Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Hope’s POV

35 voucher

“That fucking bastard cheated on you? Him?” Freya exclaimed so loudly I was afraid the customers outside would hear.

“Frey, keep your voice down,” I muttered, panic creeping in.

Freya shook her head. “Nah-you’re telling me that he was the one who cheated on you? After everything you’ve done for him? I mean, I’ve never liked him for you in the first place, but this is an all-time low.”

I had just finished telling her everything. She’d noticed something was off since the start of our shift, but it took everything in me to finally say it out loud.

I stared at the hairnet in my hands and sighed. That was what kept me up at night, too-the weight of everything I had sacrificed for him. The extra shifts. The delayed classes. The way I bent my entire life just to keep his dreams alive. /

“Where is that bastard so I can punch his veneers in?” she snapped.

“He’s in Bora Bora… with Delaney Rhodes.”

“He’s on vacation?!” Freya nearly shrieked again, making me wince. “With that bitch Delaney Rhodes, too? She’s dated half the national league, but everyone thinks she’s a sweetheart! Isn’t she the one who got caught being rude to restaurant workers? And her coach daddy just buried it?”

I swallowed, my chest tightening. “What do I do now, Frey? I thought this job would be my saving grace. Harley’s going to college, and he wants to play hotkey too. I feel guilty not helping him… but I don’t even know how I’ll manage tuition and everything else.”

“Take the job, Hope,” Freya said firmly, stepping closer and cupping my face so I had no choice but to look at her. “You’ve wanted this-long before you fell in love with Connor.”

“How can I work there when he’s there, Frey?”

“You just do,” she said, her voice softening. “Because you’re not there for him. You’re there for you.” She suddenly straightened, her energy snapping back. “This is actually a good thing.”

Before I could react, she climbed onto the bench and raised her fist like she was on stage. “You’re free from that bastard! You did all the chores in your shared apartment. You paid more than your share. And last but not least-you did everything in bed! He was a total pillow princess!”

“Frey,” I hissed, my cheeks burning as one of our coworkers passed by.

She hopped down and grabbed my hands, grounding me. “You’ve been shrinking yourself for him all these years. Don’t let him keep you in a cage, even now.”

For the first time since yesterday, something inside me loosened. The ache was still there, but it didn’t feel suffocating

anymore.

“You’re right,” I said, exhaling. “I’m going to take the job.”

“That’s my girl!”

Our boss, Mr. Hampton-a balding man with a protruding beer belly-poked his head in, already scowling. “Tone it down. The customers can hear you from outside. I’ll write you both up if you don’t.”

Freya didn’t even hesitate. She grabbed the resignation letter I had reluctantly prepared that morning and slapped it into his hand.

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Chapter 2

“Write whatever you want, Mr. Ham,” she said smugly. “My best friend’s not working here anymore.”

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“Miss Hope Henderson?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I said, smoothing my skirt, trying to steady my nerves.

The woman in front of me-elegant, composed, with large pearl earrings-looked me up and down. I instinctively gulped, intimidated by her presence.

Then she smiled.

“I was the one who contacted you through the call. The name’s Beth,” she said, extending her hand. “Manager of the New York Glaciers and head of HR. Nice to meet you.”

Relief flooded through me as I shook her hand. “Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. It really means a lot.

“It’s my pleasure,” she replied. “You’re also prettier than your picture. The boys will be delighted.”

I tilted my head to the side in confusion, but before I could question it, she already spoke again.

“It wasn’t easy finding someone as competent as Nate, our former PT. He passed his resignation letter after his wife got pregnant, though he still insists on working while waiting for a replacement.” She sighed lightly. “Good thing, I saw your resume and was completely intrigued by the variety of your work experiences. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“It’s no problem at all.”

Beth glanced at her watch. “Time flies. I need to meet some sponsors. Could you wait in the rehab room? I’ll join you shortly.”

Before I could ask for directions, she was already on a call, heels clicking as she disappeared down the hallway.

I blinked, then looked around.

Right. Rehab room.

I started walking, taking in everything around me. The facilities were incredible. Clean, modern, and intimidatingly perfect. Nothing like the worn-down rinks Connor used to train in.

This place was meant for the best.

I passed several rooms, but none were labeled.

Until I reached the end of the hallway.

It was a door, dark brown in color, and had no sign.

Something about it pulled me in.

Maybe this was it.

I reached for the knob and turned it slowly. It was unlocked. I paused just right at the door, taking it all in. It didn’t smell like antiseptic or sweat. Instead, it was clean, almost soothing. Fresh laundry, with hints of citrus and cedar. The room was spotless, too.

I stepped closer to the bed, my fingers hovering over the sheets, when suddenly—

A force slammed into me from behind.

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Chapter 2

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