Page 46 of They All Puck Me

She looks up, startled. Her green eyes meet mine, and for a moment, she just blinks. Then she sighs, tucking a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “Honestly? No.”

I lean against the wall beside her, arms crossed. “Wanna talk about it?” Who the fuck am I? and where is Ethan?

Olivia hesitates but then nods slowly. “I just feel like my life is destined to implode. If it isn't my piece of shit ex boyfriend blowing my phone up, It’s this article… and everything else.” She laughs bitterly. “I’m supposed to be objective, but it’s hard when you’ve found yourself personally involved.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Personally involved?”

She looks away, biting her lip. “I didn’t plan on getting close to any of you. But Liam… Noah…” She trails off, shaking her head. “It’s messing with my head.”

Despite the sting I feel hearing her refer to those two idiots as someone she is "involved" with, her honesty catches me off guard. I rub the back of my neck, searching for words that don’t come easily to me. “Yeah, I get it,” I finally say. “Sometimes personal shit gets tangled with professional stuff.”

Olivia glances at me curiously. “You do?”

“Yeah.” I look down the empty hallway, remembering too many nights filled with anger and regret. “Used to think hockey was just about skill and strength. Turns out dealing with people is harder than any game.”

She gives me a small smile. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It’s not,” I admit, feeling more exposed than usual. “But we can’t let it mess us up—on or off the ice.”

I gesture for Olivia to follow me to a quieter corner of the arena. The distant hum of activity fades as we find a spot away from prying eyes and ears. Leaning against the wall, I cross my arms and study her.

Olivia shifts her weight, looking a bit unsure. “Enough about me, how are you feeling about the trade now? I mean, honestly.”

I let out a long breath, running a hand through my hair. “Honestly? It’s been rough. Being on a new team isn’t easy, especially with the baggage I brought. Then being traded to the Wolves… it’s a mindfuck. Spent years hating this team.”

She nods, her eyes never leaving mine. “But do you think it might be a better fit for you?”

“Potentially,” I shrug, feeling more exposed than I’d like. “Chicago was… complicated. Lots of shit went down there. Here? It’s different. Could be better, but who knows? Still figuring it out.”

Olivia takes a step closer, her genuine concern disarming me. “It sounds like you’re conflicted.”

I laugh bitterly. “You could say that. Part of me thinks I might actually belong here, which pisses me off because I’ve spent so long fighting against these guys.”

Her eyes soften, and she reaches out to touch my arm gently. “Change is hard, but sometimes it leads to something better.”

Her touch sends a jolt through me, and I find myself leaning in slightly. “Yeah? What would you know about that?”

“I’ve had my fair share of changes,” she says quietly, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my pulse quicken.

The vulnerability in her gaze breaks down the very last remnants of my walls. Without thinking, I close the distance between us, cupping her face with my hands and pulling her into a kiss.

It starts slow but quickly deepens, an intense mix of frustration and longing spilling over into that single moment. Her hands find their way to my chest, gripping my shirt as if she’s afraid to let go.

I immediately come to my senses, and pull away. I’ve just kissed Olivia—Olivia, who’s clearly entangled with Liam and Noah. My breath comes out in a shaky exhale, and I step back, running a hand through my hair.

“Ethan,” Olivia starts, her voice uncertain. “I…”

“Yeah,” I cut her off, not wanting to hear whatever she’s about to say. “This… probably wasn’t a great idea.”

She looks down, fiddling with the corner of her notebook. “I know.”

“I’m not blind,” I say, forcing myself to look at her. “I know there's something going on with Liam and Noah. And now I’m tangled up in this clusterfuck too.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “It’s not what you think?—”

“Come on Olivia, you're not fooling anyone.” I interrupt, my voice harsher than intended. Something, maybe jealousy comes over me and I lash out. “You’re here to do a job, right? And now you’re involved with three players from the same damn team.” I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of frustration and confusion.

“I never meant for this to happen,” she says softly.

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