Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Levi’s POV

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The program was boring as usual. They talked about the previous cup’s breakthroughs and how exciting this one would be, but it wasn’t any different from every other year. A lot of the people they commended probably paid the league just to have their moment in the program.

I wasn’t going to be part of such shenanigans, specifically because I had already told Beth that I didn’t want to do it. My achievements already spoke for themselves anyway. I wasn’t being boastful. I was just telling the truth.

I turned my head again, and Matthias caught the movement.

“If you’re looking for Hope, she’s at the very back,” he whispered.

I clicked my tongue.

“I didn’t ask.”

“But I answered correctly.”

Unfortunately, he did. I was looking for her. I hadn’t seen her all night, and that fact kept bothering me more than it should

have.

When I turned around, I found her sitting with Lia and Aiden at one of the tables near the back. It looked like the three of them had turned their table into a buffet. Plates were scattered everywhere, and it was obvious they weren’t paying attention to the program anymore.

Instead, they were eating, laughing together every now and then, and speaking in what appeared to be hushed whispers.

Aiden must have said something funny because Hope suddenly giggled, her head tipping back slightly as her smile widened.

I clicked my tongue again.

Was Aiden really that funny?

“Pretty, right?”

I turned toward Matthias with a glare.

He raised both hands. “Chill, man. I was just telling the truth.”

I looked away before I ended up saying something insulting.

“Besides,” he continued, subtly nudging me toward another direction, “it seems I’m not the only one who noticed.”

My eyes shifted toward the next table. Connor was there with Coach, Delaney, and our newer teammates. For a brief second, Delaney must have mistaken my glance because she smiled at me,

I barely acknowledged it.

Instead, my attention settled on Connor.

He was looking in the exact same direction I had been-at Hope.

A grin spread across his face, and the bastard even bit his lower lip as his gaze slowly traveled over her entire figure.

My jaw tightened.

Chapter 88

“There, too,” Matthias muttered, nudging me again.

This time, he gestured toward the Pucks’ table.

Sure enough, Liam kept glancing toward Hope every few moments.

I pursed my lips.

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As far as I knew, this bastard already had a girlfriend. So why the hell was he looking at Hope with eyes I recognized all too well?

This wasn’t even the first time.

Liam had always taken an interest in everything I was interested in.

Cars.

Games.

Hockey.

Especially hockey.

If I wanted something, somehow, he’d suddenly want it too.

Whether it was because he wanted to beat me or simply couldn’t stand the idea of me having something he didn’t, I didn’t

know.

I hoped to hell Hope wasn’t becoming another one of those things.

“I told you, right?” Matthias muttered quietly.

“You better make your move soon.”

“Levi! Over here!”

“How’s your shoulder, Levi?”

“Will you be playing tomorrow?”

“The Thunders said they would be beating you tomorrow. Any thoughts?”

The media still didn’t relent even after the event ended. I had finally succumbed to Beth’s idea and was now surrounded by

bodyguards while reporters continued shouting my name from every direction.

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“One photo!”

“Levi!”

“Look this way!”

“Just one question!”

Camera flashes exploded one after another, but I barely looked at them.

Instead, my gaze continued searching through the crowd for a particular someone.

Chapter 88

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When we finally reached one of the lower floors where several smaller function rooms had been reserved for the teams afterparty, the paparazzi were no longer allowed inside.

At last…

I could actually look around in peace.

Players from different teams walked through the hallway in small groups, laughing loudly as they made their way toward their assigned rooms. Some of them stopped talking when they walked past me, whispering among themselves.

I sighed and continued looking for Hope. For some reason, I wanted to talk to her. I had wanted to all night.

I continued scanning the hallway when suddenly, I felt a hand wrap around my arm.

I frowned right away. It wasn’t Hope.

I turned around and instinctively pulled my arm away.

It was Delaney.

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Her eyebrows lifted slightly. Embarrassment crossed her face, but I didn’t acknowledge it.

I wasn’t looking for her.

I was looking for Hope.

“Are you looking for the rest of the team?” she asked.

I gave a short nod. Hope might be there.

“Right this way.”

She reached for my arm again. I stepped aside before her fingers could touch me.

Her smile faltered. Then, almost instantly, her eyes began to glisten.

There it was. That look. I’d seen it too many times already.

I wasn’t falling for it.

I didn’t like her that way. I’d already told her that. Multiple times.

She and Connor were already dating, so I had honestly hoped she’d finally stop pursuing me. But it seemed she was just as relentless as the paparazzi downstairs.

Delaney led me farther down the hallway until we stopped in front of a door.

“They’re already drinking,” she said with a small smile.

“We have a game tomorrow.”

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