Family photography wasn't my area of expertise. Normally, I'd be on the court snapping shots of the college sports teams for the school paper or on a snocross track catching riders rip around every berm, but I agreed to a quick twenty-minute session for my roommate Janelle's older sister before I caught my flight back home. To the very destination, I'd run from and had been avoiding for the last six months.

A sharp gust of wind tangled through my hair, blowing shards of ice crystals in my face as I lowered my camera and took in the scene.

The far-off mountains created the perfect backdrop behind the three-person family, the frozen river cutting through the city pure magic, but it was a little cold for the rosy-cheeked two-year-old standing before the outdoor rink in his adorable hockey skates. "How do you feel about a few photos by the tree?" I asked Jessica, hoping she wouldn't object as I pointed toward a beautifully decorated spruce.

She twisted her body, revealing the ever-growing bump beneath her red peacoat—their second, soon-to-be-born baby. "Are you sure you have time?" she replied, squinting green eyes against the wind.

Technically no, I was due to catch my flight, and I promised The Gateway–the school paper–that I'd take a few shots of the hockey team before I took off, but–"I'm sure. Dallas isn't here yet." He was late again. And totally screwed up my plans of telling him about the ex back home. The ex that still lived in my parents' guest house and would likely be there when Dallas and I arrived.

My stomach squirmed, though I must have hidden my annoyance well because Jessica arched a mischievous brow at the mention of my boyfriend's name. "Alright then."

She turned, ushering her frozen husband to the ice path wending through the trees.

I hurried behind, nearly falling face-first into the snow on my way over—my frozen legs giving way and my ankle-high boots collecting snow, but I'd do anything for a good shot, even if it meant freezing my ass off.

The little family set themselves up before the tree, completely unaware of the anxious thoughts bombarding my consciousness.

I didn't exactly leave home on good terms—my parents were fine with the move and wholly supportive, but everyone else...

I swallowed hard, not wanting to dwell on the argument that occurred between Baker and I before I left or the things that were said. I hadn't been home in months because of it, and I might have come up with another excuse as to why I couldn't fly back for the holidays, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't lonesome.

My back pocket vibrated, and I quickly took out my phone, noting the alarm.

Where the hell was Dallas? I jabbed my thumbs against the screen–my camera hanging from the strap around my neck. Maybe it wasn't my family I was worried about confronting. Maybe it was the one I was texting and the fears I'd gathered around bringing him home to meet them. To meet him.

Dread tied a knot around my stomach as I sent the text, waiting for him to reply when Jessica's voice slid through the concrete walls of thought I'd caged myself in. "We can wrap this up if you need to, Hadley. It's a little cold out here for Cash anyway."

I snapped my head up, finding Jessica, her husband Koa and their son staring at me, the adorable two-year-old lying face first on the ground in his little goose-feathered coat.

Koa smiled politely in agreement, though it quickly fell from his tanned face when he looked away.

I almost laughed. I knew Koa was freezing and only agreed to take the photos outside because Jessica insisted on it. Not that she'd force him. He only wanted to make her happy, like Baker used to make me.

My heart split in two, and I quickly shoved down the thought.

I checked the time on my phone, considering. If I didn't get the shots of the team before I left, Jason would surely have my head. And there was no doubt Remi, the overly confident ass-kisser who watched me like a ravenous vulture, would glide in and take the photography spot I earned four months ago. "I can do a few more," I assured her. And pray Dallas show up within the next five minutes. If he didn't, I'd have to ask Jessica for a ride which was insanely unprofessional and desperate, but she was my best friend's oldest sister, so it was fine. Right?

"Are you sure?"

I thought about calling it a day, but sprinting across campus and breaking an ankle in chunky-heeled boots wasn't ideal. There was no way I'd get there in time anyway. "I'm sure," I said, lifting my camera. "The light is perfect, and Cash is adorable."

Jessica and Koa looked between them, then down at the content baby snacking on the snow beneath them.

Click.

Jessica startled into action. "No Cash! The snow is dirty."

I chuckled behind my lens, snapping as many shots as I could as she bent. Or tried to. It was a little hard maneuvering around the baby bump.

Koa crouched onto his haunches–his grey wool coat opening just enough to reveal the expensive tailored suit he chose for work this morning. "As long as it's not yellow, it's fine."

"Koa!"

Koa chuckled, and I laughed. "Alright. We're done."

"About time," Koa said. He scooped up a giggling Cash up under his burly arm, high-kneeing it through the snow in his sleek black shoes.

Jessica shook her head in smile. "He hates the cold," she murmured as she approached.

Not me, I thought, flipping through images. I lived for the cold and loved everything that came with it: the beautiful scenery, the quiet, the warm teas, and... the sports.

The tattoo on my thumb caught my eye as I swiped through, and my enthusiasm plummeted.

The tiny symbols forever inked there ran just under the base along the meatier part of my palm. Not huge, but tasteful and full of meaning no other could understand. Well, maybe one other. And he was still pissed.

I crumpled those thoughts like paper and tossed them away, plastering a smile on my face. "What do you think?" I asked, showing her the photos.

Jessica swiped a dark curl from her face. So different from her husband's shoulder-length waves. "Hadley, these are incredible! You have quite the eye."

Her words warmed me from the inside out. Nothing brought me more joy than knowing my work was appreciated. I could stay up all night editing, pulling together quick TikTok videos and reels with the clips I'd made for the sports Instagram pages and my own, but if I didn't get to the arena... "Are you heading home?" I asked, checking the time once more.

Four minutes.

"It looks like it," Jessica chuckled, watching her husband throw their giggling son into their olive-coloured SUV.

I rose up onto my toes, hoping to see Dallas's truck pull in at the last minute.

It didn't. "Do you think I could catch a ride? I'm gonna be late."

Pity swept across Jessica's expression. It wasn't the first time Dallas left me stranded out in the cold, but it was usually because of a late practice. As the star forward of the universities varsity hockey team, he had commitments outside of me, which was fine. I had my own life and told him countless times I didn't want anything serious, which was pointless. After everyone caught wind of Dallas and I kissing at my birthday party a few months ago, word spread faster than a raging snow squall, and I gained fame so quickly my neck snapped. I was claimed, and while it should have irked me, it didn't. I wasn't looking for prospects when I moved here. I was looking to breathe. To get away from all the turmoil that follow me after a near-death experience that tore my life in two and ripped the person I'd built my entire world around from me in a blink of an eye. But being tied to Dallas kept those interested far away, and I'd be lying if I said he wasn't good with hands.

I looked sidelong at Jessica. "Coach probably called him in early," I said, forcing a smile. It was his practice I was supposed to shoot, after all.

"Still," Jessica said, giving my arm a slight squeeze. "He could've called."

I sighed, combing the long caramel-coloured balayage I dyed the second I got here from my face.

"What time do you have to be there?" she asked.

I checked my phone. "Two minutes."

Her gaze hardened the way a scolding older sister would.

I winced an apologetic grin. She'd heard all about my grievances the last few weeks over Sunday dinners she invited Janelle and me to. Finals had stressed me out, so had the increased workload at the paper though I'd be lying if I said none of it had to do with the dread of going home.

Guilt left a greasy mark on my scarred heart, but I refused to show it. Not as Jessica hooked my arm in hers to keep from falling and guided us to a start. "Let's go. If we don't hurry, you'll be late. And Janelle will murder you for making her wait there."

I didn't doubt that.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading the new edited chapter!! It's been over a year since I wrote the first draft, and I thought it was high time I started editing! 

If you are a returning reader, please let me know what you think! And if you're new, feel free to comment. I love the engagement :)