It all started with one missed curfew.

You weren’t even supposed to be at the rink. But Cole had texted you, “Come by. Just you. Everyone’s gone.” So obviously, you went.

And that was mistake #1. Because apparently “everyone” did not include Josh, the backup defenseman who lives off energy drinks and insomnia.

He walked into the locker room and found the two of you tangled up on the bench, your hands in Cole’s hair, his hoodie halfway off your shoulder.

There was screaming. Dropped phones. You almost fell off the bench. Cole legit said, “This isn’t what it looks like,” which made it a thousand times worse.

But by some miracle? Josh didn’t snitch.

He did, however, immediately tell the entire team.

Which brings us to now.

You're currently sitting at a team pasta night, across from your very secret boyfriend, while seven hockey players try to act normal around your dad—who’s hosting.

It’s... going great. (If your definition of "great" includes thinly veiled panic and one near-choking incident.)

Finn keeps making weird noises every time Cole talks to you. Eli keeps kicking Cole under the table every time he so much as glances in your direction. Ryan asked, “So, Coach, what would you do if one of us ever—hypothetically—dated your daughter?” and then immediately spilled his entire plate of spaghetti.

Your dad’s eye is twitching. You're sweating. Cole looks like he's one breath away from crawling under the table and never resurfacing.

But the boys? They’re committed.

They’ve turned this into a full-blown undercover operation. Fake stories, coded texts, designated distraction squad—complete with a “tackle-the-coach-if-he-walks-in” protocol.

They even made a group chat called “Operation Ice Princess” where they schedule your alone time like it’s a military campaign.

You don’t know whether to be touched or deeply concerned.

But one thing’s for sure: These boys are not letting you go down for this.

Because Cole? He’s different now. Less smirking, more soft eyes. He doesn’t flirt with random girls anymore—just looks at you like you’ve rewritten his entire playbook.

And when he grabs your hand behind the bleachers and says, “I’d risk the entire championship just to kiss you again,” you believe him.

Even if it means his teammates might die of stress trying to keep you both alive.