I needed someone to talk to. I didn’t dare talk to cousin Coop. He was in his first year of coaching and super-focused on doing a good job himself. He wouldn’t understand why I was feeling anything but giddy.

“You noticed?” I said.

“I notice everything.” Ice took a sip of his coffee and studied me without saying a word.

“I don’t want to sound like I’m an entitled, ungrateful asshole.”

“Well, we all sound like that at times, so fess up. What’s going on?” Ice wasn’t the touchy-feely type, nor was he talkative. The fact that he was sitting here with me having a conversation that didn’t focus on hockey was highly unusual. He was the captain, and he took it seriously, so he was doing his job. I tried not to read any more into his concern than an overall interest in his team’s well-being.

“I don’t know. I feel off. I thought making it to the NHL would be everything I’d ever dreamed of. I’ve worked so hard for this. Now that I’m here, I’m looking around and wondering shouldn’t there be more? I’m empty inside. Something’s missing, and I’m pissed at myself that hockey isn’t enough. Don’t get me wrong, I love hockey. I live for hockey, but there has to be more, doesn’t there? I gave up a lot to be here.” I hadn’t planned on dumping on him like that, but the words came out before I could stop them.

He considered my words for several seconds before speaking. “Did you give up someone special?” he guessed. The hard lines of his face softened slightly.

I blinked a few times, ready to deny his claim, then really thought about it. “I don’t know.”

He nodded sagely, as if he understood totally. I knew he was madly in love with his wife. Whenever she was in the room, this enigmatic, hard-to-read man turned into a sappy, lovesick fool.

“There was this girl when I was sixteen, had two years left of high school. I walked away from her, thinking hockey was all I needed. I tracked her down a couple years ago. She’s married with kids, and I can’t stop thinking her husband has my life, the life I should’ve had. It’s weird.”

“It’s not weird. All the money and fame and even your passion for hockey don’t mean much without someone to share it with. Take it from a guy who knows.”

“Do you ever wonder about the road not taken?” I asked him.

“Not much anymore because the road I travelled ended up being the best journey I could imagine, and I wouldn’t change a thing, not even the painful parts, because it got me where I am today. She’s your past. You need to live your present. There’ll be someone else, someone even more perfect for you. You have to believe in fate. When you’re least looking for love, it finds you.”

Well, I wasn’t looking. I must’ve been gaping at him with an open mouth and something akin to shock because he chuckled.