let loose a little. It’ll be fun,” she said, her tone teasing yet sincere.

“Yeah, maybe,” he replied, the weight of her words lingering. The pep rally was a distraction he didn’t know if he wanted, but the thought of being around everyone, enjoying the moment—he couldn’t deny that it had its appeal.

As they reached her car, she pulled open the door and slid into the driver’s seat. “I’ll be there too,” she added, glancing at him with a smile. “And I’ll make sure Cass doesn’t bug you too much.”

“Right,” Alex said, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and annoyance at that thought. Cass was always a wild card, pushing him into situations he wasn’t ready for. The idea of being forced to interact with them at the pep rally sent a jolt of anxiety through him.

“Come on, get in. I’ll drive you home,” Erin said, starting the engine.

As they pulled out of the parking lot, the world outside blurred by, lights flashing in streaks as they drove through town. Alex leaned back in his seat, trying to shake off the feelings swirling inside him, the tightness in his chest.

“What about you? Any plans for the weekend?” he asked, hoping to change the subject, to keep Erin from reading too much into his silence.

“Just the usual. You know, taking photos at the rink, trying to get some good shots of Cass. They’re competing next week, so I want to capture them in their element,” Erin said, her enthusiasm lighting up her features.

“Yeah, they’re pretty good,” Alex admitted, and he meant it. Cass was talented, that much was undeniable. Their ability to showcase grace and strength on the ice always left him in awe, despite his conflicted feelings.

“You should come to the competition,” Erin suggested, glancing at him. “It’s at the community center. You could see them in action, and it might be good for you to get out of your head for a bit.”

Alex frowned slightly. “I don’t know, Erin. I’m not sure if I want to.”

“Why not? It’s just a friendly competition,” she coaxed, her tone light and encouraging. “And it’s not like you’re going to have to talk to Cass if you don’t want to. Just enjoy the show.”

“Right,” he said, feeling his heart race at the thought of being there, of watching Cass shine in front of everyone while he sat on the sidelines. The idea was both appealing and terrifying.

As they pulled up in front of Alex’s house, he hesitated before getting out. “Thanks for the ride,” he said, forcing a smile despite the storm brewing inside him.

“Anytime. Remember, we’re all in this together. Don’t forget that,” Erin said, her voice sincere. “You’ve got a lot of people who care about you.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks, Erin,” he replied, opening the car door. “I’ll see you later.”

As he walked up the steps to his front door, Alex felt a mix of gratitude and anxiety. The world felt so heavy sometimes, like a weight pressing down on him that he couldn’t shake. But as he stepped inside, the familiar warmth of home enveloped him. The chaos of his family greeted him—his younger sister shouting about something she had seen on TV, his dad’s laughter echoing from the living room. It was a comforting reminder of the life he was trying to navigate.

He dropped his bag on the floor and headed into the kitchen, where his mom was stirring something on the stove. “Hey, hon! How was practice?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder with a smile.

“Fine, just the usual,” Alex replied, trying to mirror her positivity, even though the weight on his chest felt heavier now.

“Just the usual? You need to make sure you’re giving it your all, you hear? Big game coming up,” she said, her eyes sparkling with pride.

“Yeah, I know,” he said quietly, the pressure rising again. “I’ll do my best.”

As he headed to his room, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that the weight he was carrying wasn’t going anywhere. He flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling, the familiar pang of doubt creeping back in. He felt like he was caught in a cycle he couldn’t break, a dance between expectation and reality, and all he wanted was to find a way to balance it all.

With a sigh, he turned to his phone, scrolling mindlessly through social media. Pictures of friends hanging out, competing, celebrating—everything felt like it was happening without him. He paused on a picture of Cass, mid-spin, their face lit up with joy. It made something twist in his gut, and he quickly set his phone down, determined not to spiral.

Focus on the game. Focus on what’s next.

But just as he closed his eyes, his mind wandered back to the pep rally, to Cass’s insistent voice ringing in his ears. The thought made his heart race. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to enjoy it—find a way to be himself, away from the pressure.

As he drifted off to sleep, the weight still lingered, but a small glimmer of hope flickered inside him. Maybe the next day would be different. Maybe he could find a way to balance everything that was coming at him—hockey, school, and whatever this confusing connection with Cass was turning into.