“You really need a new hobby, J.” Verina yawns, placing her hands all around her hair in front of my mirror. I turn around my eyes landing on Juliette who looks up from her book.
“Let her be, Verina.” I roll my eyes.
Verina grins back at Juliette, “You ever thought about getting a boyfriend?”
“Not interested V.” Juliette mustered, “Besides, unlike Adrianna, I actually get laid.” Juliette shoots out as I flip her off,
“Fine! I’ll get off your back.” Verina smiles again, knowing far and well this conversation wasn’t over.
“I’m here!” Margo saunters into my room, her hand full of shopping bags.
“Late as always.” Juliette grins, closing her book and standing up from my bed.
She walks over to Margo who was placing the bags on the floor, with curious eyes she hands a bag to Juliette.
“What’s this?” Juliette laughs as she takes the bag opening it.
Margo lets a smirk journey to her face, “I think you would look marvelous in that.”
Juliette laughs, pulling out pink lingerie, her eyes shutting slightly at the fabric. “Yeah, that is not happening.” She throws the fabric on the bed before folding her arms together.
I laugh, “Margo, did you really think that Juliette would wear that?” Juliette looks at my face telling me that she agreed.
“It’s not like I’m asking her to strip with it!” Margo picks up the other lingerie.
“Here.” She throws the other lingerie at each of us. “We can wear them tonight, under the jerseys.” She winks.
“What jerseys?” I questioned, my eyes catching the said jerseys.
I hold the lingerie out, in front of me. “White?” I smiled at her; her eyes held a twinkle.
“For our Virgin queen.” She smiles as I throw a pillow at her.
Verina laughs while looking at me, “You can wear it for Brooks.”
“Brooks and I won’t be doing any of that.” I stuck out my tongue at my best friends.
They all pause, “Trouble in paradise?” They asked as I shook my head. I was nevertheless completely embarrassed at what went down at New
Crest, and not really sure if I wanted to revisit anything.
I was more prone to leave things in the past and just ignore them.
“I don’t know, I just don’t see him that way anymore.” I sounded defensive, they certainly saw the signals of me not wanting to speak much of Brooks.
So, they quickly change the subject.
“I never got to ask you about the tension I sensed between you and Prince.” Verina smacked her lips together.
I sat up, ignoring their lingering gazes, “What tension?” turned to look in the mirror.
“Oh, you know… how he got irritated when Brooks approached you.” Margo let herself fall on the bed next to Juliette.
I definitely didn’t sense anything the way they apparently did, but of course, maybe they were overreacting like usual.
“So, what, you act like he’s the first guy to ever be mad that he can’t have me.” I looked back at them with a smile.
Verina walked behind me, placing her chin on my shoulder, “You act like you’re the first girl to try and resist him.”
“Try?” I smile, “Just being near him makes me revolt.”
She turns me around, “You don’t have to lie to us, Adrianna.” She holds up the white lingerie. “You should wear this little number under the jersey tonight and see where it goes.” She smirks, “Unless… you’re telling me that you are into the enemy.”
“That’s funny. I’m not going to that game.”
I let my lips curve, “He’s vile.” I let out. And I was serious, the mere idea of Grayson and I being something more than what we have been to each other our whole life was not possible.
“He’s also fucking hot.” Verina smiles, throwing me a wink. I let my gaze fall to the floor, and my hand stiffened.
“And just because you hate him doesn’t mean you can disagree.”
The tone of Verina’s voice made my skin crawl. I know, of course, she would never go for him. He wouldn’t like her. Yes, of course, she was gorgeous. But he wouldn’t actually think about going for her, would he?
“Yes, I can. And I will.”
From all the years I have known him, Grayson never liked light brown- haired girls… he liked hair that was so dark you could mirror it to the night sky. I knew he liked plumped lips, just like how he would stare at mine. And as for eyes, he loved dark brown eyes, they would always capture his dark ocean-blue ones.
But how would I even know anything about what he wanted when I was everything he loathed?
He hated me, he hated my family.
“Why do we have to go to this game again?” I look to Margo who frowns.
“I just want to show Liam what he’s missing.” I rolled my eyes; Liam didn’t deserve someone like Margo. She was far better than whatever he stuck his dick in.
“It was one hook-up, Margo. You usually would be over this by now.” Juliette rested her elbows to lift her head towards us.
“This is different. He humiliated me, I was a fool for thinking that it would go further. I just want to see the look on Liam’s face when he sees me on the hockey boards, cheering for the other team.”
“If he cares.” Verina laughs as Margo flips her off.
“That would be a great plan… if the hockey team shows interest.” Juliette tilts her head at Margo who looked point-blank confused.
“They always do.”
“The boys have a game tonight… against Maxwell University.” Juliette rolls over so she faces the ceiling.
“Just thought you would love to know before… you experiment with that glorious plan of yours.”
Meaning that they would take this game seriously. The players would stop at nothing to get the win over the university’s top rival.
I looked up at Margo, who sent a knowing look, “Oh hell no, Margo.” I walked away as she pulled me back into an embrace.
“Come on Anna!” She pleaded as I sighed with frustration. She walks in front of me, placing her hands on my shoulders making sure my attention is all hers, “You would do it if you loved me.”
I roll my eyes at her silly request, her eyes still not leaving mine, her eyes piercing into my soul, I flinch away.
“No, Margo I will not.”
She shakes my entire body, “Adrianna. Please.” It was a full plea. “Come on Anna, you won’t even need to talk to Grayson.”
That was a complete lie, and I could feel it. I can already hear the throwing insults back and forth. It was a terrible idea.
I sigh, looking into her bright, blue eyes.
I look at Verina and Juliette who had smirks plastered on their faces.
“You’re lucky I like you.” I relented, snatching the lingerie from the bed, and walking into the bathroom.
All their faces lit up with happiness. We would do anything for each other, we all knew that.
Juliette stifles a groan as Margo practically rips her away from the bed and stuffs the lingerie into her hands to get changed.
“Wait.” I peek out of the door, and they all pause to look at me.
“What jersey am I supposed to wear?” I tilted my head at Margo who had a wide grin, reached into her other shopping bag, and pulled out four different hockey jerseys.
She really thought this through, didn’t she?
She throws me a jersey before winking, I pull the jersey up to give it a glance noticing the name Sawyer I lift my eyes to Margo’s who held a knowing grin.
“Why am I wearing Darius’s jersey?”
Margo props her hand on her hips with a smile, “Because we both know you want to get on Grayson’s nerves, and wearing his rival’s jersey seems so enticing, doesn’t it?”
She then folds her arms together as I walk out of the bathroom, the pure white lingerie hugging my curves and my waist.
Verina’s eyes lingered on the swell of my breasts.
“Jesus.” Juliette’s mouth drops as I laugh, slipping the jersey on my body with a tennis skirt.
This must be what fish feel like when everyone watches them in the aquarium.
“Get over it and go change you idiots.” I smile walking in front of my vanity to retouch my make-up, my hands shaking as I hold my mascara wand up near my eye.
Margo came up from behind me placing her hand on my shoulder, she was wearing Colton’s jersey also from the opposing team.
I let my eyes look at her which reflected in the mirror, placing my hand on top of hers, “Hey, Liam’s a dick for not wanting you.”
She let out a shaky breath, “What makes you think that it means that much to me?” gun hot Her eyes avoided mine.
I smile, “Because you have never made this much of an effort because of a guy that you only slept with once.”
She laughs, “I don’t know… I just thought he was—”
I let my eyes narrow to hers, “—Different?” I finished her sentence as I turned around to face her, “Liam learns from Prince. They all do. You shouldn’t trust them. They handle their lives like they were raised to, which is being fucking filthy.”
I raised my eyebrows, “You want him to fawn over you and that’s what you’re doing… but what happens if he does?” I ask.
My eyes probing to hers held an uncertain look.
“When he falls for me… I’ll walk away as he did to me.” She smiles.
I cup her cheeks, “You know your father would not allow you to date him. None of our parents would want us to date Grayson, Chris, Neil, or Liam.”
She pulls away, “I know.” She sighs, “This is purely just because I want revenge, Anna.”
I smile at her, “Okay.”
GRAYSON
As I walk into the hockey locker room, my adrenaline pumps heavier,
spotting Chris there. He was always early with a book in his hand. He usually comes and gets here first so he has time to study. His eyes shut closed as he leaned against the wall, his small snores were
audible.
I drop my bags beside him, jolting him awake from his nap. I smile, “You still with us, Florence?” I shake him gently as he glares at me.
“Giving your team captain the death stare now?” I sit down next to him. “First, you’re napping on the job, and now you’re throwing attitude. I just don’t know what to do with you anymore, man.” I laugh, giving him a pat on the back as he closes his book.
“You’re such an ass,” he mutters, and I chuckle.
“You’ve got a real way with words, Chris, seriously.” I place a hand over my heart. “I’m touched.”
I pick up his geometry book. I haven’t touched geometry since eighth grade. He glances over at me, “Is this your homework?”
I turn to him as he yawns. “No, it’s Finn’s… he’s struggling with math, so I’ve been brushing up to help him out. You know how it is with my mom; she’s hardly ever around.” He forces a smile, and I frown.
“Hey, if you ever need a break—”
Before I can finish, he cuts me off. “The team needs me, Gray. You know it, and I know it. I can handle it. I can play, and I can still take care of myself and Finn.” I let my frown fade.
I always knew that the founding families of Hawthorne were wealthy, and most of their kids were set to inherit their family legacies or businesses. Your future is pretty much decided the moment you’re born. But Chris didn’t have that kind of upbringing.
His mom was always in and out. She wasn’t wealthy, and she didn’t cover the bills or the house. Chris had to grow up faster than the rest of us. He had to take care of his brother Finn and pay for their food and essentials.
He bought what he needed for school and made sure Finn had everything a kid would want. He was struggling but never once did he ask for help because of his pride.
I’ve always seen him as a brother, and as a brother, I could tell he was getting burned out.
He worked as a waiter at a low-key bar that Liam, Neil, and I would visit just to see him. He’d let Finn stay at Liam’s place sometimes when we had a game or when he was swamped with work.
But the best way he made money was through the underground fights we’d have. Yeah, it was illegal and dangerous, but it paid well, and Chris needed the cash.
We all fought, but for Neil, Liam, and me, it was just a way to blow off steam. We were good at it.
But Chris took it seriously. It was his way of life. He loved his brother more than anything. He’s got a good heart and would do anything for Finn.
“If you ever need help teaching your brother, I’m here. I could even hire a tutor—”
He laughed as he put on his uniform, and I slipped out of my shirt to change into mine. “I don’t want your money, Grayson.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure, you don’t want it.” I pull out some cash from my bag. “But you need it more than I do right now.”
I press the cash against his chest, and he looks down with a frown. As much as he wants to refuse, I’m not giving him a choice. He pushes my hand back. “You know I won’t take it; I’m making money.”
I meet his gaze. “Not enough.”
He exhales with a sigh. “Come on, Chris. Finn’s birthday is coming up. I know the kid wants a party, maybe a new toy?”
He turns away, avoiding my eyes.
“I love Finn like a brother. We all do. We’ve practically raised him.” I say, “I want him to have a great ninth birthday.” I wink as Chris runs his fingers through his hair.
“He’s already going through a tough time with chemo.”
We both frown, Chris shakes his head, knowing he has to accept the money.
“Fine, I’ll take it.” He takes the cash from my hands as he frowns again. “But that’s all I’m accepting, Gray.”
I wink again, “He’s a good kid.” I patted his back, “All the boys would love to help you guys if you gave us the chance.”
He glares at me, “You know that, and I love you guys but I just… I want Finn to know that I’m trying on my own. Our mother is barely in our lives. We’re comfortable, and he doesn’t need the brand-new video games.”
I stalk away to put on my skates, “Maybe. But he needs new clothes, I know that he’s growing up and you can’t just give him yours.”
His face held trouble. I knew that he would never ask for help, but I also knew he needed it without saying anything.
He looks up.
“Can I borrow your rink throughout the week?” He muttered as I paused to look at him.
“Finn wants to join the hockey team and I don’t really have the cash right now to buy something new, I have groceries to pay for…”
I held my gaze, “Nonsense you’re staying at my house, I’ll have Linda cook for us and Finn can pick from the many hockey sticks I have. He can practice in the indoor or outdoor rink, and he can bring his friends.”
He groans.
“I’m not taking no for an answer, Chris.” I assert. He frowns, “I know.”
“But I can’t make it to dinner, I have a shift after the game, and I promised my boss I wouldn’t take off again.” He opens up his bag to the fighting clothes, “And I also have a fight.”
I nodded hoping he would take off to spend time with us, but I knew he wouldn’t.
“Fine, just tell me what time I could pick up Finn from school, I know you are working after practices.”
He hesitantly says, “He gets off at three.” I smile, “Perfect.”
“We’ll be at the fight.”
He smiles, “Thanks, man.”
I throw a puck, and he dodges it, “No problem, just give me your best out there on the ice tonight.”
“Don’t I always?” He winks.
He always did. So did everyone on the team, I was confident that they would work hard.
“You do. But I’m not planning on losing against Maxwell University just because someone slacks off.” I narrowed my eyes, “As your captain, I intend to keep the undefeated streak going.”
He nods, throwing the puck back at me, I catch it instead of dodging it. “Got it, captain.”
I smile to myself as Chris gives me a weird look, “What?” He asks as I laugh to myself.
“Finn can pick any sport and he picks hockey?” I shake my head, “Was he not the one making fun of us for being burnt out in high school?”
Chris chuckles, “He said that he wants to be just like his role models, it’s all he’s ever seen us do. He watches Liam skate like a damn princes, he sees Neil ram someone in the boards, he sees me with my nasty cellys, and of course he sees you and your killer slap shots… which kid wouldn’t want to be like us?” He shrugs as I take a moment to think.
“You know… he already does curse like a hockey player.” I acknowledge as he points at me, “He got that shit from you.”
The doors burst open, and more of our teammates flooded the room, rummaging through their bags as well as lockers.
The coach walks into the room, all eyes on him as I smile walking up in front of him on behalf of the team. “Want a clean game coach?” I form a smirk as he laughs.
“Against Maxwell?” Coach Livingston looks around, “In your dreams.”
 |
The game was heated, ironic, for it being on the ice. But Darius Sawyer hasn’t let me off the hook since last year’s season when I broke his arm. He’s been giving me trouble, don’t get me wrong. But
he also doesn’t know that I love trouble more than anything.
“You miss me?” He skated towards me before the game was almost finished. He didn’t approach me with words, only with aggressiveness that shocked me.
“Oh yeah, I did always miss the bickering we had,” I smirk as his eyes flared with red.
He looked furious. I wouldn’t let it bother me. Not when I know that if I lose my temper, which wasn’t hard for me to do, I will injure him again and I don’t intend to lose my spot on the team.
His eyes lingered over to the stands, and mine followed.
And there she sat.
Adrianna looked so ardently beautiful since the last time I saw her. She sat with her normal group of friends, her eyes on mine, God, I practically owned her.
Except.
“I didn’t know your girls were such big fans of me.” My eyes crowded over to Adrianna’s once more.
Her body looked tense.
Why the fuck was she even here?
Why the fuck was she wearing Sawyer’s jersey?
My hand gripped hard on my hockey stick, maneuvering so I could land a good slap shot.
I was the fastest on the team, I had the best stats, and I was the most committed. All the boys in my family have always played hockey. They were always good.
Father always warned us never to fail the team. I would never fail in front of my team. No matter what.
Sawyer was on my fucking tail, never leaving me alone, of course, I knew how to avoid him, but he rammed into me, smacking me against the boards.
I looked in front of me and it was Adrianna who handed me a concerned look. I turned back around to Darius. His known smile flashed red lights in my fucking view.
“I saw her walk around your campus last time we were here. Her and her cute little ass, I thought she was yours. But hey, she’s wearing my jersey, landing her a spot to sit on my mouth.” He licked his lips.
“Don’t fucking talk about her.”
“Why? She probably gives the best head, does she?” He laughs, “To have the Grayson Prince defend her?”
“Is she really that good in bed? If so…, why don’t I have a try?” My eyes saw bloodshed as he talked about her.
My body jerks, ramming him as hard as I can against the boards, the glass shatters from above us, shards fall to the ice and the crowd, without even a second thought, taking the puck from his possession, skating as fast as I can across, and passing the puck to Liam, he passes back to me successfully while Neil and Chris defend and make sure the other guys are guarded.
Before the referee comprehends what has happened, I was face to face with their goalie, I gave it my all, slapping the puck and hitting the back of net.
I turn around, Sawyer gets up, and he takes off his helmet, his face looking utterly defeated. The shattered glass surrounding his body, with all its failure. He just ended their season, because before his eyes met mine.
The buzzer went off.
Hawthorne 3. Maxwell 2. Our team won.
|
I skate off the rink, my eyes red with fury. If I even saw a glimpse of Adrianna walking up to Sawyer, I would pound my fucking fist in his face.
Making sure he lost all of his teeth before I stopped.
The whole team was screaming with joy, they ran into the locker room
to take showers and get dressed as I stayed out a little longer.
Of course, was happy with the win, but not when Anna was fucking cheering for the opposing team. Let alone fucking Darius Sawyer.
Minutes later Sawyer approached Adrianna.
Liam and Neil came from behind me patting my back, “Holy shit, you just broke the damn glass.” They looked excited as I shook my head, I probably had to pay for the damages, hoping that no one got hurt in the audience.
“Told you we got that win, Gray.” Chris comes later. I smiled, “I never doubted us.”
My eyes wandered over to the girls, they were standing in front of the entrance, Margo was standing near Colton while Adrianna was still in a conversation with Sawyer.
Juliette spoke to Xander while Verina talked to a group of the other hockey players.
Without even thinking about it, Liam saunters over to the girls, I couldn’t react in time to even fucking stop him.
He squares up to Colton who Liam managed to pick about eight fights last season. Chris and Neil ran over him before he thought about throwing the first punch.
I walk over quickly, my eyes alarming Anna as she stiffens.
“Any chance why you aren’t on your side of the arena, Colton?” Liam seethed as Margo took a step back.
“Yeah, I came because Margo called me over, she and I have some unfinished business.” He sauntered over to Margo who held a disgusted gaze.
But, of course, Liam didn’t see.
I knew for a fact that Margo did this to get a rise out of Liam, it was working.
I walk in between them, “That’s enough.” I yell as they both separate.
I look over to Anna. Her gaze locked on Sawyer’s I could practically feel my fucking fists forming.
What does she see in that fucking idiot? Did she really come to see him play?
Fuck. Why did I care?
Just like a regular fucking puck bunny she would go for him. Of course. “Liam, why do you care?” Colton laughs. Liam’s eyes are molten to
Margo’s.
She looked at him so willingly, she was hoping for the answer that any fucking girl Liam had sex with, it wasn’t going to happen.
“I don’t.” He turned away, not able to catch Margo’s hurt expression. “Great, I can take her out.” Colton winks at Margo.
“We are having a party tonight at a bar. You guys can come.” Colton’s smile widened as I winced.
He looks at me and the guys, “Your hockey team can come too, I would love to end this feud.”
“Fuck you.” Liam lets out.
Colton smiles, “Unless you guys are too whipped by your captain that he won’t let you party.”
The team looks at me, my eyes fucking feral.
No way in hell are they going to that party. We have practice tomorrow.
I look back at Anna and fucktard, Darius Sawyer, he looked stupid, not a damn shard of glass had sliced through his skin.
He leans down to her ear whispering something that caused her to fucking laugh.
Laugh?
I kept my eyes on them as he pulled away, she let his lips land a kiss on her cheek.
I start to walk toward them, I felt a strong grip on my arm, making me stop, and I look to my side, “Don’t be fucking stupid, Gray. Especially not because of Cassian.” Neil grits out.
I pull away, calming myself, as Sawyer makes his way back to his team’s side of the arena. My eyes held on to Adrianna’s.
Why did she look so fucking happy?
“So, Prince, you going to let the team go to the party?” Margo asks mischievously.
I let my eyes worm their way to Colton’s.
“No way in hell you guys are partying tonight.” I point at each and every one of my team members.
I turn back to Adrianna and Sawyer, only to be fucking annoyed with what I see.
I suddenly felt pain rush to my head, I placed my hand on the spot next to my temple and pulled my hand away, I saw red.
I had been bleeding and I hadn’t known. It wasn’t severe of course but it was there.
“I’m heading home, I need to take care of this.” I looked at my friends as they narrowed their eyes.
“What?”
Chris stops to look at me with an idiotic look on his face, “You aren’t fucking driving home.”
“Why the fuck not.” I snapped as he rolled his eyes, “You got fucking body-slammed to the boards, hard enough that you’re bleeding, and I know you have bruises you might even have a concussion.”
I laugh.
“Fucking forget it. I’m going home.” I walked towards the locker room and starting to take off my helmet I felt dizzy.
I was sure it was just a fucking mild concussion.
I turn back around looking at the clock, “Practice tomorrow from 5 to 6 A.M.”
“Grayson come on, let us have a day off.” A teammate of mine, Jacob whined as I narrowed my gaze.
“Double session, 6 to 7 P.M.” I pierced my gaze into their eyes, “Jacob just earned you a double session, Coach will be there.”
“Fucking complain again.” I turned, and Adrianna’s golden-brown eyes softened when they met mine.
“Let them have a break.” She smirked as I clenched my jaw. “Why should I listen to you?” I challenge her.
She straightens her body. “Well, if you really believe that you guys are the best and can beat anyone… you wouldn’t mind a day off.” She winks.
I turned to look at all the boys, their pleading baby eyes. I look back at Adrianna, her smile wicked and her eyes challenged.
“Fine.” I say blankly, “You guys can go. But we still have practice tomorrow.” I looked back at Adrianna’s honey-brown eyes.
Those same eyes that I hated. Yet made me fucking feral.
Those same fucking eyes were on Darius Sawyer the whole game.
I always thought she was fucking dense and naive but now knowing that she was giving him the time of day.
She confirmed my thoughts.
