All Chapters of Break The Ice: Chapter 101 - Chapter 108

JADEThe next two days, without Tristan occupying that seat beside Myles, I felt strange. The ward itself felt like a graveyard, the silence between Leo and Natalie growing heavier with each day. Filling the silence was the soft noise flowing from the TV. On it was Tristan, a god on the ice, Myles’ gear wrapped around him like a vice. He played like a zombie, programmed to floor the rink. But I knew it was his shattered heart. His rage.How Natalie convinced him to go? No clue. But he texted constantly—demanded photos, updates, proof Myles hadn’t slipped away. Judging by the hollows under his eyes on camera, I doubted he’d slept since leaving.I scrolled through my phone, thumb hovering over Tristan’s last text—”Tell me if he wakes up.”—but Myles hadn’t so much as twitched.Natalie stood rigid by the window, her reflection warped in the rain-streaked glass. Leo slouched in the corner, jaw clenched, eyes bloodshot. The TV droned in the background, replaying clips of Tristan’s game.

TRISTAN I hadn’t played in the next match. I stayed in the locker room, waiting for it all to be over. And when it finally was—Sharks winning with points—Coach Daniel walked in and sat beside me. “I’m sorry I made you do it,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. He wasn’t looking at me, just staring at the wall, his hands clasped between his knees. “I didn’t know you two were that close. I understand why you two had to keep it a secret.” “It wasn’t a secret,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I intended. “I’m not closeted.” “Sorry,” Coach sighed, running a hand over his face. “I thought… I thought it would help. Give you something to focus on. But I see now I was wrong.” I didn’t answer. What was there to say? That Myles wasn’t just a teammate? That he wasn’t just a friend? That he was everything? “The team won,” he said after a moment, his tone lighter, like he was trying to shift the mood. “They pulled through. Because of you and Myles.” I didn’t respond, just stared at

**A MONTH LATER** **JADE** "Good evening, students, parents, teachers, and anyone who accidentally wandered in thinking this was a free event with snacks," the principal began his speech with a playful smirk. The audience roared with laughter. Everyone except the three of us—Natalie, Leo, and me. I gave Leo a reassuring smirk. He was going to come. But the more I did that, the more I knew I was lying to myself. It had been a month since we'd last seen him, since that final day at the hospital. I had no clue if he was coming today. When we spoke last night on his new number, his answers had been vague. It was graduation. I never imagined our graduation would feel like this—just plain. Others looked like they were having fun, but maybe, if we could just believe Myles when he said he was alright, then maybe—just maybe—we could have fun too. "Today, we gather to celebrate the Class of 2010—a class so brilliant, so resilient, and so determined that even senioritis couldn’t

MYLES The neon sign buzzed overhead, *Elysium* bleeding crimson into the night. A club. Of course, it was a fucking club. Bouncers flanked the entrance, all bulk and cold eyes. One glanced at my hoodie, my bag, and smirked. “Lost, kid?” “Gabriel,” I said, voice flat. “I need to see him.” The smirk faded. The other bouncer stepped forward, his hand drifting toward his waistband. “Who’s asking?” “Myles Harold.” I held his gaze, pulse roaring. “Tell him I’m here to negotiate.” ** “Does Maria know you’re here?” The old man glared at me. “Of course, she doesn’t know. What are you doing here, boy? Leave before Gabriel sees you.” But I couldn’t leave. Not when he had the papers. Not when Mum was on that hospital bed, dying. The Elysium was a bar. It was quite easy to find, turned out it was a big spot at the center of the city. And in many ways, it reminded me of El Refugio... the loud thumping music, except when Tristan was in charge. Except this had strippers, and when