Page 4

Chapter four

Colton: Challenge and Chemistry

I was halfway through practice when I spotted Riley walking into the rink.

Her gaze flickered over the ice. She looked out of place in her jeans and hoodie, surrounded by uniforms, whistle-wearing coaches, and guys who looked like they lived in gym gear.

She stood near the rink's edge, shifting her weight slightly like she was already regretting being here.

The rink buzzed with the sharp hiss of blades slicing through ice and the crisp crack of pucks striking the boards. Somehow, Riley’s presence cut through the noise. I skated over to the boards, grinning as Coop, my teammate and former college nemesis turned friend, followed closely behind.

“Hey,” I said, leaning on my stick. “What brings you to my neck of the woods?”

She rolled her eyes. “Your neck of the woods? You’ve been here a week, Colton. Don’t get too comfortable.”

Coop laughed, clearly enjoying the banter. “Who’s this?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“This is Riley,” I said, gesturing to her. “Ryan’s little sister. She’s my… babysitter.”

Riley shot me a glare. “I’m not your babysitter. I’m your handler.”

Coop chuckled, extending a hand. “Nice to meet you, Riley. I’m Coop. Good luck dealing with this guy.”

“Thanks,” she said, shaking his hand. “I’ve been told that a lot.”

I smirked, leaning closer to Coop. “Careful, man. She’s got a bite worse than her bark.”

Riley’s eyes narrowed. “And you’ve got a mouth worse than your reputation.”

Coop laughed again, clearly entertained. “I like her,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “You’re in trouble, Hayes.”

***

After practice, Coop cornered me in the locker room. “So,” he said, his tone teasing. “What’s the deal with Riley?”

I shrugged, pulling off my jersey. “What do you mean?”

“Come on,” he said, grinning. “I saw the way you two were going at it. There’s definitely something there.”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s Ryan’s little sister. There’s nothing there.”

“Uh-huh,” Coop said, clearly not buying it. “You sure about that? Because the way she looks at you… It’s not exactly sisterly.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re imagining things.”

I grabbed my bag and headed out. I couldn’t shake what Coop said. Maybe Riley didn’t look at me like I was just her brother's friend. And perhaps I wasn’t thinking about her that way either. She got under my skin. And I wanted more of that. Her laugh, her fire, all of it.

I walked out of the rink. The crisp afternoon air hit me like a slap. The parking lot was mostly empty, save for a few stragglers heading to their cars.

That’s when I spotted her—Vanessa.

She was leaning against her car, her notebook in hand and a smile on her face that didn’t quite reach her eyes. My stomach tightened. Vanessa wasn’t just a journalist; she was a bloodhound, always sniffing for the next big story. And right now, I had a feeling I was her target.

“Colton,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “Got a minute?”

I forced a smile, even though every instinct told me to turn and walk the other way. “Sure, Vanessa. What’s up?”

“Just doing a follow-up piece,” she said, flipping open her notebook. “I heard you’ve been spending time at the local dog rescue. Trying to clean up your image?”

I shrugged, trying to keep my tone casual. “Just doing my part for the community.”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “And how’s that going?”

“Great,” I said, flashing my trademark grin. “The dogs love me.”

She smiled, but it was more of a smirk. “I’m sure they do. Well, keep up the good work, Colton. I’ll be watching.”

As she walked away, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. Vanessa was always looking for a story, and I had a feeling she wouldn’t stop until she found one. What if she dug too deep? What if she found out why I was at the shelter? That it wasn’t my choice. That Ryan had ordered me to?

I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. I didn’t need this right now. I had enough on my plate without Vanessa breathing down my neck. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t avoid her forever. She was like a shark, circling closer and closer until she found the perfect angle for her story.

I watched her get into her car, her movements sharp and deliberate. She didn’t look back.

She was no longer standing in front of me, but I could still feel her ambition pressing down on my shoulders. It felt heavier than any hockey gear.

I couldn’t let her get to me. I had to stay focused, stay calm. I walked to my car. Why can’t I shake the feeling that Vanessa is already one step ahead of me?

***

My shoulders were still tight from the conversation with Vanessa.

Even the quiet at the rescue didn’t shake it off.

The usual chorus of barks and whines muted as the animals settled into their afternoon naps.

Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting long shadows across the rows of kennels. Riley stood by the supply closet.

The faint scent of bleach and dog shampoo lingered in the air, mixing with the tension building between us. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me, and I knew I was in for it.

“What are you doing here?” She shifted her weight to one leg, her hip cocked, as if she had already ended this conversation before it even started. "You're not on the schedule to be here today."

I raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool. “I thought I was supposed to help out. You know, community service and all that.”

“Help out?” she repeated, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She took a step closer, her gaze locked on mine. “Or are you just here so Vanessa can get a photo of you playing the hero?”

I stiffened, caught off guard. Vanessa? How did Riley even know Vanessa was still around? Man, she doesn’t miss anything.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb, Colton,” she said, her voice low but fierce. She jabbed a finger in my direction. Her hand dropped to her side and slowly curled into a fist.

“I saw her at the rink. She’s sniffing around, looking for dirt. And you—” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “You’re using this shelter to clean up your image.”

Her words stopped me cold. I felt heat crawl up my neck, my whole body tensing like I’d just been checked into the boards. Was she right? Was I trying to turn this into a PR stunt without even realizing it?

Or was I justified in thinking that any good press was just a bonus? Either way, I hated that she saw me like that.

“So what if I am?” I shot back, my voice rising. “What’s the harm in that? The shelter gets volunteers, and I get a little good press. Everyone wins.”

“Everyone wins?” she echoed, her voice incredulous. Her eyes widened for half a second, then narrowed, as if she couldn’t believe what I said.

She took another step closer, and I could see the frustration burning in her eyes. “Do you even hear yourself? This isn’t some PR stunt, Colton. These are real animals with real problems. They’re not just props for your redemption arc.”

I clenched my jaw, my frustration bubbling over.

“You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t see them?

” I gestured toward the kennels, where a row of dogs wagged their tails or pressed their noses against the bars, eager for attention.

“I’m here, aren’t I? I’m doing the work. Does it matter why I started?”

“Yes, it matters!” she snapped, her voice cracking with emotion. “I think you care about yourself,” she shot back. “And I think you’ll do whatever it takes to get back in the NHL. Even if it means exploiting people who are trying to make a difference.”

I took a step closer. “You don’t get to decide why I’m here, Riley. You don’t get to judge me.”

“Someone has to,” she shot back, her eyes blazing.

“Because you’re so busy playing the golden boy that you don’t even see what you’re doing.

You think you can skate through life, charming everyone and cleaning up your messes with a smile and a photo op.

But it doesn’t work like that, Colton. Not here. Not with me.”

“You’re something, you know that? You act like you’ve got it all figured out, like you’re so much better than me. But guess what, Riley? You’re not. You’re just Ryan’s little sister and no match for me.”

Her eyes flashed with anger, but she didn’t back down. “You’re right, Colton. I’m not a match for you. Because I care about something other than myself.”

For a moment, I was speechless. Was that really how she felt about me? Just some selfish guy who only cared about himself?

No one had ever stood up to me like that—not even Ryan.

I wanted to argue, to tell her she was wrong. But I wasn’t sure she was. Not anymore.

I stared at her, my chest heaving as her words sank in. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Finally, I broke the tension, and my voice was quieter now. “You think that’s all this is to me? A photo op?”

She hesitated, her eyes flicking to the side before returning to mine. Then she drew in a slow breath, her shoulders lifting slightly before settling. “I don’t know what to think, Colton. All I know is that every time I believe you care, you do something that reminds me why I shouldn’t.”

“Look, I’m not saying I’m perfect. I know I’ve made mistakes. But I’m trying, Riley. Isn’t that worth something?”

She studied me for a long moment, her gaze searching mine as if she were trying to figure out if I was being honest. Then, she sighed, “I don’t know, Colton. Maybe it is. But trying isn’t enough if you’re not in it for the right reasons.”

I nodded slowly. “And what if I am?” I asked quietly. “What if I’m here because I want to be? Because I care about these dogs?”

She looked at me, her expression softening slightly. Her arms dropped an inch, and for a heartbeat, I thought she might smile—but it didn’t come. “Then prove it,” she said. “Actions speak louder than words.”

I was wrong.

I am no match for Riley. She doesn’t pretend to be anything she isn’t. She cares. She cares about the dogs, her brother, and doing the right thing.

And no matter how much I tried to convince myself I didn’t care what she thought of me, I did.

I held her gaze, trying not to buckle under the challenge in her eyes. My jaw tightened.

“Fine,” I said. “I will.”

It felt like we were on the edge of something for a moment—a truce, maybe, or at least an understanding.

I could see the flecks of gold in her hazel eyes, the way her chest rose and fell with each breath. A strand of hair had come loose from her ponytail, catching the light. She pushed it behind her ear.

“Good,” she said, her voice brisk. “Now get to work. The kennels aren’t going to clean themselves.”

She said to prove it. What she doesn’t realize yet is I don’t know how.