Chapter 1 The Blade That Cut Both Ways - Skating Into His Heart: Beyond the Rivalry

Imani's POV

The final seconds ticked down like a bomb ready to blow.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I pushed off the ice, blades carving deep into the fresh sheet.

The arena roared around me, a wall of sound that vibrated through my bones.

Crestmont versus Lakehurst. Our biggest rivals. The game had been brutal from the first drop of the puck - sticks clashing, bodies crashing into boards, the kind of hockey

that left bruises you felt for days.

I was twenty-one, a wing for the Crestmont women's team and I lived for moments like this.

Sports communication major by day but on the ice? I was pure fire. Sharp, stubborn and fast enough to make defenders regret their choices.

My ponytail whipped behind me as I raced up the wing with eyes locked on the Lakehurst goalie.

Sweat stung my eyes under my helmet and my legs burnedbut I pushed harder.

"Come on, Imani! You've got this!" Sarah shouted from near the bench, her voice cutting through the noise.

"Drive it home, girl!"

The puck slid toward me on a perfect pass. I trapped it with my stick, the familiar feel of carbon fiber in my gloves grounding me.

Two defenders closed in fast, their skates scraping loud. I faked left, then cut right in a sharp turn that made my edges bite the ice.

The crowd screamed louder and time slowed. It was just me, the puck and that net.

"Shoot it!" someone yelled from the stands.

I pulled back and fired. The puck rocketed off my stick, a laser through traffic. The goalie lunged but too late. It hit the back of the net with a satisfying thud.

The buzzer blared. We won 3-2 in overtime.

I threw my arms up, stick high and let out a yell that got lost in the explosion of cheers.

Teammates swarmed me and Sarah crashed into me first, nearly knocking me over in a tight hug.

"You did it, Imani! That goal was insane! I thought they had you pinned!"

I laughed, breathless, my body buzzing with adrenaline.

"I saw the gap at the last second. My legs were screaming but I had to go for it."

My cheeks hurt from grinning. This was why I fought for every scholarship dollar, every extra practice for nights likethis where the women's team proved we belonged on the same ice as the guys.

Jenna, our defenseman, skated up and slapped my helmet.

"You're a beast out there! Did you see their faces when it went in? They were done!"

"Yeah, I saw," I said still catching my breath.

"Felt good after that rough start. Their hits were no joke tonight."

We skated in a messy group hug near the bench, sticks tapping, gloves bumping. The announcer's voice boomed over the speakers.

"Crestmont takes the win on a clutch goal by Imani Cole!"

I waved to the crowd, my chest tight with pride.

"Thank you!" I shouted back, even though they probably couldn't hear me.

Cameras flashed everywhere. This win meant everything, better ice times, maybe even some real funding for our team.

I could already picture the locker room celebration. Music blasting, stories retold, the sweet ache in my muscles that reminded me I was alive.

"Best wing in the conference, no doubt,"

Coach Mallory called from the bench, giving me a thumbs up. "Proud of you, Cole."

"Thanks Coach," I replied, skating closer.

"Team played amazing and that pass from Sarah set it up perfect."

Sarah grinned beside me. "We got your back always. Now let's get off this ice before they start chanting your name too loud."

But then the giant screen above center ice flickered. The celebration music cut short as a news banner flashed in bold letters.

BREAKING: Crestmont Star Defenseman Gideon Cole Transfers to Lakehurst University

The arena went dead quiet for half a second.

Then it erupted but not in cheers. Boos rained down like hail and my stomach dropped. I froze on the ice, skates still, as the words sank in.

Gideon? My brother? Transferring to them? Right before his final season?

Sarah grabbed my arm tight. "Imani? What the hell? Is that real? Your brother Gideon?"

"I... I don't know," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "He didn't say anything to me."

Jenna skated up, eyes wide. "This can't be right. Gideon was all about Crestmont. Remember how he hyped up our game tonight? What happened?"

"I wish I knew," I said shaking my head

"We talked last week but he seemed fine. Excited even."

Reporters poured over the boards like ants with microphones thrust toward me. Bright lights blinded me from every angle.

"Imani! Imani Cole! Did you know about your brother's transfer?" one shouted pushing forward.

"Is this why Crestmont lost key players last season?" another yelled over the boos.

A third reporter nearly slipped on the ice but kept coming.

"How does it feel knowing your own family betrayed the team? Any comment for the fans?"

The boos grew louder and someone in the crowd screamed, "Traitor's sister! How could you?"

A plastic cup flew past my head and bounced on the ice. My teammates formed a loose circle around me.

"Back off!" Sarah snapped at the reporters."She just won the game for us. Give her space!"

"Yeah, seriously," Jenna added, waving her stick.

"Let her breathe."

I tried to skate toward the tunnel, but another reporter blocked my path.

"Imani, please just one question. Did Gideon tell you he was leaving for Lakehurst? Are you staying loyal to Crestmont or following him?"

"I didn't know," I said finally, forcing the words out as my voice cracked a Little "I had no idea about any of this. Gideon never mentioned transferring."