Maddie Carter laced up her skates with her usual focus, but she couldn’t help glancing at Ryan Harper, who was already on the ice warming up. His eyes met hers, and he gave her a small, encouraging nod.
“Don’t let them intimidate you,” he said as she skated over.
“I’m not intimidated,” Maddie said, trying to sound confident, though her heart was pounding.
The whistle blew, and the game began. Maddie and Ryan immediately fell into sync, their playful competition from practice turning into seamless teamwork. She passed the puck to him with perfect timing, and he set up a shot that scored the first goal.
“Nice pass, Carter!” he shouted, skating back to her.
“You too, Harper,” she said, grinning.“We make a good team.”
As the game went on, the rivalry heated up. Opponents tried to block them, and the cheer from the crowd added pressure. Yet, every time Maddie and Ryan worked together, they found a rhythm that made them unstoppable.
During a tense moment near the net, Maddie slipped slightly. Ryan was immediately there, steadying her and guiding her through the play.“Got you,” he said, his voice low but steady.
She felt her heart skip a beat, the closeness sending warmth through her despite the physical exertion.“Thanks,” she murmured, realizing that with him, every risky move, every intense moment, felt safe.
By the final whistle, their team had won the match, and Maddie found herself laughing with Ryan, breathless and exhilarated. He threw an arm around her shoulder playfully.
“You know,” he said, leaning close,“we should do this more often — win or lose, I think we’re better together.”
Maddie smiled, feeling a thrill she couldn’t explain.“I agree,” she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.“Better together.”
Walking off the rink, side by side, she realized that the bond forming between them was more than just playful flirtation. It was trust, teamwork, and the kind of connection that made every practice, every scrimmage, and every game feel electric.
And as they headed toward the locker rooms, Maddie silently promised herself that she would hold on to this — the sparks, the laughter, and the growing warmth that Ryan Harper brought into her life.
Chapter 9:
Unexpected Warmth
The post-game celebration was lively. Teammates laughed and cheered at the local diner, enjoying milkshakes and fries after their victory. Maddie Carter sat across from Ryan Harper, sharing a booth and a giant sundae, feeling a warmth that had little to do with the chocolate topping.
“You know,” Ryan said, feeding her a spoonful of ice cream,“I think we make a pretty unstoppable team. Not just on the ice…”
Maddie smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.“Yeah… I’ve noticed,” she said, her voice soft, almost shy.
He leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers, and the noise of the diner seemed to fade.“You’re… different,” he said quietly.“Not in a bad way. You’re… fiery, funny, and… I don’t know… I just like being around you.”
Maddie’s heart skipped a beat. She looked down, feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks.“I… like being around you too,” she admitted.
Ryan grinned, his blue eyes sparkling.“Good. Because I was hoping you’d say that.”
A lull in conversation left them sitting close, hands occasionally brushing as they reached for fries or shared a napkin. It was casual, yet intimate — a quiet, accidental closeness that neither had expected but both felt.
Outside, the evening air was cool, a gentle breeze tugging at Maddie’s jacket. Ryan offered his arm as they walked back toward the rink for their bags.“Careful,” he teased,“don’t fall off the sidewalk like you almost did on the ice yesterday.”
She laughed, linking her arm with his.“I’ll try not to. But if I do… I’m glad you’re here.”
For a few moments, they walked side by side in comfortable silence, letting the quiet night and the faint glow of streetlights wrap around them. Maddie realized that this — this unplanned, unforced closeness — was becoming just as important as any practice, scrimmage, or victory.
As they reached the rink to gather their gear, Ryan stopped and looked at her, his gaze soft but intent.“Maddie… I know we’ve got practices, games, tournaments… but I want you to know something.”
Her pulse quickened.“What?”
“I like you. A lot. And I don’t want to hide it,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face with a light touch that lingered just a second too long.
Maddie felt a rush of warmth, a mix of excitement and certainty.“I like you too, Ryan,” she whispered.
