The Dying Seconds — Cynthia Gunderson

The hardest thing isn't watching it fall apart. It's knowing you're the one who has to walk away.

I've spent four years loving Sean Thompson. But lately, I can feel him slipping through my fingers.

He's the captain of the Snowballs, a legend on the ice, and closing in on the end of his career whether he''s ready to admit it or not.

I want a future -- marriage, a family, a home. We always thought we'd build that in Calgary, but now my father's health is failing, and I need to go home. Not just for a visit -- for good. But every time I bring it up, he acts like we haven't spent every Sunday dinner at his parents' house for our entire relationship.

Then he gets the call: a spot in an Elite League all-star game. One last shot at glory. One final face-off against Jordan Wheatfill, the captain of Puck's Deep before he ages out of the league.

Now I'm watching him fight like hell to keep his place when he won't do the same for me. I love him. But I can't be the only one in this relationship with elbows up.

Some things don't come back after the final whistle.
And I'm terrified we're one of them.

One Click if you love:

Second-chance romance

Relationship in trouble

Lost and found family

High stakes games

Hockey rivalry