Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

Calix couldn’t remember the last time he had slept that well.For once, he didn’t wake up already exhausted. His body still ached from practice, but his mind felt strangely rested, and he wasn’t ready to open his eyes yet.Instead, he instinctively moved closer to the warmth beside him.Normally, Calix hated heat. He always kept the air conditioner freezing because he couldn’t stand feeling hot, sweaty, or suffocated.But this warmth was different.It was soft. Comfortable.Then sunlight hit his face.Calix clicked his tongue and slowly opened his eyes.That was when he realized why sleeping on a narrow bench had somehow felt better than sleeping in his own bed.Nihan was beside him.His duffel bag had been shoved beneath their heads as a makeshift pillow, and sometime during the night, they had moved closer together.Calix vaguely remembered what happened.Nihan had spent most of the night lecturing him about recovery exercises until she started yawning every few minutes. Eventually,

The entire room stared at Nihan as if she had suddenly grown another head.Across the table, Ravena looked completely stunned. Lia’s eyes widened, Ivy nearly choked on her coffee, and beside Nihan, Jazzper looked like he was seconds away from laughing.Then a soft clap came from under the table.Nihan turned.Jazzper was slowly applauding her with the most entertained expression on his face.Ravena shot him a murderous glare.He immediately stopped and covered his mouth to hide his grin.Ravena took a deep breath and forced a painfully sweet smile.“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that suggestion. Anyway, Daddy and I already discussed it. Calix will play for at least two periods.”“He can’t.”The words left Nihan’s mouth before Ravena could finish.The room froze again.This time, Ravena’s smile visibly cracked.“Excuse me?”Nihan’s heart pounded, but she kept her voice calm.“He can’t play. Calix has been playing almost nonstop for years. He’s the face of this franchise, but that’

Calix still couldn’t believe Nihan had actually done it.He had challenged her to convince Coach Luther to bench him because he thought it was nearly impossible. Once Luther made a decision, he rarely changed it, and Ravena was even worse.Yet somehow, Nihan had managed to convince both of them.Now she was asking for something else.The Smasher cover shoot.Calix had already told Ivy he was done with campaigns that focused on his appearance, especially after that ridiculous underwear shoot.And now Nihan stood in front of him with flushed cheeks, twisting her fingers together while trying very hard to hold his gaze.“You already want me to stop playing for two weeks,” Calix said slowly. “That’s the longest break I’ve taken from hockey in years.”Nihan’s shoulders stiffened.“And now you want me to do a photoshoot when you know I hate them.”She pressed her lips together but didn’t back down.“It’s the best way to keep Smasher happy,” she explained. “Mrs. Tanner already said they migh

Calix wanted her to take responsibility for his boredom?Nihan almost laughed.He rarely started conversations with her unless he needed something, and he still hadn't agreed to the deal with Smasher. Still, she understood why he was restless. This was the first time in years he wouldn't be playing, and for someone like Calix, sitting on the sidelines probably felt like torture."What do you want to do?" Nihan asked, finally giving him her full attention. "I have some time before the others get here."Calix still looked annoyed."I'm hungry."Nihan pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.For someone who could scare half the team with one look, he sounded like a grumpy child."Why didn't you eat before coming here?""I don't eat before games. It makes me feel heavy."That made sense. Calix had spent years following the same routine before every game, and apparently being benched hadn't changed the habit.Nihan sighed. "Do you want to go to that restaurant you like? Golden Lotu

Calix pulled Nihan away before Marie could tease him any further. He completely ignored her question and led Nihan through another door inside the restaurant.The moment she stepped inside, Nihan looked around in surprise.It was a private room, warm and quiet compared to the busy restaurant outside. The wooden walls were covered with framed photographs, most of them showing Marie with family, friends, and people who seemed to have been part of her life for years.Then one picture caught Nihan's attention.It was much bigger than the others and placed near the center of the wall.It was Calix.He stood alone on the ice with his hockey stick raised high. Confetti filled the rink, and both his fists were lifted in victory.But what caught Nihan's attention wasn't the trophy or the celebration.It was his smile.Calix looked genuinely happy.Nihan found herself staring at the picture.She rarely saw him smile like that now."Stop looking at it."His grumpy voice pulled her attention away