ICE AND ALTITUDE
Episode 1 — Arrival in Chicago
The plane's wheels screeched against the runway. Stevie Shay pressed her forehead to the window, watching Chicago unfold below—a sprawl of streets and buildings that made her hometown look like a postage stamp. Her knuckles went white around the armrest.
Stevie Shay(FL)
💭Okay, Stevie. New city. New life. Keep it together
Her phone buzzed before she'd even grabbed her carry-on.
RYAN'S name lit up the screen.
Stevie Shay(FL)
📲💬Ryan: Touchdown yet, or still floating with the clouds?.
She could practically hear the teasing grin in his voice.
A smile tugged at her lips as she typed back with one hand while wrestling her bag from the overhead bin with the other.
📲💬Just landed. The city looks… huge. Kind of overwhelming.
Stevie Shay(FL)
📲💬Ryan: Breathe, little sis. Don't wander into traffic before I find you.
She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, shoulders relaxing slightly.
O'Hare Airport was chaos—rolling suitcases, crying babies, and the tinny voice of gate announcements layered over everything. Stevie wove through the crowd, her suitcase catching on every crack in the floor, until she spotted Ryan through the terminal glass. He leaned against a black SUV, scanning the crowd with that effortless cool he'd always had.
Relief washed over her like a wave.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
"There she is." Ryan pushed off the car and met her at the curb, his face lighting up with genuine warmth. "You look exhausted."
Stevie Shay(FL)
"Thanks for the confidence boost." Stevie tried to hoist her suitcase toward the trunk, her face flushing with effort. She immediately regretted packing her entire book collection. The bag barely budged. At one point, a corner caught on the trunk edge and tipped slightly—books teetering like dominos—before Ryan caught it mid-fall with a single, effortless lift.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes, and lifted it with one hand like it weighed Nothing.
"Welcome to moving-to-a-new-city training. This is day one."
Stevie Shay(FL)
"Show-off." She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her grateful smile.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
He tossed the bag into the trunk with a satisfied grin. "You'll thank me when you're too busy to hit the gym."
The SUV merged into traffic, and Stevie's breath caught. Skyscrapers rose in jagged clusters. their glass catching the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. Taxis honked. Cyclists weaved through lanes like they had a death wish, the golden light casting long shadows across the bustling streets. A man on the corner sold hot dogs from a cart, steam rising into the crisp air. The energy pressed against the windows—alive, relentless, thrilling.
Stevie Shay(FL)
It's so… big." She traced the stitching on the leather seat, unable to look away from the view. Her eyes were wide, taking in every detail
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
You either fall in love with it or hide in your apartment forever." Ryan glanced at her, amused by the wonder on her face. "No in-between."
They passed a sports bar with a massive mural of a Bulls player mid-dunk. Inside, patrons were already glued to screens even though it was barely noon. A group of guys in Bears jerseys spilled onto the sidewalk, shouting about last night's game, their voices carrying through the closed window.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan nodded toward them, his expression turning serious. "Fair warning—this city takes sports very seriously. Like, unnervingly seriously."
Stevie Shay(FL)
"Noted." Stevie watched the crowd, her brow furrowing slightly. Their passion was almost palpable even from inside the car.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
"I'm talking full-grown adults crying over a playoff loss. Marriages tested during Cubs season." He shook his head with a knowing look. "It's a whole thing."
Stevie Shay(FL)
She laughed, but something tightened in her chest. Her expression shifted, jaw setting with determination. "Good thing I'm here to work, not get distracted by…" She waved vaguely at The bar, her gesture dismissive. "…whatever that is."
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering across his face. "What, fun?"
Stevie Shay(FL)
"Drama." She turned back to the window, her posture stiffening slightly. "I have a rule: no dating athletes. Ever."
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
"Oddly specific." He studied her profile, noting the firmness in her voice.
Stevie Shay(FL)
"Trust me. It's necessary." Her fingers tightened around the door handle.
He didn't push, but his grin said he'd filed that information away for later. His eyes sparkled with brotherly mischief.
The SUV turned onto a quieter street lined with low-rise buildings and small trees swaying in the breeze. Stevie's shoulders finally dropped from her ears, tension melting away. When they pulled up to her new apartment, she stared at the building—brick facade, freshly painted trim, a small balcony on the third floor that was apparently hers. Her breath caught.
Stevie Shay(FL)
"This is it?" Her voice came out smaller than she intended, barely above a whisper.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
"This is it." Ryan cut the engine and turned to her with a warm smile. "Try not to trip over the welcome mat."
Stevie Shay(FL)
"Hilarious." But she was already out of the car, excitement overriding her exhaustion as she wheeled her suitcase toward the entrance.
The lobby smelled faintly of lemon polish and something floral she couldn't place. The elevator hummed as it carried them up, and Stevie's pulse quickened with every floor. She bounced slightly on her heels, nervous energy radiating from her. When the doors opened, she stepped onto soft carpet and followed Ryan to her door, her movements quick and eager.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
He handed her the key, his expression turning gentle and proud. "Welcome to Chicago, Stevie. Your adventure starts now."
She unlocked the door with slightly trembling fingers and stepped inside. Sunlight streamed through the balcony doors, casting long shadows across the empty living room. It smelled like fresh paint and possibility. Her eyes went wide, taking it all in.
Stevie Shay(FL)
💭Here it is. My new life. My new start. No looking back at the chaos I left behind, no lingering on the heartbreak. Just this moment.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with quiet satisfaction. "So? What do you think?"
Stevie walked to the balcony, pressing her palms against the glass, her reflection ghosting in the window. Below, the city hummed—cars honking, voices drifting up, life happening in every direction. She stood there for a long moment, absorbing it all.
Stevie Shay(FL)
She turned back to Ryan, a slow smile spreading across her face, her eyes bright with anticipation. "I think my adventure just began.
Episode 2 — The Win That Doesn’t Settle
The arena was still roaring when Zanders Hayes slammed his stick against the ice.
The final buzzer echoed through the stadium, sharp and final, and the Chicago Raptors surged forward, gloves flying, bodies crashing together in celebration.
Teammates
“LET’S GO!” someone yelled behind him.
The scoreboard flashed RAPTORS — WIN, the numbers burning bright overhead.
Zanders barely looked.
He skated toward the bench, chest rising fast beneath his jersey, breath fogging the visor of his helmet. Sweat slicked down his spine, adrenaline still buzzing hot in his veins. Forty minutes on ice. Two goals. One assist.
A perfect night.
The crowd chanted his name anyway.
“ZAN-DERS! ZAN-DERS!”
He lifted his stick once—not for them, not really—then coasted off the ice as teammates piled into each other behind him.
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
Maddison caught up, grinning like an idiot.
“Tell me you felt that.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders tugged off his helmet, dark hair damp and curling at his temples. “Felt the win.”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“That’s it?” Maddison laughed. “Man, you scored like you were possessed.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders shrugged. “Puck went in.”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“God, you’re insufferable.”
They disappeared down the tunnel, the noise dulling behind them as concrete walls swallowed the sound. The smell of ice gave way to sweAt, rubber, and metal.
Inside the locker room, the celebration exploded.
Music blasted. Someone cracked open a beer. Jerseys were flung onto benches. Laughter bounced off the walls.
Zanders dropped onto his seat, unlacing his skates with mechanical precision.
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
Maddison nudged his knee. “You bailing again?”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
“I’m showering.”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“Uh-huh.” Maddison lowered his voice. “Management’s asking for you.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders paused. “Media?”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“No.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
“Sponsors?”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
Maddison shook his head. “Medical.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
That did it.
Zanders straightened slowly. “I’m not injured.”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“No,” Maddison said carefully, “but you’re on a list.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders laughed once, sharp and humorless. “Everyone’s on a list.”
“Not like this.” Maddison hesitated. “And… she’s there.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders’ jaw clenched.
“I told them I’m fine.”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“Yeah,” Maddison said quietly, “you’ve told them that for months.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders slammed his locker shut. The sound cracked through the room, cutting through the music.
“I played forty minutes tonight,” he said flatly. “I don’t miss practices. I don’t skip games.”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“No one’s saying you do.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
"Then why the hell—”
Maddison Cole(Ml bff)
“Because you don’t talk to anyone,” Maddison interrupted. “You don’t celebrate. You don’t lose. You don’t crack. And apparently that freaks them out.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders grabbed his towel. “Not my problem.”
He walked out before Maddison could answer.
Zanders Hayes (ML)
The hallway outside the locker room was quiet, the roar of the crowd now distant and muffled. Zanders’ phone buzzed as he roUnded the corner.
📲💬GM: Mandatory check-in. Tonight.
Zanders scoffed.
He’d skipped the first two “recommended sessions.” The third had come with a warning. Miss it, and the consequences wouldn’t be optional.
He shoved his phone into his pocket and kept walking.
The office wing was dimmer, glass walls reflecting the harsh arena lights. He stopped in front of a door already ajar.
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
Inside, Dr. Ellis sat at a small desk, tablet in hand.
She looked up when he entered.
“You’re late.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
“I won,” Zanders replied, dropping into the chair without asking.
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
She didn’t blink. “That doesn’t exempt you.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
He leaned back, arms crossed. “I don’t need therapy."
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
“You don’t need to want it,” she said evenly. “You just need to show up.”
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
She studied him with practiced calm. “You isolate yourself. You shut down communication. You push until something breaks.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
"Nothing’s broken.”
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
She met his gaze. “Then why are they sending you here?”
Outside the glass, the arena lights glowed faintly, the city beyond barely visible.
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
“Winning doesn’t mean you’re fine,” she continued. “It just means you’re good at surviving pressure.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
“I thrive on it.”
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
“No,” she said softly. “You hide in it.”
Zanders Hayes (ML)
Zanders stood abruptly. “Are we done?”
Dr. Eleanor Ellis
“For tonight,” she replied. “But this doesn’t go away.”
He didn’t answer. Just walked out.
Across the city, Stevie Shay stood barefoot in her new apartment, a cardboard box cutter dangling from her fingers.
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan leaned against the counter, sipping coffee. “You’ve been staring at that wall for five minutes.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
"I’m listening."
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
“You’re zoning.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
She smiled faintly. “I’m… absorbing.”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
“Absorbing drywall?”🤨
Stevie Shay(FL)
“Chicago,” she corrected. “This is really happening.”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan watched her for a moment. “You good?”
Stevie Shay(FL)
She nodded. “I am. I just—this feels like the first quiet moment I’ve had in years.”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
He softened. “You earned it.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
She hesitated, then said lightly, “You weren’t kidding about sports here.”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan smirked. “Oh?”
Stevie Shay(FL)
"There were people yelling in the street earlier. Jerseys. Foam fingers. I thought something terrible happened.”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
“Nah,” he said. “Probably a Raptors game.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
She wrinkled her nose. “Hockey?”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
"The religion of this city.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
She laughed. “Not my thing.”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
Ryan raised a brow. “Careful. That rule of yours might get tested.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
"No dating athletes,” she said firmly. “Ever.”
Ryan Shay(FL Twin)
He grinned. “Chicago’s about to have fun with you.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie shook her head, turning back to the window, unaware that somewhere across the city, the man who would break every rule she’d ever made was staring out at the same skyline—angry, restless, and very much not fine.
Episode 3 – First Day, First Chaos
The morning sun slanted through the half-open blinds, painting Stevie Shay’s apartment in warm, golden streaks. She sat cross-legged on the floor, her coffee steaming in a mug that said “Chaos Coordinator,” and a tablet balanced on her knees. Boxes were stacked like tiny urban skyscrapers all over the room, some labeled with her meticulous handwriting, others just scribbled “books” in a panic-induced scrawl.
Stevie Shay(FL)
She rubbed her eyes, letting out a groan that could probably be heard three floors down. “Okay, Stevie. New city. New job. Don’t trip. Don’t cry. Don’t accidentally start a fire in your apartment.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Her phone buzzed beside her, and she instinctively glanced at the screen. Ryan. Of couRse.
📲💬Ryan: Remember, chaos is optional. Coffee is mandatory.
A small smile tugged at her lips. That man. Always making life seem slightly less terrifying.
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie leaned back, stretching her arms over her head, her uniform draped over the back of a chair. She’d ironed it the night before—or tried to—but in her exhaustion, she’d somehow managed to create a crease that looked like a roadmap of Chicago. She stared at it for a moment, then shrugged. “Details,” she muttered, dumping her tablet and coffee into her bag and grabbing her purse. Details are optional, right?
By the time she reached the airline’s downtown office, the chaos had reached a level she hadn’t anticipated. Phones rang in rapid succession, staff moved at double Speed through the hallways, and a trainer shouted instructions over the background noise, making it sound like a live military operation.
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie weaved carefully between a pair of rolling carts stacked precariously with manuals. Her shoulder clipped the edge of one, sending a small cascade of papers fluttering to the floor like startled birds. “Oh—sorry!” she yelped, bending to scoop them up before anyone noticed.
A voice called from behind her: “Smooth move there, rookie.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
She jumped slightly and turned to find a woman with platinum-blonde hair tied in a tight bun, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. “Sorry, first day jitters,” Stevie said quickly, cheeks heating.
The woman crouched down beside her, helping gather the papers with alarming efficiency. “Relax. If tripping over equipment was a fireable offense, half this place would be unemployed.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie exhaled. “That’s… comforting?”
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
“Name’s Indy,” the woman said, handing over the last of the papers. “And unless you plan on hiding in the supply closet forever, you’re with me today.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie blinked. “Oh. Okay. I’m Stevie. And I promise I’m usually more coordinated than this.”
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
Indy smirked. “Everyone says that. Half of them are lying.”
They stood, and Indy tilted her head, studying Stevie with open curiosity. Not judgmental—more like she was cataloging details for later amusement.
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
“So,” Indy said, falling into step beside her, “first day at private charter?”
Stevie Shay(FL)
“First day anywhere new,” Stevie admitted. “I just transferred from a commercial airline.”
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
Indy let out a low whistle. “Ah. Welcome to chaos with better seats and worse personalities.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
“That’s… ominous.”
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
“You’ll love it,” Indy said easily. “Eventually.”
They entered a briefing room where a small group of attendAnts gathered around a digital screen. Stevie took a seat near the back, smoothing her uniform nervously. This wasn’t just a new job. It felt like a test—one she didn’t know the rules to yet.
The supervisor droned on about protocols, expectations, and discretion. Stevie nodded along, though one phrase lodged itself firmly in her brain.
Chicago Raptors private charter.
Her stomach tightened slightly. She’d known this part already, obviously. She’d signed the contract. But hearing it out loud made it real in a way that felt heavier.
Athletes. High-profile. Constant scrutiny.
Stevie Shay(FL)
No dating athletes. Ever.
She repeated the rule to herself like a mantra.
After the briefing, Indy guided her through the operational side of the job—locker storage, emergency procedures, meal planning. It was faster-paced than Stevie was used to, but not overwhelming. Not yet.
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
“You catch on quick,” Indy said as they checked inventory on a catering cart. “That’s good. The guys don’t like repeating themselves.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
“The guys?” Stevie echoed carefully.
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
Indy grinned. “The Raptors. They travel like they play. Intense. Emotional. And absolutely convinced the world revolves around their routines.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie hummed. “Sounds… fun.”
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
Indy laughed. “That’s one word for it.”
They moved onto the aircraft later that afternoon. The plane itself was stunning—sleek, polished, almost intimidating in its perfection. Stevie paused at the doorway, taking it in.
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
This is where you’ll spend a ridiculous amount of time,” Indy said. “You’ll learn which seats creak, which players steal snacks, and which ones need complete silence or they turn feral.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie smiled despite herself. “Good to know.”
They ran through mock service drills. Indy corrected her gently when needed, never condescending, never impatient. By the third run-through, Stevie’s hands had stopped shaking.
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
“You’re doing great,” Indy said quietly as they reset the cabin. “Most first-day transfers look like they’re about to pass out.”
Stevie Shay(FL)
“I might still,” Stevie admitted. “Just… internally.”
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
“That’s the spirit.”
Something settled between them then—an unspoken understanding. Shared stress. Shared humor. The beginning of something that felt solid.
Later, during a brief break, they sat near the galley, sipping water.
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
“So,” Indy said casually, “what made you leave your old airline?”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie hesitated, fingers tightening around the bottle. “I needed… more. Bigger routes. Less hiding.”
Indy Ivers(FL bff)
Indy studied her. “Running from something or toward something?”
Stevie Shay(FL)
Stevie considered that. “Both?”
Stevie glanced out the small window, the city stretching endlessly beyond the tarmac. She felt it then—that quiet certainty. She hadn’t made a mistake coming here.
Across the city, Zanders Hayes skated alone long after practice had ended. The arena was empty now, lights dimmed, the echo of blades against ice the only sound.
He pushed harder than necessary, muscles burning, lungs screaming. Pressure was easier than silence.
Somewhere above the ice, banners hung like expectations he could never quite escape.
He didn’t know it yet, but the woman unpacking her life into cardboard boxes and learning emergency protocols would soon disrupt everything he’d built to survive.
For now, their worlds remained separate.
But Chicago had a way of shrinking distances.
And Stevie Shay had officially taken her first step into a life that would demand far more than she was prepared for—and give her far more than she ever expected.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
