Barb

“Ilya couldn’t believe what he had been reduced to. He was...infatuated. It was disgusting.”
― Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry

“Ilya opened Instagram and started typing a new private message to ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer.

Shane
You are the best thing in my life.
I love you. Always. Maybe from the first time I saw you.
I am thinking only about you right now. A million memories. Thank you for those.
Whatever happens, I am with you. Safe in your heart. I believe it.

He did. Ilya only had vague ideas of the afterlife and any gods who may be waiting there, but he believed his soul would stay with Shane, however it could. He believed the people you loved stayed with you until it was your time to go. He often felt his mother with him, and he knew he’d do the same for Shane.”
― Rachel Reid, The Long Game

“There was something a little creepy about sitting in this small pool of light in the middle of total darkness. It was so eerily quiet - just the crackling of the fire, the occasional lap of water from the lake, and -
A fucking wolf. That was a fucking wolf howl.
"What the fuck was that?" Ilya said. He couldn't conceal the terror in his voice. But who the fuck cared, because they were surrounded by hungry wolves!
Shane laughed. "It's a loon."
"A what?"
"A loon!" Shane was really laughing now. "It's a bird. Like a duck, kind of. Oh my god, you thought it was a wolf!"
"What the fuck bird makes a noise like that?"
"A loon!" Shane said again. Then he doubled over in hysterics. Ilya wanted to push him into the fire.
"Fuck you and your loon!" Ilya said. "Stupid Canadian wolf bird.”
― Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry

“Does it...does it feel like agony for you too?'
Ilya started to nod, then stopped. He shook his head slowly instead.
'Not anymore.”
― Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry