The night wrapped around them, cool and crisp, but Maddie didn’t feel the chill. Because for the first time, she realized that being close to Ryan Harper — both on and off the ice — was where she truly wanted to be.
Chapter 10:
Off-Ice Moments
It was a Saturday evening, and the rink was closed. Maddie Carter adjusted her scarf as she waited outside the small café Ryan had suggested. Her heart raced — not from skating, but from the thought of spending time alone with him.
Ryan arrived moments later, carrying a bouquet of wildflowers.“For you,” he said, offering them with a shy smile.
Maddie’s cheeks warmed.“You didn’t have to,” she said, taking them. The simple gesture made her heart flutter.
“I wanted to,” he said, grinning.“Consider it an early celebration for our team’s win yesterday… and for us.”
They stepped inside the cozy café, the smell of coffee and baked goods wrapping around them. They found a quiet corner, sitting across from each other, laughing as they shared stories about their families, childhood memories, and funny hockey mishaps.
“You know,” Ryan said, stirring his hot chocolate,“I didn’t think I’d meet someone like you this season. Someone who challenges me, teases me, and… gets me.”
Maddie smiled, brushing a lock of hair from her face.“I feel the same way. I never expected to like anyone like this either… but here we are.”
They shared a quiet moment, sipping their drinks, letting the easy warmth between them grow. Then Ryan reached across thetable, his hand brushing hers.“I like this,” he said softly.“Being with you like this… without hockey, without practice, just… us.”
Maddie’s heart raced.“Me too,” she whispered, squeezing his hand.
For the next hour, they walked through the quiet streets, the glow of streetlights casting soft shadows around them. They talked, laughed, and occasionally fell into comfortable silence, enjoying the simple presence of each other.
By the time they stopped outside Maddie’s house, the crisp night air made her shiver. Ryan pulled her close, wrapping his jacket around her shoulders.“I don’t want this night to end,” he admitted.
“Neither do I,” she said softly.
He leaned closer, and for the first time, their lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss. It was sweet, warm, and full of promise — the start of something beyond the rink, beyond the games, and into a season of their own making.
As Maddie watched him walk away, her heart felt lighter, her smile brighter. Hockey had brought them together, but this — this moment — made her realize that she wanted to chase him forever.
Chapter 11:
Balancing Act
The rink smelled of ice and sweat, familiar and comforting. Maddie Carter skated onto the ice, her mind partly focused on practice, partly on the lingering warmth of last night’s kiss with Ryan Harper.
Ryan was already there, stretching near the boards. He caught her eye and gave a quick grin, but she noticed a slight tension in his shoulders.
“Morning, Carter,” he said casually, though his usual easy confidence seemed muted.
“Morning, Harper,” she replied, skating over.“You okay?”
He shrugged.“Yeah… just a lot going on today.”
Practice began, and as usual, they fell into sync. But Maddie noticed subtle differences: Ryan’s passes were sharper, more competitive, and occasionally, he seemed distracted, missing cues he normally wouldn’t.
During a scrimmage, he collided lightly with another teammate, giving Maddie a quick apologetic glance before refocusing. She realized that balancing hockey, practice, and their growing relationship was going to be harder than she expected.
After practice, Ryan lingered at the rink, waiting for her.“Hey,” he said, once the rest of the team had left.“Sorry if I seemed… off during practice.”
Maddie smiled, stepping closer.“It’s okay. I get it. Balancing everything isn’t easy.”
“I just… don’t want to mess things up with you,” he admitted, looking slightly vulnerable.“I like this — us — more than I thought I would. And I don’t want hockey, school, or anything else to ruin it.”
Maddie’s heart softened.“Ryan, we’ll figure it out. It doesn’t have to be perfect every day. We can take it step by step.”
