Page 91 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

It’scrazy how change sneaks up on you.

Two months ago, I’d never have guessed that a few days to Christmas would find me standing under swirls of green, silvers, and reds, smiling as I take in a room of perfectly strung garlands, fairy lights cascading down the high windows like icy waterfalls and a towering Christmas tree laden with ornaments.

Of course, I still miss David, and there’s that dull ache in my chest that reminds me that I’d rather be spending time with my brother during this season, but it doesn’t feel like the dark, dank dungeon of hopelessness that I’ve had to endure the past two years.

And that’s all because of one woman—Holly.

With her it’s easier to smile. Easier to let go of the pain that’s gripped my chest for years. Easier to look at this grand hall gleaming under strands of delicate lights and believe that Christmas might not be a season cursed for the rest of my life.

Ryan, Lauren, Liam, and I have outdone ourselves with the hall, and the sight of the lights casting a soft glow across the tables neatly set with Holly-approved arrangements fills me with a flicker of pride. It’s been a long day of planning, positioning,and more glitter than any grown man should be near and our effort shows in every last detail. Holly would be amazed with what we’ve done here and there’s the thrill in seeing her stamp of approval come to life.

My fingers reach in my pocket for my phone and I take a few shots. A slow grin creeps in—Holly’s going to love this.I send off the photos, with a short,“That good enough for the boss?”Then I lean against the wall, waiting for her response with the anticipation of a kid waiting for Santa.

My phone beeps, pulling my eyes back to the screen as it lights up, only to see a flurry of team messages from the group chat. My thumb ignores them as I wait for Holly’s reply—that’s all that matters.

I don’t know whether to be grateful or worried about her little collapsing situation earlier today.

It’s been a blur of days. It’s been years, really, since my brother’s accident; every Christmas has carried that bite of loss since. Yet now Holly’s here, filling spaces in my life I didn’t even know were empty. And suddenly, I want to be honest, to let her in completely. Tonight, I’ll tell her everything.

I shake off the silence. Holly is probably just caught up with some detail or another. But a strange feeling worms its way in. Memories start drifting up, uninvited. The look on her face when she collapsed earlier—an image burned into my mind like a brand. I’m not the kind of guy who scares easily. I’ve stared down guys twice my size, faced roaring crowds in sold-out arenas, and fought on the ice while a thousand people screamed. But seeing her go pale, just fade like that, was something else.

And now, this silence.

My phone buzzes. A notification lights up, but it’s just the team’s group chat. I ignore it, eyes flicking back to the room, taking in every detail. For the first time in years, I know exactlywhat I want—and I want Holly. Not just for now but for whatever comes next.

“Ethan!” The sharp call snaps me out of my thoughts.

I turn to see Ryan, looking like he’s stepped on a nail. It’s a look that says,Get ready to hate everything that’s about to happen.

“What is it?” I ask, already bracing myself.

Ryan steps closer, his face a mix of apology and grimace. “You might want to check the group chat.”

With a huff, I pull out my phone. Messages are flying in like bullets in a firefight, each one with my name and Holly’s. Frowning, I scroll to the top, my gut twisting with each word.

And there it is. The picture of Holly and me, laughing together. The caption’s speculation?

Ethan Carter spotted with new team event manager, Holly.

The Ice King’s chummy with the newbie?

I heard she’s recently single after her break-up with actor Jake Roland. She sure knows how to choose her men.

Every line on the chat reads like an accusation, dissecting me and Holly, her recent breakup with Jake, and the implications of her involvement with both of us. Accusing words scatter across the screen like ugly, invasive confetti.

“Damn it,” I mutter, clenching my jaw. My fist tightens around the phone. Holly had enough on her plate with that break-up, and now this? I punch the call button on her contact and it rings with no response.

“Ethan!” Lauren calls as she jogs up. “Ryan just told me. Have you talked to Holly yet?” She’s joined by Liam, who’s looking at me with raised brows, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“No answer. I’m calling her now.” Holly’s phone rings endlessly without her picking up the second time. The tension inmy voice is obvious as I turn to Lauren. “ She’s supposed to be with Mia, right?”

Lauren nods, already scrolling through her phone to call her sister. As soon as Mia picks up, I grab the phone from her.

“Mia, where’s Holly?”

“She left for home. After your cousin came looking for you.”

“Jake?”

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