The fluorescent lights of the hockey rink cast a harsh glare over the ice, illuminating the tension that hung thick in the air. Coach Thompson's booming voice echoed through the arena as he barked out instructions to the team, his stern gaze fixed on the players before him.

Quince skated with determination, her mind focused solely on the game, determined to prove herself despite the searing pain in her ribs. She winced with every movement, the injury a constant reminder of the physical toll of the sport she loved.

Luke remained distant, his eyes fixed on the ice as he skated with a silent intensity that spoke volumes. His once effortless grace was replaced by a palpable sense of unease, his mind consumed by thoughts of Quince and the rift that had formed between them.

As practice drew to a close, Coach Thompson motioned for Quince to stay behind, a look of concern etched on his weathered face. Luke watched from afar, his heart heavy with regret as he observed Quince's solitary figure on the ice.

Quince approached Coach Thompson tentatively, her chest tightening with apprehension. She knew that staying after practice meant enduring another round of grueling drills, but she was willing to push herself to the limit if it meant earning her place on the team.

Coach Thompson's expression softened slightly as he regarded Quince with a mixture of admiration and concern. "You're one tough cookie, Quince," he remarked gruffly, his voice softened by a hint of grudging respect. "But you need to take it easy on the ice. I won't have you aggravating that injury any further. So I made you a gym schedule."

Quince nodded not understanding, a sense of determination burning bright in her eyes. She may have been battered and bruised, but she refused to let anything stand in the way of her dreams. So if Coach wanted her to work out instead she would.

As she skated off the ice, Quince couldn't shake the feeling of Luke's eyes burning into her back. She longed to bridge the chasm that had formed between them, to mend the fractured pieces of their relationship and find comfort in each other's arms once more.

But as she returned home to their shared apartment, Quince's hopes were dashed by the stark emptiness that greeted her. Luke remained holed up in his apartment, his silence a tangible barrier between them that Quince couldn't bear to breach.

Alone in her pain, Quince felt a wave of nausea wash over her, the searing ache in her ribs intensifying with each passing moment. She stumbled to the bathroom, the bitter taste of bile rising in her throat as she doubled over in agony.

But this time, there was no comforting presence by her side, no soothing words of reassurance to ease her suffering. Luke's absence loomed large in the silence of the apartment, a stark reminder of the fractured bond that had once united them.

Meanwhile, in his room, Luke lay on his bed, consumed by a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. Regret gnawed at his insides, twisting like a knife in his gut as he replayed the events of the past few days in his mind.

He couldn't shake the image of Quince's pained expression as she skated off the ice, her determination to push through the pain a testament to her resilience. And yet, despite his best efforts to bury his feelings, Luke couldn't deny the ache in his heart that longed for her touch.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open, and Luke tensed as Jack entered the room, his expression a mask of concern.

"Luke, you need to eat something," Jack urged, his voice tinged with worry. "You can't keep punishing yourself like this. It's not healthy."

Luke's jaw clenched with frustration as he glared at his brother, his resentment bubbling to the surface. "I don't want to eat, Jack," he snapped, his tone sharp with anger. "And I don't need you lecturing me about what's best for me."

Jack sighed, his features softening with understanding. He knew that Luke was hurting, but he couldn't stand by and watch his brother self-destruct. "Luke, I know you're upset," Jack replied gently, his voice laced with empathy. "But you have to realize that breaking up with Quince was for the best. You can't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

But Luke's temper flared at Jack's words, his frustration reaching a boiling point as he lashed out in anger. "You don't understand, Jack," he retorted bitterly. "You've ruined everything."

With that, Luke stormed out of the apartment, his heart heavy with regret as he fled into the night, his destination clear in his mind. He needed someone to talk to, someone who understood the complexities of his heartache.

And as he knocked on Nico's door, seeking comfort in the company of a friend, Luke couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he had made a grave mistake—one that he might never be able to undo.

Luke slouched on the couch in Nico's living room, his mind a whirlwind of regret and frustration. He appreciated Nico's silent support, grateful for the refuge his friend offered him in this tumultuous time. As Nico went to order pizza, Luke couldn't help but feel a pang of hunger gnawing at his stomach. He hadn't eaten much since the breakup, his appetite overshadowed by the weight of his emotions.

When Nico returned, Luke managed a weak smile of gratitude as they both dug into the pizza. The savory aroma filled the room, momentarily distracting Luke from his troubled thoughts. But as he took a bite, the taste seemed to lose its flavor, the food turning to ash in his mouth.

Nico noticed Luke's lackluster appetite, his brow furrowing with concern. "You okay, man?" he asked gently, his voice laced with genuine worry.

Luke sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his emotions. "I don't know, Nico," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I can't stop thinking about her."

Nico nodded in understanding, his expression sympathetic. "I get it, Luke," he replied softly. "Breakups are never easy, especially when you still care about the person."

Luke nodded in agreement, his mind drifting back to the moments he had shared with Quince. He couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that consumed him in her absence, the ache of longing gnawing at his heart.

"I know I messed up, Nico," Luke murmured, his voice tinged with regret. "I should have never let her go."

Nico laid a comforting hand on Luke's shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile. "It's not too late to make things right, Luke," he replied encouragingly. "You just have to be willing to fight for what you want."

Luke's gaze drifted to the window, his thoughts consumed by memories of Quince. He knew that he had to find a way to make things right, to mend the rift that had torn them apart. But the fear of rejection lingered in the back of his mind, casting a shadow of doubt over his resolve.

Before Luke could dwell on his doubts any longer, Nico's attention was drawn to something outside the window. Luke followed his friend's gaze, his curiosity piqued by the sudden shift in Nico's demeanor.

"What's going on, Nico?" Luke asked, his curiosity piqued.

Nico's eyes lit up with interest as he spotted a girl leaving the apartment building. "Oh, nothing, just... someone I've been meaning to talk to," he replied, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Luke couldn't help but smile at the sight of Nico's enthusiasm. Despite his own troubles, he couldn't help but feel a sense of hope for his friend's budding romance.

"Go for it, Nico," Luke encouraged, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "You never know where it might lead."

Nico grinned in response, his confidence bolstered by Luke's words of encouragement. With a final nod of gratitude, he slipped out of the apartment, leaving Luke alone with his thoughts once more.

As Luke settled back into the couch, his mind drifted back to Quince, his heart heavy with longing. He knew that he had to find a way to make things right, to prove to her that he was willing to fight for their love no matter the cost.

People like you always want back the love they gave away
And people like me wanna believe you when you say you've changed
The more I think about it now, the less I know
All I know is that you drove us off the road

Authors note

All my layout is still fucked but I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!!

I gave a little hint in this chapter who would be the next book. Did anyone find it??

Love you guys

Thank you for 5k reads!!