Chapter 25

**•ADRIAN•**

My heart pounds in my chest as I glide across the icy rink, the sharp blades of my skates cutting through the cold surface.

The tension in the air is palpable, the sound of sticks clashing and skates scraping echoing around me. It's hockey practice, and the pressure is on.

Coach's commands pierce through the intensity, guiding us through drills and plays. Every move is crucial, every shot is an opportunity to prove myself.

As the puck comes my way, I feel a surge of determination. The crowd of teammates and opponents blurs, and it's just me and the goal.

I wind up, the stick flexing under the force of my swing. The puck leaves my control, in a swift, calculated motion. Time seems to slow as I watch it sail through the air, a perfect trajectory.

The resounding thud as it hits the back of the net is a sweet release, a mix of relief and triumph.

I glance up to the top of the bleachers, where Coach stands. His stern expression cracks into a rare smile, and the applause of approval from him reverberates through the arena.

In that moment, the tension dissipates, replaced by a surge of pride. I've proven myself on the ice, earning the recognition that makes every grueling practice worthwhile.

"Nice one, Adrian!" Nate shouted from the other side of the rink and I gave him a thumbs up.

"Nate!" A familiar feminine voice called from above and I skated to a stop and looked up.

My brows immediately furrowed with confusion when I spotted Amy and Kaia standing at the top, Amy was waving her hand at Nate.

What the hell are they doing here?

I swiftly turned around and skated towards Nate, focusing my glare on him.

"The fuck are they doing here?" Nate's expression immediately softened while tearing his eyes away from the girls.

"Amy wanted to have skating lessons and asked for my help. I asked her to come by after practice today."

His response immediately irked me and I shot a glare at them, while they were making their way down the aisle to enter the ice rink.

"Really? Skating lessons?" I asked Nate again and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"That's what she said."

I quickly narrowed my eyes at him. "You're not trying to get with my sister are you?"

He chuckled. "C'mon dude, I would never. I'd be breaking bro code if I ever felt that way."

His answer didn't lessen the annoyance that was overwhelming me. I know Nate and I trust him.

It's Amy's ideas that I don't trust. She was obviously here because she likes Nate and she has done nothing but express that several times whenever they're together.

It's what pisses me off because no matter how many times I warned her, she'll never listen and will always do whatever she wants.

The other thing that had pissed me off, is the fact that Kaia was also here. I'm still not used to seeing her around more often after what happened that other night when I took her back to her dorm room.

The last thing I needed is to be constantly reminded about that awkward situation.

She has done nothing but taken over my brain ever since that night. I still can't get over it and I would do anything to erase that memory from my head.

It's driving me crazy as fuck!

"Hey." Amy greeted with a smile. Her eyes were already pinned on Nate.

The rest of the players and also coach were starting to leave and the rink was getting empty, leaving the four of us to be the only ones around.

"What do you need skating lessons for?" I quickly started interrogating and she glared at me.

"Can't a girl just learn how to skate?"

"You don't play hockey or do ice skating. So, what's your excuse?"

Her eyes immediately softened while glancing towards Nate.

"I wanted to see Nate."

My fists automatically clenched by my sides.

"I swear to God Amy-"

"Relax." She suddenly interrupted. "I genuinely need these skating lessons before Christmas arrive. I'm exploring new interests."

I scoffed and watched her skate towards Nate's side while smiling up at him. I looked towards the bench area and found Kaia sitting there alone.

I folded my arms together and propped my arm on top of my hockey stick in front of me.

"Is she here to take skating lessons too?" I asked Amy while still looking at Kaia.

"Yeah, I practically forced her to come." She replied before waving towards Kaia. "Kaia! Girl, put those skates on and get in here."

Kaia's eyes briefly meets mine in just a split second before she slowly stood up and stepped onto the ice, wearing her ice skates already.

She struggled to move along the ice without taking her hands off the railings, for support.

I shook my head and skated back to the bench area to get ready to leave.

I watched her hold on to the railings and her legs did a little wobble before she clung onto the railings tightly, to steady herself.

"You look ridiculous. Just go home if you can't do it."

She lifted her eyes off the ice before narrowing them at me.

"I'm staying till I get it right." She replied with a firm tone.

I scoffed and stepped inside the bench area and sat down.

"With you clinging onto the rails like that? You're never going to be able to learn how to skate at all."

"We get it Mr. Star hockey player." She mocked while glaring at me. "Some of us were not born with the skills like you did."

I chuckled under my breath while unstrapping the glove in my left hand.

A loud thump suddenly came from outside and my head snapped up, looking around the rink and seeing she had disappeared.

"Kaia! Are you alright?" Amy shouted from a distance.

I watched a hand shot up and grabbed the rail, and then her face appeared next while she struggled to stand up.

The scene was too funny, I couldn't help but laugh.