“That was good practice boys.” I yell as everyone exits out of the locker rooms.
“You good?” Chris comes up to me.
“Yeah?” I smiled at him, packing all my belongings into my bag.
“Why? Did I do bad today?” I question as Neil comes into the conversation.
“Quite the contrary actually, you multiplied your speed on the ice today even more than your records.”
I hadn’t noticed. I felt great today, very energized and I wasn’t really sure what the cause was. An adrenaline rush, I guess. Liam walked over laying on the couch, “Or it may have to do something with a certain leggy dark-haired vixen that you’re supposedly dating.”
I laughed. Adrianna was a temptation of course, but I never lost track of my goal, and she was just collateral damage.
“No, Adrianna was not the reason. I’m captain this year. I want to make sure that I am on my A-game and a girl does not change that.”
Liam smiles, “I don’t know about that…” He looks over at the stats board, “The last time you were on your ‘A-game,’ he says while making quotation marks with both of his hands, “was when you were with August.” He says matter of factly.
“Do you still really want her?” Neil closes his locker door. “Yes.”
I was sure that I only wanted August ever since she broke up with me, I’ve wanted nothing more than to get her back.
She’s all I’ve ever wanted.
“Adrianna has made it clear that what we are portraying is fake and that’s what it is.”
Chris yawns, “Where are you going then?”
I smile, “Back home with Adrianna, my family wants to have dinner.” “I can’t believe you lied to your family.” Liam points out.
Neither can I.
“This is just a white lie.” I looked over at the clock, concerned that Adrianna had bolted out of here already.
“Yes, of course, you faking a relationship to earn your father’s trust is a white lie.”
His voice was sarcastic and yet I had nothing really to say to him.
“Three months is my fucking limit of spending time with a Cassian.” I huff out, I can’t stand her.
“Our bad.” Chris pulled up his hockey stick, “We thought you might have changed your opinion, she’s not bad looking you know.”
I have thought about it and found myself thinking about her in ways I shouldn’t or ways I wouldn’t fucking think about before I let myself convulse in her plump lips.
She’s every man’s wet dream.
Maybe if I let myself, even mine.
Two guys from my team come back into the locker room, “Captain.” They addressed me.
I swiftly turned towards them with my bag, “Yes.”
“Your girlfriend is getting hit on by the other team that practices on the ice in the late evening.”
Something in me boiled.
I ran out of the room, my bag on my shoulder, quickly slammed the door shut behind me, my eyes zoning into a tall red headed guy speaking to Adrianna with full intent of probably getting into her pants.
I stomp over quickly pulling his collar and slamming him on to the rink’s dash boards.
“Prince!” I heard Adrianna’s yell as I ignored her, and the guy began to struggle.
“You don’t fucking talk to her.” I instruct as he nods. I took a moment to look at his bag that he was carrying, seeing a full hockey gear.
“If I ever see you fucking talking to her or I hear from someone you even took a step close to her,” I pull him up even more so his attention
wouldn’t wave anywhere else. “So, help me God, I guarantee you will never be able to walk into any fucking ice rink in America.”
The guy pushed me off, but I didn’t budge, he was a lot smaller than I was.
But I wasn’t blind to the fact I knew that he gets girls.
I let the guy go, he took a look at Adrianna whose face was red from anger and picked up his belongings and fled the scene.
“What the fuck is wrong with you!” She screams at me.
I looked around to Liam, Margo, Neil, and Chris watching but looking like they were not interested in the screaming match that Adrianna and I were about to have.
“He was fucking flirting with you.” I said with ease as she gave an unbelievable face.
“Many guys flirt with me.” She counters back.
My fists clenched, “Then many more guys will either get a broken nose or a busted lip. And since I’m so nice I’ll let them pick which one they prefer.”
“He was just asking me what I was doing tonight.” She defended him like he didn’t have bad intentions.
Which was a possibility yes, but I like the thought of me always being right better.
“He wanted to take you home and fuck you, Dove.” She looked at me with wide eyes.
Her cheeks reddened as I licked my lips staring at hers. “He wouldn’t have slept with me.”
“You’re too naive.” I laugh, “You sit there all innocent, really thinking that guys that approach you don’t want one thing,” Her face gloomed blue, “You’re smart. How about you think about the odds of you and a guy having a happily ever after in this fucked up power hungry town?”
Adrianna didn’t say a word to me, she just stared, and I shut my mouth.
I didn’t feel bad. I wasn’t a good guy, and I knew that, she knew it too so if she thought that even when we were “dating” that I would change myself she was sadly mistaken.
I wouldn’t change for anyone. I wasn’t planning on it.
“Take me home.” She said sternly as I grabbed my bag, fetching my keys from the front pocket, “Margo can go home with Liam.”
Adrianna turns back without another word she walks off outside to my car, she sits in the passenger side.
The silent treatment. How mature.
“How is it you can get mad about Daisy, but I can’t ram my fist into that guy’s mouth?” I asked as she looked at me with her judgmental expression.
“I wasn’t mad about Daisy.” She defends me as I roll my eyes.
“Don’t make her comment about you being a slut and a liar true.” I let out as she shifted in her seat.
“I’m not a slut.” She lets out.
“You don’t need to prove that to me. You can sleep with whoever you want.” I raised my voice as she looked tiny.
Kind of embarrassed and I can’t really understand why I let that slip. She turned around to face the window as I turned on the ignition.
Moments of silence made me cringe; she sat still but I felt the fury of her anger reign upon the whole car.
You’ll get bored after you get a taste of virgin pussy.
Daisy was delusional if she ever called Adrianna a slut.
I knew that Adrianna was as pure as can be in Hawthorne. She has always been an eye catcher.
Boys stare at her like she’s some type of prize to be won, and she’s used to it.
I’ve always made sure to look at her and not bat an eye.
I tried my hardest to never listen to the rumors in Hawthorne but sometimes you can’t help but hear it from gossiping peers. Everyone knew she was untouched, the forbidden diamond.
Every guy had it out for her, all on a mission.
I’ve never really understood why she was praised, but then again, I don’t even understand how I am praised.
In a world full of wealth and status, you’re lucky if your parents haven’t married you off yet.
But as I look at her now, her legs crossed together, her lips pouting, and her eyes narrowed. She was a vision that not many men should be able to touch let alone fucking look at.
I sighed, “I’m sorry.”
I looked over at her as she turned her head to look at me, “Did you just apologize to me?”
“It won’t be often. I know I acted like a fucking dick.” Adrianna smiled at my words.
She did it a lot, it would light up a room. I always hated it when I saw her pearly whites but now… it seems that I am a sucker for her smile.
Adrianna started shivering in the corner of my eye, she was way too stubborn to say anything of course.
“Cold?” I asked with a sly smile.
“No.” She pulls the sleeves down from my jacket with was obviously oversized on her, to cover her arms.
I take her hand and place it on top of the gear shift, my hand on top of hers.
Her eyes found mine, “You don’t have to do that, no one’s here.” She was right for once.
“Just some practice before we get to my parents.” I say quickly as her smile falls into a frown.
“Oh.”
She pulled her hand away; she didn’t look at me for the rest of the ride to my house.
 |
I park into my driveway as she shuffles to get her bag that she kept pretty close to her at all times.
I was not at liberty to ask about it. She was so nervous about losing
it, and I simply shouldn’t care.
The things that Adrianna Cassian does are things that I should not care about.
I got out of the car, opening her door as she stepped out, she looked shaken.
I pulled back to grab my hockey bag, walking to the front of the door, I inserted my key unlocking, and walked into my humble household.
Adrianna had been here already, and it was only because of how drunk and wasted she was.
She’s never been here sober, and her face was something that I should’ve taken a picture of.
She scanned the walls of every generation of the Prince family.
My stepmother walks in with a huge smile, “Grayson, my love! Great, you’re here, your siblings and father are in the living room.” She makes note of our arrival as Adrianna smiles.
I walked into the colorful living room, my sister was on the floor, flipping through magazines, makeup was scattered on the floor, looking up at me when her smile flourished at the sight of the both of us.
She runs up to be jumping so I can hug her tightly, “Took you so long to get here!” She laughed.
“Amelia Rhylee Prince.” My father voiced as I let her down.
“Don’t jump on your brother’s bones when we have guests.” He looks over at Adrianna whose face turned pale.
Amelia runs over to my father, laughing, “You need to take a chill pill, dad.”
Adrianna smiles warmly, “I don’t mind. This isn’t my home. You can do whatever you please.” Her voice shook.
“Where are the others?” I asked my father.
He turned back, gesturing over to the basement, “Your brothers are having a lovely game of hockey downstairs.”
I look over at my stepmother, “You can go down too, but don’t have too much fun. Dinner will be done in about an hour, tell them to keep it quiet and safe please.”
I nodded, holding out my hand to Adrianna who wasn’t sure if she should take it.
She did.
I led her downstairs, “Loosen up a bit. You aren’t dying, Dove.” She scoffs, “It certainly feels like it.”
I stop, “My family isn’t what you think they are.”
Adrianna licked her lips, her glossy eyes looking up at me, there was nothing more I wanted to do than sink my tongue inside her mouth.
I swallow as she turns back, I catch a whiff of her perfume, “Your father seems fun.” She mocks.
I roll my eyes, “He’s different.”
Adrianna stops, and looks into my eyes, she’s never been scared to tell me about her real feelings. “You and your dad don’t have a good relationship.”
She said it so nonchalantly, like it was out in the open, I never really heard those words out loud before and yet she was here telling me what I already knew.
“It’s complicated.” Adrianna nods her head, we enter the basement, cold air slapping both of our faces.
Her eyes widened, “You have rink down here?”
“Being in a family of hockey superstars, we have to have a rink down here, Dove.” I wink before walking over to my brothers skating and having fun.
Adrianna looks over to the seats, a pair of skates sat as she looks back up at me.
“Go on, I want to see your supposed skills.” I turn over to my brothers as they all look at me.
“How was practice, Captain?” Bentley smiles, out of breath as Elliot and Easton skate behind him.
“Tiring.” I mutter as they look over at Adrianna.
“How’s the enemy?” Elliot rolls his tongue, his eyes stare over mine.
The worst.
I haven’t gone a single day without a damn argument.
“The best,” I smile. “Do you guys mind if she joins us?”
“Nah, I always got a kick out of watching her kick your ass at everything,” Bentley smirks. I flip him off, but Adrianna’s smile stays in my mind as she stands up and steps onto the ice.
She twirls effortlessly, tilting her head at me like she’s saying…
Try me.
I laugh, slipping on my skates and gliding towards her as she skates away.
I’ve got to hand it to her, she’s fast.
But I’m faster.
“Where did you learn to skate?” I ask, following her at a steady pace.
“I took lessons over Christmas,” she says, stopping at the ledge.
“You know how to play hockey?” I nod towards my three brothers. Adrianna glances at the puck. “How hard could it be?”
“Are you flirting or trying to challenge me?” I wink. She smirks, “Maybe both.”
I give her a curious look as she stares back at me intensely. “What?” I skate closer, “You seem nicer.”
She laughs and then shoves me to the ground. “I can punch you in the face if you’d prefer that.”
She skates off while I lay on the ice, my brothers laughing at me. I contemplate just staying down.
But when I get up, we spend the next forty-five minutes playing hockey and skating around. I’ve got to admit, she’s good.
For someone who’s never played before, she’s really good. I mean, I wasn’t even trying. Okay, she scored two goals on me, but I blame Elliot for being a lousy goalie.
Adrianna skates over, her face glowing with happiness. I’m glad to see it, especially since I’m the reason behind it.
I’d like to see that more often.
“I was awesome. You don’t even have to say anything, babe,” she says, pulling my hockey stick.
I let go. “You were okay,” I smirk, releasing the hockey stick and watching as she tumbles to the ice.
I laugh as my brothers look on, grinning.
“Ouch!” she shouts, “Grayson, you jerk, I was trying not to fall this whole time!”
I laugh harder as her face turns red, steam practically coming out of her ears. “I’m sorry.” I offer my hands as a truce.
She takes them, her expression shifting from annoyed to satisfied, a smile spreading across her face.
Oh hell.
She pulls me down, and I land on top of her. We both burst out laughing.
Her laugh is like music, and it’s quickly becoming my favorite sound.
“That was hot.” She brushes my blonde hair out of my eyes so I can get a better look at her.
“What was hot?” I ask.
“The way you fell on your ass.”
She glances down at us on the ice. I roll my eyes. “You know you fell first, right?” I chuckle.
Adrianna gently shoves me. “Screw you.” I look into her sparkling eyes.
“You called me babe,” I tease, winking as she settles, her face close to mine.
“What would you rather I call you?” she asks, leaning in closer.
Mine.
Elliot coughs, pulling both of our attention his way. He’s grinning, clearly enjoying his moment of interruption.
“Dinner’s ready.” He winks at me as I groan.
I wanted to kiss Adrianna.
And this time I don’t think it would’ve been because I had to. But because I desired to.
ADRIANNA
W
business.
e all sat at a designated place at the table. Grayson and I sat at the nearest head of the table. I couldn’t help but zone out, as they talked about the boys’ lives as they were planning to take over the
I felt Grayson’s body tense as they talked about it more.
He kept sneaking me looks, I wanted to return it, but I knew I shouldn’t.
Who knew I would’ve enjoyed playing hockey but not really, I enjoyed the part where Grayson looked like he was fed up with being beat.
Even when I knew he wasn’t trying hard for my sake.
I even wanted to kiss him. Worst of all, I wanted him closer than ever. “Adrianna?” My attention snapped back to place.
“Yes?” I smile awkwardly.
“Your father couldn’t make it?” I frown.
I know, I’m disappointed too.
“He’s working really hard nowadays.” I make excuses for him, even when he doesn’t deserve it.
Grayson’s father nods, while fixing his tie. “I’m busy too, but I always come when my children need me.”
He looks at me, “I always make time for them.” I smile thickly, “You’re a good man.”
Grayson’s mother looked upset, “Where do you eat dinner?”
I cough, I certainly didn’t feel like unleashing my eating disorder on everyone tonight, “My maids usually cook.” She deepens her frown.
“Your mother doesn’t cook?” She lets her eyebrows furrow as I shuffle in my seat.
I swallow, “My mother is not present.” I let out, taking a first bite of my steak.
Everyone went silent, until Grayson looked at me, his stone cold eyes never changing.
“Will you be here every day?” Amelia smiled ear to ear as she looked over at me.
I smile back, “Only if Grayson will let me.”
“Nonsense!” His mother praised, “You come here whenever you need to, I insist.”
I looked at Mr. Prince who looked exactly like Grayson. Their eyes were so alike you could tell he was his son. Grayson’s brothers looked like their mother. Amelia was a good mix of both.
“Thank you.” I look back at Amelia, “I get to hang out with you!”
I couldn’t help but feel a bit comfortable as the night went on, I was exhausted, but my body had never felt more itself.
“I can’t believe Grayson settled.” Elliot gave a concerned face. I looked over at Grayson whose face said it all.
Neither could I.
It was plastered all over his face, and to be quite frank, I couldn’t really believe it either.
Grayson’s mom smiles widely, “Well, don’t hog her. I want to get to know the person who finally got my son to fall in love.”
IN LOVE?
Oh, she was crazy, a dreamer if you ask me. There is no way in absolute hell he or I would ever fall in love with each other. There was way too much hate and indifference.
Grayson sits back, his face contorted in disgust, though I’ve never loved a look more, “Oh yes. He even mentioned how I was the only one for him and his eyes.” I beamed, “Like he was going to die if he didn’t have me.”
“Really now?” His father spoke up with a smirk I knew too well that would usually come from his son.
Grayson smile looked faker than ever. I did find myself enjoying this more than I should have. “Protective.” I mutter.
His father tilts his head, “How so?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it.” Grayson interrupts with a concerned look.
“Grayson threatened a guy’s life because he was talking to Adrianna.” His brother attempts to say while chewing on his food.
Grayson’s eyes narrowed, “How do you know about that?” “Does it matter?”
Grayson raised his voice slightly, “Yes.” Clear and stern.
“The whole university is talking about it.” Easton laughed, “The guy called you terrifying .” Grayson Prince was terrifying, there was no doubt about it. But everyone in Hawthorne University worshiped the ground he walked on. Every hockey game was full because of him. He was worshiped, feared, and loved.
“I am terrifying.” Grayson said with a smirk.
“So are bees.” I teased him, his eyes contacted mine, he looked content, like everything he had wanted was in one room.
But…
“Grayson isn’t that terrifying, you know.”
“And you know what!” Amelia leaned closer to me, she laughed, “Speaking of insects…” She looks warily at Grayson who gave the worst dead stare of all time.
“Don’t you do it.” He warns, getting up, Amelia bolts away from him. “Do what?” I whipped my head over to Grayson who had a glorious
smile, a genuine smile.
This was so normal. A fun dinner with a family who looked like they enjoyed each other’s company instead of the comfort of their business.
Mr. Prince was right, even if he is one of the busiest men in the world, he still manages to take care of his children. I’ve always thought my father was the best man on earth.
But as the days grew further from the overdose last year, I realized how mistaken I was from the truth.
“Grayson’s afraid of butterflies!” She screams as my mouth drops from shock and interest.
Grayson finally catches her, tickling her while she laughs and tries to pull away.
“You’re scared of butterflies?” I exaggerated as he looked at Amelia with annoyance.
“I bet you’re not attracted to him now.” Bentley laughed as his mother told him to quiet down.
I smile at Grayson. He must be out of his mind if he thought I would ever let this go.
This is total black mail, a three pointer in my scoreboard against him.
“They’re all liars.” He says coolly while walking over to him by the living room chair.
I couldn’t help but find Grayson’s fear to be hilarious. He looked annoyed. He was trying to keep a brave face that I knew was a bruise in his masculinity.
He looked embarrassed, something I never thought was possible for a man like Grayson Prince. He looked at me with an annoyed expression.
“Don’t worry, I still like you.” He widens his stance urging me to sit on his lap, patting it.
So, I did.
Grayson ‘s hand traveled up my shirt, gripping my waist with his calloused hand. I shivered, my heart rose.
“ Yeah?”
I swallowed.
I wanted to give in and kiss him again.
“I’m so in love with you.” He winks while talking to me.
“You’re so full of shit.” I whisper back. He stops to smirk back at me.
The smirks that make the ladies go weak in the knees. “Oh sweetheart, but it was so believable.”
What is wrong with you Cassian?
Grayson’s face showed no sexual interest in me, but being on top of his lap made me sweaty and the smallest type of friction between the both of us made me want to moan.
Except, I’ve never felt this before. I felt a type of craving, longing for someone, wanting someone to devour me whole, by looking at him.
The worst part is, looking at Grayson now… I knew he could.
And smile at me while doing it.
