All Chapters of Against The Ice : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Chapter One — The New BoyThe first thing Aitor Valdez noticed when the bus pulled through the gates was the cold.Not the kind of cold he was used to.This was sharper.It slipped through the cracks of the bus windows and settled against his skin as the enormous stadium came into view.The Northwood Ice Arena stood at the centre of the town, surrounded by banners, temporary stands, food trucks and signs welcoming schools from across the country.The championship had finally arrived.For the next several weeks, this place would be home.Aitor leaned his head against the window.His teammates were already talking loudly behind him.Someone was arguing about who would score the most goals.Someone else was complaining about the hotel.Aitor ignored all of it.His attention remained on the stadium.He had heard about this tournament for years.The biggest high-school hockey championship of the season.Scouts would be watching.Coaches would be watching.Every school wanted to leave with

Chapter Three — The Problem With ValdezBeck woke up irritated.He didn't know why.Well.That wasn't entirely true.He knew exactly why.Aitor Valdez.Beck stared at his ceiling, remembering yesterday's game.The goal.The victory.The way Aitor had looked at him afterward.Next time, we win.Beck rolled his eyes."Whatever."He got out of bed.Today was supposed to be easy.Practice.Classes.Practice again.Nothing complicated.Nothing worth thinking about.And definitely nothing involving Aitor.At least, that was the plan.By the time Beck arrived at school, the entire hockey team was already talking about the tournament."Did you see the rankings?"Mason shoved his phone toward him.Beck looked.Their school had moved up.Westbridge High — #4He smiled."Nice.""And look who's right behind us."Beck's smile disappeared.St. Aurelia Academy — #5"Of course."Mason laughed."You really hate that guy.""I don't hate him.""You've said his name fourteen times since yesterday.""That

CHAPTER FIVECOLLISIONThe next morning, Beck knew something was wrong.He just didn't know what.The ice rink was already loud when he walked in. Skates scraped against the floor, hockey sticks clattered against the boards, and somewhere across the arena, one of the coaches was yelling at a player who clearly wasn't listening.Everything was normal.Except Aitor.Beck spotted him almost immediately.Aitor was already on the ice with the rest of the St. Aurelia team, skating laps around the rink.Usually, he looked completely in control.Today, he looked angry.Not the usual competitive anger either.Something else.Beck watched him for a few seconds before Mason bumped his shoulder."You staring at Valdez?"Beck immediately looked away."No.""You definitely were.""I was looking at the ice.""Right."Beck rolled his eyes."Just get your gear on."He pulled his gloves on and stepped onto the ice.Aitor looked over.Their eyes met.For a second, neither moved.Then Aitor looked away.

CHAPTER SEVENTHE GAMEThe weekend disappeared faster than Beck wanted it to.By Monday morning, the entire atmosphere around the championship had changed.The semifinal brackets had been posted.Westbridge High had made it.St. Aurelia had made it too.And suddenly, everyone knew what that meant.Beck stood in front of the tournament board with Mason beside him, staring at the names.WESTBRIDGE HIGHVS.NORTH RIDGE ACADEMYOn the other side:ST. AURELIA ACADEMYVS.EASTBROOK PREP“Could be worse,” Mason said.Beck nodded.“Could be.”Mason looked at him.“You're thinking about Valdez.”“No.”“You are.”“I literally just woke up.”“And somehow you're already annoyed at him.”Beck gave him a look.“I don't think about Aitor.”Mason laughed.“You said his full name.”“So?”“You only do that when you're annoyed.”Beck picked up his bag.“I'm going to practice.”“Sure.”Beck walked away.He told himself Mason was wrong.He wasn't thinking about Aitor.Not really.He was thinking about the

Chapter Nine — The Last GoodbyeThe weeks after the championship passed faster than Beck expected.One minute, he was still waking up before sunrise for hockey practice.The next, he was standing in front of his bedroom mirror wearing a graduation gown.He stared at his reflection.Eighteen.Graduating.Going to Northwood University.He still couldn't believe it.The scholarship letter was tucked safely inside the drawer beside his bed. He had read it so many times that he practically knew every word.Northwood wasn't just a university anymore.It was his way forward.His mother appeared in the doorway.“You ready?”Beck turned around.“Almost.”She smiled.“You look so grown up.”“Please don't start crying.”“I wasn't going to.”“You're making the face.”“What face?”“The emotional mom face.”She laughed.“Come here.”Beck walked over and hugged her.She squeezed him tightly.“I’m proud of you.”Beck smiled.“I know.”“No. I don't think you do.”She pulled back and looked at him.“Yo