Locked In

Chapter Eleven — Locked InBy the time Beck reached his dorm room, he had already made a decision.Northwood was going to be different.This was his fresh start.No Westbridge. No high-school tournaments. No constant competition.And definitely no Aitor Valdez.Beck dropped his backpack onto the bed and looked around his room.It wasn't enormous, but he liked it. A bed pushed against the wall, a wooden desk beneath the window, a wardrobe, a small bookshelf, and a noticeboard that was still completely empty.It wasn't luxurious.But it was his.And that mattered.He had earned his place at Northwood.The hockey scholarship had brought him here, and Beck wasn't about to waste it.He began unpacking, putting his clothes away and arranging his hockey equipment when his phone buzzed.NORTHWOOD HOCKEY — TEAM ORIENTATIONTomorrow, 9:00 AM.Beck smiled.Finally.Something he could focus on.Hockey.Not Aitor.Across campus, Aitor had just stepped into his own room.He stopped for a moment.Hi

Last Updated : 2026-09-14

Nowhere To Run

Chapter Twelve — Nowhere to RunFor the first five minutes, neither of them spoke.Beck sat on one of the benches, staring at the locked door as if glaring at it hard enough would somehow make it open.Aitor stood with his arms crossed.“This is ridiculous.”Beck glanced at him.“You've said that three times.”“Because it is.”“Well, repeating it isn't going to unlock the door.”Aitor gave him a look.“You're surprisingly annoying when you're trapped.”“I'm always annoying.”“At least you're self-aware.”Beck rolled his eyes.He checked his phone again.Still no signal.“Someone's going to notice we're missing.”“Eventually.”“Eventually?”Aitor shrugged.“The team probably thinks we left.”Beck groaned.“Great.”He stood and tried the handle again.Nothing.He knocked.“HELLO?”His voice echoed through the empty locker room.Nothing.Beck turned around.“I swear, if we miss practice because somebody forgot to check the locker room…”“That would be your fault.”“My fault?”“You were t

Last Updated : 2026-09-15

Same Jersey

Chapter Thirteen — Same JerseyThe next morning, Beck walked into the Northwood Hockey Centre with one goal.Do his job.Practice.Keep his head down.And, most importantly, avoid Aitor.Simple.At least, that was the plan.The moment Beck stepped into the locker room, he knew it wasn't going to happen.Aitor was already there.Of course.He stood at his locker, tying his skates while music played quietly from his phone.Beck dropped his bag beside locker twelve.“Morning.”Aitor glanced at him.“Didn't think you'd show up.”Beck frowned.“Why wouldn't I?”“After yesterday?”Beck laughed.“You're not getting rid of me that easily.”“Unfortunately.”Beck sat down.“Good. Because I plan on making your life difficult for at least the next four years.”Aitor looked at him.“Four years?”“Unless you quit.”Aitor smirked.“Not happening.”“Good.”For some reason, neither of them looked away immediately.Then Coach walked into the locker room.“On the ice in five!”The entire room came alive

Last Updated : 2026-09-22

The Party

Chapter Fourteen — The PartyBy Friday night, Beck had almost convinced himself that college was getting easier.Practice had gone well.His classes weren't overwhelming.And, surprisingly, he and Aitor had managed to survive an entire week as teammates without killing each other.Then Mason sent him a message.Mason: Party tonight. You're coming.Beck stared at the screen.Beck: Who said I was invited?Mason: Everyone is invited.Beck: That's not an answer.Mason: Wear something that doesn't make you look like you're going to practice.Beck laughed.Twenty minutes later, he was getting ready.The party was already loud when Beck and Mason arrived.Music filled the house, people crowded around the kitchen, and students were scattered across the living room and backyard.Beck immediately spotted several Northwood players.Then he saw Aitor.Of course.Aitor was standing near the kitchen with two teammates, looking completely comfortable.Beck shook his head.“Does he ever go anywhere w

Last Updated : 2026-09-22

The ride

Chapter Fifteen — The RideMonday morning started badly.By eight-thirty, Beck was already having the kind of day he wanted to forget.His first class had run over.He'd forgotten his notes in the dorm.And now, standing in the Northwood parking lot, he was staring at his mother's old car.The hood was up.Steam drifted from underneath it.Beck stared.“You have got to be kidding me.”He checked the time.8:47.Practice started in less than an hour.He pulled out his phone and called his mother.She answered almost immediately.“Everything okay?”“My car just died.”There was a pause.“Oh, no.”“Yeah. I'm kind of stranded.”“I told you that car was getting old.”“I know.”“I'll send you some money for a mechanic.”“Thanks, Mom.”Beck hung up and looked at the car again.A mechanic wasn't going to get there quickly enough.He sighed.Then he heard an engine approaching.Not an ordinary engine.A very expensive engine.A black Rolls-Royce pulled into the parking lot and stopped beside h

Last Updated : 2026-09-22

All Chapters of Against The Ice : Chapter 11 - Chapter 15

Locked In

Nowhere To Run

Same Jersey

The Party

The ride