All Chapters of CHECKMATE MY ICY HEART: FALLING FOR THE HOCKEY CAPTAIN: Chapter 1 - Chapter 4

HARPER’S POVI sat shotgun in Dad’s shitty truck, fingers digging into my thighs so hard I would probably have bruises tomorrow. Snow crunched under the tires as we crawled up the long driveway. That big house was at the top like it owned the whole damn mountain. It was all dark stone and sharp corners, with windows that glowed like eyes that already knew I wasn't welcome.“Remember the rules, Harper,” Dad muttered, knuckles white on the wheel. “Head down. Do your work. Stay the hell away from the main house. We’re staff. That’s it.”I nodded, throat tight. Eight months of him being out of work. This security gig was the only thing keeping us off the street. My scholarship to Sterling Academy was the only shot I had at not ending up exactly like him— tired, scared, and one bad month away from nothing. I couldn’t fuck this up.Later that week the school showed me what it really was: a tank full of sharks in cashmere. I spent three days trying to disappear. I kept my eyes on the flo

HARPER’S POVThe boys’ locker room smelled like old tape, musty sweat, and wet gear that never quite dries. I dropped Asher’s stupid heavy bag on the rubber floor. The thud bounced off the metal lockers. “What are you doing in here?”I jumped, spinning around. Some guy sat on the bench, wrapping tape around his stick blade. Messy brown hair, bruised jaw. It took me a second to place him from the dark rink the night before.Davis.“Community service,” I muttered, already turning to leave.“Wait.” He stood fast, tossing the tape aside. “You’re the girl from last night.”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“Don’t bullshit me.” He stepped closer, eyes bloodshot and wild. “I heard your phone drop. You saw the whole thing with the scout.”“I was in bed asleep,” I lied, keeping my face flat. “Just transferred here. Don’t even know who you are.”“He’s got those pills hanging over my head,” Davis whispered, voice cracking. He looked like he might puke. “If Asher hands them to Coach, I’m