L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 28

Ashley struck the puck with a sharp clack, sending it flying across the rink. The goalkeeper lunged in a desperate attempt, but it was futile—the puck shot straight into the net. Ashley exchanged a quick high-five with Bill, who had passed it to him mid-air.

A whistle blew at just the right moment, signaling a short break.

“Whew.”

Bill took a long swig straight from his water bottle before wiping his lips and asking, “So what’s going on with you? Are you really breaking up with Ariel?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Ashley, who had just drained more than half his bottle in one go, replied. He took a deep breath, his breathing slightly ragged from exertion.

“She said you haven’t been answering her calls or meeting up with her,” Bill continued.

“I was busy.”

“That’s an excuse. Come on, man, do you really think you can feed us that obvious lie? We all know what’s up.”

Bill looked around as if seeking confirmation. The other guys nodded in agreement from various spots around the rink.

“Yeah, when you start losing interest, the first thing to go is communication.”

“You had no training and it was break season, but you still didn’t meet up? That’s weird.”

“Classic sign of a breakup.”

“Be honest, man—do you have someone else?”

All eyes turned to Ashley. His expression twisted in undisguised disgust.

“No, and I’m not tired of Elle either.”

“Maybe you don’t hate her, but that doesn’t mean you can’t like someone else,” someone chimed in.

Bill snorted. “Buddy, that’s called cheating.”

A chorus of oohs and mocking claps echoed around them.

Ashley, however, couldn’t even force a smile. He had no idea why they were saying this. He hadn’t cheated, and he hadn’t found another girl. His feelings for Ariel hadn’t changed much—she was still pretty, still kind, still a good match for him.

So why did this feel so off?

“...Shit.”

He muttered the curse and downed the rest of his water before tossing the empty bottle into a trash bin.

The other guys exchanged glances, sensing the tension.

“Uh, did you get your ticket yet?”

It was Bill again, scratching his nose awkwardly.

“No, not yet.”

As soon as Ashley answered, Bill jumped on it.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

“They didn’t print a lot this year. If you wait too long, you might not get one.”

“Yeah, you should go check right after practice.”

“Idiot, the concession stand’s already closed.”

“No, they stay open late now. I went after training yesterday, and it was still open.”

Normally, the stand closed around the same time as classes, only staying open late during special events or certain seasons. Either way, stopping by after practice didn’t seem like a bad idea.

“Got it. Thanks.”

Ashley nodded in acknowledgment just as the coach blew the whistle again. Break time was over. He started toward the ice, but Bill grabbed him by the arm.

“Ashley.”

Hearing his full name from Bill, who usually just called him “Ash,” made Ashley frown as he turned back. Bill placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

“I’m not messing around. Ariel’s really upset.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

His face was uncharacteristically serious, not a trace of humor in his expression. Ashley stared at him for a moment before turning away.

He skated back to his position among the other players, and soon, the scrimmage resumed.

Bill’s words held some truth. That only made Ashley more uncomfortable.

I’ll just buy the damn ticket.

As he chased after the puck, that was the only solution he could come up with. He would go to homecoming, take Ariel on their usual weekend dates, and do everything as they had before. She would calm down.

And he needed to stay away from Koi.

It was true that he’d been neglecting Ariel lately. Focusing on her was the right thing to do. But that meant he wouldn’t have time for Koi.

Like before.

Before Koi had entered his life, that was just how things were. And now, he just had to go back to that.

...It’s not like I’m avoiding him.

Ashley quickly corrected himself. He’d just treat Koi like any other classmate. It wasn’t like they needed to meet outside of school. Koi was busy with his part-time job anyway.

Ashley smacked the incoming puck with a forceful swing, his eyes following its trajectory.

Why the hell am I thinking about Koi right now?

It made no sense. As he shoved an approaching opponent out of the way with his body, a curse slipped from his lips.

He had to distance himself from Koi to spend more time with Ariel.

Why did his thoughts even take that route?

Why had Koi come to mind at all?

I really shouldn’t see him anymore.

Instead of searching for an answer, Ashley chose to ignore it. Everything would work out.

He had just gotten too excited about making a new friend for once. It was time to put an end to it.

That’s what he believed.

Of course, that was only if things went according to plan.

*

“Oh.”

The moment Ashley stepped into the concession stand after practice, he froze.

A familiar classmate, busy organizing supplies, turned his head just as their eyes met. Koi’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ash!”

His bright voice rang out, and Ashley reluctantly responded.

“...Koi.”

Koi immediately put down what he was organizing and rushed over. Ashley remained rooted in place, watching as Koi approached.

Once he was standing right in front of him, Koi tilted his head up and asked, “What are you doing here? Do you need something?”

“Uh, uh.”

Caught off guard, Ashley stammered. Koi didn’t seem to notice his hesitation and kept talking in his usual cheerful tone.

“Practice is over, right? Did you eat yet? I got some bread—do you want some?”

Listening to him chatter away made Ashley’s thoughts spiral.

Of all times, he had decided to stay away from Koi for a while, and yet here they were, face-to-face.

He could have just turned around and left.

But he didn’t.

I just came to buy a ticket.

That was the excuse he gave himself.

He had no idea why this situation felt so unsettling. Koi was just a friend, wasn’t he?

No—if Koi were a girl, people would definitely be suspicious.

Ashley spent ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) that much time with him. He supposed it was a relief that Koi was a guy.

...Because if he weren’t—

“Here!”

Koi suddenly thrust something in front of Ashley’s face, snapping him out of his thoughts. He blinked and looked down. Koi was holding out a piece of bread.

“I already opened the bag, but I haven’t taken a bite yet.”

As Koi spoke, a faint sour scent hit Ashley’s nose.

It wasn’t pleasant.

Of course.

This bread was probably from the store’s clearance event—where they sold expired goods at a discount.

“...This isn’t spoiled, is it?”

Ashley asked skeptically.

“Huh?”

Koi’s eyes widened in panic as he hurriedly checked the bread.

His reaction was suspicious.

Ashley narrowed his eyes.

Sweat beaded on Koi’s forehead as he stammered, “Uh, um, this is, well—”

“Give it here.”

Ashley reached for it.

Koi quickly turned away, trying to dodge, but that was impossible.

Ashley was the captain of their high school’s championship-winning ice hockey team. There was no way Koi could avoid him.

Despite his best efforts, Koi lost the bag in an instant.

“Ah!”

Ashley snatched it with his other hand just as Koi spun around.

He easily pressed down on Koi’s head, keeping him at a distance as Koi flailed desperately.

Ignoring Koi’s struggles, Ashley lifted the plastic bag to eye level and examined it.

His face twisted in disgust.

“There’s mold on this.”

“Huh? Really?”

Koi immediately stopped squirming and opened his eyes wide.

Ashley let go of his head and held up the bread for him to see.

Just as he said, black spots of mold dotted the sauce-covered sandwich.

“...Oh. You’re right.”

Koi admitted in a defeated voice.

“Sorry. I almost got you sick.”

He apologized again, looking genuinely remorseful.

Ashley, still frowning, snapped, “You’re the one who almost got sick. What if you had eaten it? You couldn’t smell it?”

“Uh, um...”

Koi blinked, at a loss for words.

“I didn’t think it had already gone bad.”

His weak excuse only made Ashley throw the bag straight into the trash.

“Check next time.”