Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Hope’s POV

I didn’t think a practice game would be this hyped.

I knew the Glaciers were popular-obviously popular-but I didn’t think it reached this level of insanity.

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The moment I stepped out of the taxi and approached the rink, I was already met with a sea of orange jerseys flooding the entrance. The cold morning air buzzed with excited chatter, the sounds overlapping one another until it became one gian wave of energy.

People were lining up outside even though the doors had only just opened.

I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder before showing my ID card to the guard by the entrance. The second the lanyard around my neck became visible, I immediately felt several pairs of eyes shift toward me.

One girl near the barricade groaned loud enough for everyone around her to hear.

“Do you think I should just get work here?” she asked her friend. “It’s probably the best way to get close to Levi, right?”

My steps instinctively slowed.

Her friend laughed. “I heard they were looking for a new PT a few weeks ago,” she said. “I should’ve applied. Imagine getting to touch Levi and getting paid for it. I’d gladly do it for free.”

I tilted my head slightly as I continued listening while prétending not to.

Suddenly, Levi’s precautions didn’t feel excessive anymore.

At first, I thought he was simply difficult. But hearing things like this firsthand made me understand him a little better.

“Anyway,” one of them continued dreamily, “I’m just glad I get to watch Levi play today. That’s literally the only reason I came.”

I slowed down even more after hearing that. It suddenly hit me that when I first arrived here, the crowd was filled with bright orange jerseys with bold black sevens printed on the back. Posters with Levi’s name. Girls carrying banners with hearts around his number.

Some fans weren’t even wearing Glaciers merchandise. They were wearing Levi merchandise.

I pursed my lips slightly.

This first practice game without him was going to cause chaos.

I already knew that.

Even if it wasn’t an official match, people paid attention to Levi constantly. The second they realized he wasn’t playing, the rumor about his injury would probably intensify.

For a brief second, doubt crept into my mind.

Was I really doing the right thing by forcing him to rest?

But the memory of his shoulder immediately resurfaced in my head.

My grip tightened around my bag.

11:48 Wed, Jul

Chapter 36

Yes.

I was doing the right thing.

Even if Levi hated me for it temporarily.

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I exhaled softly and forced myself to stop overthinking before walking toward the locker room.

I wanted to get there before the players did in case someone needed treatment early. I pushed the locker room door open while mentally preparing my schedule for the day.

However, the second I stepped inside, I froze.

The person I didn’t want to see the most was already there.

I stopped dead in my tracks the moment I saw Connor. The locker room was empty except for him sitting casually on one of the benches. The moment he noticed me, his gaze immediately locked onto mine.

I instantly considered leaving. But unfortunately, Connor had already stood up. And even more unfortunately, he started walking toward me.

I straightened slightly.and forced myself not to react.

“What do you want?” I asked immediately.

Judging by the look on his face, he definitely wanted something.

Connor stopped in front of me, tilting his head slightly while staring at me with an expression I used to know too well.

I tried stepping past him toward my station, wanting this conversation over as quickly as possible, but before I could move away, his hand firmly wrapped around my arm.

My brows furrowed.

“You convinced Coach Dennis to let me play?” he asked.

Confusion immediately crossed my face.

“What are you talking about?”

The smirk on his lips only widened.

“I mean,” he started off confidently, “I know you still like me a lot, but I didn’t think you liked me this much.”

I had to pause for a while to internalize his words.

Was he serious right now?

I opened my mouth to correct him, but Connor kept going before I could even speak.

“Coach Dennis talked to me earlier,” he continued proudly. “He said I’ll be playing center for the next two weeks.”

Well, of course he would be the one playing. He was the only sub for Levi at the moment since the player meant for that had already retired last year. With Levi’s rest, it was only inevitable that he would play.

Yet somehow, Connor’s massive ego had twisted that into me helping him personally.

I pressed my lips together tightly.

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11:48 Wed, Jul 15 AM

Chapter 36

“So you thought this was for you?” I asked.

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Connor either ignored my tone or genuinely didn’t notice it. Probably the second one. His ego had always been terrifyingly large.

“I appreciate it, Hope,” he said, voice sounding softer than before. “In the end, you’re still the one who understands how badly I want to play.”

Then before I could react, his hand lifted toward my face.

My entire body stiffened.

His fingers brushed near my hair, attempting to tuck a strand behind my ear the same way he used to when we were together.

The familiarity of the gesture felt wrong now. Like putting on clothes that no longer fit.

The second his hand got closer to my cheek, I immediately stepped backward to create distance between us.

I inhaled sharply-only for the breath to get stuck in my throat when my back collided against someone solid, immediately cooling my body.

My eyes widened slightly before I looked up.

Levi stood directly behind me, close enough that I could feel the coldness of his skin that I had somehow gotten used to now. Even from this angle, he looked unfairly handsome.

I quickly stepped away from him and cleared my throat.

“You’re early,” I muttered.

Levi stared down at me for a long second.

There was already a slight glare on his face, which confused me because the morning had barely started.

Why was he annoyed already?

Then again… this was Levi.

Before I could think further, he finally spoke.

“I’m bored, Hope.”

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