Avery’s POV

If I’d known this whole “fixing Riley’s love life” thing was going to be harder than a level ten crossword puzzle, I would’ve reconsidered. But I didn’t, so here I am, trying to play matchmaker for two stubborn people who deserve each other but refuse to see it.

I watch Riley across the table, her face buried in her coffee cup as she stirs it absentmindedly. There’s a heaviness to her that wasn’t there before, and I know it’s because she’s still caught up in this mess with Nate. Every day, it’s the same cycle: resentment, self-loathing, and a good dose of anger directed at anyone who even dares to mention his name. She’s putting on a brave face, but I see the cracks.

Liam is pacing by the window, staring out at the gray sky like it’s going to magically solve everything. The game’s tomorrow, the final game of the season, and I’m not about to let Riley screw this up. Not for herself. And definitely not for Nate. They’re both too important. Too damn real to just throw away.

“I’m telling you, Liam, she’s being stupid,” I mutter, my voice frustrated. “This is their last shot. If she doesn’t show up to that game, it’s over. For both of them.”

“I know,” Liam replied, his fingers tightening around his coffee cup. “But she’s so damn stubborn. It’s like she wants to punish herself. Or him. Or both of them. She can’t keep pretending she doesn’t care, not after everything that’s happened. He’s a hockey player, yeah, but she’s not in love with his jersey. She’s in love with him. That’s what she needs to get through her thick skull.”

I snort at his bluntness. “You’re not wrong, but I don’t think being a hockey player is the issue. It’s everything else. She feels betrayed. Lied to. And you can’t exactly undo that kind of hurt just by showing up at a game.”

“You’re telling me,” Liam says dryly, but there’s a softness in his eyes when he looks at her.

I couldn’t help but take a look at Riley. “She’s been through so much. But you know what, I’m done waiting for her to make the first move. It’s time we make the move for her.”

Liam raised an eyebrow, catching my meaning. “What are you suggesting?”

“You make sure Nate plays in tomorrow’s game, and I will get Riley to the game.”

He turns to me, a small grin forming on his lips. “We get her to the game. Make her see Nate’s not going to let her slip away. We don’t give her a choice. We make it impossible for her to back out.”

I feel a shift in my chest, I love this man. “Exactly!”

My plan isn’t foolproof. But at this point, I’m willing to throw any Hail Mary I can to get Riley and Nate back together. Watching Riley tear herself up over something she can’t control? It’s killing me. And if she doesn’t get off her ass and do something about it soon, I might just lose it.

I don’t like seeing Nate this way either. He’s a mess. He hasn’t even stepped foot on the ice for practice, and the last time I checked, he was still sulking in his room, refusing to talk to anyone. Not Liam. So yeah, this situation is a mess.

But I know what I’m doing.

I walk over to Riley, standing by her side like I’m the therapist she never asked for. “Riley,” I start, tone casual, but it’s all business from here on out. “You know, you’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

She looks up from her coffee, her eyes narrowed. “How’s that?”

“You’re still mad at Nate, but you’ve been doing the silent treatment thing for days now. Doesn’t seem like it’s getting you anywhere, does it?”

She opens her mouth, probably to argue, but I beat her to it. “Listen. You need to get your shit together. Tomorrow’s the last game of the season, and you know as well as I do how much that means to him. To them.” I gesture at the window, where the team’s bus would be pulling up any minute.

“I’m not going. Not after everything that happened. You know why,” she mutters, her gaze flicking to the side.

“I get it, Riley. I do. But if you don’t show up tomorrow, if you don’t at least give him the chance to fix this, then you’re going to be left wondering ‘what if.’ Is that what you want? To live with that forever?”

Her shoulders tense, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. I see her jaw clench. Damn it, I’m not giving up on this. She deserves closure. They both do.

I press on, quieter now. “I’m not telling you to forgive him overnight. I’m just telling you to show up. Watch the game. See the guy who’s been fighting for you, even when you couldn’t see it.”

Riley looks at me for a long moment, then sighs. She’s giving in. Just a little bit. “Fine. I’ll go. But I’m not doing it for him. I’m doing it for me.”

I let out a relieved breath. “That’s all I need to hear.”

“I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?” Riley asks, almost to herself. Her voice is quiet, unsure.

“You are. And we’re all behind you. Just… don’t let fear decide this for you. You’ll regret it if you do.” I gave Riley a quick hug.

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Liam’s POV

I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m usually the one causing chaos, not playing therapist. But right now, I’m pacing in front of Nate’s door, trying to figure out how to get him off his ass and into the game tomorrow. He’s been moping around like someone died, and if it were anyone else, I’d just leave him to wallow. But this is Nate. And I can’t stand watching him waste this.

I knock on his door, waiting for him to answer. When he finally cracks it open, he’s wearing that blank look. The kind that says, “I’m still here, but I’m not really here.”

“You good, man?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual, but I know damn well he’s not.

He doesn’t look at me at first, just runs a hand through his hair, looking more exhausted than I’ve ever seen him. “I don’t know, Liam. I feel like I messed up. I... I don’t even know if I’m supposed to go out there tomorrow.”

“Dude, you don’t get to quit now. Not after everything. The team needs you. You need you. Riley’s not the only one who’s been hurt. You’ve been hurting, too. So, stop pulling this ‘woe is me’ act and show up for your fucking team.”

He shifts his weight, leaning against the doorframe. “It’s not that simple.”

“I never said it was,” I shoot back. “But you can’t keep hiding from the truth. Riley’s not mad at you for being a hockey player. She’s mad because she feels like you used her, man. Like you didn’t trust her with the truth. But if you want her to see that you’re not just some ‘jersey,’ you need to prove it. Show her who you really are. Show her the guy who isn’t afraid to take the hit for her.”

Nate rubs his eyes, sighing like he’s finally starting to get it. “You think I can fix this?”

“You think you can walk away from her without making it right?” I ask, my voice blunt. “No, you can’t. Tomorrow, you’re going to walk into that game, and you’re going to show up for her. Show up for you. But don’t be an idiot and let her slip away. Not when you’re this close to having it all.”

Nate’s silent for a moment, like he’s mulling it over. But finally, he looks up at me, the edge of determination in his eyes. “Alright. I’ll be there.”

“Good. And Nate?” I add, my voice low, serious. “You make sure you’re the first one to show up for her. Don’t wait for her to make the first move.”