Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Hope’s POV

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“I miss you, honey. I’m so glad you got hired for the Glaciers. Now, you can work more closely with Connor!” my mom said, her voice bright with excitement through the cracked screen of my phone.

My smile faltered slightly.

I slowly put down the comb I had been using and leaned back against my chair, biting the inside of my cheek.

I had only found the time to tell my family about the new job today after everything that had happened this week. Between settling into the team, dealing with Levi Reeve, and trying not to spiral every time Connor’s name appeared in conversation I barely had time to think.

And they still didn’t know.

They didn’t know Connor and I were over.

Just then, Harley’s face suddenly popped into view beside my mom’s, shoving her aside to fit himself into the frame.

The smile reappeared on my lips.

It had been a while since I’d seen my younger brother, but every single time I did, I still saw the little boy who used to cling to my backpack after school and beg me for ice cream with those huge puppy eye’s.

Now, he was eighteen. Taller than me. Broader, too. And somehow, somewhere along the way, he’d developed dreams bigger than our tiny hometown.

“I’m heading to the city soon for my first semester,” he said excitedly. “Tell Connor we should play together sometime. It’s been forever since you guys visited.”

He grinned. “Can I stay at your place when I get there?”

“Harley,” Mom scolded immediately. “That’s your sister’s and Connor’s place. You should stay in the dorms like I told you.”

“But dorms are expensive,” he muttered.

My chest tightened.

This was going to hurt more than I thought.

Mom instantly caught the change in my expression. She always did.

Her smile slowly faded. “Honey?”

I looked away from the screen for a second.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Did something happen between you two?”

You could never beat a mother’s instinct.

Connor had always been good at pretending around my family. That was the cruel part. He brought flowers whenever we visited. Played hockey with Harley in the backyard. He knew exactly how to look like a good man.

I swallowed hard before forcing the words out.

“We broke up.”

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11:43 Wed, Jul 15 AMM.

Chapter 15

Their confused expressions greeted me.

“Connor cheated on me.”

Their confusion turned into shock, disbelief, then anger.

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“Well,” I said quickly, forcing a smile that felt painfully weak, “when Harley moves here, he can stay with me instead. So there’s no problem anymore.”-

“Wait,” Harley interrupted sharply. “He cheated on you?”

I nodded once..

His entire face showed rage.

“Fuck that guy.”

“Harley!” Mom gasped.

“What?” he exclaimed. “He cheated on Hope!”

I laughed weakly.

“Sorry, Lee,” I muttered, using my nickname for him. “I know you liked hanging out with him.”

“No, Hope,” he said immediately. “He played like shit for a current pro-player.”

“What?”

“I’m serious. I honestly didn’t know why he was recruited for the Glaciers, Harley continued. “I only tolerated him because you loved him.” He pointed at the screen. “And for the record, I’m already a better player than him.”

A surprised laugh escaped me. Mom smacked the back of his head.

“Ow!”

“You watch your mouth,” she scolded.

“But I’m right!”

“You’re definitely my brother,” I muttered through my laughter.

Harley grinned proudly. Then his expression softened.

“You deserve better, Hope.”

The words hit harder than I expected. Because for the past few weeks, I’d been asking myself the exact opposite. But hearing Harley say that so naturally, loosened something inside my chest.

Mom’s expression softened too.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Don’t hesitate to tell us whenever you find something difficult, okay?” she said gently. “We’re here for you.”

Her voice immediately brought warmth to my chest, the same way it always had ever since I was little.

“Come home when you can,” she continued. “I’ll cook your favorites.”

I smiled, eyes stinging slightly.

11:43 Wed, Jul 15 AMM.

Chapter 15

I missed them so much.

They still lived in upper New York State, near the Canadian border. Three hours away from the city. Three hours away from

Sometimes, with all my jobs and responsibilities, it felt farther than that.

Just then, my alarm rang loudly beside me.

My eyes widened. “Shoot-I have to go or I’ll miss the bus.”

“Your dad’s still asleep,” Mom said. “Do you want me to wake him so you can say hi?”

I shook my head softly.

“It’s okay. Let him rest.”

Then I pointed at Harley through the screen.

“Take care of them until you move here, alright?”

He scoffed dramatically. “I already do that.”

“Good.”

I smiled.

“Love you guys.”

“We love you too,” Mom said immediately.

“Even if your taste in men sucks,” Harley added.

“Harley!”

I burst into laughter before ending the call.

The silence inside my apartment returned almost immediately after.

But somehow, my chest felt lighter.

Talking to them always did that to me.

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