The rink was quiet, long after the crowd had gone home. The only sounds left were the hum of the lights and the scrape of Ethan’s skates as he glided across the ice.
He liked it that way, the silence wrapping around him, letting him breathe without the weight of expectations.
He was skating lazy circles when a shadow appeared near the boards. Ethan slowed, squinting.
Caleb leaned casually against the glass, arms folded, a smirk pulling at his mouth. His leather jacket looked out of place under the arena lights.
Ethan’s stomach tightened. “What are you doing here?
Caleb tapped the glass once, his knuckles echoing.
“Watching.
“Why?
“Because I needed a word with you.
Ethan coasted toward the boards, cautious.
“About what?
Caleb’s smirk faded, replaced by something sharper. “Family
