Mated To The Hockey Star

Chapter 7: Paul’s Decision

Paul Landon had always known Jacob Whitaker as one thing: untouchable.

On the ice, Jacob was unstoppable—swift, precise, and merciless. Off the ice, he was the same—confident to the point of arrogance, shrugging off criticism, and brushing aside anyone who dared to tell him what to do. Jacob lived life on his own terms, and Paul had been around long enough to see him storm through every problem with brute force and raw talent.

But today was different.

When Paul walked away from Jacob in the library, hockey stick slung over his shoulder, he couldn’t shake the look he’d seen on his best friend’s face. That wasn’t arrogance. That wasn’t even anger. It was… guilt. Real guilt.

Paul slowed his steps as he left the library and made his way across campus. He frowned, thinking. Jacob never felt guilty about missing things—not practice, not classes, not deadlines. If he ever got caught, he brushed it off with a grin and a careless joke. And yet, here he was, sulking because he’d missed one tutoring session with Stella Graham.

It didn’t make sense. Unless Stella wasn’t just another tutor.

Paul smirked to himself. “Maybe Jake’s going soft,” he muttered under his breath. The idea was almost laughable, but it explained the tension in Jacob’s voice, the desperation in his eyes. Stella had managed something Paul hadn’t seen in years—she’d gotten under Jacob’s skin.

And that, Paul decided, was worth looking into.

*

By the time he reached the edge of the athletic fields, Paul’s curiosity had hardened into resolve. If Stella Graham could shake Jacob Whitaker’s arrogance, then she wasn’t someone to ignore. Paul wanted to know what it was about her that made Jacob, the Ice Prince of Eastbridge High, hesitate.

But there was only one real way to do that—spend time with her himself.

The thought made him chuckle. It wasn’t like he needed tutoring. His grades weren’t perfect, but he worked hard enough to keep them solid, and Coach Simon had never had to pull him aside with threats. Still, if tutoring was the bridge that gave him an excuse to talk to Stella, then so be it.

Of course, there was a problem. Stella wasn’t the type to just give up her time for no reason. She already had Jacob, and that was probably more stress than anyone should have to handle. He couldn’t just show up and ask her to tutor him; she’d laugh in his face.

No, if Paul was going to make this work, he needed someone with authority to sign off on it. Someone like… Professor Kim.

The idea made him grimace. Professor Kim wasn’t exactly the friendliest faculty member on campus. Strict, sharp, and notoriously unwilling to bend rules, she was the last person Paul wanted to argue with. But if Stella was already under her wing, then Kim was the gatekeeper.

And Paul Whitaker never backed down from a challenge.

*

That afternoon, after hockey practice, Paul made his way to the faculty offices. He swapped his jersey for a clean shirt and did his best to look serious, hoping it would make a difference. When he reached Professor Kim’s door, he paused, took a deep breath, and knocked.

“Enter,” came the clipped voice from inside.

Paul pushed the door open. Professor Kim sat behind her desk, a neat stack of papers in front of her. She didn’t even look up as he stepped inside.

“Yes?” she asked, her pen moving swiftly across the page.

“Professor Kim,” Paul began, flashing what he hoped was a respectful smile, “I wanted to talk to you about the tutoring program.”

That made her pause. Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his. “The tutoring program? I assume you’re not here to complain about it, like some of your teammates.”

Paul chuckled awkwardly. “No, not at all. Actually… I was hoping to sign up.”

One eyebrow arched. “Sign up? Your grades don’t qualify you for mandatory tutoring, Mr. Landon. Last I checked, you’re holding steady at a good average.”

“Yes, ma’am. But I want to improve. Push for an A, you know? And I heard Stella Graham is one of the best tutors you’ve got. I’d like to be assigned to her.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then Professor Kim leaned back in her chair, folding her hands. “Mr. Landon, tutoring is not a social club. It is a serious academic responsibility. Miss Graham is already occupied with Mr. Whitaker, and I don’t think she needs additional distractions.”

Paul bit his tongue, resisting the urge to smirk at the word “distractions.” He leaned forward slightly, softening his tone. “I promise I wouldn’t distract her. I just… I really admire the way she handles things. Everyone says she’s strict, efficient, and doesn’t waste time. That’s exactly the kind of help I need.”

Professor Kim narrowed her eyes. “You expect me to believe that you, a hockey player with no record of academic trouble, suddenly want tutoring out of admiration?”

Paul held her gaze, choosing his next words carefully. “Yes, ma’am. Because I know Stella won’t go easy on me. And honestly… maybe I need that. I’ve been coasting for a while. I want to do better. For myself. For the team. Even for you.”

The professor’s lips twitched as though she wanted to smile but refused. She tapped her pen against the desk. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”

“Persistence wins hockey games,” Paul said lightly.

“Persistence doesn’t win me over,” Kim replied sharply.

For the next ten minutes, they went back and forth. Professor Kim questioned his motives, warned him that Stella wasn’t to be trifled with, and even suggested other tutors. Paul, however, refused to budge. He insisted Stella was the one he needed, praising her reputation and stressing his willingness to work hard.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Professor Kim sighed and set down her pen.

“Fine,” she said at last. “If you’re determined to do this, I’ll allow it. But understand this, Mr. Landon—your sessions will not interfere with Mr. Whitaker’s. I’ll arrange a separate schedule for you, perhaps in the late afternoons. And if you so much as waste Miss Graham’s time, I’ll pull you out myself.”

Relief washed over Paul, though he kept his expression respectful. “Thank you, Professor Kim. You won’t regret it.”

“I already do,” she muttered, returning to her papers. “Now go before I change my mind.”

Paul grinned, backing out of the office with a polite nod.

As soon as the door shut behind him, his grin widened into a full smile. Against all odds, he’d done it. He was officially on Stella Graham’s tutoring list.

And now, he thought with a spark of curiosity, he’d finally get the chance to understand the girl who had Jacob Whitaker second-guessing himself.