Chapter 4 Eyes that Follows

Imani's POV

I stormed out of the orientation room with my bag slung over one shoulder, jaw tight and steps quick.

The hallway felt too bright, too full of Lakehurst colors and curious eyes.

Frustration boiled inside me like a bad penalty kill. Mika as my partner. The way Dr. Ellis made it sound so simple when nothing about this felt simple at all. My legs still carried the ache from yesterday’s game, that winning goal

now tainted by everything else.

I pushed through the main doors into the fresh air, hoping the cool breeze would clear my head but before I could reach the parking lot, I spotted him.

Mika Renner stood near the arena entrance surrounded by a group of girls.

They laughed loud, leaned in close and one touched his arm while another held up her phone for a selfie. Mika smiled that easy smile, the one that probably melted hearts

across campus and posed without looking forced.

"Come on, Mika, one more picture," a girl with long blonde hair begged, pressing against his side.

"You looked so hot out there last game. That assist in the third period? Insane."

He chuckled low, arm loose around her shoulders for the shot.

"Thanks. Just doing my job on the ice." His voice carried on the wind, smooth and warm.

Another girl stepped up, hugging him tight.

"Party at my place this weekend? You have to come cause everyone wants the captain there."

Mika gently pulled back but kept things friendly.

"I appreciate the invite, my chedule’s tight with the season but maybe. You all take care."

He handled it perfectly, never rude,.never fully

encouraging either. Just that natural charm that made people want more.

I watched from behind a pillar half hidden, my heart beating faster than it should.

Memories flooded back to rivalry games where the crowd chanted his name like a battle cry.

"Mika! Mika!"

The sound shook the arena when he stepped on the ice. I remembered one game in particular, Lakehurst versus Crestmont.

Mika owned the lanes, gliding with powerful strides, setting up perfect plays that left our defense spinning. His body moved like liquid muscle, shoulders flexing under the jersey, sweat making the fabric cling to his chest.

Fans screamed louder every time he touched the puck. I had hated him that night but now I couldn’t look away.

"Pathetic," I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes.

He was exactly the campus heartthrob I couldn’t stand. Girls throwing themselves at him yet something about how he carried himself pulled at me.

Calm confidence, the way his broad shoulders filled that hoodie and the subtle strength in his hands as he signed a quick autograph for one of the girls.

Mika turned his head suddenly, like he felt my stare.

His eyes locked on mine across the distance and that infuriating smile grew.

He said something quick to the group, excused himself with a polite wave and started walking straight toward me.

My stomach flipped as I straightened up, trying to look unbothered.

"See something you like, Cole?" he teased when he got close enough.

His voice had that low edge that sent warmth down my spine. He stopped just a step away, close enough that I caught his clean scent mixed with the faint chill of the arena.

I crossed my arms tighter.

"Don’t flatter yourself, I was just leaving. Looks like you had your hands full with fans."

He laughed softly, running a hand through his hair. The movement made his hoodie ride up slightly, showing a hint of toned skin at his waist.

My eyes flicked there before I forced them back up.

"Jealous?" he asked, eyes sparkling with play.

"Those girls are just excited about the season and it happens after big wins. You know how it is. Your goal yesterday had your side going wild too."

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I shifted my weight, suddenly aware of how my own body felt near his.

Legs still sore from skating hard and curves shaped by years of powerful strides on the ice.

"Not jealous but annoyed. You act like everything’s easy with girls hanging on you and fans chanting your name. Meanwhile my brother disappears and I get stuck working with the guy they blame."

Mika stepped a little closer and the air between us felt charged.

"Stuck, huh? Could be worse. We both love the game. Remember that last matchup? You came at me hard on that breakaway, I felt that check."

I remembered too. Our bodies colliding near the boards, the solid heat of him for that brief second and the way my pulse jumped even as I tried to steal the puck.

"That was hockey," I said, voice quieter than I wanted.

"This is different and I don’t trust you, Mika. Not with my brother gone silent, not with this project."

He tilted his head, studying me. His gaze moved slowly over my face, then lower for just a moment, like he noticed the way my hoodie hugged my figure.

The look sent a warm shiver through me.

"I’m not asking for trust yet. Just a chance to work together. You’re sharp on the ice and in that orientation room, we could make this safety platform something real. Help kids at Harbor Ice maybe even figure out what’s going on with Gideon."

His words hit soft. I wanted to stay mad but his nearness made it hard. The way his eyes held mine and the subtle flex of muscle in his arms as he adjusted his bag.

Before I could reply, Sarah’s text from earlier popped into my head. I pulled out my phone to check it, needing a distraction.

How’s the rival captain? Don’t kill him yet.

I almost smiled.

Mika noticed. "Texting your escape plan already? Or telling your friends how charming I am?"

"Neither," I shot back, slipping the phone away. "Just checking if my brother finally called. Thanks to whatever mess you’re part of."

He leaned against the wall beside me, casual but close.

"Give me a hard time if it helps but I saw how you play.That overtime winner? You read the goalie perfectly. Glided in with speed on that sharp turn. Pure instinct. We need that kind of focus for this project."

The compliment landed warm in my chest and I shifted my stance, thighs brushing under my jeans.

My body felt aware of every inch between us. Tall, confident guy with dangerous charm standing close on rival ground.

"Stop watching my games," I said but my voice lacked bite this time.

"And stop smiling like that cause it won’t work on me."

"Like what?" he asked, that smile growing.

He tilted his head, eyes darkening just a touch.

"This one? Or the one I save for when a certain Crestmont wing glares at me across the ice?"

My breath caught as heat pooled low in my belly. I stepped back slightly but my eyes stayed on his lips, then his broad chest.

The air felt thicker. "You’re impossible. Acting all nice while your fans wait back there."

Mika glanced over his shoulder. The girls had moved on but still waved and he gave a quick nod before turning back.

"They’re excited about hockey, same as us. Tell me, Imani. What got you playing wing? That speed of yours? The way you cut through defenders?"

I hesitated, then answered. "My dad and Gideon. We learned at Harbor Ice. Cold mornings, worn equipment but pure love for the game. Sharp turns, body checks and the rush when you score. I fight for every chance because girls like me don’t always get fair ice time."

He listened like he really cared and his expression softened."That’s why this project fits you. We can change some of that together."

His hand brushed my arm lightly as he gestured. The touch was brief but electric with skin tingling where his fingers had been.

I pulled back, heart racing. "Don’t touch me and don’t talk like we’re a team. You’re Lakehurst and I’m Crestmont. This is just forced work."

"Feels like more already," he murmured, voice dropping lower.

His eyes traced my face again, lingering on my lips.

My body leaned in slightly without permission, drawn to his warmth and strength.

Just as Mika opened his mouth to say something else, something that looked important in his eyes, my phone rang loud in my pocket and I jumped a little.

The screen lit up with a name I had waited to see all day*.*

Gideon Calling.

My breath stopped and Mika noticed the change on my face. His expression shifted too, curious and maybe concerned.

I stared at the phone, finger hovering over the answer button as everything hung in the air between us.

The flirtation, the anger, the pull I couldn’t ignore and now my missing brother finally reaching out.

What would Gideon say? And why did Mika look like he already knew parts of the story?