She grins. “Don’t we all. But I know your father is feeling great about the team’s odds this year, especially after he snapped up that new rookie he won’t stop talking about. He’s convinced the kid is going to be a breakout star.”

My stomach swoops at the mention of Declan, but I do my best not to let it show on my face as I sit down next to her. “Really? That must be the new guy I saw in the locker room the other day,” I say vaguely.

“So you’ve met him?”

I shrug. “Sort of. I stopped by the arena a couple weeks ago to see Dad and noticed a new face in the locker room, but I didn’t talk to him or anything.”

“He’s handsome, isn’t he?” she asks, nudging me with her elbow, and I choke on my next breath, disguising it as a small cough. This is the last thing I want to be talking about with her, especially given who we’re talking about.

“Oh, how are your classes going?” she asks, mercifully changing the subject but still making me wince inside.

Law school is no joke, and even though this semester just started, it’s really been kicking my ass. I feel like I’m already super far behind, but I’m not about to tell my mother any of that. I smile at her instead.

“It’s tough, but it’s going pretty well.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear it. What about yoga?”

“Amazing. I came right here from the studio after my last class. I can’t believe it, but it was totally full. They’ve all been selling out lately, actually. Patricia wants me to take on more classes,” I add with a grin. “She says my approach is really connecting with people.”

My mother nods. “It’s so wonderful that you have a side job like that to put yourself through school. And Patricia is lucky to have you!”

My smile dims slightly, even though I know she doesn’t mean anything by it. Yoga is so much more than just a “side job” to me, and hearing her call it that stings, but I keep it to myself as my mother picks up her purse.

“I’m going to hit the concession stand before the game starts,” she declares. “Do you want anything?”

“I’m okay, thanks.”

“Alright. Be right back.”

She leaves me in the stands, but I’m not alone for even a minute before I spot Declan skating across the ice, heading right for where I’m sitting. My heart hammers in my chest, getting faster as he gets closer. I don’t know what he’s planning, and I don’t know where my dad is, but I hope like hell that he isn’t seeing any of whatever is about to happen.