Page 33 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

Before Ryan can reply, something catches my eye—Ethan. It’s a rare glimpse of him since he disappeared after playing with the kids. He’s standing by a wall of photographs, his posture tense, his face an unreadable mask. But there’s something vulnerable in the way he’s staring at those pictures, something that tugs at my heart.

I nudge Ryan, nodding toward Ethan. “What’s up with him?”

Ryan’s expression softens as he follows my gaze. “He’s looking at old photos of David.”

“David?” I ask, frowning slightly.

Ryan nods, his voice lowering. “Ethan’s brother. David used to work here, at this hospital. He was leading a physical therapy program, helping accident victims. There’s a wall dedicated to him, honoring his work.”

I swallow hard, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt.No wonder Ethan’s been so cold and distant today.This place must be a painful reminder of his brother, and here I am, dragging him into this event without realizing what it would mean for him.

My eyes are glued to Ethan after that, watching his every move as he forces a smile, takes pictures with fans, and signs jerseys, caps, and other memorabilia. It’s hard to reconcile this image of him—engaged, friendly, seemingly at ease—with the man who’s clearly carrying so much pain inside.

I wonder how hard it must be for him to smile like that when everything around him is a constant reminder of what he’s lost. I start to feel like maybe I’ve pushed him too much. Maybe he was right all along—maybe I should have just left him alone.

The guilt gnaws at me, making it impossible to focus on anything else. I avoid Ethan as much as I can after that, too ashamed to face him. When the event finally wraps up, I’m packing up the last of the supplies when I trip over a cord. Before I can hit the ground, a strong hand grabs me, pulling me back to my feet.

I look up, and my breath catches in my throat. It’s Ethan. His eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, the world around us fades away. All I can think about is how close he is, how his touch sends a shock wave of heat through my body.

This is real.I now know my attraction to him isn’t just some fleeting crush or a response to his physical appearance. It’s deeper than that, more intense. And that terrifies me.

“Holly,” he says, his voice low, almost a whisper. “You, okay?”

“Y-yeah,” I stammer, pulling away from him, though every fiber of my being wants to stay in his arms. “Thanks for ... catching me.”

He nods, but his eyes don’t leave mine. There’s something in his gaze, something that makes me feel like he’s searching for answers he can’t find. It’s unsettling, but also thrilling.

“Wanna come home with me,” he says, his tone more of a statement than a question. “I’m driving.”

I blink, taken aback by the directness of his request. “I can’t,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. “I promised Lauren I’d help out at Mia’s café. She needs help cleaning up after the catering.”

Ethan’s expression shifts, a mix of frustration and something I can’t quite place. “Right. Well, see you later then.”

I nod, feeling a strange mix of disappointment and relief. “Later.”

With that, he steps back, letting me go. As I watch him walk away, a million confusing emotions swirl inside me.

On the ride to Mia’s café, Lauren and Mia chatter away in the front seats, excitedly discussing the success of the event. I should be joining in, celebrating the fact that everything went off without a hitch, but instead, I’m quiet, lost in my own thoughts.

“Holly, are you okay?” Mia asks, glancing back at me through the rear-view mirror.

I force a smile, nodding. “Yeah, I’m just tired. It was a long day.”

Lauren shoots me a knowing look. “Are you sure that’s all it is? You’ve been quiet ever since we left the hospital.”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “Just a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

Mia and Lauren exchange a glance, but thankfully, they don’t press the issue. As we pull up to the café, I can’t help but wonder if I’m making a mistake by keeping all of this to myself. But how can I explain what I’m feeling when I don’t even understand it?

10

ETHAN

I wakeup to the soft light of dawn filtering through the blinds. My body aches slightly, the result of yesterday’s training session, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. What’s really bothering me is the tension coiled tight in my chest, the kind that doesn’t come from physical exertion. It’s been gnawing at me for days, and I know exactly what—or rather, who—is the cause.

I push myself out of bed, rubbing a hand over my face to clear the remnants of sleep. My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I reach for it, seeing Ryan’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” I answer, my voice rough from sleep.

---