JACK’S POV
I tried to pretend everything was normal.
School. Training. Hockey duties. The same routine I’d been doing my whole life. But it was all noise—static, compared to the one thing constantly pushing itself into my mind.
Ashley.
Every time I caught even a glimpse of her, something inside me twisted so sharply it bordered on pain. Jason was always there with her lately. Walking beside her. Laughing with her. Leaning close when she spoke as if he’d earned the right. The sight of them together made my jaw clench so tightly my teeth ached. And the worst part was how natural they looked, like she actually felt safe with him.
I hated it. I hated how it made me feel weak and restless and out of control. I hated even more the memories that kept rising up.
I kept thinking about th
