Ice Mends

Holden

Wedding bells are ringing, but Holden's day is clouded by unexpected doubts. As the town buzzes with the news of his fast-approaching wedding to Britt, Montgomery's arrival throws everything into a tailspin. For the first time since he saw her, Holden grapples with suspicions just as he should be celebrating. Instead of his usual pre-game rituals, a skipped kiss signals trouble in paradise. Now, Holden must decide whether to confront these doubts or let them fester. As I watch with bated breath, I wonder if this wedding will be a dream come true or a heartbreak waiting to happen.

Playlist: "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi

I should have brought my bag in the van with me, but I didn't anticipate how long my route would take today. The ironic part is that I did it to myself… I didn't mess with anyone's packages this time, but I'm fairly certain that the sudden rush of packages has something to do with the impending wedding.

I can't believe I'm going to get married in less than a month. Dad assured me that it's perfectly fine to get wedding jitters, that everyone does, and that it's natural to be unsettled by big changes. Not me—I'm thrilled that I get to take this next step with the woman of my dreams.

She's the one. I've known it since before she gave me the time of day. Nothing could make me happier than taking this leap and knowing that, no matter where we land, we'll be there together. She's going to challenge me. Life will never, ever be boring. And most importantly, we'll grow together.

As a family.

I need to change out of my uniform and grab my bag, which shouldn't take long, so I should be able to make it before Coach Duff starts asking questions. No way in hell am I going to take my uniform to the locker room. Accusations aside, I am not the source of the locker room funk, and I won't subject my work uniform to the post-game musk of a bunch of sweaty dudes.

Britt's car isn't in the driveway when I pull the van up. Montgomery's car, however, is parked right in the middle of the driveway, leaving me to pull up to the curb.

When I invited Montgomery to the game last night, he made his excuses, explaining that sports weren't his thing. I didn't think he'd be at the house in Britt's absence, but it's possible that something knocked the motel out of commission again.

He's sitting cross-legged on the couch, glaring at his Nintendo Switch. "Your Wi-Fi sucks," he announces.

"Yeah, it's a Sorrowville thing." The guy's a little weird, but he's still Britt's brother, so I try to be nice. "You can use my computer if you want. It's still slow, but at least the internet's better. It does okay with Steam games. Most days." Although, come to think of it, it's been a while since I installed updates. I don't remember the last time I logged into a game.

Montgomery shoves his Switch back into its case. "Nah, latency will fuck with my rankings."

"Right." I really need to get going, and this conversation is already strained. "The game starts soon, but you can join us at Power Play afterward. I'll introduce you to the guys. They've been a lot more active online than I have recently…"

"I don't need to meet them," Montgomery says. "I won't see any of them after today. I'm leaving tomorrow morning."

My stomach drops. "Oh…kay."

Montgomery extends one arm over the back of the couch. "Can I tell you something? Man to man?"

"Go for it." My tone is clipped.

"You should reconsider marrying Britt," he says. "You seem like a decent guy, and it sucks, the way she's using you. Can't say as I'm surprised though. She's always been all about herself."

"Using me?" The temptation to deck my future brother-in-law is rising. "Using me how? Your sister is literally the woman of my dreams."

He stares laser beams at me. "Did she ever tell you why she came to Sorrowville in the first place?"

"To visit Tierney."

Montgomery waves a hand. "Not the first time. I'm guessing the two of you met that way, but I mean, when did she start to take an interest in you? It was just this last time, right?"

My heart starts galloping as my mind races to catch up. "Yeah, but…"

"She left Minneapolis on my birthday. Do you know why? Did she tell you?"

"No. Some fight with your dad. It doesn't matter, though, because we're together now. I have a game tonight, Montgomery. And I want you out of my house while I'm gone."

Montgomery plows on. "I got a trust fund. For my birthday."

Trust fund. I've overheard Britt talking about a trust fund on the phone, but she's never explained what that's about. I should show Montgomery out, but I hesitate just long enough for him to see the opening.

"At my birthday party, Britt found out that I was getting my trust fund. I'm twenty-five. Britt can't get hers until she's thirty or married. She threw a fit about it and walked out. Within hours, she was here. With you."

I have to work to control my breathing. "So what?"

"So you think my sister is marrying you because… she loves you? Seriously? My God, you really are stupid." Montgomery throws back his head and laughs. "She's twenty-seven, and she doesn't like waiting for anything. You think she'd really move to this shitty town by choice? You're a mark, dude. You're the perfect chump. I bet she hooked up with you, charged in here, and started acting like she owned the place. You felt special, right? Because girls like her don't fall for guys like you? Spoiler alert: they don't."

"But…" No way. That can't be right. Can it?

"She's got you all twisted up in her game." Montgomery smirks at me and crosses his arms over his chest. "You're nothing but a fucking redneck patsy."

The words slam into me like a rogue check on the ice, knocking the wind out of me, leaving me gasping. I stand there, clenching and unclenching my fists, trying to make sense of Montgomery's accusations. The idea that Britt could be using me—just a stepping stone to her trust fund—gnaws at my gut. I want to dismiss it, to laugh it off as the bitter rantings of a jealous sibling, but what does he have to be jealous of? He has his trust fund and doesn't have to do anything to deserve it.

The seed of doubt has been planted.

My chest tightens with a sickening swirl of anger and fear. How could I have been so naive? Is everything we've built just a well-played game to her? The thought of it darkens the very room, making the air around me feel thick and suffocating. I stare blankly at Montgomery, my vision blurring as his words echo in my skull. I'm a professional athlete; I'm used to reading opponents, anticipating moves, but with Britt... I wonder if I've misjudged everything, seeing things that weren't there simply because I wanted to be with her so badly. My heart, usually so steady, now feels like it's trapped in a breakaway, each beat thundering loud and uncertain in my ears.

"She does love me," I insist. "She does."

"Britt doesn't love anyone. I don't think she is capable of love. Anyway, I just thought you should know before you tie yourself to the Ice Queen. At least make her write out a prenup so that you get half of her money when she leaves. After what she's done, there should be something in it for you."

I'd said something about a prenup before. She was against it. Montgomery's words are getting in my head. Then again, Beth had said something similar. Bennett, too.

I don't believe it. I won't believe it. I've seen amazing love between my mom and dad. I know what it looks like. I know what it feels like.

Montgomery grabs his stuff and heads out. I don't try to stop him. There's nothing left to say, and as much as I dislike him, I'm not sure he's wrong.

What if Britt's really like him? What if she's been playing me this whole time, and I've been too foolish to see it? Her family has issues, that's apparent. And no matter how distant she says they are, she's still part of them. What if she never learned how to love? Just yesterday, she looked disgusted by the idea that I might want a long engagement. Is that because the wedding isn't the point?

I shuffle through the house like a zombie, changing out of my uniform and grabbing my stuff with robotic movements. All the while, my mind is churning. I hate that this man-child I barely know got under my skin so fast. But what if he's right?

Am I really enough for Britt? Maybe the baby changes things… but maybe not. And why wouldn't she tell me about the drama with her family unless she specifically wanted to hide it from me?

I don't know what to do.

For the first time this season, I don't go out for my lucky kiss before the game.