Page 93 of Ice Me Baby

“What’s this for?” I ask in a hushed voice.

She pulls away from me with tears in her eyes. “I knew the moment I saw you with them on Thanksgiving that they weremeant for you. I could see it in the way they looked at you and the way you looked at them in return.” She pulls away, cupping my cheeks as she continues, “I was so afraid after what happened with Emmitt when you were younger and what happened a few weeks ago that you would strengthen the walls around your heart.”

My eyes widen at her words. “Mom?”

“I’m so happy for you, baby.” She presses a kiss to my forehead before backing away.

I’m still reeling from my mom’s confession before I’m jerked out my thoughts. An apron is thrown over my head, covering my face, and I can’t help but laugh. “What was that for?”

She gestures to my face as she grins. “You had this shocked, then dreamy look on your face. Either help me or get out of my kitchen and go to your boys.”

I bump her hip with mine and chuckle. “I’ll stick with you.”

Hours of laughing and eating passed joyfully. There was a minor bump at dinner when my dad found out the two guys he’d been bonding over hockey with are my boyfriends. He opened his mouth like he was going to say a few words, but with one look from my mom, he’d shut his mouth and gave me a tight smile.

“Alright, are there any more presents?” My mother announces. It doesn’t sound like a question but rather a prompt. All presents have all been opened, so I’m not sure why she’s asking.

As if that’s the magic word, my boys get up and pull two boxes from behind their backs.

Mac smiles down at the small box in his hands. “This one is from the team, well your team.”

I reach out hesitantly. “This is from all the guys?”

He nods as he hands it to me. “It took forever for them to agree on something to get you.”

“I should probably warn you that there is also a box set of a certain anime show that I’m not allowed to reveal from Vicy,” Dean adds.

I snort as I open the small box. Inside is a shimmering silver necklace with a figure skate charm and a blue diamond set in the middle. “Oh... my...” I glance up at the guys before looking back down at the beautiful piece of jewelry. “This is beautiful guys.”

“Would you like me to put it on you?” Mac asks.

I nod enthusiastically. The moment it's around my neck I reach for my phone. I quickly send a ‘thank you’ text in the group chat before shifting my attention to Dean. He’s smiling, but it looks a bit nervous as he hands it over. “I hope we didn’t go over the top with this gift, but I hope you like it.”

I quickly open the box and gasp. My eyes meet a pair of custom, baby-blue ice skates. I slowly take one out for a closer look. My eyes catch on the blades, and I bite my lip when I see ‘Ice Princess’ etched into it. I gently lay the skate down and take out the other one. It’s getting harder to hold back the barrage of emotions as I see ‘Chérie’ etched into it.

The guys are watching me nervously when I look up. Mac gives me a hesitant smile. “Did we do okay?”

I set the other skate down and launch myself at them. I wrap my arms around both as I choke out, “That’s the best gift anyone has ever given me.” This will go down as the best Christmas a girl could wish for.

Chapter Forty

The first of the year is finally here, and I’m beyond excited to get back to work. But getting back to work means it’s time to disclose my relationship with Dean and Mac, so I don’t lose my job.

My hands are clammy as I try to get my nerves under control. I refused to let the guys come with me, they would have fought any negative decision, and I need to do this for myself.

My fingers curl into a fist, and I knock on the head-coach's office door. A meeting between Mason Fernandez and Max Spencer is a bit intimidating. But I need to discuss this with them, considering Max is my direct manager in a way.

“Come in,” Mason’s deep voice greets from the other side.

Slowly opening the door, I greet the two of them with a smile. “Good morning.”

Max smiles. “Morning, Elizabeth.”

Mason gestures to the chair in front of his desk as he says, “Have a seat, Elizabeth.”

I nod as I do as requested. I take a deep breath before diving into the reason I’d asked for this meeting. “So, I asked for thismeeting because there is a situation that needs to be addressed within the group of guys I am in charge of.” I look down at my sweaty palms in my lap as I continue, “A... romantic relationship has grown between me and two of the players I train. I would like to request those players be traded to work with Danni, and in turn, I would train two of her players of equal status.”

“Who are the two players you wish to trade?” Mason asks. My eyes jerk up to meet his. He’s arching a brow in question, and I’m surprised they haven’t heard about our relationship yet.

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