Page 12 of Icebound Attraction

When I'm finally on my skates, I feel complete again. I breathe in the cold air and savor the sensation of my feet gliding along without a hitch. Immediately, and very paradoxically, given the rather frigid setting, I burn with an inner fire.

During training, just as I'm about to catch a puck from one of my teammates, a mass of blond hair catches my eye. I inevitably raise my head and look for the silhouette, missing the pass that was holding out my arms.

“Damn it, Liam! What the hell are you doing?”

I grimace.

“Captain, you're screwing up!” adds one of the guys.

“Yeah, all right, I get it! Sorry, guys!” I reply, more annoyed with myself than with their well-deserved remarks.

I look at Chase, who merely observes me, raising his eyebrows. I look away and note, disappointed, that it's not even Emily standing there on the edge of the bleachers, ogling us.

Shit, this girl's gonna make me lose my shit...

I regain my composure and concentrate on the game. I score one goal after another to make up for my indiscretion.

Once the workout's over, Chase approaches me, laughing.

“Not your kind of journalist, eh?”

“Shut the fuck up,” I say curtly and head for the locker room.

As usual, Coach Franklyn comes over to give us his speech.

“Not bad, guys, but you can do better. Liam, whatever it is that's on your mind, leave it at home next practice, please. There's no room on the ice for that kind of distraction.”

“Yes, coach. It won't happen again,” I growl before heading for the shower.

The hot water helps to calm me down a bit, but I'm still annoyed with myself when I set off for my room.

I need to find a way to put Emily out of my mind. Sleeping with her might be the answer, don't you think? A smirk stretches my lips.

Liam, you're such a jerk...

***

In the early hours of the morning, I still feel exhausted when my alarm goes off. Yet I force myself to get up and face the day.

Somehow Coach Franklyn and Chase are right. I need to improve my grades, especially if it means I can have a solid record and prove to recruiters that I'm serious. Who better than a player who knows how to manage his athletic life and his student life?

It's just that yesterday, I checked the NHL players' diplomas, and it's no joke. These guys have a lot on their minds, as well as being pretty damn good on the ice. Just look at John Hayden2 , my idol, who has a degree in political science, from Yale University no less.

Don't fall flat on your face, man. You can do it!

On my way to the campus cafeteria to get my usual coffee and muffin, I trip over a blond boy. More precisely, I bump into him, overlooking only his head.

“Oh, sorry!” resounds a timid voice.

“No problem,” I reply, lowering my eyes.

The rest of my repartee gets stuck in my throat: Emily stands before me, her cheeks rosy and her eyes bright.

“I... No worries, yeah...” I end up mumbling before quickly walking away.

Before her blue eyes captivate me, and I fall into them like Alice in Wonderland3 down the white rabbit hole. It takes a lot of strength not to turn around.

That's anything but good.

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