All Chapters of FAKING IT ON ICE: DATING THE SPORT KING: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

MIKKA.The excitement inside the arena stayed alive long after practice ended, and Seven's attention was diverted from me before I could answer his question because everyone wanted to congratulate him for earning his place back on the first line.I quietly slipped away before anyone noticed I was leaving. Seeing him smile after weeks of frustration made me happier than I expected because I knew every extra hour on the ice and every difficult drill had finally paid off, yet my own heart refused to celebrate for long because tomorrow morning kept pulling my thoughts back toward the hearing waiting for me. The folder pressed tightly against my chest felt heavier than it really was because it carried everything I had left to fight with, including recommendation letters, research records, emails from my supervisors and every document I hoped would prove I had done nothing wrong. I lowered my head and walked toward the parking lot, the thought of tomorrow's final hearing sitting heavily in

MIKKA.I lowered my eyes to the sealed brown envelope while the committee chair carefully opened it, and my heartbeat became so loud that I could barely hear anything else inside the room. He slowly removed a single photograph and placed it on the table before gently sliding it toward me. My hands hesitated for a second before I picked it up, and the moment I saw the picture, I felt my stomach tighten instantly. It showed me standing beside Seven outside the arena after one of his practice sessions. We had both been smiling at something one of the coaches had said, completely unaware that someone had been watching us from far away with a camera. Looking at the picture made my skin crawl because it reminded me that whoever had been following me had been much closer than I ever realized.The committee chair folded his hands before speaking in a calm voice."Miss Rowan, this photograph was included with the anonymous complaint."I looked up from the picture."And the sender claims your a

MIKKA.I could not stop smiling as I walked back to my room. Every step felt lighter than the one before, and for the first time in a long while, it seemed like I could finally breathe without something heavy pressing against my chest. The hearing was over, my name had been cleared, and lunch with Seven had reminded me that life could still be simple even for a little while. We had laughed so much that my cheeks still hurt, and every time I remembered one of his terrible jokes, another smile found its way onto my face before I even realized it.When I reached my dorm room, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it for a few seconds, enjoying the quiet. I changed into a pair of comfortable sweatpants and an old university hoodie before carrying my hearing folder to my desk. I opened the top drawer, placed the thick file inside as neatly as I could, and slowly pushed the drawer shut. I rested my hand on it for a moment.“I'm done with you,” I whispered.It felt silly talking to

MIKKA.Mara's question caught me completely off guard, but I politely told her she could ask me anything. She studied me for a moment before speaking.“I've noticed Seven changed over the last few weeks,” she began to say. “He's changed in so mamy ways I never thought possible. For a long time, hockey has been the only thing capable of holding his attention, yet recently he's started smiling more, spending less time shutting himself away, and becoming the son I knew before he became hardened by pressure.”She paused for a moment as though to let the words sink in before she continued. “I've always wondered if you've realized how much has changed since you both met,” she said, her eyes going from me to Seven, and then back to me.Embarrassed, I immediately insisted that I could not take credit for another person's choices because Seven had been the one who accepted criticism, worked harder than ever and fought his way back onto the first line."I only showed him what I saw on the ice

SEVEN.I had barely stepped into the house when one of the house staff found me near the stairs. She told me my mother was waiting in her study with the family lawyer, and something about her serious expression made me stop asking questions. I followed her upstairs, wondering what could possibly be so important that Mom needed a lawyer involved. When I opened the study door, I found Mom sitting at the large conference table with Mr. Bennett, our family lawyer, while several thick files were spread neatly between them. My stomach tightened before anyone even said a word."Sit down, Seven," Mom said.I pulled out a chair and sat across from them."What's going on?"Mr. Bennett adjusted his glasses before looking at my mother."Your mother asked me to review some information concerning Mikka Rowan."I immediately frowned."You're investigating Mikka?"Mom's expression remained calm."I'm asking questions. There is a difference.""You could have told me.""I could have," she admitted. "Bu