Chapter 3 Ice-Cold Welcome

Imani's POV

I barely slept that night. The clock on my nightstand glowed past three in the morning while my mind raced in circles.

Gideon's silence hurt the most. No call back, no text, just emptiness where my brother used to be. Then thoughts of Mika Renner pushed in uninvited.

His confident stride on the ice and the way his body movedlike it owned every inch of the rink. I tossed and turned, sheets tangling around my legs until the first light of dawn crept through my window.

By morning I felt drained but determined as I stood in front of my mirror, brushing out my curls with sharp strokes.

"Stay professional," I told my reflection.

"Do the work and keep your distance. He's just a partner, nothing more."

My tank top clung to my skin as I moved, reminding me of the power in my arms from all those early morning weights.

I pulled on a simple hoodie and jeans, nothing fancy. This was Lakehurst territory and I refused to look like I cared what they thought.

The drive over felt too short. My hands gripped the wheel tight as I parked near the sports complex. Lakehurst's campus looked sharp with its big arena and fresh paint. I took a deep breath and walked inside, chin up but the moment I entered the hallway, whispers started.

"That's her, it's Gideon Cole's sister," one girl said to her friend not even trying to be quiet.

"Think she knew he was switching sides?" the other replied.

I kept walking as my skates felt heavy in my bag even though I wasn't playing today.

A group of guys near the water fountain glanced my way.

"Cole family drama," one muttered with a laugh.

"Bet she's here to spy."

I clenched my jaw and found the right room. The orientation space had chairs set up in a circle and a big screen at the front. I picked a seat near the back, hoping to stay invisible.

My legs bounced under the table as more students filled the room. Some from Crestmont nodded at me and others from Lakehurst stared openly.

The coordinator, a tall woman named Dr. Ellis, walked in and clapped her hands.

"Good morning, everyone. This mandatory orientation is required for all selected fellows. Your participation today and in the full program is tied directly to keeping your scholarship support. No exceptions. Today we will explain the project clearly and announce your pairs."

She clicked to the first slide on the big screen.

"The Sports Innovation Fellowship brings Crestmont and Lakehurst together to build a modern athlete safety platform. It will track skating impacts in real time, help detect concussions faster and create better access to youth hockey in underfunded areas like local community rinks. You will work in pairs across both schools for the full semester. This includes meetings, joint practices, data analysis and community outreach. The work is hands-on and mandatory. Success here protects your funding and opens real opportunities for both teams."

Dr. Ellis continued, her voice steady and clear. "Each pair will test new sensors during games and practices. You will analyze footage together. Visit places like Harbor Ice to understand the needs on the ground. The goal is simple but important. Make hockey safer for everyone, no matter which school or team. Questions so far?"

A few hands went up. I sat quietly, letting the details sink in. It sounded like real work. The kind that could help girls on my team get better medical checks instead of old gear and short ice times.

"Pairs have already been assigned based on your skills and backgrounds," Dr. Ellis said next.

"This is your chance to build something that matters beyond rivalry. Let's announce them."

I sat straighter, hands folded tight in my lap.

When she read my name with Mika's, the room shifted.

Heads turned and I felt eyes on me from every side.

Mika stood up from across the room and moved with that easy confidence I remembered from the ice.

Tall, broad shoulders under a simple Lakehurst hoodie and dark hair slightly messy like he had run his hands through it.

He walked straight toward me, a small smile playing on his lips. Up close he looked even better with strong jaw and calm eyes that seemed to see too much.

"Imani," he said, voice low and smooth. He pulled out the chair next to me and sat down.

"Looks like we're partners. Ready to start fresh? This project could be good for both our schools."

I turned to face him with arms crossed tight over my chest.

Anger and something warmer fought inside me.

"Start fresh?" I said, keeping my voice cold.

"You helped destroy my family. Everyone knows you convinced my brother to leave Crestmont and now I'm supposed to work with you like nothing happened?"

Mika didn't flinch. He leaned in slightly, elbows on the table.

"I get why you're upset. Gideon made his choice but there's more to it than you think. I'm not here to fight. This safety platform matters and we both care about the game."

His nearness sent a traitorous spark down my spine. I could smell a hint of his soap, clean and masculine. His knee almost brushed mine under the table and I shifted away.

"Don't talk to me about the game. You play for the rival school and you took my brother. Now the whole campus looks at me like I'm part of some betrayal."

Around us, other pairs started talking but I felt people still watching.

A guy nearby whispered to his partner, "This is going to be interesting. Cole versus Renner."

Mika kept his eyes on me rather too steady.

"I didn't take anyone, Gideon reached out and he had reasons. Maybe when you're ready we can talk about it but for now, let's focus on the work. I saw your goal yesterday, it was sharp read on the goalie. You play with real heart."

Heat rose in my face. Part anger, part unwanted flattery.

"Don't watch my games and don't try that charm on me cause it won't work. I know your type. Girls chase you and fans scream your name. I'm here because I have to be not because I want anything from you."

He smiled then, slow and dangerous. That smile made my stomach flip.

"Fair enough but we're stuck together for the semester. I respect your game, Imani. Always have."

I looked away, biting my lip as his words landed too softly.

My body remembered that one brush on the ice weeks ago. The solid feel of him and the quick rush it gave me before I shut it down.

"Respect?" I shot back.

"Then stay out of my family business. Gideon won't even answer my calls because of all this."

Mika's expression softened just a fraction as he leaned back, giving me space but his presence still filled the chair beside me.

"I'm sorry you're hurting truly, let's get through this orientation first. Dr. Ellis is talking about the first joint session."

I forced myself to listen as the coordinator explained more details. Joint practices where we would test sensors during real drills, shared access to both rinks for data collection,

community visits to places like Harbor Ice, my old home rink.

The place where Gideon taught me to cut sharp turns and read plays. Memories flooded in, cold air on my face and the sound of blades on fresh ice.

Dad watching from the stands before the accident took him. The pure joy of those early games when hockey felt simple.

"You okay?" Mika asked quietly when he noticed my hands trembling slightly.

"Fine," I snapped, pulling them into my lap.

"Just thinking about the work."

Other students shared ideas around the circle. One guy from Lakehurst talked about better concussion tracking. A Crestmont girl mentioned equal gear for women's teams. I added a few words when it was my turn, keeping my voice steady.

"We need real change, not just apps and better medical help for everyone. Especially the women's side. We get old equipment and short ice times."

Mika nodded beside me. "She's right. I've seen it. We can use my connections to test new sensors during men's and women's practices."

His support felt strange and I hated how much I noticed his voice. Deep and calm. The kind that could make you listen even when you didn't want to.

After the main talk, small groups broke off and Mika turned to me again.

"Want to grab coffee and go over the first steps? There's a place nearby."

I stood up fast, grabbing my bag. "No. I have class later. Email me the notes."

My legs felt unsteady as I moved. His eyes followed me, warm and curious. That look stirred something low in my belly. Attraction mixed with pure frustration a dangerous combination.

Outside the room, more whispers followed me down the hall. "Gideon's sister with Mika? This fellowship just got spicy."

I pushed through the doors into the fresh air. The orientation had been clear and left me shaken. Mika's confidence, his nearness and the way my body reacted even as my mind pushed back hard.

I sat on a bench outside for a moment, phone in hand butstill no word from Gideon.

The silence hurt worse than any hit on the ice. "Where are you?" I whispered to the screen.

Thoughts of Mika refused to leave. The way he offered that fresh start, the solid build I remembered from games and how his presence filled the space beside me.

Rivalry burned hot between us but underneath it?

Something else simmered.

This partnership was going to test me in ways I never expected. On the ice and off it.

The real game had just begun. And I already felt like I was playing with fire.