All Chapters of Love on Thin Ice: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Summer Summer Brooks did not have time for hockey players, reality television, or the systemic enabling of toxic masculinity. She had a midterm in exactly forty-five minutes, a broadcast journalism portfolio to edit, and a checking account balance that currently read $14.32. "Come on, Summer, just look at the numbers," her best friend, Chloe, pleaded, dragging her by the arm through the bustling corridors of the communications building. “It’s not just a gig. It’s the gig. HypeTV is paying a production assistant stipend that could cover your entire semester’s housing." "Chloe, I am a serious journalist," Summer said, balancing a stack of heavy textbooks in one arm and a lukewarm travel mug of cheap coffee in the other. “I don’t want my resume to say I spent my senior year fetching oat milk lattes for reality TV producers who exploit college students for clicks." "It’s an associate producer credit, Summer! Plus talent compensation if they use you on camera as a host or an inter

Jaxson The VIP lounge of the Eastern University athletic center looked like a high-end corporate boardroom, complete with leather chairs, a glass table, and a panoramic view of the dark, empty football stadium. Jaxson sat at the head of the table, still wearing his team tracksuit, his fingers tapping an anxious rhythm against his knee. His agent, a sharp-tongued man named Liam, sat to his left, reviewing the dense legal paperwork. "Look, Jax, it’s a standard entertainment waiver," Liam said, not looking up from his tablet. “You don't say anything stupid, you don't get caught at bars past midnight, and you look like a devoted boyfriend. It’s an easy lift. Just smile, hold her hand, and let the editing team do the work." "I don't even know who she is," Jaxson muttered, his chest tight. “Vance said she’s a student here. What if she’s some clout chaser who leaks everything to the press the second we have a disagreement?" Before Liam could answer, the door to the lounge clicked ope

SummerThe courtyard didn’t just go quiet; it felt like the entire universe had run out of oxygen.Jaxson’s lips were firm, warm, and utterly unyielding against mine. It wasn't the polite, measured press of a scripted romance. It was an explosive, possessive reclamation of the narrative. His hand was a heavy, anchoring weight at the small of my back, pulling me so close that I could feel the erratic, thunderous rhythm of his heart drumming against my own ribs.For three terrifying, breathless seconds, my brain short-circuited. My hands, which had been meant to push him away, remained trapped against his chest, fingers curling into the thick fabric of his varsity jacket.Then, just as suddenly as he had pulled me in, Jaxson broke the contact.He didn't step back entirely, keeping his forearm brushed against mine, but his eyes were dark, fierce, and boring down into me. His chest heaved as he cast one final, warning glare at Chad over my shoulder. Chad looked dumbfounded, his mout

Summer Friday night arrived with the force of a freight train. The Eastern University arena was completely sold out. Ten thousand fans packed the stands, a sea of blue and white jerseys chanting, screaming, and stomping their feet until the concrete structure vibrated. But tonight, the atmosphere had an additional, electric edge: three high-definition HypeTV production cameras were mounted on the glass, their red lights glowing brightly. I was sitting in the VIP family box, right behind the home bench. It was a prime location, meaning every time the broadcast cut to a reaction shot of the crowd, my face would be front and center. "Remember, Summer," Sarah Sterling's voice hissed into the tiny earpiece concealed in my right ear. "When Jaxson comes out of the tunnel, stand up. Clap. Look nervous, but proud. Give the internet their reaction gif." I took a deep breath, clutching the railing. My knuckles were damp. I wasn't acting anymore I actually was nervous. I had spent th

SummerMonday morning brought a mandatory summons to the HypeTV production trailer, a massive, silver vehicle parked behind the campus library that looked like a command center for a small military operation."Sit, please," Sarah Sterling said, not looking up from a massive flatscreen monitor that displayed a grid of social media analytics.Jaxson and I sat down on the leather banquet seat, deliberately leaving a careful two inches of space between our thighs."The numbers from Friday night are astronomical," Sarah said, finally turning to face us with a terrifyingly bright smile. “The courtyard kiss has three million views. The clip of Jaxson refusing to fight Chad after that taunt is trending on Twitter under #ReformedJax. The university board is thrilled. The NHL scouts are actively calling his agent again."I let out a small breath of relief, looking at Jaxson. His profile was stoic, but I could see the slight relaxation in his shoulders. It was working. The lie was saving him.