Chapter Four.

Ava’s POV

“Breakfast is on the table,” Dad called from the kitchen but I was barely listening because all morning my brain had been chewing on one thought, one face, one stupid boy I was trying not to think about and failing miserably.

Liam.

“Are you coming?” Dad called out to me. He was probably about to leave, but I didn't want to ride with him. I felt the atmosphere in the car will be tense.

“No, thanks, I want to pick up something on my way.” He grabbed his keys and I could hear him driving out on the driveway.

God why did I remember the way he smirked yesterday like he knew every thought I’d ever try to hide. I tried to ignore the weird flutter inside my chest because I knew this wasn’t normal and it definitely wasn’t allowed.

Sighing in frustration, I slipped my shoes on and grabbed my camera bag and reached the stadium as fast as possible.

Dad’s voice echoed through the hallway louder this time and sharper “No distractions no women no drama the last thing we need is someone screwing up the team’s image once a player fumbles it affects all of us and I’m not babying anybody this season. Benching or kicking out is on the table.”

No drama? He wasn't be talking about my encounter with Liam, would he?

I froze for a second in the doorway listening to him talk to the guys in the meeting room and my stomach dropped because it hit me again that I was stuck between two versions of myself the dutiful coach’s daughter who kept her head down and the painfully curious girl wondering what Liam’s hands would feel like on her hips if he touched me like he almost did yesterday.

I hated admitting it but wow he smelled incredible even in a locker room full of sweat and deodorant he somehow smelled like clean skin and cedar and something stupidly addictive and I absolutely should not be thinking this because he's Ethan’s teammate and Dad’s player and every rule in the universe said do not even think about it.

I walked out before Dad could see the blush creeping up my neck muttering to myself “Get it together Ava seriously.”

The day passed in a blur. I turned a corner and bumped into something solid.

“Oh sorry….” I started but the words evaporated because he was there.

Liam. Shirtless. Damp hair dripping onto his shoulders. A towel hanging way too low on his hips.

My lungs forgot how to work.

He grinned slowly and lazy “Careful little pine, you might bump into my hands and I will not let you go easily.”

“I didn't see you there,” I muttered, trying so hard not to stare at the drop of water sliding down his chest “I was looking for Ethan.”

“Mmhmm sure.” He stepped closer and my brain short-circuited because he was warm and the hallway was cool and he was looking at me like he already knew what I tasted like “You always walk around alone?

“I was just— I needed something— I mean Ethan wasn’t— you know what, never mind,” I rambled because of course Liam was staring at me so cunningly.

He chuckled in a low voice “Relax, Pinecrust I’m not gonna bite.”

“Stop calling me that,”I said shyly, hoping he didn’t notice the way my eyes betrayed me.

“And you’re not supposed to be here right now.” he shot back leaning closer “but here we are.”

His fingers brushed my waist just lightly enough to feel like a spark straight through my spine and I swear the air thinned around us. Then his forehead almost touched mine and his lips grazed the corner of my mouth barely there but enough to make my knees wobble and my breath hitched while I slowly parted my lips.

“Liam,” I whispered, not sure if it was a warning or a question.

He smirked, “Yeah?”

Before anything else could happen footsteps echoed from around the corner and he pulled back instantly jaw tight like someone flipping a switch. No kissing, no touching, no almosts just distance.

“I should go,” I whispered.

“Probably” he said but his eyes lingered in a way that said neither of us wanted to.

The next day everything exploded before I even had caffeine.

I was on duty recording behind-the-scenes content for the team since PR was understaffed. The rink was loud with players messing around.

One guy yelled, “Hey camera girl, get my good side.” Another lifted his jersey shouting “Rate the abs one to ten.”

I rolled my eyes but laughed because it was harmless chaos and weirdly fun.

Then Liam walked in hand skating like he owned the ice. His eyes locked onto mine instantly like he’d been waiting and he skated past slowly deliberately brushing my camera shoulder as he whispered “Morning princess try not to drop that thing it might fall in love with me.”

I choked on air “You’re impossible.”

“And yet you keep looking at me,” he smirked.

I turned away but the heat in my cheeks betrayed me because God he was too much too confident too knowing. Worst part he kept glancing at me through the entire practice winking or biting back a smile like we had a secret.

Then Ethan noticed.

“Hey Liam stop flirting and focus,” Ethan snapped skating towards him.

Liam grinned “Relax dude.”

“She’s off limits, remember?” Ethan shouted.

Liam didn’t say a word. Just clenched his jaw and looked away.

I wanted to disappear right there.

Practice ended tense and quiet and while I was backing up video files a notification buzzed on my phone. Then another. Then ten more. Then it kept multiplying within minutes.

My heart dropped immediately when I checked, what is this?

A video had gone viral. The clip I filmed earlier of Liam shirtless and teasing the camera. Someone screen-recorded it and added the caption “Hottest player in the league???” and boom hundreds of views, almost getting to a thousand within a few minutes.

But that wasn’t even the worst part.

Leaked photos of me and Liam, from last night.

The hallway. His hand on my waist. His head tilted in for the kiss that almost happened. The internet didn’t care that it didn't happen. They shipped us instantly.

#Aviam

#CoachDaughterScandal

#ForbiddenIceLove

My stomach twisted painfully as I scrolled.

I felt Dad’s glare before he even said “Ava what is this?” he demanded.

“Dad, I don't know. I didn’t post it I didn’t—”

“This is exactly what I warned them about.” he hissed pacing “Distractions. Drama. And of all the players it had to be him.”

Ethan stormed in furious “Where is he? Where the hell is Liam?”

“Ethan stop.” I said but he pushed past me slamming the locker room door open.

“Liam what the fuck have you done?” Ethan yelled “You think you can touch my sister like you do to every girl you come across?”

Liam sat on the bench tying his laces like he had all the time in the world.

“You almost got her ruined and you don’t even care.” he said, fist clenched tight on both sides of his hips.

Liam finally stood up “I care more than you think.”

I froze in the doorway because he wasn’t smirking, he wasn't joking he actually looked angry at himself. His gaze darted to mine slowly.

“Don’t,” he muttered under his breath, glaring at me like he was trying to push me away without touching me. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” I whispered.

“Like I’m worth trusting.”

Before I could reply Dad barged in barking orders telling everyone to put their phones away and get ready for an emergency PR meeting because we were already trending on every platform.

My cheeks burned with shame, guilt, humiliation, every emotion twisting inside me. The team looked at me like I was radioactive. Ethan looked like he wanted to punch something and Liam stood there silent staring at the floor jaw clenched like he hated himself.

And then my phone buzzed again. It was another video from a different angle.

Someone had been filming from the shadows last night.

The clip showed Liam’s lips brushing my cheek and his hand sliding up my waist slowly like I was his to claim.

The room went dead silent.

Ethan whispered “Ava… what happened?” he arched his brow. Curious.

I swallowed hard staring at the screen as the views climbed by the second and the comments flooded in

“What the hell is happening?”