Chapter 30: Eli's Choice

Chapter 30: Eli's ChoiceThe morning of the press conference, Eli woke before the sun.He lay in Mack's bed, staring at nothing in particular, his heart pounding heavily. The city was quiet outside and the media was already camped outside the building, but here, in this room, there was total silence.Mack stirred beside him. His arm tightened around Eli's waist."Are you awake?" Mack asked."Have been for hours, a little nervous." he said in a low voice."You dont have to be, we will eventually pull through," Mack said as he rolled over and kissed him softly at first, then deeper. Eli let himself sink into it, into the warmth of Mack's body, into the certainty of his love."When this is over," Mack said, "we are going to take a vacation to somewhere warm, somewhere no one knows us."Eli smiled. "I would like that.""Then it is a plan."---They dressed in silence.Eli wore his best suit and Mack wore a simple button-down. They did not need to impress anyone, they just needed to be hon

Chapter 31: The Reunion

Chapter 31: The ReunionSunday dinner at Eli's parents' house was the most terrifying thing he had ever done in his life.Eli stood in front of the door, his hand raised to knock, his heart pounding. Mack stood beside him, his face pale, his jaw tight."We can still leave," Mack said lowly."We are not leaving.""Your father might hate me.""He already knows you from the press conference he watched, he called me himself.""Watching and meeting are two different things."Eli turned to look at him. "Mack. Whatever happens in there, we face it together."Mack took a breath. "Alright then."Eli knocked and his mother opened the door.She was small, with grey-streaked hair and Eli's eyes. She looked at Eli first, her face crumpling with emotion. Then she looked at Mack. Her eyes went wide."You must be Mack," she said."Yes, ma'am."She pulled him into a hug. Mack froze, his arms stiff at his sides."Thank you," she whispered. "For taking care of my son."Mack's face softened. "He takes ca

Chapter 32: Redefining Love

Chapter 32: Redefining LoveThe drive back to Seattle was a quiet one.Eli sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window, the lights of the city blurring past while Mack's hand rested on his thigh, warm and steady. They had not spoken since they left his parents' house. There was too much to say, and none of it could be said in a car.Mack pulled into the parking lot of his apartment building and turned off the engine."Are you okay?" Mack asked."I am better than okay." Eli turned to look at him. "My father accepted us, even my mother hugged you. I never thought that would happen so easily."Mack smiled. "Neither did I."Eli leaned over and kissed him softly at first, then deeper."Come inside," Eli said. "I want us talk."The apartment was dark and quiet.Eli sat on the couch and Mack sat beside him, close enough to touch each other."I have been thinking," Eli said. "About us, about what we are."Mack's jaw tightened. "Eli.""Let me finish." Eli took his hand. "You are my broth

Chapter 33: The Championship Run

Chapter 33: The Championship Run The Stanley Cup Finals arrived faster than anyone expected. Seattle had swept through the first two rounds. Edmonton in six and Vancouver in five. Now they faced Montreal, a historic franchise, a team with sixteen championships, a city that lived and breathed hockey. The media was everywhere. Every interview, every practice, every warmup was dissected. Reporters asked about the half-brother story, about the relationship and the pressure. Eli answered every question the same way. "We are focused on hockey." Mack also gave the same answer but they were lying. Hockey was not all... it was just what they needed to say at the moment.The first two games were in Montreal. The arena was crowded and loud. Eli stood in his crease, his body loose, his mind sharp. Mack was on the ice, blocking shots, clearing the crease, doing what he did best. Game One went to overtime. Seattle won on a breakaway goal from Louie. Game Two wasnt an easy one. Montrea

All Chapters of Ice In His Veins: Chapter 81 - Chapter 84

Chapter 30: Eli's Choice

Chapter 31: The Reunion

Chapter 32: Redefining Love

Chapter 33: The Championship Run