He smiled, relief evident on his face.“Step by step,” he agreed, taking her hand.
They walked off the ice together, talking about schedules, practice times, and ways to spend time together outside of hockey. Maddie realized that part of loving someone meant understanding their world — and that Ryan’s world was as complicated as hers.
By the time they left the rink, the sun was setting, casting golden light across the ice. Maddie felt a mix of excitement and calm. Challenges would come, but so would moments like these — quiet, reassuring, and full of promise.
And for the first time, she understood that growing together meant more than just sparks on the ice. It meant patience, understanding, and learning to balance their love with the game they both cherished.
Chapter 12:
Missteps and Misunderstandings
Practice was in full swing, the rink alive with the sound of pucks slamming against boards and teammates shouting encouragement. Maddie Carter skated toward the net, eyes fixed on the puck, when she felt Ryan Harper bump into her unexpectedly.
“Careful!” she exclaimed, stumbling slightly.
Ryan waved it off.“Watch it, Carter. Don’t let me slow you down.”
But Maddie noticed the hint of frustration in his tone. She frowned.“Slow me down? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ryan hesitated, clearly annoyed with himself for letting his frustration show.“Nothing… I just… focus on the game.”
She bit her lip, trying to shake off the sting. Something about his words felt sharp, even if unintentional. Maddie focused harder on her drills, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Ryan was upset with her.
During scrimmages, the tension between them grew. A miscommunication on a pass left Maddie frustrated, and Ryan’s glare didn’t help. By the end of practice, both were tense, barely speaking.
As the team left the ice, Maddie lingered, trying to process her feelings. Ryan approached cautiously.“Hey… about earlier,” hebegan,“I didn’t mean what I said. I was just… stressed, and I… took it out on you.”
Maddie looked at him, her chest tightening.“It felt like you were upset with me,” she admitted.
“I was upset — not with you, with myself. I’ve been overthinking practice, the tournament… everything. And I didn’t want to ruin this — us. I care about you too much to… act like a jerk.”
Her heart softened. She stepped closer.“I care about you too, Ryan. I get it. We both have pressure… it’s okay. We just have to… talk next time, okay?”
He nodded, relief flooding his features.“Okay. No more misunderstandings.”
Maddie smiled, brushing her hand against his.“Deal.”
And as they left the rink together, the tension melted away. Hockey would have its challenges, but Maddie realized that their real strength wasn’t just on the ice — it was in trust, honesty, and the small moments where they chose to understand each other.
Chapter 13:
Off-Ice Adventures
Saturday morning brought a crisp, sunny day, perfect for escaping the rink. Maddie Carter stood outside her house, bundled in a cozy jacket, as Ryan Harper pulled up in his beat-up pickup truck.
“Ready for our adventure?” he asked, grinning.
Maddie laughed.“Depends on what kind of adventure you mean. Road trip, picnic, or just getting lost?”
“All of the above,” he said, holding the door for her.“Trust me, I’ve got it all planned.”
They drove through winding roads lined with autumn trees, the leaves a swirl of gold and crimson. Maddie relaxed for the first time in weeks, enjoying the freedom of being off the ice and just with him.
“Where are we going?” she asked after a while, peering at the map pinned to his dashboard.
“You’ll see,” Ryan said mysteriously, a playful glint in his eyes.
Eventually, they arrived at a quiet park with a small lake. Ryan pulled out a blanket and a picnic basket, and Maddie couldn’t help but laugh at the effort he’d put in.
