Breaking The Ice

CHAPTER 18

Jaxon POV

Wednesday arrived with rain. Not the dramatic kind that soaked you in seconds. Just a steady drizzle that turned the sidewalks slick and painted the campus in shades of grey. Students hurried between buildings with hoods pulled over their heads, clutching coffee cups like lifelines.

I preferred weather like this. It kept people quiet. Unfortunately, nothing could keep Gray Walker quiet. "I've decided.” he announced as we crossed the quad toward the athletic centre, "That if the weather gets any worse, practice should legally be cancelled.” Connor didn't even look up from his phone. "That's not how weather works.” Gray ignored him. "I've researched this extensively.” Gray said all knowingly. "You watched one documentary.” Connor cut back. "It was educational.” Gray argued. "It was about penguins.” Connor said with an eye roll. "They seemed very informed.” Tyler snorted. "I hate that you almost make sense.” Gray grinned proudly. "It's a gift."

I shook my head. "You say that about everything.” I commented. ”Because everything is my gift.” Connor sighed. "And somehow we're the ones being punished.” The athletic centre came into view. Students streamed past us, umbrellas bobbing through the rain. As we climbed the steps, I spotted Riley ahead of us. She was walking alone. Head down. Backpack over one shoulder. She looked exhausted. Not physically. Mentally.

Gray saw her too. “Bennett!" She turned, forcing an easy smile. “Morning." She greeted politely. "You look like someone stole your coffee.” Gray said looking her over. "I haven't had any.” She said and Gray gasped dramatically. "That explains everything.” She laughed. A real laugh. But it disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. She wished us luck at practice before heading toward the science building. I watched her disappear into the crowd. Connor bumped my shoulder. "Still worried?” I didn't answer. I didn't have to.

Practice was video analysis instead of skating. Coach dimmed the lights inside the film room while clips from Saturday's game played across the projector. “Pause." The screen froze on Connor entering the offensive zone. Riley joining late. Coach pointed his laser at the screen. "What do you see?” Easton answered first. "Their weak-side winger is cheating high.” Coach nodded. "What else?” Silence. Then Riley spoke. "Their defenseman is watching the puck.” Coach smiled. "Exactly."

The video rolled again. "Because their defenseman loses sight of Bennett…" He paused again. "...Connor ends up wide open.” Coach looked around the room. "Hockey isn't just speed.” He tapped the screen. "It's making other people move where you want them.” He said as he continued to explain. For the next hour, we broke down every shift. Every mistake. Every good decision. Every missed opportunity. Riley answered nearly every tactical question Coach asked. Confidently and correctly. By the end of the session, even Noah looked impressed. She wasn't just talented. She understood the game.

After practice, I headed toward Coach's office. He looked up from a stack of paperwork. "You need something?” I leaned against the doorway. "I've been thinking.” He smiled. "Usually dangerous.” He commented and I gave him a short smile before it disappeared. "About Bennett.” I said and coach sat back in his seat. “Still?" I nodded. "I don't think she's found anywhere.” I said and Coach folded his hands. "I don't either.” Silence settled between us.

Finally, I asked the question that had been bouncing around my head for days. "If someone wanted to help…" Coach raised an eyebrow. "...how do you do it without making her feel like she's accepting charity?” Coach didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood and walked to the window overlooking the rink. "When I was your age…" That caught me off guard. Coach rarely talked about himself. "I hated asking for help.” He smiled faintly. "My pride nearly cost me my education.” I stayed quiet. "My coach didn't give me money.” He turned back toward me. "He gave me a job.” I frowned. "What kind of job?” "He needed someone to organize equipment.” Coach shrugged. "I was terrible at it.” Despite myself, I smiled. "But he made sure I earned every cent.” Understanding slowly dawned.

"You think Riley would accept work…" I started and paused before continuing. "...before she'd accept charity?” Coach nodded once. "I'd bet my salary on it.” That… Actually made sense. “Thanks Coach.” I said and left his office.

Later that afternoon, I found myself standing outside the campus recreation centre. The place Riley worked part-time. Students checked in at the front desk while staff handed out basketballs, volleyballs, and locker keys. I wasn't even sure why I'd come. Maybe I just wanted to know how much she was working. Maybe I wanted proof that she wasn't carrying everything alone. Instead, I found proof that she was. She was behind the reception desk. Answering phones. Checking equipment back in. Helping students. Smiling at everyone. She never stopped moving. One student left. Another immediately stepped forward. Then another. She glanced at the clock. 7:48 p.m. She'd been here since practice. How long had she been working? I wondered.

A supervisor appeared beside her. "Can you cover Saturday morning too?” Riley hesitated. Only for a second. “Yeah." She answered. “Thanks." The supervisor said before hurrying of quickly. "No problem.” She mumbled to his back. Another shift. Another few hours. Another paycheque. She wasn't trying to save money anymore. She was trying to survive. I turned and walked away before she noticed me. For some reason… Watching her work that hard bothered me more than hearing about the apartments ever had.

That night, the house was unusually quiet. Connor studied off course. Gray had somehow convinced Tyler to play video games and judging by the shouting upstairs, neither of them was winning. I sat at the kitchen table with my laptop open.

Housing websites. Campus employment pages. Local rentals. Anything and everything. Most of it was useless. Then one listing caught my attention. Resident Assistant applications. Housing included. I frowned. Applications had already closed. Still… Maybe...

I opened a new browser tab. Not because I had a plan. Not yet. But for the first time… I felt like there might be another solution. I just had to find it before Riley ran out of time.