it's not worth living, if it's not with you.

“if that picture turns into a meme, i’ll be the one making it,” she smirked. “you’re more than welcome to come after me, but i probably have a few more where that one came from.” she laughed playfully, even though she’d never actually do that to him—or to any of her dad’s players—but the idea alone amused her. being around him was easy; he carried that effortless confidence, that kind of charm that pulled attention without even trying. she liked getting to see what was underneath it. when he dipped her so smoothly she barely had time to register it, a small surprised scream left her lips, but she was laughing almost immediately after. “since my dad started coaching you. probably the second i saw you, i knew you were going to be trouble,” she said, an amused glint in her eyes. “why did you have to be one of his players?” she teased. “i think none of this is my fault, so don’t blame me, cowboy,” she whispered back flirtatiously, smiling at him in a way that could’ve melted anyone. “you seem to thrive on sneaking around with your coach’s daughter,” she added with a light chuckle. her fingers brushed up along his biceps as she tilted her head. “i know i should just enjoy the party, but are you planning on going home with someone tonight?” she asked playfully. “i mean, i don’t know what a big player like you usually does after a match,” she lied smoothly, “but i bet those sore muscles could use a massage.” her touch lingered for a second longer. “whoever you take home must be very lucky.”

Avery had always liked Ivy’s banter, the way she never let herself be easily flustered even when the boys tried their best to impress her with half-baked flirting and exaggerated confidence. Being the coach’s daughter meant she had grown up around that kind of attention, and yet she handled it effortlessly, meeting it head-on with her own wit instead of letting it throw her off balance. She could tease just as well as they could, and that playful back-and-forth was something Avery found himself drawn to more than he probably cared to admit. It wasn’t just that she could hold her own, it was that she seemed to enjoy it. When he pulled her up from the dip, steadying her with an easy grip, he grinned as if nothing about the moment could possibly go wrong. “I’m not trouble,” he said, shrugging lightly as he held her gaze. “I’m just good fun. There’s a massive difference,” he added with a playful smile that suggested he knew exactly how unconvincing that might sound to others. Avery had never been blind to his own influence; he could get under people’s skin without trying too hard, and more often than not he encouraged others to loosen up, to step just slightly outside the lines they normally stayed within. A little danger, in his eyes, made things more interesting. Leaning in closer so only Ivy could hear him, his tone dropped into something more deliberate. “I’m planning on bringing you home tonight,” he admitted quietly, the words hanging between them away from the noise of their friends and her family. “So you better start thinking of a good excuse on why you can’t be with your dad tonight.” Then, with a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, he added, “I can always pretend to play knight in shining armour and say I’m giving you a lift home. So us leaving together doesn’t rub your dad up in the wrong way. It’ll paint me in good light.”

it wasn’t hard to tell avery was comfortable in his own skin, and that was one of the things she liked most about him—that confidence. she’d been with guys before who needed constant validation just to hear her tell them they were attractive, and she hadn’t really minded, but it got exhausting when they started begging for it only to leave her for someone else the second they felt good about themselves. "oh, avery, i’ll post whatever i want, i’m the one in control," she smirked, winking at him playfully. "those are cute, sure, but we could really spice up the feed with the ones where you’re pressed against the glass," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him. she let herself sway to the music. "you did, and it was nice," she nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "i seriously hated waking up this morning," ivy promised. "oh, definitely, we got way more creative," she chuckled, letting out a little squeal as he dipped her, her hand gripping his tight while her other fist bunched the fabric of his bicep for support. "you’re crazy," she whispered. "you’re so boring, cowboy," she said softly, "okay, i’ll try to stop, but no promises." with his hands on her waist and her looking up at him, it felt like they were the only two people there, and she didn't want to pull away. "i know," she said softly. she felt that sweet, warm flutter in her chest that always made her smile, but she gently stepped back. "we can't be this close, everyone’s watching," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

ivy rolled her eyes at his words; she could’ve denied it, but instead she just laughed at his comment. “everyone looks bad in pictures caught off guard, but it’s literally my job to post those,” she teased, a smile on her lips, “along with the ones where you’re pushed and pressed against the glass,” she added, a playful glint in her eyes. “the cute one on the team? that’s being very generous with yourself,” she shook her head, “maybe we should let the fans decide, we could do a mr cyclone contest and make them vote for the prettiest one,” she thought out loud, half joking, though ideas always came easily to ivy, which was exactly why she loved her job. once they were farther away, her arm still laced with his, she looked at him. “you weren’t lying,” she sighed, glancing away, because it was completely true. “oh, it’s funny how it’s my fault just because i want some aftercare,” she rolled her eyes, “but i’m pretty sure you were the one who practically begged me for a second round,” she exaggerated just to make her point, “so i’m not the only one to blame,” she added, glancing back at him. ivy stopped when avery started bopping up and down on the spot, and she laughed. “your music taste is so sad,” she teased, pausing to look at him. the dark-haired girl spun once, feeling a little stupid at first, then just swayed side to side, easy and comfortable, the kind of move you do when you don’t really know how to dance. she stepped closer, took his hand, and lifted it to twirl herself underneath. “that’s how you spin your girl,” she teased, “i thought line dancing would’ve taught you something.”

that pet name came to her the second he told the team his family owned a farm, not in a disrespectful way, just because it amused ivy to her core. she had even stalked his sister on instagram; the girl line danced like her life depended on it, and honestly, it was really cool—she couldn’t say otherwise. it surprised ivy how avery managed to be so charming around everyone, maybe that was what made him stand out from the rest. it wasn’t that milo wasn’t charming—he was—and sully was cute too, shy but sweet, yet avery had something, something that pulled her in like a magnet. “oh, that’s so not true,” she laughed. “i’ve seen you chicken out when you see her, fisher,” her dad added, laughing. “he’s so right, you’re all afraid of the camera,” ivy laughed. “i take my phone out and everyone freaks out, i’m not a monarch, chill.” her eyes stayed on him as she spoke, checking him out subtly, though her gaze said more than her words ever did. “oh, i’m glad you did, but you should focus on what’s important before a match—we don’t want you losing this season, right, dad?” she teased, a chuckle slipping from her lips. she squinted when avery called her daddy’s princess and shook her head. “oh, i’ll beat your ass on the dance floor, avery,” she said, moving past him, taking his hand and tugging him along, playful and platonic. “you’ll be training a loser, coach,” she laughed, looking back at her dad. then she leaned closer to avery as they walked. “you were kept busy—so subtle,” she whispered.

Avery had always thought he would grow up on the farm forever, a place where being helpful was second nature and usually meant tending to the animals or, more often, lifting and moving heavy things that turned daily chores into a full workout. He grew up surrounded by siblings he adored, fiercely protective of them and always trying to keep them out of trouble, even though he was probably the worst of them all. That same easy confidence followed him everywhere, especially when he laughed and insisted, "I'm not photogenetic when caught off guard," a playful look spreading across his lips as his coach and his girl made fun of him. Avery only grinned wider, teasing, "I'm afraid you'll post bad angles of me. I have a reputation to uphold as the cute one on the team," well aware that all his teammates were good-looking lads too, even as he carefully toed the line with his words. When Ivy took hold of his arm and guided him along, he followed without hesitation, smirking at her comment as he replied, "I mean. You didn't let me rest much. I wasn't lying was I?" before adding with a knowing look, "Who was it who wanted more cuddles and kisses?" As the music shifted into something he loved, Avery immediately bopped up and down on the spot, excitement spilling out as he exclaimed, "Yeah! This is the fucking shit I wanted to hear!" moving in time with her before grinning and calling out, "Spin for me girl, let me see what you've got!"

that stadium had become her second home; she woke up and went straight to work there, and it was great. she could work by her father’s side, and she didn’t even have to drive while still half asleep in the morning. team parties happened more often than not, and she had her cyclones-cased phone in her hand the whole time, ready to snap pictures, record, and keep working. she was by her father’s side, talking to one of their sponsors, when she heard avery’s voice and smiled. “hey there, cowboy,” she said, her hand resting on his arm as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. “you played great today.” she heard her father say something to the sponsor as he walked him toward the drink counter, and she smiled at them before her attention shifted back to avery. “i bet you all missed me following you around recording,” she nodded, a chuckle slipping from her lips. “that reminds me, i’ll need another group picture by the end of this—fans will love it,” she added, keeping things professional, especially with her dad right there. “you were more awake today,” she smirked playfully at him. “did you get a good night’s sleep yesterday?”

Avery grinned at the pet name Ivy had given him, dimples carving themselves into his cheeks as if they belonged there, the expression carrying the easy warmth of someone who’d grown up on a farm and never once thought ice hockey would be his future, convinced instead that building and construction were where his life would land until fate tossed him a curveball and he caught it with both hands. There was something effortless about the way he carried himself, a cheeky chappy through and through, the kind of lad who was always smiling or letting the goofiest remarks tumble from his mouth, a charmer by reputation and by nature. “I missed seeing you, you know I always look out for you,” he admitted, honest but harmless, nothing in his words that could get him into trouble, just the truth spoken plainly. He was playful with his coach and his team mates. He didn't ease up on that around anyone. He laughed softly as he went on, confessing, “I barely slept last night. I was kept busy,” his eyes locked onto hers as he added a suggestive flick of his eyebrow before breaking into laughter, quick to follow it with, “It was worth it though. I’m fine. I got a couple of hours.” His gaze lingered on the dark-haired girl, playful confidence settling back into place as he tilted his head and asked, “Care to come and dance with me or you being daddy’s princess all night?” the tease light, familiar, and unmistakably Avery.

LUCAS WHITE SMITH via tiktok

LUCAS WHITE SMITH via tiktok