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 avoidher 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.
