Chapter 4 Sealed on Ice

Mia

For the first time in weeks I smiled so hard until I could feel my cheeks burning.

There was something effortless about being with Chase. His presence made everything feel lighter… like magic I couldn't quite explain. He just made me feel so at ease without even trying.

And just like that, we were lost in each other's worlds—laughing hard at each other's jokes, holding hands like nothing else mattered— until a loud screech from the door sent us flying apart.

My heart skipped, and heat instantly flushed through my veins as I dashed to my feet in panic. If anyone walked in and saw us tangled that way, that would be the beginning of doom for me.

I should have known the moment we stepped in here, that this was not a good idea.

A tall figure walked in, and though I couldn't quite make out his face, I could tell he was one of Chase's teammates with the way he greeted him.

“Captain, is everything alright?” His gaze drifted towards me slowly, and his eyes instantly widened. “No way! What's this brat doing here all alone with you?”

He had barely completed the statement when Chase stormed to his feet and grabbed him hard on the collar. “I really respect you, Jordan. But what I won't have you do is walk in here and insult my girlfriend!”

“Girlfriend?!” Jordan barely choked out, eyes so wide they could jump out of their sockets. “What the heck do you mean, captain? Do you even realize who this is?”

“That's none of your fucking business, bro!” Chase thundered right back, his grip still firm on his shirt. “And yeah, listen carefully… next time before you barge into a room, be sensible enough to knock.”

With that, he loosened his grip around him, pushing him off hard until he almost slammed into the lockers.

He reached towards me afterwards, and wrapped his arm carefully around my neck. “I'm sorry about that, okay?” He whispered before returning his gaze to him. “What do you want?”

He didn't respond right away. He just kept staring between us, like his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth.

“What, have you gone deaf all of a sudden?” Chase snapped, clearly irritated by the silence.

The guy stirred nervously, his gaze never leaving mine. “I–I actually came to tell you that the coach demands your presence… right now.”

Chase nodded calmly… too calm, like he was acknowledging a casual report. “Alright. You can go. I'll be there shortly.”

Jordan hesitated. “I'm sorry, but this is really urgent. I can't leave… unless you're coming with me.”

Chase turned his back, folding his arms behind him, his hands curling into tight fists. “If I turn around and you're still standing there, then you'll have yourself to blame.” His voice stayed low and calm—but icy, leaving no room for argument.

“What?!” Jordan's voice cracked slightly. He kept his distance, his hands trembling at his sides. “I've never seen you like this, Captain. What has gotten into you?”

“You really want to know?”

“No–no, I'm sorry. I'm leaving now.” He mumbled and hurried out with the speed of light.

“Jackass,” Chase cussed under his breath as soon as he left, eyes still wild with fury.

He heaved a deep sigh and walked back to where I was. He looked me straight in the eyes, that same passionate stare pinning me in place. “Please, don't let any of these get to you. I don't understand why everyone is acting weird just because I'm hanging out with you.”

I couldn't say a word. I was so dumbfounded and extremely scared that all words seemed to fail me.

He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently, like it was the only thing that mattered to him now. “I have to run along now. We'll catch up some other time.”

He leaned in, and before my brain could catch up, his lips crashed into mine. It was hot, firm, and completely disarming.

For a second, everything went blank.

This was the last thing I had expected. And even as it happened—even as I felt the pressure of his lips and the warmth of his breath—it still had that hazy, dreamlike quality, like I was watching myself from somewhere far away.

First, the guy I had secretly admired for as long as I could remember walks up to me out of nowhere and makes some kind of deal. And now this? A kiss that felt way too intense, way too real, to be happening to someone like me. My heart was racing, but my head was still struggling to believe any of it was true.

And just as quickly as it started, it disappeared. He pulled back just an inch, letting his fingers trail so softly across my lips, like he was memorizing the moment.

“That was fun,” he murmured with a low chuckle, his grin spreading wide, like he had just won an important game.

I smiled back, too elated to respond.

“Alright, catch you some other time. Duty calls.” He shot me a wink and sprinted off without a second glance.

The moment the door slammed shut behind him, the silence of the locker room wrapped around me like a thick blanket. I sank against the cold wall, letting out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding for so long… a stupid, giddy smile tugging at my lips as I replayed every second.

And even though a quiet voice in my head whispered my brother's name, reminding me of the trust I had just betrayed, I couldn't bring myself to care the way I should. Because the truth was, I had never felt this alive—never felt this seen—than I did in those few stolen minutes with Chase.

I stomped out of the locker room, my head still buzzing with excitement, so caught up in my own world that I didn't realize when I bumped into someone in front of me.

I stopped and quickly looked up to apologize, but froze the moment I saw who it was.