Chapter 6
Tournament Tensions
The small-town community center was packed with cheering parents, teammates, and local fans.
Today’s tournament wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing off the team’s skills and having fun.
But for Maddie Carter, it was also about impressing Ryan Harper…
and maybe letting him see a side of her that didn’t just exist on the ice.
“Ready to show them how it’s done?” Ryan asked, skating up beside her. His grin made her pulse skip.
“Always,” she said, tightening her gloves.
The game started fast. Pucks flew, sticks clashed, and the scoreboard changed constantly. Maddie darted across the ice, passing, shooting, and stealing the puck with precision. Ryan wasn’t far behind, teasing her with playful shoves and grins every time he intercepted her passes.
“You’re getting predictable, Carter,” he shouted as he blocked her again.
“Oh, please,” she shot back, spinning around him to steal the puck. “You’re just slow to react!”
He laughed, skating alongside her. “Maybe… or maybe I just like seeing that fiery side of you.”
Her cheeks heated, and she nearly stumbled over a patch of ice, only for Ryan to catch her hand mid-step. “Careful,” he said softly. “Wouldn’t want you falling for me too quickly.”
Maddie couldn’t help laughing, even as her heart thumped wildly. “Is that your strategy? Tease me and then act all charming?”
“Maybe,” he admitted, flashing a mischievous grin. “Works every time.”
The final minutes of the game were a blur of speed and adrenaline. Maddie managed to score the winning goal for her team, and Ryan immediately skated over, lifting her in a celebratory hug that left her slightly breathless.
“You did it!” he exclaimed, spinning her lightly on the ice.
“I did it with a little help,” she said, smirking, though the warmth in her chest told her it wasn’t just the team’s support she felt.
As they stepped off the rink, sweaty and laughing, Ryan grabbed her hand. “Same time tomorrow for practice?”
Maddie grinned, squeezing his hand. “You bet. But don’t think I’m going easy on you next time.”
Ryan laughed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Carter. I like a challenge.”
Walking side by side through the cheering crowd, Maddie realized something important: hockey wasn’t the only thing she was chasing this season. And for the first time, she didn’t want to stop.