Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Hope’s POV

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

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I adjusted the compression wrap around Forest’s knee carefully while he sat on the bench, breathing slightly heavier than before. The skin around his knee was red beneath the pads, though thankfully it wasn’t anything alarming. It was just from fatigue, mostly attributed to his age.

“The Winter’s Crown hasn’t even started yet,” I reminded him firmly as I sprayed a cooling mist over the area.

Forest chuckled. “You sound older than me.”

“That’s because nobody here knows how to rest properly.”

He laughed louder at that.

“Fair.” Then he patted my shoulder lightly. “I’ll sit out for five minutes.”

“Good.”

I finished taping the side of his knee before standing and stepping away from the bench. But the moment I glanced back toward the ice, my brows immediately furrowed.

Levi was already climbing over the boards again.

“What?” I muttered under my breath.

Had he even rested?

The first period alone had been insane. He’d practically controlled every offensive play and still somehow moved like he had endless stamina.

The score was currently 3-1, in favor of the Glaciers, and Levi had scored two of those goals.

Just then, Beth returned beside me looking like she’d survived combat.

“Finally,” she groaned, dropping into the seat next to mine. “Sponsors are a pain in the ass.”

I laughed softly.

“Still busy?”

“You have no idea.” She rubbed her forehead tiredly. “Every sponsor wants Levi. Interviews, campaigns, commercials, luxury brands, sportswear-everyone wants him.”

She pointed toward the ice where Levi had already regained possession of the puck.

“But he barely accepts sponsorships these days because he couldn’t be bothered.”

My gaze lingered on Levi as he skated hard into the offensive zone again.

“He’s demanded everywhere,” I murmured quietly. “I didn’t realize how much he actually plays until now.”

Watching games on television and watching from the bench were two entirely different experiences.

Beth sighed beside me.

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Chapter 20

“That kid doesn’t know how to rest,” she admitted softly. “And Coach Dennis takes advantage of that.”

My eyes drifted back toward Levi instinctively.

35 voucher

He slammed another player into the boards before smoothly recovering the puck like nothing hurt. However, I knew better. That shoulder injury from last night wasn’t minor.

He needed at least two weeks of proper recovery if he wanted full performance. And that was already being generous. I would be better if he sat out the entire season, but I knew he wouldn’t do that.

A knot formed in my stomach.

“Would it be okay if I checked his shoulder right now?” I asked Beth quietly.

Before Beth could speak, another voice interrupted.

“You’d be lucky if Levi even let you touch him.”

I turned slowly to Delaney. Why was she constantly joining conversations she wasn’t a part of?

“I mean,” she continued sweetly, “if it’s true that you like him, then it’s even worse.”

Her lips curved slightly.

“Levi doesn’t let anyone get close to him.” A strange bitterness flashed through her eyes. “Anyone.”

I glanced toward Beth, who immediately sighed. She subtly gestured for me to lean closer.

I leaned in as she lowered her voice. “Delaney’s liked Levi for years,” she whispered, “He never entertained her.”

Well, that wasn’t such a shocking revelation. I glanced toward Delaney again and noticed the way she watched Levi through the glass. The realization amused me more than it should have. A soft chuckle escaped my lips before I could stop it.

Delaney’s eyes narrowed before turning back to me.

“What’s funny?”

I tilted my head innocently.

“Nothing.”

Then, I smiled. “But he did let me assess his shoulder.”

Delaney whipped her head toward me so fast I almost worried for her neck. Beside me, Beth looked equally shocked.

“Wait,” Beth said. “Seriously?”

I nodded casually despite suddenly feeling awkward under their stares.

“He came into the rehab room last night and asked me to assess him.”

“That’s impossible,” Delaney snapped immediately.

This woman really reacted like every sentence of mine personally offended her. Connor had somehow wandered closer during the conversation too, his attention now fully locked onto us.

Delaney crossed her arms tighter.

“Levi only allows Nate to handle his assessments,” she said proudly, like she personally knew all his medical records. “That’s

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Chapter 20

why finding a replacement PT was difficult. He rejected almost everyone.”

Her gaze swept over me skeptically.

“So how exactly did he let you touch him?”

The wording nearly made Beth choke beside me. I ignored it.

“He just did,” I answered honestly.

“Well… I did buy him coffee first.”

“But he didn’t even accept it,” I added.

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Delaney looked seconds away from combusting. Honestly, I was getting tired of proving every single thing I said.

Before the conversation could continue, a violent crashing sound suddenly echoed across the rink.

BANG!

Every head snapped toward the ice. My breath nearly stopped at the sight.

Levi was down, flat on his back while clutching his right ankle.

My eyes widened as adrenaline surged through my body.

“What happened?”

The words escaped before I even realized I spoke aloud.

Players crowded around the scene while the referees skated in quickly. On the opposite side, Liam Moretti stood nearby gripping his stick loosely, his expression unreadable beneath that infuriating little smirk.

Paramedics immediately rushed toward the ice, but before they could fully reach Levi, Forest climbed over the boards first.

“We’ll take it from here,” he told them firmly.

The captain skated toward Levi and extended a hand. For one tense second, the entire arena seemed silent.

Levi grabbed Forest’s hand while the latter hauled him upward carefully.

Relief flooded through me instantly when Levi managed to stand. But the second his weight shifted onto the injured ankle, I noticed the tiny flinch in his expression.

“Let’s resume,” Levi said coldly toward the referees.

My jaw dropped. He still wanted to play?

Fortunately, Forest immediately shook his head.

“No.”

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