Through the Dark Quotes

“I failed them, Archer,” I said in a broken voice. “Oh, Princess.” He rested his forehead against mine. “You didn’t fail anyone.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“Well, love is always best when it’s complicated, isn’t it?”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“Archer’s gaze landed on his leg, which was propped up in its horrible cast. “And this?” he asked, his voice cracking. Mrs. Rainn and Mr. Jamison exchanged a glance. I wondered if they’d planned how they were going to tell him about all of this. “It seems like during the fall, you landed awkwardly on your leg, which caused a bad break,” Mrs. Rainn said gently. “It’s going to take some time to heal.” Archer’s hands trembled as he reached out to touch his cast, his fingers tracing the hard exterior as if trying to understand the reality of all of this. “The doctors say that with rest and rehab, you’ll get your strength back and be able to walk normally again,” his mom continued. Archer dropped back again, letting his arms fall to his sides and looked at his mom with wide eyes. “And hockey?” Mrs. Rainn bit her lip. “I’m not sure yet. We’ll have to see how it heals.” “But if I take the season off—” He broke off and shook his head. It was the closest I ever saw to him crying. “I only have a year left in high school. I can’t… ” “We’re going to get through this,” Mrs. Rainn said, her voice firm but comforting. “It’ll work out in the end, okay? You’ll see.” I had a feeling Archer wouldn’t want me to see him cry so as the tears started to flow down his face, I slipped quietly outside the room. Then, I walked to the bathroom as fast as I could and let the tears fall down my own face too. What’s a life without hockey? Archer had said to me once. Not one I want to live.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“And since when do you care about sibling loyalty?” I snapped, feeling all the resentment I’d been holding onto over the past four years bubble up. I never wanted to hate her, but seeing her now, it was impossible to ignore. How could she come here and act like this when she’d been so absent after their dad died? When Adelynn needed her the most, she was nowhere to be found. “Hey, I⁠—” “Who was the one who stayed up all night with Adelynn on the first anniversary of your dad’s death?” I demanded, my voice cracking despite my best efforts. “Who was there to hug her when she cried? Who listened to her stories about him, made sure nobody drove too fast for her, and visited his grave every month? Because it sure as hell wasn’t you!”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“Why are you here, Archer?” I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible even to my own ears. “To see you,” he breathed, his words sending shivers down my spine.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“I was falling for Archer Rainn. My best friend’s brother. I was so incredibly screwed.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“You wouldn’t understand,” Archer said. He ran a hand over his face and turned away so I couldn’t see him. I had the sinking feeling that he was crying. “What it was like growing up. Never my own person, always just one of the triplets. Add golden child Annabelle on top and—” His words were cut off by something that sounded suspiciously like a sob. “You just get lost in the shuffle. Never get time alone with your parents because there’s always another kid who needs more than you. And then one day, your dad gets ripped away forever and you realize you’ll never get that time back.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“He scowled. “Why are you here, Brielle?” I scowled right back. “It’s Bri.” He raised his eyebrows. “Brielle.” I stepped toward him. “Archie.” He stepped toward me. “Brianna.” Step. “Archerson.” Step. “Brigitta.” Step. “Archibald.” Step. “Briona.” Step. We were toe-to-toe now (well, skate to skate) and I had to tilt my head up to be able to look at him. “Archimedes.” He cracked first. Just the smallest bit—a little quirk of the lips, so tiny that if it was anyone else, I wouldn’t dare call it a smile. But on him it was the most positive emotion I’d ever seen him exhibit.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“I wished I could go back in time to when it all aligned. When my parents’ ideas for my future—medals and athletic scholarships—were exactly what I wanted too. But a crack had formed in the dream a year ago when I finished my routine, looked at the cheering crowd, and knew in my heart I’d won the competition and felt… nothing. No joy. No pride. Just total emptiness. My old love for competing never came back after that. I kept waiting for it to kick in, to feel the high of the excitement and adrenaline, but all I felt at every competition from then on was dread. Pain. Numbness. And still, through it all, I had to be the best. To help my team, make my parents proud, and my coaches happy. I had to do it all with a smile on my face and pretend that it was what I wanted, because I refused to disappoint them. Even if it killed me inside.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“Bri, sometimes the bravest thing we can do is admit when something isn’t right for us anymore. It takes courage to step away from something that no longer brings us joy or fulfillment. And it would only do a disservice to your team for you to stay if you heart wasn’t in it anymore.”
― Clara Nielsen, Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses