All Chapters of Pucking The Enemy Hockey Captain : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Imani’s POVBy the next tutoring session, I was beginning to suspect my blood pressure had permanently increased because of Nicolas Jamieson.He had completely up heaved my usual routing. And tonight…I didn’t even know what to expect anymore.But before any of that, I had to deal with June.June waited until I stepped out of my last lecture before swooping in like a vulture catching the scent of her prey.“Oh my God.” She linked her arm through mine, practically dragging me toward the quad. “Tell me everything. How’s the tutoring going. Did he throw your table out the window? Did he try to anything stupid? Did he…”“June,” I laughed tiredly. “Calm down.”She narrowed her eyes. “You’re smiling. Why are you smiling?”“I’m not…”“You are.”I sighed, tugging her toward a bench under a tree. The late afternoon sun painted the quad orange, and students milled around us, but June was laser-focused.“Okay,” she said, sitting cross-legged and leaning in. “Talk.”“It’s been… fine,” I said slowl

Imani’s POVThis wasn’t supposed to be happening.Nicholas shouldn’t have much effect over my emotions. He was my brother’s ex-best friend. I at least owed it to Tyrique to be loyal to him.Thinking Nicholas was anything better than what Tyrique had told me would be a betrayal to my brother. I was still feeling bad about hiding this tutoring sessions from him. Anything else might just break his heart.So I needed to get my mind right and keep things strictly professional where Nicholas is concerned.Apparently, I had a weak resolve because that plan flew out the window the moment he arrived for our nightly session.I had to give it to Nicholas. He has dedicated himself to the learning. Something I know is hard for a college athlete in the middle of their season.He arrived at 10:02 PM, knocking lightly like he knew I was on the other side of the door overthinking everything.I opened it.He stood there in a plain black t-shirt, backpack slung casually over one shoulder. His hair was s

Imani’s POVAll afternoon, my pulse refused to settle.Every time I replayed what happened on the library steps, the way Nicolas glared at Ryder, the way he stepped between us like he owned space he had no right to, and I felt hot embarrassment crawl up my chest.But what bothered me more wasn’t his jealousy. It was my reaction to it.Because part of me… liked it.I spent the entire day trying to breathe the thought out of my system. I walked across campus. I sat under a tree and journaled. I even FaceTimed June, who spent ten minutes ranting about the audacity of men before getting distracted by a pasta recipe.Nothing worked.My heart felt knotted around itself.By evening, I made a decision. I wasn’t going to the tutoring session tonight.I couldn’t.Not after the way he looked at me earlier, like I was something he was fighting himself not to touch.So I texted him: No session tonight. I’m busy.I stared at the message for a long time before hitting send.The moment it delivered,

Imani’s POVI told myself I was only watching the game for background noise.That it wasn’t a big deal. That I didn’t care that Nicolas was on the ice tonight.June and I sat cross-legged on my bed, my laptop propped up against a pillow, the hockey game streaming on low volume. She held a bowl of popcorn she barely touched, her chin resting in her palm.Normally, June loved sports in an aggressively unserious way, cheering for the wrong team, booing referees she didn’t understand, clapping at inappropriate times.Tonight, she was quiet.Too quiet.On the screen, Nicolas skated past the camera, helmet on, jaw set, eyes sharp and focused. Even through grainy pixels, I could tell he was tense. Something about the way his shoulders were held too tight gave him away.My chest tightened involuntarily.“Your boy looks stressed,” June murmured.I scoffed. “He’s not my boy.”She hummed, unconvinced, but didn’t push. Instead, she hugged her knees closer to her chest.We watched in silence for a

Imani’s POVThe café was already half full when I arrived, the late-afternoon rush just beginning to swell. The air smelled like burnt espresso, cinnamon pastries, and something faintly sweet I couldn’t place. It was warm inside, too warm for how tense my chest felt.Tyrique spotted me before I even reached the counter.“There she is,” he called, lifting a hand.I smiled automatically and walked over, my bag slipping down my shoulder as I slid into the chair across from him. He looked good, relaxed, hoodie slung low around his neck, basketball bag resting against the chair beside him.“You look tired,” he said immediately.“I’m fine,” I replied, just as quickly.He snorted. “That wasn’t convincing at all.”I laughed softly, hoping it would smooth things over. “I’ve just had a long week.”“Haven’t we all?” he said, but his eyes lingered on my face a little longer than necessary. “Still… feels like I barely see you anymore.”That landed harder than it should have.“We’re both busy,” I s