Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 166

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12:52 Wed, Aug 12 F

Hands Off The Ice King

166: HOPE

Hope’s POV

$5 youstor’s

I was actually pretty nervous for the game today, but after seeing Levi and his team, I knew better than to douby them. Even though the odds were against them, I was hopeful that they would push through.

The players were already warming up. Beth was busy running around, still adjusting to her new position, while Lia had naturally become her right hand. Aiden was busy taking photos of everyone and posting them in real time, darting around the rink with endless energy.

The audience was split in half-the right side meant for the Glaciers, and the left for the Pucks.

My eyes wandered around until they settled on the area for VIPS-the people invited by the franchise and the team.

I smiled and quickly walked over to that side. My parents had arrived, my dad being wheeled in by Harley, who was already taking photos as he settled into his seat.

“Hope!” my mom exclaimed, their attention turning toward me.

“You’re here.” I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest.

“Of course, we’re here,” Harley retorted. “Front row seats are so expensive and difficult to get for this game. And I get to sit here for free! You chose the right boyfriend.”

I shook my head in amusement. Meanwhile, my dad was strangely quiet, so I turned to him. I pursed my lips when I saw the unshed tears shining in his eyes.

Even though he didn’t talk much about it, I knew how much he had wanted to be in this arena as a player. These were my dad’s unreached dreams-dreams that life had quietly taken away from him. A dull ache tugged at my heart, but at the same time, I was grateful that I could at least bring him here, even if it wasn’t for his own career. Maybe, in some small way, he could still experience what he had once longed for.

“Dad, don’t cry or I’m going to cry,” Harley said.

I shook my head in amusement while a smile finally appeared on my dad’s lips. Harley really had a way of making the atmosphere lighter, didn’t he?

What an annoyingly lovable brat he was.

The moment was interrupted when I heard another familiar voice.

“Hope!”

Zayla, holding a bag of popcorn, carefully walked across the seats to where we were.

“Zayla,” I said, reaching up so we could hug each other through the barrier. “You’ve come prepared,” I added, nodding toward the popcorn.

“I might get bored once Levi starts scoring far more than their opponent,” she smirked, making me giggle.

“You’re already planning for a one-sided game?” I teased.

“Well,” she shrugged, lifting a handful of popcorn, “I have faith in my brother.”

I laughed, shaking my head as I looked between her and the ice. If Leyi heard that, his ego would probably inflate for the rest of the week.

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Still, I couldn’t deny that a part of me believed her.

Harley had been unusually quiet, which was unlike him, so I looked back at him. He was staring at Zayla with wide, surprised eyes, as though he’d just seen a ghost.

Zayla must have noticed his stare because she looked at him, and within a second, she mirrored his expression,

“You?” they both exclaimed at the same time.

Their surprise quickly melted into mutual annoyance, leaving me confused.

I tilted my head to the side. “You guys know each other?”

Before either of them could answer me, the buzzer sounded, signaling the start of the game.

“See you guys later!” I exclaimed, waving at them, although Zayla and Harley were still too busy glaring at each other to notice.

I made my way back to our bench and focused my gaze on the ice.

The original roster skated toward center ice. Levi stood at the faceoff circle, and so did Liam, the tension between them nearly hot enough to melt the ice beneath their skates.

They remained still for a brief moment, and it looked like Liam had muttered something to Levi.

For some reason, that made me nervous.

However, as the game progressed and Forest and Levi reeled their team together, I realized there was no use feeling

nervous.

The Glaciers, despite not having their coach and a complete roster, played as though none of the odds were stacked against them. They played like they were still in their prime, refusing to let setbacks define them.

Levi was the heartbeat of the team, the perfectly oiled gear that kept everything moving. He created opportunities that widened the gap on the scoreboard before the first period had even ended.

As the second period rolled in, it became more and more obvious that the Glaciers were simply the better team.

By the time the third period was nearing its end, it was almost impossible for the Pucks to come back-unless they somehow pulled off the same miracle Levi had against the Dreams in their last game.

The audience started counting down.

“Five… four… three… two… one!”

The buzzer sounded again, this time signaling the end of the game.

The bench erupted into cheers as everyone jumped to their feet in celebration.

Beth, who had been trying so hard to keep her composure while adjusting to her new position, didn’t even bother hiding her excitement anymore. She threw herself straight into one of the players’ arms, which turned out to be Scott’s.

Lia and Aiden celebrated together, holding hands as they spun in a circle, laughing without a care in the world.

It was such a joyous sight that I wished I could stop time, if only for a few seconds, just to keep this moment exactly as it was.

The players on the ice were no different.

They had unleashed everything-all the happiness, exhaustion, relief, stress, countless hours of practice, and every ounce of

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Hands Off The Ice King

effort that had carried them through this journey. Every shout, every embrace, every smile spoke of sacrifices that had finally been worth it.

Still, my eyes searched for one person in particular.

Amidst the chaotic celebration, I stood on my tiptoes, looking for Levi.

I barely had second to search before he was suddenly standing right in front of me.

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