Page 9 of Ice-Cold Obsession

Meet at 7.

My stomach does a nervous flip as I check the time.

It’s 6:53.

Fuck!

I jump off the bed.

I can’t be late. I can never be late for this.

I shove my phone into my pocket and bolt out of my room. My heart is thudding in my chest, not from exertion but from the panic creeping in.

Seven o’clock means seven o’clock. Not 7:01. Not 7:02. Exactly seven.

I burst through the main doors of the dorm and sprint across the campus. The quickest route is cutting through the quad and then down past the library. It’s off campus, but not too far. If I run the whole way, I can make it.

My feet pound against the pavement as I zigzag between students. Someone calls my name, but I don’t stop.

I push harder, and my lungs start to burn. The edge of the campus is just ahead, and then it’s two more blocks.

I’m almost there, just a little farther.

My legs are screaming, but I don’t slow down. I sprint the last block, gasping for air. My shirt is soaked with sweat, and my chest is heaving.

I force myself to keep moving, trying to calm the adrenaline coursing through me. My heart is still racing, and every muscle in my body is tense.

I can make it.

I have to.

Chapter 5

SCARLETT

I GET THE EMAIL WHILEI’m eating breakfast in the dining hall. The subject line readsTeam Photographer Position, and I open it immediately.

We are pleased to offer you the position of team photographer for Northstone Hockey.

I read it once and close my laptop. It worked! Gabriel must’ve pulled some strings to make sure I got this job since I didn’t even have to interview for it, which means he thinks he’s in control.

Perfect.

AS I WALK INTO THEathletic center with my bag over my shoulder, I think about how carefully I picked what to wear. Jeans and a Northstone hoodie are casual but professional. It’s the kind of look that says I’m here to work, not to impress anyone.

Coach is waiting for me in the hallway. He’s a tall man with graying hair and a no-nonsense expression, but he shakes my hand firmly and gives me a small smile.

“Scarlett. I’m glad to have you on board. The team’s getting ready in the locker room. I’ll introduce you, and then we can start with the profile photos before practice.”

“Sounds good.”

He leads me down a hallway and through a set of doors into the locker room. The space is loud with conversation and laughter. Players are getting changed, taping their sticks, and joking around with each other.

Coach claps his hands twice, and the noise dies down.

“Listen up. This is Scarlett. She’s our new team photographer, so you’ll be seeing a lot of her at practices and games. Treat her with respect, and do her whatever she needs to get her job done.”

There are a few nods and murmurs of acknowledgment, and then Gabriel steps forward. His grin is wide and easy, as if this is the best news he’s heard all day.