Endure

O N E

~Maddie's POV~

"I'm trying so hard not to freak out right now." I ran my hand through my hair with a huff before looking down at my phone again. "But I'm totally freaking out."

"Mads, you haven't put your phone down since we got here," Alice said gently as we sat on the bleachers at the crowded ice rink, watching Ben's game.

After everything that happened earlier at the soccer team offices, Katie didn't feel like going home, and I honestly didn't either. So, in attempt to get our minds off of everything, we headed to the weeknight hockey game instead. Fortunately, the Maine Coons were playing in town tonight and we made it to the arena just in time.

I couldn't believe I even considered it 'fortunate' that the team was placing tonight. This was the last place I'd ever thought I'd be. Especially after not even wanting to come here even to see Tyler play last weekend all because I wanted to avoid Tom. And deep down, I was fully aware that there was no way going to this game would help clear my mind whatsoever as it was Tom's team playing.

But Katie was bouncing in her seat from the second I simply mentioned it, and there was no way I could let her down.

And honestly, after being around Gabe all evening, seeing Tom's team play didn't seem that bad.

Besides, if Daniel had reported Tom like he said he did, perhaps something did happen between this afternoon and now and maybe Tom wouldn't even be here after all.

However, my hope was very short-lived as once we arrived to the arena, his name seemed to be plastered everywhere, from signs to posters. It seemed as if every single fan here was wearing a jersey with the name 'Williams' patched on the back. All the support for him beyond confirmed that he was here and playing tonight. It was practically mocking at this point. 

Katie ended up bumping into her friends and went to go sit with them. Meanwhile, I sent a text to Alice asking if she was here, and was met with a squeal and bone-crushing hug seconds later, instead of a reply.

Which was way better anyway.

"Just give him time, Maddie, and he'll call you when he'll call you." Alice's hand covered mine. "It's gonna be okay."

"Is it though? Because right now it doesn't seem like it is. Especially when he's not answering."

"So, if he answered everything would be okay?"

"Yes! I mean--" I chewed on my lip. All I wanted to know was if he knew about what happened earlier with Gabe today. But now that he wasn't even answering at all made the worries in my head spin even faster. "I just want to know if he's . . . " I trailed off before burying my head in my hands. "Ugh, I hate that I care so much."

"At least it means you have a heart." She offered me a small smile.

"Yeah, but I just told him to leave me alone and now I'm calling him . . ." I held up my phone in confusion. ". . . what does that make me look like?"

"Like you care!" She laughed.

I laughed quietly with her and looked out onto the ice. From our seats at the top, all the players looked the same, which was a good thing since now I couldn't even tell which one was him, or even if he really was here. And if he was here, there was no way he could actually see me from his place all the way down on the ice.

So maybe being here at this game wasn't all that bad.

And I finally got to see Alice again, which was much needed.

So, it wasn't bad at all.

"Did you get your makeup done?" Alice asked, pulling the sleeves of her own Maine Coons jersey over her hands.