Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 169

169: HOPE

Hope’s POV

“I swear if Desmond is lying about this party being family-friendly, I’ll break his ankles,” Levi grumbled as he started the car

I giggled and reached out to pinch his cheek.

“I think he’s keeping his word this time. He even had someone fetch my parents from the hotel.”

“That’s because he wants to secure our attendance at the party.”

“Maybe,” I said, amused. “But come on, loosen up. It’s your last game of the season, and you just won it. Let’s celebrate”

We hit a red light, so he reached out and held my hand, his fingers slipping naturally between mine.

“I’d much rather just celebrate it with you, though.”

I shook my head in amusement. As cheesy as he could be, hearing him say things like that still managed to make my heart

flutter.

The moment we arrived at the “family-friendly restaurant,” it looked harmless enough from the outside. The moment we stepped inside, I sighed in relief.

It seemed Desmond had really kept his word this time because the atmosphere was warm, lively, and filled only with familiar faces. There were families chatting over dinner, teammates laughing together, and children running around without a care in the world.

“Levi!” Beth exclaimed. “Glad you could make it. You’re the savior of the season. I thought I was going to lose my job, but I was even promoted! If I have another son, I’d be sure to name him after you…”

I tilted my head to the side. “Beth, are you drunk?”

I instinctively glanced at Levi because he specifically requested that there shouldn’t be any alcohol at this party.

She giggled. “Just a little tipsy. It’s fine! It’s the first time I’m drinking this happily ever since I landed a job with the Glaciers! Anyway, enjoy the party!”

With that, she walked away, giggling to herself.

I nudged Levi’s shoulder. “Don’t give Desmond hell for this. The party still looks fine.”

He sighed before giving in with a reluctant nod.

Just then, I spotted my parents along with other middle-aged couples, probably the families of the other Glaciers players.

“I’ll be back,” I told Levi.

He nodded before heading toward his teammates, where he immediately became the center of attention-and the target of endless teasing.

Smiling to myself, I walked over to my parents.

“Mom, Dad!” I greeted, and they both turned to me.

“Hope,” my mom greeted warmly. “This party’s really fun. It’s the first time we’ve met so many people with athlete sons.”

I smiled, happy that they could relate to everyone because Harley was also a player. I looked around, searching for him

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among the crowd.

“He’s not here,” my mom answered my unspoken question. “He was called by his coach last minute because of his game

tomorrow..”

Oh, this was gold! He must be dying to come here and hang out with the Glaciers. I’d be sure to tease him about missing all of this later.

“I’ll check on you later, okay? I’ll just stay with Levi for a while.”

“Don’t worry, darling,” she said with a smile. “Don’t think about us. We’re enjoying the party, especially your father”

We both turned toward him.

He was enthusiastically discussing game plays with another middle-aged man as though they were both coaching from the sidelines. I bit my lip to hide my smile before nodding and making my way back to Levi.

On my way there, I bumped into Zayla and Matthias.

“Hope!” Matthias exclaimed. “It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, where have you been?” I asked.

“Paris Fashion Week,” he said proudly. “I’m so booked these days. You still weren’t together when I left, and now I heard you’re already planning a family.”

“What?” I exclaimed, immediately turning to Zayla, who only smiled sheepishly at me.

“Anyway, it’s also been a while since I’ve hooked up with someone. There are some pretty girls here. See you!”

With that, he went on his way, leaving the two of us.

Zayla was dressed in an orange dress that would have looked too bright on anyone else, but she somehow pulled it off effortlessly. The color made her glow beneath the restaurant lights. She really was such a pretty young woman.

However, from the look on her face, I felt like she wanted to ask me something, so I tilted my head to the side with a smile.

“What do you want to ask?”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you looked like you wanted to ask me something.”

She pursed her lips and stayed silent for a moment. Then she cleared her throat and mumbled, “Is your brother here?”

“Oh,” I muttered, unable to hide my smile.

Before I could even answer her question, she hurriedly continued explaining herself.

“I only asked because I don’t want to run into him! No offense, Hope. You’re a really, really great person, but your brother might be the most annoying person on the entire planet.”,

“Don’t worry,” I said with a small laugh. “I feel the same way at times.”

“Is he… here?” she asked apprehensively.

I decided to tease her a little by not answering right away.

She shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other, her shoulders growing stiffer with every passing second. By the time she

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looked like she was going to pass out waiting for my answer, I finally took pity on her.

“Don’t worry. He isn’t here. He has a meeting for his game tomorrow.”

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