ICE HEARTS

CHAPTER 4: THE AFTERMATH

The drive home was a blur.

Liam gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. His mind was racing, replaying the same moment on a loop.

Noah’s lips. Soft. Warm. Sweet.

It had lasted only seconds, but it felt like it had seared itself into his memory forever. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the younger man’s face, the way he looked up at him with those brave, sparkling eyes.

He kissed me.

The thought was both terrifying and thrilling.

Liam parked his car in the garage of his large, modern house. He walked inside, throwing his keys onto the table with a loud clatter. The house was silent, dark, and cold. Just how he usually liked it. But tonight, it felt empty. Lonely.

He walked straight to the bar in the living room and poured himself a large glass of whiskey. He downed it in one gulp, hoping the burning liquid would clear his head. It didn't.

Why did he do it? Liam wondered. Was it just a game? A challenge? Or did Noah actually feel something for him?

And the worst question of all... What did I feel?

Liam touched his lips again. He could still feel the ghost of that touch. For years, he had built walls around himself. He had decided that love was weakness, that attachments were dangerous. He was the Captain. He had to be strong. He had to be untouchable.

But Noah... Noah had walked right through those walls as if they weren't even there.

"Damn it," Liam growled, pacing across the room. "He's just a kid. He's my teammate. This is wrong. This is so wrong."

But his heart wasn't listening to his brain.

The next morning, Liam arrived at the rink earlier than usual. He needed to get there first, to prepare himself. He needed to act normal. He needed to pretend like nothing happened.

I will ignore it, he told himself. I will treat him like any other rookie. Professional. Cold. Distant.

The door opened, and Liam tensed up.

Noah walked in.

He looked fresh, wearing his team hoodie, his hair messy as always. But as soon as his eyes met Liam’s, he stopped. A faint blush appeared on his cheeks.

Liam held his breath. Here we go.

Noah hesitated for a second, then a slow, cheeky grin spread across his face. He didn't look away. He didn't look embarrassed.

He walked straight towards Liam.

"Good morning, Captain," Noah said, his voice cheerful, but there was a hint of mischief in it.

Liam crossed his arms over his chest, putting on his best stern face.

"We need to talk," Liam said lowly.

"About what?" Noah asked innocently, though his eyes were dancing with laughter.

"About last night," Liam said, trying to keep his voice steady. "What you did... that was inappropriate."

Noah tilted his head, taking a step closer. "You mean when I kissed you?"

Liam flinched slightly at the directness. "Yes. That. We are teammates. I am your Captain. We can't... things like that can't happen."

"Why not?" Noah challenged softly.

"Because!" Liam snapped, then lowered his voice. "Because it's complicated. Because it could cause problems. Because... because I don't do... that."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "You don't do kissing? Or you don't do guys?"

"I don't do attachments!" Liam hissed. "I don't have time for games, Noah. And I certainly don't have time for whatever this is."

Noah’s expression softened a little. He didn't back away though.

"I'm not playing games, Liam," he said seriously now. "I never have. When I see something I want... I go for it."

Liam looked at him, at that beautiful, determined face, and felt his resolve crumbling again.

"You're going to get us both in trouble," Liam whispered, almost to himself.

"Or maybe," Noah smiled, leaning in slightly so only Liam could hear, "we'll get something amazing."

Before Liam could reply, the rest of the team started pouring in, breaking the moment. Noah gave him one last look, a look full of promise, and then turned away to greet the others, acting like nothing had happened.

Liam stood there, his heart pounding.

He had tried to be cold. He had tried to push him away.

But looking at Noah laughing with the others, Liam realized one terrifying truth.

He didn't want to push him away anymore.