Iced Out — By Ce Ricci

They were supposed to be rivals. They were supposed to keep their heads in the game. But as the winter deepened, the "iced out" walls they’d built around their hearts began to crack, leaving them both wondering if they were playing for the win or for each other.

When Oakley finally leaned in, the kiss was a collision. It was messy, desperate, and tasted like salt and cold air. In that moment, the ice under their feet didn’t feel like a battlefield anymore. It felt like the only solid thing in a world that was suddenly shifting beneath them. Iced Out by CE Ricci

The silence that followed was heavy, vibrating with everything they hadn't said. It wasn't hatred that made Quinton’s heart hammer against his ribs—it was the terrifying realization that he didn’t want to let go. They were supposed to be rivals

Then came Oakley—brash, loud, and way too talented for Quinton’s peace of mind. When Oakley finally leaned in, the kiss was a collision

"I think you're a distraction," Quinton shot back, his voice raw.

"You think you're better than me?" Oakley spat, his fingers gripping Quinton’s jersey.