Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Hope’s POV

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I didn’t expect to be suddenly called in to work on my day off-the morning of the reunion, of all days. I had honestly slept like a baby the night before. Everything that had happened had left me feeling so happy and at

peace.

The moment I opened my eyes and checked my phone, however, the first text I saw was from Jerome, asking if I could come in and cover for someone because they had gotten sick at the last minute.

Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I decided to just take the shift.

However, when Jerome said it would be busy, he wasn’t exaggerating. I barely had a second to breathe. I didn’t even manage to get a break!

No one would be picking me up today, so I decided to call a cab to get home. The moment I arrived at the house, I collapsed onto the couch and let out a long, exhausted breath.

I then glanced at the clock and saw that it was already four in the afternoon. I had even gone overtime by an hour.

There were still three hours until the reunion, so I decided to rest for now. However, before I could relax, I realized that I hadn’t checked my phone all day. Levi had said he would be heading out at nine in the morning after the team’s afterparty, so he should be arriving soon.

I quickly pulled my phone out of my bag and was surprised to see so many texts from Levi.

The very first one made my heart drop.

Levi: Sorry, Hope. I’m really, really sorry.

Levi: I just woke up. I’m going to be driving there right now.

I sighed in relief as I read the subsequent texts. So, it seemed he had woken up much later than intended because Desmond had made him drink some “evil juice.”

I couldn’t help but giggle when I read those words.

I checked the timestamp.

He had sent those messages at noon.

Just then, my phone vibrated again.

Levi: The traffic is insane today. Fuck, I could just kill Desmond.

Levi: Are you mad? I’m sorry.

My phone began ringing.

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I quickly answered and placed the phone against my ear.

“Levi! You’re driving. I’m not angry, so just focus on the road.”

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“It’s alright. I’m in standstill traffic,” he said, sounding frustrated. “I still have around three hours left to drive, but the traffic is driving me insane.”

I smiled.

“It’s okay, Levi. You really don’t have to go to the reunion. So, don’t rush, okay?”

“But I promised-”

“And it’s alright,” I reassured him gently. “You don’t owe those people anything.”

“I’ll try to make it.”

“You’re so stubborn,” I told him with a quiet laugh. “I’ll just stay there for an hour and leave. I’ll meet you at the house, okay?”

Just then, I heard a loud honk through the speakers.

“I’m ending the call now! Drive safely, okay? Love you.”

With that, I ended the call, wanting to get my revenge for him not giving me the chance to say those words to him last night.

I sat back against the couch and let out another deep breath.

Guess I had to go to the reunion alone.

I was inside the restroom of the hotel where the reunion was being held. I was wearing the white dress my mom had somehow managed to pull out of her closet. She said she had bought it for me at the mall the moment she heard I was actually going.

The second I put it on, she looked like she was on the verge of tears.

It nearly made me laugh.

I guess that was just how mothers were.

I fixed my hair one last time and let out a deep breath.

I just had to endure this for one hour.

With that, I stepped out of the restroom and walked toward the hall. I took one more steadying breath before opening the door.

The moment I did, it felt like the chatter came to an abrupt stop.

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I froze in my tracks.

Was I late? Why were all the seats already filled?

“Is that Hope?”

“Hope!” Carmen exclaimed from her seat. “You really came.”

“Yeah,” I replied. “I told you I would.”

“Come to our table,” she said with a smile. “All our friends are there.”

Our friends, my ass.

Still, I followed after her and took the empty seat, surrounded by familiar faces.

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“Hope, you’ve gotten even prettier,” Mikey, the one sitting beside me, commented. She had always been nice back in high school, though we never really had many chances to talk.

“Thanks.” I smiled at her. “You look very pretty too.”

“I heard you were with the Glaciers,” one of them said.

“Maybe it’s because it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, but you’ve really gotten prettier,” another exclaimed.

I smiled politely, not really knowing how to respond to all the compliments.

Just then, Carmen’s voice sliced through the conversation.

“So, where’s Lee?”

“Right,” Mary chimed in. “Where’s your boyfriend, Hope?”

Everyone’s attention shifted toward me.

I smiled.

“Something came up at work. He had to leave for a while. I don’t think he’ll be able to make it.”

“Work?” Courtney feigned surprise. “But he’s unemployed, right? You’re supporting him too.”

Her voice was loud enough that nearby tables started tuning into our conversation.

A few people even snickered in our direction.

I quietly let out a breath.

Maybe my goal of staying here for an hour was asking for too much.

“He’s not unemployed,” I said calmly. “He was just taking a break when you saw him.”

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“You don’t have to feel ashamed,” Carmen said, reaching over to pat my shoulder. “It’s alright to admit he just didn’t want to come after all that grand talk.”

“Carmen,” Jerome warned quietly.

She only shrugged.

“What, Jerome? I’m just telling the truth. Maybe Lee just didn’t want to come here, and that’s fine.”

Jerome turned to me with an apologetic smile.

“Don’t mind them, Hope.”

Mikey nodded.

“Why’s it such a big deal anyway? We’re all adults here. No need to act like we’re still in high school.”

I noticed Carmen’s face redden ever so slightly.

“I’m just not fond of bluffers, you know?” she said, her sweet facade beginning to crack. “People who say one thing but mean another. The kind who claim they don’t want attention when they’re actually desperate for it.”

I frowned.

“I’m not lying, though.”

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