The rink was quiet after practice, the air heavy with the smell of ice and sweat.
Ethan sat on the bench, unlacing his skates slowly, lost in thought.
His muscles burned from drills, but his mind wasn't on hockey. It was on Riley, on the coffee shop, on the way her eyes had softened before she walked away.
The sound of footsteps echoed across the concrete floor. Ethan looked up, expecting Coach or maybe one of his teammates.
Instead, he saw Caleb.
Caleb leaned against the doorway, leather jacket hanging open, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp.
He didn't belong in the rink, not in his world of roaring engines and fists first, questions later.
Yet here he was.
Ethan frowned, "What are you doing here?
Caleb smirked, "Nice practice.
You skate fast, I'll give you that.
Ethan narrowed his eyes,"You didn't come here to compliment me.
"No," Caleb admitted, stepping forward.
"I came here to talk about Riley.
Ethan's chest tightened, "What about her?
"Stay away from her," Caleb said flatly.
Ethan dropped his skates onto the bench with a thud.
"You think you get to decide that?
Caleb crossed his arms, "I don't have to decide.
It's already decided, Riley belongs to the club.
She's family. And we don't like it when outsiders start sniffing around.
Ethan stood, towering slightly over him, though Caleb didn't flinch.
"I'm not sniffing around. Riley and I have history. You wouldn't understand.
"I understand enough," Caleb replied coolly.
"History doesn't mean the future, and the club doesn't forgive old ties.
You left, Ethan. You walked out on everything this town is. You can't just come back and expect her to follow you.
"She's not following me," Ethan shot back.
"She's her own person.
Caleb barked a humorless laugh, "You really think that? You think she's free to do what she wants? That girl breathes Vipers air.
She's loyal to the bone. She's not walking away from some guy who chases pucks.
Ethan clenched his fists, "You talk like she's property.
"She's not property," Caleb said evenly.
"She's protected. There's a difference. And we protect what's ours.
Ethan's jaw tightened, "Riley's not yours. Not the club's.
She's hers.
Caleb leaned in slightly, his voice low and cold.
"Keep telling yourself that, but if you keep pulling her into your world, you're going to hurt her.
And if you hurt her, we'll hurt you.
Ethan stared at him, chest heaving, fighting the urge to swing. "You think I'd hurt her? I'd never.
Caleb didn't blink.
"You don't have to mean to, You just have to be who you are. A hockey star with dreams bigger than this town.
You'll leave again. You know it. I know it. And when you do, she'll be the one left broken.
Ethan swallowed hard, "You don't know anything about what I'll do.
"I know enough," Caleb said.
"I know Riley deserves better than false promises. And I know you're already messing with her head.
Ethan stepped forward, his voice tight.
"What gives you the right to decide what she deserves? You don't get to make that call.
Caleb met his glare without flinching.
"Maybe not, but I'll make sure she doesn't fall for your lies again.
Consider this a warning, Cole.
Stay away from Riley, Focus on your scouts, your shiny career. Leave her where she belongs.
Ethan's chest burned, anger pulsing through his veins.
"You think I'm just going to nod and walk away? You don't scare me, Caleb. Not you, not the Vipers.
Caleb smirked faintly. "Then you're dumber than I thought.
The two men stood in silence, the weight of their standoff filling the empty rink.
The hum of the lights buzzed above them, and the cold air seemed to thicken with each second.
Finally, Ethan spoke, his voice steady, "You can warn me all you want.
But Riley makes her own choices.
And I won't walk away from her, Not this time.
Caleb studied him for a long moment, then shook his head. "Then you're putting her in danger, and you don't even see it.
He turned and started toward the exit, his boots echoing across the floor, At the doorway, he paused and looked back.
"This is your last chance, Ethan. Stay away, or the club will make you regret it.
Then he was gone, the door swinging shut behind him.
Ethan stood there, fists still clenched, chest heaving.
His mind screamed at him to listen, to protect Riley by pulling back.
But his heart burned with a different truth. He couldn't let her go again.
He sat back down heavily, staring at the ice, Caleb's words echoed in his head, each one a threat wrapped in warning.
But louder than that was the memory of Riley's voice in the coffee shop, the way she had whispered, I wish things were different.
Ethan whispered into the empty rink, his voice firm despite the tremor in his chest.
"I'll fight the whole damn club if I have to. I'm not leaving her again.
The sound of his vow hung in the cold air, a promise no warning could break.