Page 46 of Snowed In With the PUCK

The crisp air cutsthrough the car as I adjust my scarf, glancing over at Eric behind the wheel. His hands are relaxed on the steering wheel, but I can see the energy buzzing through him. I smile at him, catching the way his eyes sparkle when they dart to me for a moment.

“I see someone is ready for the exhibition game,” I tease, nudging him lightly. “Got all that ‘fake boyfriend’ charm ready to go for the cameras?”

Eric chuckles, his lips twitching into that perfect grin that always gets to me. “I don’t know, Jess. I’m starting to think there’s not much that’s ‘fake’ about it anymore.”

His words send a flutter through my chest, and I try to ignore how quickly my heart picks up speed. We’ve been dancing around this for a while now—the line between what was oncea staged relationship for the public eye and what’s become undeniably real. And today, driving to the Avalanche’s Open Ice Exhibition, I can feel the weight of what he’s saying.

I lean back in my seat, pretending to think it over. “Not fake anymore, huh?”

He glances at me again, his grin growing. “Yeah. Feels pretty real to me. What about you?”

I bite my lower lip, feeling a warmth spread through me as I look out the window at the snowy streets of Denver. The world outside feels like it’s coated in a layer of magic—sunshine on the snow, decorated storefronts, and that undeniable post-Christmas glow. And here I am, sitting next to a man who has managed to carve out a place in my heart when I wasn’t sure there was any room left.

I take a breath and meet his eyes. “Yeah, it feels real to me, too.”

The smile that breaks across his face is so genuine, so full of something that feels like hope, that I have to look away for a moment just to keep my cool. How did this happen? How did we get here, from pretending for the sake of the team to this? And more importantly, how did it start to feel like we could actually make this work?

As we pull into the arena’s parking lot, I glance at the gathering crowd. Families, kids in Avalanche jerseys, and teens with their hockey sticks and skates hanging over their shoulders are already lining up for the event. There’s an excitement in the air, akind of electric jolt that only comes when you mix young dreams with the thrill of being on the ice with professional players.

“Look at that turnout,” Eric says, nodding toward the crowd. “These kids are gonna love this.”

I smile, watching as a group of little boys in oversized jerseys chatter excitedly, their faces pressed up against the glass windows as they point toward the ice. “Yeah. And so will you. I bet you’re secretly a big softie when it comes to kids.”

Eric gives me a mock-serious look. “I have a reputation to uphold. Don’t go spreading rumors.”

But I can see it—the way his eyes soften just a little when he looks at the kids gathering at the entrance. He’s not fooling me. There’s more to him than the tough, guarded exterior he likes to show the world. And today, watching him with these kids, I know I’m going to see another side of him that I’m more than ready to fall for.

As we step out of the car and make our way toward the arena, a few flashes from the cameras start going off. Reporters are already here, lining up to get their shots of Eric as he walks into the event. I can feel their eyes on me too, but for the first time in a long time, I don’t care. Let them look. Let them speculate. I’m proud to be by his side today.

The pre-event interviews are already underway when we enter the player’s area of the arena, just beside the rink. Eric isimmediately pulled aside by a group of reporters, their questions coming rapid-fire.

“Eric! How’s it feel to have spent your first Christmas in Denver? You looking forward to giving back to the community today?”

“Eric, what’s it like seeing the kids’ faces light up when they know they’re getting on the ice with you?”

“And Eric, any comment on the rumors that other teams are looking to steal you away after your hot start with the Avalanche? Rumor has it you haven’t finalized your trade here yet!”

That last question catches my attention. I stiffen a little, watching Eric carefully. His face remains calm, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—something that tells me he’s hiding something. I shove the thought away. I’m being paranoid. I tell myself not to ruin the connection Eric and I have.

“We’ll see what happens,” Eric says smoothly, dodging the question with the kind of practiced ease that only a seasoned athlete has. “Right now, I’m just focused on the Avalanche and helping these kids have a great day.”

The reporters nod, satisfied for the moment, but I know it won’t be the last time he’s asked about his future with the team. I just hope he’s not letting the rumors get to him.

The next few hours fly by. The arena is filled with laughter and the sound of skates slicing across the ice. Kids of all ages are outthere, playing their hearts out with some of the Avalanche’s best players, including Eric. He’s a natural with them, showing them tips, high fiving them after a good play, and even lifting the little ones up when they lose their balance.

I sit in the stands, watching him, my heart swelling with pride. He’s not just a great hockey player—he’s a great person. And seeing him out there with these kids, laughing and smiling, I let myself believe I’ve found something real with him.

A family sits down next to me, two little boys wearing Avalanche jerseys with Eric’s number on the back. They’re bouncing in their seats, pointing excitedly at the ice.

“Mom, that’s him! That’s Gator! I wanna be like him when I grow up!”

Their mom laughs, ruffling the youngest boy’s hair. “Well, you better practice hard, then. Maybe one day you’ll be out there, just like Eric.”

I smile to myself, listening to them. I remember being that age, looking up to people who seemed larger than life. And now, here I am, watching Eric inspire the next generation of players. It’s surreal, in a way, but also exactly what he deserves.

As the exhibition goes on, more kids take to the ice, and the media can’t get enough. Pictures of Eric with the kids, helping them skate, are all over social media within minutes. Every time I check my phone, another post has gone up, most of them withcaptions about how great Eric is with the kids and what a good role model he is.

And then, of course, there are the posts aboutus.

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