Page 62 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

Reid eyes me for a moment, probably sensing the shift in my mood, but he doesn’t push. He just nods and steps aside, signaling that the conversation’s over. The second he’s gone, I make a beeline for Holly.

She’s standing near the corner of the room, alone now, the clipboard in her hands held like a shield. Jake Roland’s nowhere to be found. Holly’s eyes meet mine, and for a second, I see the flicker of something—worry? Guilt? Whatever it is, it gnaws at me.

“Holly,” I murmur, stepping closer. “You okay?”

She smiles, but it’s forced. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Jake didn’t?—”

“No, it’s fine,” she says quickly, shaking her head. “But we shouldn’t be seen together like this. It’ll ... complicate things.”

She glances around, clearly on edge, and I hate seeing her like this, nervous, looking over her shoulder because ofhim.

“Let me get things done and we’ll talk at home,” she adds quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I want to say something, anything, but she’s already stepping back, the space between us growing. “Holly?—”

“I’m fine, Ethan,” she insists, her eyes softening for just a moment. “I’ll be fine.”

I hate the distance between us, want to pull her close, kiss her in front of everyone just to claim her as mine. But instead, I give a reluctant nod. “I’ll see you at home.”

She flashes me a small smile before slipping out, leaving me standing there, feeling every bit of the frustration that’s been simmering all day.

By the time I return to the locker room, Ryan’s already on me like a hawk. “Something going on?” The captain’s teasing, but there’s genuine curiosity in his eyes.

I wave him off, grabbing another box of fan gifts. “Nothing.”

“That sounds fake.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “You gonna get back to doing some good for the community or stand there yapping all day?”

Ryan leans against one of the benches, grinning like an idiot. “We’re wrapping gifts, not solving world hunger.”

“Let’s just get back to work.”

Ryan snickers. “Right. You’ve been looking awfully enthusiastic about wrapping gifts today. Who you trying to impress?”

I roll my eyes, keeping my head down. “Shut up, Connors.”

Ryan laughs, nudging me with his elbow. “Yeah, yeah. You’re all tough guy on the outside, but I know what’s going on. Someone’s got you whipped.”

I cut the wrapping paper with a little more force than necessary. “Get back to work.”

But there’s a grin tugging at my lips despite myself, and Ryan just chuckles, satisfied.

But the rest of the gift-wrapping session blurs into the background, my mind still spinning with thoughts of Holly and, unfortunately, Jake. One more jab from that guy, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold back.

Duluth Clippers.The name above the stadium alone makes my skin crawl. The huge building looms above as we pull up, and I can already feel the tension settling in my chest, the ghosts of the past lingering in the cold Minnesota air.

The bus ride felt longer than usual, even with Ryan and Liam trying to keep things light. It’s a strange feeling, heading back to a place that should feel familiar but only stirs up bad memories. My hometown just doesn’t feel like home.

Ryan, ever observant, nudges me. “You good?”

I nod, but my grip on the strap of my bag says otherwise.

“You sure?” Liam adds, leaning in. “We’ve got your back, man. This place ... it’s just another rink.”

Yeah. Just another rink. Except it’s not. Not for me.

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