Page 11 of Ice Contact

“This is anotherperfectexample of Cayden Banks only caring about himself,” Olivia snaps, trying desperately not to cry. The asshole just gapes like a fish, his mouth opening and closing without saying anything. “Why can’t you ever just want me?” she whispers, tears streaming down her face.

“Livy, I didn’t want to do this here, especially not in front of Hayes Larson, but we need to breakup,” Cayden snarks, pulling his phone out and swiping through it for a moment.

Olivia stops crying, silence blanketing all of us, and says, “What? You’re breaking up withme? After you just got me fired? Wow, as always, this isamazingtiming on your part.”

“Yeah, I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I just got distracted. I think it’s for the best, given how upset you are,” Cayden says, smirking at something on his phone. “Also, do you think you could take an Uber home since we’re not together? You know I’m hanging out with the guys tonight. Larsy, you’re welcome to join us. We’re going to the casino to have some drinks and gamble.”

Olivia collapses back into her seat, a blank look on her face as tears continue to cascade down her cheeks.Is this fucking guyfor real?What is the actual penalty for murder, because I am about to destroy this idiot. I grab a fist full of his shirt, yanking him towards me, my six-foot height towering over his short frame.

“Get the fuck out ofmyarena before I call security. You are not credentialed to be down here, and if youeverspeak to Olivia that way again, or call me Larsy, it will be the last thing you ever say,” I hiss through gritted teeth.

“Okay, okay. Geez man. You’re awfully sensitive for being the new guy on the team.” His eyes bounce back and forth between mine, seeing the absolute certainty I could end him without giving a flying fuck. “Fine! I’ll leave, but seriously, let me know if you ever want to hang out man!” Cayden says as he pulls his shirt from my grip and trips out of the room, his nose once again glued to his phone.

Olivia stares down at the floor, seemingly embarrassed and trying to choke back more sobs. I grab a chair, spinning it to face her, my palms itching to hold hers. She is somehow still the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen, even with puffy eyes and smeared makeup. Olivia,myOlivia,is hurting, and it’s killing me to see her suffer.

“Hi; I’m Hayes Larson.” I reach my hand out to shake hers. “My new job in town is being a center for the Milwaukee Steel Riders. I’m sorry I didn’t mention that the other night. Andyouare welcome to call me Larsy anytime you like. That name is only for people I respect, and no offense, but I don’t respect that guy.”

She smiles and gives a half laugh as she shakes my hand. “Hi Hayes. I’m Olivia Brooks, and one of my many singing gigs is…wasbeing the anthem singer for the Milwaukee Steel Riders. I’m sorry I didn’t bring that up after you almost stranger-danger kidnapped me in a back alley, then I almost kissed you and fled the scene mortified before I knew you were a big deal hockey player.”

“I didnotalmost kidnap you. We established we were non-strangers after exchanging names,” I playfully respond, my heart racing looking down at her lips at the mention of the almost kiss we shared.

“I guess you’re right,” she smiles, but only for a second, and I can see the gravity of her reality setting in.

“Can I ask what happened tonight? You got fired?”

Olivia takes in a deep breath, then slowly lets it out, her body collapsing on itself, before she begins to tell me what is going on. “When you sing for a team, you’re not allowed to hang out with, or bother, the players.Especiallynot for autographs. If they say hi, you can say hi back, but we are not allowed to go up to them and ask for stuff. And I get it; you guys are working. If every person who worked here asked you for an autograph, it would take all three periods for you to sign their stuff. And, apparently one of the ice crew on another team got knocked up by one of their married players. It was a huge scandal, and she accused him of pressuring her. So, as you can imagine, they are super strict about it now, which makes sense.”

This girl is just so damn sweet. And practical. And probably a little bit of a rule follower too. But after we almost kissed the other night, I smirk, far too curious to see if she likes to break some rules once and awhile too.Fuck…focus, Hayes.

“Apparently, Cayden saw Zack Reeves in the back of the arena before I went out to sing. I had no idea he brought pucks with him, or that he asked Zack to sign them. I was refilling my water before the anthem when it all happened. I barely saw Zack hand him the pucks and walk away as I got back. I wasn’t even there, but he posted the freaking pucks for sale online, and someone sent it to David. He asked me to come down here after the game and told me I couldn’t sing for the Riders anymore. He said he was really sorry, but he can’t make any exceptions. Idon’t know what I’m going to do,” she says as the tears well in her eyes again.

“Is there anything I can do to help? Do you want me to go talk to David? I don’t know him well, since I’m so new, but I’m sure he’d listen to me. This was obviously not your fault.”

“Oh my gosh, no! You do not need to do that. It’ll probably make things worse. I should just go home and contemplate what to do with my life.” She pulls out her phone, her hands shaking as she unlocks the screen. “And now I have to get an Uber home…so that’s fun,” she says as she slumps forward looking away from me embarrassed as if she’s about to cry again.

“I can give you a ride home. My car is in the players’ lot, and I don’t mind at all. I won’t even charge you surge pricing.” Olivia looks at me for a minute, stunned, before her face morphs and she starts to laugh.

Then she punches me in the arm.

“Hey!” I gingerly rub my shoulder, a smirk lifting my lips. “I don’t have my pads on anymore! That’s the arm of tonight’s first star of the game; you better be careful,” I say playfully.

“Oh no,” she pouts, fluttering her lashes as she cocks her head to the side. “Is the big, bad hockey player sensitive? Hope you don’t hurt your arm opening the car door for me.”

I didn’t know anything could top her smile, but the smirk and sassy attitude she’s giving me goes straight to my heart…and my dick.I’m going to havesomuch fun with this girl.

“So, can I drive you home then?” I ask, my voice a little shaky hoping she won’t say no.I do not want to chance her getting away from me ever again.“I’d love to make sure you get back okay after everything that happened.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to hold you up any longer.” She bites her lip, and I need to remind my libido she’s not mineyet, my cock eager to put her mouth to use.“You’ve already stuckaround to make sure I was okay after this mess. You are probably tired after the game and need to rest, and I can just get a -”

“Olivia”, I stop her mid-sentence. “It would be my pleasure.”

12

olivia

Iamterrifiedto walk by a mirror right now. I probably look like a dying clown. I’m on the verge of a crying headache, my eyes are swollen, and the chaos spinning in my head from the last ten minutes is overwhelming. But Hayes Larson is walkingmethrough the players’ parking lot. He puts his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward his car. My skin ignites from his touch, and the ache in my heart quickly morphs into gratefulness toward the man driving me home. On a normal night, I would never be allowed to talk to a player, let alone get a ride home from one. But…Itechnicallydon’t work for the Riders anymore, so I guess there is one bright spot in the evening.

I jump at the honk of a vehicle passing by us.God, I’m on edge right now.Coming to a stop next to us, the window rolls down.

---