Page 24 of Off the Ice

I wasn’t about to let Hanley or the Colts get the last word. Seven minutes in, I caught a perfect pass from Connor, deking the defenseman and burying the puck top-shelf. The crowd erupted, and I skated back to the bench with a smirk, tapping my stick against Connor’s as we passed. A few shifts later, Connor returned the favor. I threaded the puck through two Colts players, and Connor blasted it into the net, tying the game. The momentum was ours now, and the arena was buzzing with anticipation. With two minutes left on the clock, the Colts made a desperate push, but our defense held strong. I got the puck on a breakaway, skating full speed toward the net. The goalie lunged, but I faked left and went right, slipping the puck past his outstretched pad.

Goal.

The crowd went wild, and I could hear Ava screaming even above the chaos. I turned, pointing at the glass where she stood, her arms in the air and a grin that matched my own.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Hellblades had pulled off a 3-2 win. My teammates mobbed me on the ice, the energy electric as we celebrated. But even in the chaos, my eyes drifted back to Ava. She was clapping and shouting, her excitement as genuine as it was contagious.

For the first time in a long time, the game wasn’t just about the win. It was about who was watching.

The press conference dragged on longer than usual, the same questions cycling back and forth. I gave them what they wanted, stats, thoughts on the game, the usual soundbites—but my mind was already elsewhere. By the time I made it out of the media room and toward the players’ lot, I spotted Ava immediately.

She was sitting on one of the couches just before the exit, her laptop balanced on her knees and her brow furrowed in concentration. The glow from the screen lit up her face, her fingers flying over the keys as she worked. She was so focused that she didn’t even notice me approaching.

“Writing about how great I am?” I teased, leaning against the arm of the couch.

She startled, looking up sharply before rolling her eyes. “More like trying to make sense of the chaos you dragged me into tonight.”

I grinned, dropping into the seat beside her. “Chaos sells, doesn’t it?”

She huffed a laugh but didn’t look away from her screen. “It does, but that fight’s going to make waves. You sure you’re okay with me covering it?”

I leaned back, stretching my arm across the back of the couch. “Do what you need to do, Ava. Just make sure you mention my assist on Connor’s goal.”

Her lips twitched, but she didn’t respond. Instead, her fingers paused over the keyboard as her gaze flicked to me. “What are you still doing here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be celebrating with your team?”

“I figured I’d see if you were free next week.” Her brows rose, and I smirked, continuing, “The team’s hosting a charity gala for the ASPCA. Big event, black tie, lots of cameras. Thought you might want to come.”

Her expression shifted, a mix of surprise and something I couldn’t quite pin down. “A black-tie gala? Logan, I don’t exactly have a closet full of ball gowns.”

I shrugged, pulling my wallet out of my pocket and slipping a credit card onto her laptop. “Then get one.”

Ava froze, staring at the card like it might bite her. “Are you serious?”

“As a penalty box,” I said, grinning at her stunned expression. “Go crazy, Ava. My treat.”

Her mouth opened to protest, but no sound came out. I reached out, gently pressing two fingers under her chin to close it. “You’ll need something that turns heads. Trust me, you’ll look incredible.”

The blush creeping up her neck was a rare sight, and it hit me harder than it should have. Before she could recover, I leaned in, brushing a quick kiss against her lips. Just enough to leave her breathless but not enough to give her time to argue.

“See you soon,” I murmured, standing and heading for the exit without looking back.

Her stunned silence followed me out the door, and I couldn’t help the smug grin spreading across my face.

Fourteen

Ava

Isteppedoutofthe car and smoothed the skirt of my pale pink Oscar de la Renta dress, the embroidered orchid appliqués catching the glow of the streetlights. The delicate shimmer of gold threads wove through the fabric like whispers, complementing my fake and bake tanned skin. I felt like I’d stepped out of a dream.The gala venue was a masterpiece of old-world glamour—an art deco theater-turned-event space with gilded moldings, sweeping marble staircases, and chandeliers that spilled golden light across the polished floors. The scent of fresh-cut roses and expensive perfume drifted through the air, mixing with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter from elegantly dressed guests.

I lingered outside for just a moment, adjusting the delicate strap of my gold heels and smoothing a hand down the embroidered bodice of my gown. The soft organza fabric shimmered under the entrance lights, the golden threads woven through the pale pink dress catching and refracting every flicker of movement. The fitted bodice hugged my torso before flaring into a weightless, flowing skirt, the sheer layers brushing against my legs with every step. It was a dress made for elegance, for grace—but right now, standing here, nerves coiling in my stomach, I didn’t feel particularly graceful.

I took a steadying breath and stepped inside.

The moment I crossed the threshold, my eyes locked onto Logan. He stood near the entrance, his hands tucked into the pockets of his perfectly tailored tuxedo, a man who looked like he belonged in the kind of world I was still figuring out how to navigate. The deep black fabric fit him like it had been crafted for his body alone, the sharp lines of the jacket emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders and the effortless confidence he carried like a second skin.

But right now? He wasn’t the cocky, self-assured Logan Bennett I was used to.

His gaze swept over me, slow and deliberate, and when his honey-brown eyes met mine again, there was something raw there—something unguarded. His lips parted slightly, as if he had words but forgot how to use them.

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