All Chapters of Romance In The Hockey Pitch: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The housing inspections were still the talk of the hallways, but Coach Mike had a different kind of pressure to apply. Apparently, our mid-term grades in our shared elective: Philosophy of Ethics , were concerningly inconsistent, and the athletic board was breathing down his neck."I don't care if you're the Captain or the new star winger," Coach had barked, slamming a folder onto his desk. "If you don't pass the mid-term, you don't play the playoffs. Period. From now on, every Tuesday and Thursday, you two are in the study hall. Three hours. No phones. Just books."So, that’s how I found myself sitting in the Quiet Room of the Northwood Library. It was a small, wood-panneled space tucked away in the back, far from the bustling student center.Jax was sitting across from me. He looked different without his gear. He was wearing an oversized black hoodie. The bruise on his temple had faded to a light yellow, and he smelled like a mix of strong coffee and clean laundry; a scent that was

The rest of the dinner was a blur of expensive steak that felt like lead in my stomach. My father and the scout were dissecting my life as if I were a prize horse they were preparing for the market. Chloe’s hand stayed in mine under the table, as if she could feel me drifting away and was trying to bring me to the version of Liam she needed me to be."You're very quiet tonight, Liam," the scout noted, leaning back. "He’s just focused," my father cut in smoothly."That’s his greatest asset. He doesn't get distracted by the noise. Right, son?""Right," I managed to say.I didn't get back to the apartment until nearly eleven. The dinner hall had felt like a courtroom, and the drive back with Chloe had been even worse. She had talked about the beautiful future my father was planning for us, her voice chirpy and bright, while I stared at the road and saw nothing but a dead end.I let myself in quietly, hoping Jax was already asleep. But as the door clicked shut, I saw the silhouette. He wa

The morning after was so cold but I had to be up anyway."You're going to the athletic wing?" Jax asked, sitting up from the bed. He was wearing an oversized black hoodie, his hair a mess, looking exactly like the kind of distraction my father had warned me about."I have a meeting with the Alumni Board," I said, checking my reflection in the small, cracked mirror by the door. I looked beyond reproach. My hair was gelled, my chin was shaved, and the C on my chest was straight. But my hands were still shaking. "They want a progress report on the team’s image. My dad is going to be there.""I'll see you at practice," I said, and I fled before I could change my mind.The meeting was a nightmare.The boardroom was filled with men in suits. Men who had played for Northwood forty years ago and still acted like they owned the ice. My father sat at the head of the table, his eyes tracking my every movement as I walked to the front of the room to present the mid season stats."Character," on

The sun was too bright when I woke up the next day. My body ached. My knuckles were swollen and purple, and my split lip burned. I stayed in bed for a long time, staring at the ceiling of our room.I looked over at Jax’s bed. He was still asleep. His face was pale, and the white bandage on his head was awkward. He looked peaceful, which was rare for him. Usually, even when he slept, he looked like he was ready for a fight.I got up quietly and checked my phone. It was blowing up.Ten Missed Calls from my Father, Five Texts from Toby: "Dude, the Dean is looking for you. Everyone saw the video. You’re all over the internet." A Message from Coach Mike: "My office. Now."I put the phone face down on the desk. I didn't want to deal with the Simpson Brand or the team. I went to the small kitchen and started making tea. The sound of the kettle made Jax stir. He groaned and sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes."Hey," I said. "Take it easy. How is your head?"Jax looked at me, squinting against t

The three game suspension felt like a lifetime. Sitting in the stands, wearing a regular jacket instead of my jersey, was a special kind of torture. I had to watch my team from far away, like a stranger. The fans whispered when they saw me, and the scouts looked at me with cold eyes. But tonight was the final game of my punishment. Tomorrow, I could be back on the ice.Jax was back in the lineup tonight. His head was healed, and he looked sharp. I watched him move, watched him fight for the puck and it made me feel better.The final buzzer sounded. The crowd went wild. Northwood had won, 3-2. The team was jumping on each other, celebrating. I I should have been down there. I should have been leading the cheer in the locker room.But when I looked at the ice, I saw Swiss and the others laughing. They didn't look like they missed me. They looked like they were doing just fine without their “Golden Boy Captain” just like he called me.I didn't go to the bench to say good job. I couldn’t