STORY 1- Cozy With Me

"You really didn't have to do that," I said quietly once we were outside, the fresh air hitting my face. Asher stopped and turned to face me fully.

His eyes performed that slow scan once more over my pixie cut, crop top, and jeans, but this time he made no attempt to hide it. A small, cocky smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah, I did," he said simply. "And honestly? I've been wanting an excuse to talk to you properly for a while. Not as Kai's stepsister. As you." He reached up and lightly brushed a strand of my short hair behind my ear. "This new look? It suits you. Makes you look like trouble... the good kind."

My heart skipped a beat. The way he looked at me felt thrillingly dangerous. Like he was already picturing all the things that could happen between us.

"You think so?" I smiled, and he only nodded and grinned, that charming winger smirk that probably got him whatever he wanted on and off the ice.

"So... about that home game tomorrow. You coming? I'll make it worth your while. Promise."

"Well... we'll see," I teased. Kai has asked me to go too but I didn't even care, let alone answer, but Asher? Maybe it's worth trying.

"Sit with me for a bit? You look like you could use a minute where no one's shoving you or running their mouth." Asher asked while nodding to the park bench nearby.

I didn't argue.

I let him lead me over, his hand never leaving my elbow. For the first time all day, I felt like someone was actually seeing me. Not the old Isla. Not Kai's stepsister. Just me. And Asher was looking at me like he liked what he saw. A lot.

The park bench was warm from the sun. Asher sat close enough that our thighs brushed, his big body radiating heat. He didn't push or crowd me, he just stayed there, like a safe place after the storm in the hallway.

"You really handled yourself back there," he said softly. "Most girls would've crumbled after a slap like that. You? You flipped your hair and clapped back like a queen. It was hot as hell."

I laughed a little, the sound shaky but real. The sting on my cheek was fading, replaced by the warmth of his attention. Asher reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small ice pack from his practice bag.

"Here," he murmured. He gently pressed it against my cheek. "Doesn't look too bad. You'll still be the prettiest girl on campus tomorrow." His eyes met mine and held. There was no teasing now, just quiet intensity. The kind that made my stomach flutter.

"Thanks," I whispered. "I didn't expect you to jump in like that."

Asher shrugged, but his smile was soft. "Couldn't just stand there and watch them treat you like that. Plus..." He paused, thumb lightly brushing my jaw before he pulled the ice pack away. "I've been noticing you lately. The real you. Not the quiet girl who used to hide behind Kai. This new you? The short hair, the confidence... it's doing things to me, pixie."

My cheeks heated. He noticed. He really noticed. The way his eyes kept drifting over my body felt exciting. I really loved that! Never knew that I could be wanted like this before.

"We have time for that. For... exploration?" I giggled. Asher's eyes beamed and I could see his genuine excitement at my silly offer.

"Starting today then."

I laughed. We kept chatting and sat there for a while, talking about nothing and everything.

He told me funny stories about practice, how Kai was extra grumpy lately, how the team was hyped for tomorrow's game.

I laughed easier than I had in days. Asher had this warm, easy energy that made the chaos of the morning feel far away. His arm rested along the back of the bench, fingers occasionally brushing my shoulder in light, comforting touches.

The peaceful moment didn't stay long apparently. I heard a familiar voice cut through our conversation.

"What the hell is going on here?" Kai's voice roared. He stood a few feet away, breathing hard like he'd run the whole way. His eyes locked on Asher's arm behind me and how close we were sitting.

His jaw was clenched so tight it looked painful. If I'm not delusional, I could see jealousy burning bright in his gaze.

However, Asher didn't move his arm. If anything, he relaxed even more, a small smirk playing on his lips as he looked at his captain.

Kai's eyes flicked to me, dark and stormy. "Isla..."

The vibes suddenly turned gloomy. I felt like I'd been surrounded by these two hot hockey players that wanted my full attention.

Silly me!

"Kai," I greeted nervously. I didn't know why, but I felt like I was getting caught doing something bad to him, which I didn't!

Kai's eyes burned with barely contained fury as he stared at Asher's arm still resting casually along the back of my shoulder. "What the hell is this, Asher? You skip half of practice and now you're out here playing cozy with my sister?"

Asher didn't pull his arm away. If anything, he leaned back a little more comfortably, his fingers lightly brushing my shoulder. "Relax, Captain. I already did my laps and warm-up before the team even hit the ice. Extra shooting too. I'm ready for tomorrow. You know I wouldn't slack on game day."

Kai's jaw tightened. He looked at me, then back at Asher, the jealousy clear and sharp in his gaze. "That's not the point. You're supposed to be locked in with the team. Not out here... doing whatever this is."

Asher blinked, genuinely confused. "Doing what? I saw the fight in the hallway and stepped in. Isla got shoved and slapped. What was I supposed to do... just watch?"

Kai's gaze flicked to my reddened cheek. For a second something soft and worried crossed his face, but it quickly turned back into that stormy scowl. "She's my sister. I can handle it. You don't need to play hero."

Asher raised an eyebrow, still not getting it. "She's not just your sister, man. She's her own person. And she handled herself pretty damn well before I got there."

I stayed quiet, heart pounding. I understood exactly what was happening now. Kai wasn't really mad about practice. He was mad about seeing me with Asher: laughing, close, protected by someone else. The jealousy was rolling off him in waves.

Kai crossed his arms. "Just... stay focused on the game, Asher. That's what matters right now."

Asher shrugged, still clueless but clearly amused by his captain's mood. "I'm always focused. You know that."

The tension between them crackled in the air. Kai's eyes kept darting to Asher's arm near my shoulder, then to me. He looked like he wanted to say a lot more but was holding back.

I felt the pull from both sides. My heart beat faster as the two of them stared each other down.

The park suddenly felt a lot smaller.