Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Hope’s POV

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The bowl of popcorn nearly toppled over as I shot up from the couch. Everything around me blurred, my hands trembling as the last ten seconds played across the screen. This would determine the outcome of the game-either overtime or victory.

Every second felt like an eternity, stretching until I thought I might lose my mind.

My mom stood, too, her eyes glued to the television, and if my father wasn’t paralyzed from the waist down, I was certain he would have been on his feet as well. Harley had gone silent on the other line, making everything feel even more intense.

Eight seconds.

My heart lurched into my throat when Levi finally captured the puck. However, he was still a little too far from their goal. And with the Dreams players closing in on him-nearly all of them-it looked like the slimmest, most impossible chance.

Five seconds.

Three.

Two.

Levi took the shot even though he was only a few steps past the halfline.

I held my breath, my eyes following nothing but the puck as it soared through the air. For a second, the entire world seemed to stop.

Then it slipped cleanly past the goalkeeper’s gloves and buried itself into the back of the net.

“Goal!” the commentators screamed, and at the exact same moment, cheers exploded throughout the house.

“And that is why Levi Reeve is considered… well, Levi Reeve! Not only did he completely turn this game around with just one period, but he has also set the record for the most goals scored in a single game and in a single period!”

My parents erupted in celebration, grabbing each other’s hands as they laughed and continued praising Levi.

Harley was screaming over the phone.

“Man, he’s awesome! How am I supposed to beat him now?”

The arena, which had once been against the team, had completely changed sides. Thousands of voices now roared in celebration, shaking the entire building.

The camera briefly showed the Dreams players. They looked defeated, exhaustion written all over their faces, but there was also acceptance there. They knew the game was over.

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Chapter 146

It then panned toward Levi as he removed his helmet.

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He was instantly swallowed by his teammates, all of them throwing themselves at him like they had already won the championship itself instead of just a single game.

I knew it was supposed to be nothing but a happy moment.

But I couldn’t stop the tears that stung the back of my eyes.

Just then, Levi stepped out of the middle of the celebrating crowd and looked straight into one of the

cameras.

My breath caught.

He lifted his hand and made a tiny finger heart toward the camera.

The screams and squeals inside the arena instantly doubled.

I quickly turned toward Harley, who was already laughing so hard I could barely hear him breathe.

“He really did it!”

I couldn’t help giggling, too, despite the tears threatening to spill. “Did you teach him that?”

“Yeah,” Harley proudly admitted. “I told him you’d like it.”

Harley was right.

I did like it. Very, very much.

Warmth spread through my chest as I looked back at the television, but a small wave of disappointment hit me when I realized Levi was no longer on the screen. Instead, the camera had shifted toward Connor, and the commentators wasted no time tearing into his performance.

“Connor Bennett looks absolutely stunned.”

“I would be, too, after the stark difference in their performances. Levi showed exactly why he is the Glaciers’ main center. Connor’s performance tonight… I don’t even think it can be called professional.”

“This also reflects poorly on Coach Dennis because there seems to be obvious tension on the bench.”

“Whatever anyone says, the true star of the night is Levi Reeve, but it seems he can’t be found anywhere.”

The three commentators laughed.

“Well, that’s Levi for you. But did you all see that finger heart? Even I swooned…”

Just then, my phone started ringing again.

I glanced at it, wondering if Harley had somehow been disconnected, but my eyes widened when Levi’s contact photo appeared on the screen instead.

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Chapter 146

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I immediately picked it up and hurried outside while my parents continued celebrating inside the house.

I answered right away.

“Levi?” I exclaimed. “Why are you calling right now? Shouldn’t you still be back at the rink?”

“I just needed to call you,” he said, slightly breathless.

The moment I heard his voice, my heart melted.

“So… did you see?”

I let out a slow breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding.

“I did, Levi. You did great. You did really… really well.”

“But are you alright?” I asked immediately afterward, concern taking over before anything else. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

“Fuck,” he suddenly muttered.

“What?”

“Everyone’s been telling me I did well, but hearing it from you…” He let out a quiet laugh. “It sounds the best. And you’re also the first person who asked if I’m alright.”

“Of course I had to,” I said softly.

“I know.” His voice became gentler. “It’s just you. That’s why I fell for you so hard.”

I absentmindedly played with the hem of my shirt, trying, but completely failing, to calm the frantic beating of my heart.

“Is… everything going to be okay now?” I asked carefully.

He didn’t hesitate, not even for a second, and somehow that certainty settled every anxious thought racing through my mind.

“Yes. Everything’s going to be okay,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about anything anymore, Hope. Connor will leave you alone, and Margaret… she’ll leave, too.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“What?” I asked. “What happened? Why are they leaving?”

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