14. Tom

Chapter 14

Tom

" I

can't believe you still have this," Ally said, her voice tinged with awe as we stepped into the garage.

The 1967 Chevy Impala sat there like a sentinel of my past, all sleek black curves and chrome accents. Its body gleamed under the dim light, the meticulous care I’d lavished on it evident in every inch. The leather seats, though worn, held a history of countless miles and memories. I ran my hand over the hood, feeling the cool metal beneath my fingertips.

"I didn’t hear you complaining when we broke in the backseat," I teased, a smirk playing at my lips.

Her cheeks flushed that familiar shade of pink that always made my chest tighten. "I’m not complaining now," she murmured, slipping into the passenger seat with a shy smile.

I closed her door and walked around to the driver’s side, settling into the seat that fit me like an old glove. The scent of leather and faint traces of engine oil enveloped us as I turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life with a deep rumble, sending vibrations through the car.

We pulled out of the garage and into the mid-morning sun.

The engine purred as we rolled out of the garage and into the bright May morning. Sunlight streamed through the windshield, casting warm patterns on the dashboard. The town was waking up slowly, the streets still quiet save for the occasional car or early jogger. Trees lined the sidewalks, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze, a vibrant green against the clear blue sky.

I stole a glance at Ally beside me. Her hair caught the sunlight, glowing auburn like autumn leaves, and her eyes were focused on the scenery outside. She looked peaceful, and it made my chest ache in a way I couldn’t quite describe.

"Remember when we used to do this all the time?" she asked softly, not turning to look at me. "Driving, with nowhere to go?"

"Yeah," I replied, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "Feels like a lifetime ago."

She nodded, her gaze distant. The silence between us wasn’t awkward; it was filled with unspoken words and shared memories. It felt like a first date all over again, but with years of history and unresolved emotions hanging in the air.

I felt like a goddamn teenager, nervous and uncertain.

Fucking pussy.

I was a grown man, for Christ’s sake. But then I looked at her again, and it hit me hard.

She was everything to me.

Fuck, there was no denying it now. Not when she was sitting next to me again, not after everything we’d been through. And now that I had her back, there was no way in hell I was letting her go.

The thought made my grip on the steering wheel tighten even more as we turned into the campus parking lot. Pandora's Box loomed ahead—the campus ice rink that held so many memories for both of us.

I parked right in front of it and killed the engine. For a moment, neither of us moved or spoke. The only sound was our breathing and the distant hum of life around us.

Finally, Ally broke the silence. "You ready to go in?"

I looked at her then, really looked at her—the freckles scattered across her nose, the vulnerability in her eyes that mirrored my own fears and hopes.

"Yeah," I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "I promised you, didn't I?"

And with that, we stepped out of the car together.

We walked side by side, the campus unusually quiet for a weekend morning. It was almost eerie, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by a serene stillness. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs a harmonious backdrop to our silent stroll. The air was thick with the scent of May flowers, blooming in vivid bursts of color along the paths we took. Petals swayed gently in the breeze, adding a touch of life to the otherwise empty surroundings.

I shoved my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching for hers. The urge to hold her hand gnawed at me, an ache I couldn't shake. But I couldn't risk it, not here. Not when she was still a student, and I was still a coach. Graduation was just weeks away, but it might as well have been an eternity.

We walked past the library, its tall windows reflecting the morning sun. Ally glanced at me, her blue eyes soft and searching, but I looked away before she could read too much into my gaze.

"Nice day," she said quietly.

"Yeah," I replied, my voice gruff even to my own ears.

We continued down the path, our footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath us. A cluster of daisies caught Ally's attention, and she bent down to pick one. She twirled it between her fingers, lost in thought. I wanted to pull her close right there, wrap my arm around her so everyone knew she belonged to me. But instead, I stood a few feet away, watching her with a mix of pride and frustration.

The silence between us felt heavy with unspoken words. Every time our hands brushed accidentally, electricity sparked through me, but I kept my distance. For now.

We reached Pandora's Box, its doors looming ahead like a gateway to another world—a world where we didn't have to hide what we were feeling.

I paused and took a deep breath. "Ready?"

Ally nodded and smiled faintly. "Yeah."

I held the door open for her as she stepped inside first. The cool air of the rink hit us like a refreshing wave, offering a brief respite from the complexities outside those walls.

The rink stretched out in front of us, a vast expanse of glistening ice. The overhead lights cast a stark, almost ethereal glow on the surface, making it look like a frozen lake under a full moon. The bleachers were empty, their seats echoing with the ghosts of cheering crowds and hushed conversations.

I led Ally up to the skate counter. Cooper Sinclaire leaned against it, looking every bit the seasoned NHL player he was. Scars marked his face, souvenirs from… somewhere. The asshole liked to get into scraps, so it didn't surprise me. His rugged appearance contrasted sharply with the pristine rink behind him.

"Sixes," I told Cooper, my voice firm.

Cooper raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Who’s the girl?"

"Don’t you have your own girl to worry about?" I groused through clenched teeth, my irritation flaring.

Cooper chuckled, handing Ally the skates with a casual ease. "She’s a good girl," he said. "Studying hard. Finals are coming up."

I snorted, shaking my head. "My skates are in my office," I told Ally, trying to keep my frustration in check. "I’ll be back. Just sit on the bench and ignore whatever bullshit comes out of his mouth." I gestured at Cooper.

Ally gave me a small nod and took the skates from Cooper, her fingers brushing his. My jaw tightened as I watched her walk over to the bench.

As I headed toward my office to grab my skates, I couldn’t help but glance back at her one last time. She sat there, trying to yank on her skates. I smirked despite myself.

I grabbed my skates from the office and took another deep breath before heading back out to face whatever came next.

I plopped down next to Ally on the bench. She was still struggling with her skates, her fingers fumbling over the laces. My hand rested on her knee, and she froze.

"Relax," I said, my voice steady. "Watch."

She nodded, her eyes wide and focused on my hands as I took the skate in one hand and the laces in the other. I demonstrated the motion, pulling the laces tight and making a firm loop.

"See?" I said, looking up at her. "It's all about getting them tight enough."

She tried again, managing to get one lace looped but not nearly tight enough.

"It's important to have them tight," I explained. "If they're loose, you won't have control on the ice. You'll be more likely to fall and snap an ankle."

Ally’s fingers trembled slightly as she worked on her skates again, but she still couldn’t get them right.

"Here," I said, getting on my knees in front of her. "Let me do it."

Her eyes locked onto mine as I knelt before her, the charged moment thickening the air between us. Memories of tasting her this morning surged back, a raw desire stirring deep within me.

I pushed it down and focused on the task at hand. Taking one of her skates in my hands, I pulled the laces tight, making sure they were secure before tying them off. The intimacy of the act wasn’t lost on either of us; it was a simple gesture layered with unspoken emotions.

"Better?" I asked softly.

She nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah."

I moved to the other skate, repeating the process with deliberate care. As I finished tying the second skate, our eyes met again—a heated look passing between us that made my pulse quicken.

For a moment, we were both caught in that gaze, everything else fading into the background. The rink, Cooper’s smirking face at the counter—none of it mattered.

It was just us.

I stood and helped Ally to her feet, my hands firm on her waist. Her eyes met mine, a flicker of trust mingling with the unease in her gaze. She was like a deer on wobbly legs, her balance shaky as she clutched at me for support.

“Easy now,” I murmured, guiding her towards the ice. “Take it slow.”

She nodded, biting her lower lip as she stepped onto the ice. Her grip tightened around my arm, and I could feel the tension in her body. The cool air enveloped us, a stark contrast to the warmth of our shared touch.

“Okay,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “First things first: find your balance. Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight centered.”

Ally did as I instructed, her movements tentative but determined. She glanced up at me for reassurance, and I gave her a nod.

“You’re doing great,” I encouraged. “Now, let’s try moving. Small steps at first.”

I moved slowly alongside her, my hand steady on her back. She wobbled but managed to stay upright, each step a little more confident than the last.

“Remember to keep your knees bent,” I reminded her. “And use your arms for balance.”

She nodded again, focusing intently on each movement. Her face was a mix of concentration and trepidation, but there was also a spark of excitement in her eyes.

“Good,” I said, as she took another shaky step forward. “You’re getting the hang of it.”

She laughed softly; the sound warming me more than I’d like to admit. “I feel like Bambi out here.”

I chuckled, squeezing her hand gently. “You’re doing better than Bambi ever did.”

We continued across the ice at a slow pace, my arm still around her for support. Her movements became more fluid with each step, and the tension in her body gradually eased.

“All right,” I said after a few minutes. “Let’s try gliding now. Push off with one foot and let yourself glide on the other.”

Ally hesitated but then nodded, pushing off with her right foot as instructed. She wobbled for a moment, but managed to glide smoothly across the ice.

“There you go!” I exclaimed, genuine pride swelling in my chest. “You’ve got it.”

She beamed up at me; her face glowing with accomplishment. “Thanks,” she said softly.

“Anytime,” I replied, tightening my grip on her waist as we continued our journey across the rink together.

"I wish I had my camera," Ally said, her voice wistful as she looked around the rink.

"How’s photography going?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. It had been a while since we talked about anything beyond the surface level.

"It's great," she replied, her eyes lighting up momentarily. "I have a good job, and I'm enjoying it. In fact, I had a newborn shoot…" Her voice trailed off, and she glanced away.

"Oh, yeah?" I tried to catch her eye, but she avoided my gaze.

Silence settled between us, heavy and thick.

Something was wrong.

"Al?" I squeezed her side gently, trying to coax her back to me.

"It's fine," she said quickly, but I heard the tremor in her voice. Alarm bells went off in my head.

"Al, what is it?" I asked again, more urgently this time.

A tear rolled down her cheek, and she tried to hide it with her hair, but I saw it. My chest tightened painfully at the sight.

"Is it the skates? Do they hurt?" I asked, feeling helpless and hating every second of it. Not knowing how to make it better gnawed at me.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "Look. I should go."

"What? Why?" I stopped abruptly, causing ice to shower around us. I took her arms in my hands, so she was forced to look at me. The pain in her blue eyes gutted me.

"Tell me," I ordered softly but firmly. "Tell me how to fix it."

"You can't," she whispered, and that single word shattered something inside me.

I kissed her tears as they fell, tasting the salt of her pain. It felt like trying to hold water in my hands—impossible and heart-wrenching.

"You've gotta tell me," I whispered against her skin. "You've gotta trust me and tell me what's going on."

Her eyes searched mine, a battle of emotions flickering in those depths. Without another word, I pulled her closer and kissed her, not giving a shit who saw us. Her hands gripped my jacket tightly, pulling me in as if I was her lifeline. My heart pounded against my ribcage, matching the intensity of our kiss—a desperate dance of need and longing.

When I finally pulled away, gasping for breath, a distinctly familiar voice filled up the rink.

"My, my, why am I not surprised?" she drawled.

I turned to face Janet standing just outside the ice, watching us with a look that made my blood boil.

"Thomas, taking advantage of a student. Story of your life, isn't it? But you, Ally? You, I thought knew better."

I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to snap back at her. The last thing Ally needed was more drama piled on top of whatever she was already dealing with. Janet's presence felt like a punch to the gut, but I refused to let it ruin this moment.

"Janet," I said through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice steady. "This isn’t your business."

She smirked, clearly enjoying the discomfort she caused. "Oh, but it is when you’re making a spectacle of yourself in public."

I glanced back at Ally, who looked more vulnerable than ever. The pain in her eyes was still there.

"Fuck off," I snapped.

But as we moved to leave the rink, Janet's voice stopped us once more.

"And what will Nick think when he finds out about this?" she called out mockingly.

Ally froze.

That did it.

I turned back to Janet, my eyes blazing with anger. "What the fuck do you want?" I demanded.

She smirked. "I came here to speak to you, but now that I see her…" She cocked her head to the side. "I want to talk to her."