All Chapters of Romance In The Hockey Pitch: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

The walk to Jax’s room was the longest three minutes of my life. I kept looking over my shoulder. When we got to his door, Jax didn't say a word. He just unlocked it, stepped inside, and reached under his bed. He pulled out the old sneaker and handed me the small black USB drive. "Keep it safe," Jax whispered. "Don't be careless with it.""I won't," I said, sliding it into the small coin pocket of my jeans. It fit perfectly, pressed against my hip. "I’ll keep it on me. Always."I left his room and started the walk back to my own dorm. I needed a shower. But as I crossed the quad, a loud shout broke the silence of the evening."Simpson! Over here!"I turned to see Swiss, Toby, and a few of the other guys from the team. They were standing near the campus gate, looking energized and loud and dressed in hoodies and jeans, looking like normal college students for once."We’re going to The Blue Bucket," Swiss said, throwing an arm around my neck as he reached me. "Coach Mike is in a mood,

I ran through the morning fog. I didn't even tie my laces properly; they were flopping against the pavement as I sprinted toward the arena. My heart was a hammer hitting my ribs. “Please be there. Please be there” I kept repeating in my head.I reached the arena and pushed through the heavy glass doors. I didn't even stop to talk to the morning guard. I just flew past the front desk and down the concrete stairs that led to the locker room.I hit the door with my shoulder, bursting inside. The room was dark, the only light coming from the small windows high up on the walls. I dropped to my knees on the cold floor. I started searching the wooden bench, my hands trembling. I looked in the cracks of the wood. I looked behind my gear bag. Nothing.I scrambled over to the shower area. I looked at the floor where I had stood yesterday. I checked the drains. I checked the small ledges where people put their soap. I even checked the trash can, digging through damp paper towels with my bare han

The morning practice was tiring. Jax stayed close to me the whole time. We didn't talk much, but every time I missed a puck or took a wrong turn, I felt his hand on my shoulder. When the final whistle blew, I felt a small sense of relief. We had made it through another session. No scandals, no headlines. As we walked toward the locker room, my phone buzzed in my bag. I stopped dead in my tracks. Jax stopped too, looking at me with wide eyes."Is it him?" Jax whispered.I reached into my bag and pulled it out. The same strange number from last night was flashing on the screen. My heart started to race again. I didn't want to answer, but I knew I had to. "Go to the locker room," I told Jax. "I'll be right there.""Liam, don't…""I have to, Jax. Please."He nodded slowly and walked away, looking back over his shoulder. I stepped into the dark tunnel that led to the equipment room, where it was quiet. I hit the green button and put the phone to my ear.I didn't say anything. I just wait

Davis wasn't just challenging my position; he was tearing the team in half. The locker room, which used to be our sanctuary, was now a battleground.Coach Mike stood between us, his chest heaving. "Davis, put the phone down. That is an order! If you sent that video, you’ve just sabotaged this entire season. Do you realize what you’ve done?""I’ve saved it," Davis countered, his voice dripping with fake righteousness. He looked around at the players who had stepped up behind him. "We’re the ones who care about the Northwood name. We’re the ones who don’t want to be associated with... this. You can't lead a team if you don't have their respect, Liam. And look around. Do you see any respect left for you?"I looked. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.Some of the guys wouldn't even meet my eyes. They stared at their skates, looking ashamed or confused. Others, like the freshmen who looked up to Davis, were nodding along with him. They saw a chance to be on the winning side."I'

Twenty four hours.That was all they gave me. My hand was shaking so much I missed it the first time. When the doors opened, I stepped inside and leaned against the cold metal wall. I didn't want to go back to my dorm. I didn't want to see the messages. The elevator stopped. I stepped out. "Liam! Wait up!"I heard the sound of running footsteps behind me but I kept walking."Liam, stop!"A hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. It was Jax. He was breathing hard, his face flushed from running. Behind him, Coach Mike was walking slowly, his hands shoved deep into his pockets."Where are you going?" Jax asked, his voice full of worry."I don't know, Jax," I said, my voice cracking. "I just need to get out of here.""We need to talk about what happened in there," Coach Mike said as he reached us. "They’re trying to scare you. They’re trying to make you think you have no choice.""But do we?" I asked, looking at the Coach. "They said it themselves. If I stay, Jax loses everything. I