L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 98

“What do you mean I can’t play?!”

Ashley’s voice rose uncontrollably at the sudden announcement. The coach sighed heavily, wearing a grim expression, then continued.

“The regulations changed a few weeks ago. Any awakened Alpha or Omega—junior or pro—is no longer allowed to compete.”

“Why, all of a sudden?”

Ashley barely managed to speak as a certain someone’s face flashed through his mind. The coach let out another deep sigh and tried to offer some consolation.

“In any case, that’s how it is now. I’m really sorry. I hate to lose you from the lineup, but...”

Ashley stayed silent for a moment before forcing himself to speak.

“So... when does it take effect?”

The coach hesitated before answering.

“Next year.”

Thanksgiving was just around the corner. That meant there would be no games until the new year. After that, the season finals would begin—and now, at this point, he was being pulled from the roster.

“...Haa.”

Ashley took a deep breath, trying to suppress the boiling anger in his gut. He couldn’t take it out on the coach. Buffalo wasn’t the only team caught in this mess.

“...Understood. Then I guess the next game will be my last.”

“Well... actually.”

The coach scratched his brow awkwardly.

“We’ve already got someone lined up to take your place, and he’ll need time to adjust to the team... so he’ll be starting next game. It wouldn’t make sense to put him straight into the finals.”

Ashley was speechless. He just stared at the coach, unable to say a word. Kicked out, just like that. High school ice hockey wasn’t a professional league. It was practically a hobby. But Ashley had poured his whole heart into it. That post-school routine—his norm—was suddenly ripped away.

The faces of the friends he played with flashed through his mind, and he instinctively raised a hand to cover his eyes. A wave of emotion surged over him, but it all felt pointless. Taking a breath, Ashley lowered his hand slowly.

“...It can’t be helped, I guess.”

“...I’m sorry.”

The coach bowed his head in apology. He must be in a tough spot too. Losing the team’s ace in the middle of the season? Ashley didn’t press him further.

“Thank you for everything.”

When Ashley offered a parting nod, the coach stood and held out a hand. They shook briefly before Ashley stepped out of the office.

So that’s why there was no practice today.

He remembered how the others had gone home in high spirits, and the bitterness crept in. When he’d been asked to stay behind, he’d figured it was just to discuss the game. He hadn’t expected to be axed on the spot. Had anyone seen this coming?

The answer came quickly. His phone rang just in time, and when Ashley saw who was calling, his face darkened.

– Did everything go smoothly with the coach?

The cold, businesslike voice on the other end made Ashley pause before answering.

“...It was Father, wasn’t it? He’s the one who changed the rules.”

The secretary replied calmly, like it was nothing.

– You were going to quit next year anyway, weren’t you?

Then why go out of his way to force me to quit by changing the rules?

But Ashley already knew the answer. The man just wanted to rip apart his life—just to prove he could.

To show that Ashley was still under his thumb.

“Maybe I should’ve sent him flowers for Father’s Day.”

Ashley snapped, but the woman remained unfazed.

– If that makes you feel better, you can go ahead and think so.

Ashley wanted to scream, but instead, he clenched his fist. She was just the messenger. The one who deserved the anger was his father. But Ashley wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. There was no greater waste of time than actually meeting that man. Instead, he forced himself to stay calm and replied as coldly as he could.

“Well, everything went exactly the way he wanted. Congratulations. I’m sure he had his reasons for not waiting until the season ended.”

– Understood. Is there anything else you need?

Ashley mocked the robotic tone in his next question.

“Put me back on the ice hockey team.”

– You know that’s not possible.

The immediate rejection was followed by a curt, “Anything else?” It sounded # Nоvеlight # like mockery, but Ashley knew she was just doing her job.

“No.”

– Very well. Goodbye.

The call ended from her side. Ashley stared at his phone for a moment before stuffing it back into his pocket. His footsteps echoed down the empty hallway, sounding unusually hollow.

*

“Ash!”

Like always, Koi came running breathlessly after cheer practice. Ashley had been waiting by the car, and when he saw him, he spread his arms wide. Koi jumped into them without hesitation. Like magnets drawn together, the two clicked into place.

“I missed you.”

Ashley whispered. Koi hugged him tight and rubbed his cheek against Ashley’s broad chest.

“Me too.”

Ashley laughed softly and nuzzled the top of Koi’s head. He didn’t want to let go. But if they didn’t leave now, someone might see them.

“You waited a long time, didn’t you? There wasn’t practice today, so you could’ve gone ahead.”

Koi climbed into the passenger seat, and when Ashley slid into the driver’s side, he spoke up, feeling guilty for making him wait.

“Not that long. Coach wanted to talk.”

“Oh? What about?”

Koi figured it had something to do with the upcoming game. Ashley spoke calmly.

“I’m not allowed to play after this.”

“What? Why?”

The words came out so casually that Koi thought he must’ve misheard. Eyes wide, he looked at Ashley, who kept his eyes on the road and continued.

“They changed the rules. Players who’ve awakened as Alphas or Omegas can’t compete anymore. Only a few states did it, but yeah—it's against the rules now, so I’m done.”

“...That’s...”

Koi trailed off, not knowing what to say. He knew better than anyone how much Ashley loved ice hockey. He was at his brightest and happiest on the ice. And now... that was over.

“Why did they change the rules? It was fine before.”

“Well...”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Ashley stalled by pretending to check the traffic, then said,

“I don’t know.”

“This is bullshit...”

Koi muttered, clearly upset. It was an absurd rule. What did being an Alpha or Omega have to do with playing hockey?

“This is discrimination.”

Koi rarely got angry, even when unfair things happened to him. But when it came to Ashley, he couldn’t let it slide. This was flat-out injustice.

“Ash, can’t you sue them? Stopping you from playing just because you awakened? It’s outrageous.”

This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.

For the first time since hearing the awful news, Ashley actually laughed.

“I could.”

Seeing Koi so upset for his sake made his heart feel warm. He smiled as he added gently,

“But if I wait for that to finish, I’ll be forty by the time I graduate high school.”

“Oh...”

Koi wilted at that, looking defeated. Ashley felt a little better thanks to Koi, but he didn’t say anything. He wanted to see how far Koi would go trying to cheer him up. After a pause, Koi suddenly turned to him.

“Wanna touch my butt?”

“Pfft.”

Ashley laughed so hard he almost hit the brakes. Startled, Koi asked,

“W-was that too much?”

Ashley eased up on the gas to avoid any accidents, but the grin didn’t leave his face.

“Think touching your butt’ll make me feel better?”

Still smiling, he glanced at Koi, who looked back cautiously.

“W-would it not?”

Of course it would. Ashley thought so—but he had an even better idea.

“What if you touched my anaconda instead?”

Koi said nothing. His eyes just flew wide open in shock. Ashley laughed and added,

“Kidding.”

He released Koi’s hand and guided it instead to his waist. Koi tilted his hips slightly, offering one cheek. Ashley cupped it with one hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“How’s that?” he asked softly.

“Feels good,” Ashley replied.

Honestly, what he really wanted was to pull over, kiss Koi senseless, and forget everything. But since Koi had made the offer, refusing it would’ve been a waste. Kisses could wait.

Meanwhile, Koi’s mind was somewhere else entirely. He’d thought he was okay with this—he’d gotten used to Ashley touching his butt. But then Ashley threw the anaconda bomb, and he nearly blacked out. How could I forget? Ashley was only holding back.

Maybe... that would cheer him up even more.

Just as the thought hit him, Ashley spoke.

“Koi.”

“Yeah.”

Koi replied quickly, and Ashley, eyes still on the road, said,

“Wanna come to my place for Thanksgiving?”