STORY 1- MY CHOICE

Kai took another dangerous step forward, his voice dropping to a low, threatening growl. "This isn't a game, Asher. She's off limits. You know that."

Asher's smirk only grew, slow and cocky, the kind of grin that probably scored him goals and girls off the ice. He didn't remove his arm from my shoulder. Instead, he drew me closer with a smooth tug, his strong hand sliding down to rest at the small of my back, fingers pressing lightly against my skin in a touch that felt both protective and deliciously possessive.

"Oh, I know the rules, Captain. But rules are made to be broken when the prize looks this good. And from where I'm standing, Isla doesn't look like she wants to be off limits right now."

Kai's expression turned thunderous, fists tightening at his sides. "You're pushing it, winger."

Asher chuckled, low and unbothered, like he was enjoying every second of winding up his captain. "Am I? Or are you just mad that she's smiling with me instead of running back to you?"

The rivalry between them was so charged it could be cut with a knife. Kai's hands flexed at his sides like he was fighting the urge to drag me away. Asher stayed relaxed, but his body was tense, ready for whatever came next.

I was trapped between two powerful, jealous hockey players who both wanted me in very different ways. And I had no idea how to get out of it.

Kai's dark eyes bored into mine, the captain's authority mixing with raw jealousy. "Isla, come here. Now."

The command in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. Part of me wanted to obey, but another part, the new bolder me, stayed right where I was.

Asher let out a low chuckle, the sound deep and challenging. "She's not a puck, Captain. You can't just call her over and expect her to come running."

Kai's glare snapped back to Asher. "You think this is funny? You're my teammate. My winger. And you're crossing a line you know you shouldn't."

Asher shrugged, but his eyes were sharp. "Maybe the line moved when I saw how they treated her in that hallway. Maybe I'm tired of pretending I don't see her the way I do."

The jealousy in Kai's eyes deepened into something fiercely possessive. He looked at me like I was his to guard, his to claim. "She's family! Don't forget that."

Asher's fingers tightened slightly on my shoulder, a silent claim. "Family doesn't look at her the way you do when you think no one's watching, Captain. And family definitely doesn't get this worked up when someone else steps up to protect her."

Kai's face flushed with a mix of anger and something deeper ... hurt, maybe. The captain looked like he was barely holding himself together. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Asher's smirk didn't waver. "Maybe I don't. But I know what I see. And right now, I see a girl who's tired of being told what to do."

Two alpha athletes staring each other down, both of them wanting me in their own way. Kai's jealousy was raw and burning. Asher's protectiveness was calm but unyielding.

The park suddenly felt like a battlefield.

Kai's voice dropped low, almost a growl. "Isla... come with me. We need to talk. Alone."

Asher's hand stayed exactly where it was. He didn't know the messy history between me and Kai, but he had clearly noticed how tense and uncomfortable I got the second Kai showed up.

"Or she can stay right here if that's what she wants. She looked pretty uncomfortable a minute ago. I'm not going anywhere until she says she's good."

The tension between them exploded like a bad hit on the ice. Kai stepped even closer, chest puffed out, eyes blazing with possessive fire. "You're crossing a dangerous line, Asher. She's my sister. My responsibility. Not some girl you can just flirt with because you're bored between games."

Asher didn't move an inch. "I'm not flirting. I saw her in the hallway after that fight. She looked like she needed space. If she wants me to leave, I will. But right now she doesn't look like she wants to go with you."

Kai's hands clenched into tight fists, his knuckles paling to white. "You don't know shit about what happened. Stay the fuck away from her."

I stood up slowly, feeling both of their eyes on me.

"Enough! I'm not a puck for you two to fight over." The words came out steadier than I felt. My heart hammered so loudly in my chest I was sure they could hear it. I took a small step forward, lifting my chin defiantly.

Kai looked like I'd just slapped him across the face. Asher's hand slipped from my shoulder as I stepped forward, but his eyes stayed on me.

I turned to Kai first. The guy who had always protected me now meant nothing to me. He was the one who pushed me back first, now he could taste a bit of his own medicine.

"You know what, Kai? You pushed me away first. So don't stand there acting like you own me now. I'm done waiting for you to figure out what you want."

Kai's face twisted with pain. "Isla..."

I didn't let Kai finish his plea. I turned to Asher instead, the cocky winger who had stepped in without knowing my full story but he tried to understand me and that's enough for today.

"I'm staying with Asher," I continued. "At least he sees when I'm uncomfortable and actually does something about it."

Kai's face twisted with pain and fury. "Isla... you can't be serious."

But I was. I reached for Asher's hand. His fingers closed around mine, warm and strong, and he gave me a small, reassuring squeeze.

"Let's go," he said softly, guiding me away from the bench.

We walked side by side, his arm brushing mine, leaving Kai standing alone in the park. I could feel his jealous stare burning into my back the entire way.

My heart was racing and somehow I felt a bit of pain when walking further.

I had just chosen the winger over the captain.

And something told me tomorrow's game was going to be anything but normal.