Page 68 of They All Puck Me

Ethan snorts, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "That's the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that we’re even considering this."

I chuckle, feeling a bit of the tension ease. "Welcome to the club. But let’s be real, guys. Olivia's worth it."

Liam nods slowly. "Yeah, she is." He looks at Ethan, a hint of a challenge in his eyes. "You in for this? Really in?"

Ethan meets his gaze steadily. "I said I was, didn’t I? Besides," he adds with a wry grin, "it’s not like I have anything better to do."

I laugh outright at that, shaking my head. "Typical Reynolds."

Ethan shrugs, not denying it.

"So," I say, shifting gears, "ground rules?"

Liam raises an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Like... communication," I suggest. "We need to be open about everything. No secrets."

Ethan nods in agreement. "And boundaries," he adds. "We can’t let this mess with our game or the team."

Liam scratches his chin thoughtfully. "Agreed. And no one outside this rink needs to know about this arrangement."

"Especially not Coach Bergman," I say with a grin. “Can you imagine his face?”

Liam laughs at that, the sound surprising me with its lightness. "He’d bench us all just for kicks."

Ethan smirks but then grows serious again. “One more thing,” he says quietly. “No getting possessive.”

We all fall silent at that, understanding the gravity of it.

“Agreed,” Liam says finally.

I nod too, feeling a new sense of resolve settle over us.

For the next hour, we talk about Olivia and how we each see our roles in this unusual arrangement working out. It's awkward at times but also liberating to put everything out in the open.

"I always thought she had this spark," I admit at one point, feeling oddly vulnerable but also relieved to share it with these two.

"Yeah," Liam agrees quietly. "She’s something special."

Ethan doesn’t say anything but nods thoughtfully.

As we finish up our conversation and head off the ice, I feel something new—a bond forming between us that’s stronger than any rivalry or past tension.

Maybe this crazy plan could actually work.

Maybe... just maybe... we've got something here worth fighting for together.

I look over at Liam and Ethan as we step off the rink, our skates crunching on the rubber mats leading back to the locker room.

"We should talk to Olivia together. Show her we're united in this."

Liam nods, his jaw set in determination. "Agreed. She needs to see we're serious about making this work."

Ethan, ever the brooding type, merely grunts his assent, but I catch the flicker of resolve in his dark eyes.

"Tomorrow then," I suggest, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders at the prospect of finally addressing this head-on.

Liam pulls out his phone, checking his schedule. "How about we meet her at that café she likes? The one near here."

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