CHOOSING MY EX'S HOCKEY RIVAL

EVELYN'S POV

The table shook suddenly, and my pen slipped as I tried writing in my book. I ignored it, then tried writing again, but the same thing repeated. 

“What the fuck?” I cussed under my breath, as I pulled my headphones from my ears.

My jaws dropped as I heard loud moans from the other end of the room, and hard thuds against the plywood demarcating my side from Chloe's. I ran my fingers through my hair, and I buried my head into my palms.

Chloe was my best friend, and she was very well aware that I needed to pass these supplementary exams, so as not to fall off my scholarship. How could she be so inconsiderate as to have a man over?

I sighed heavily as I plugged back my headphones, trying to study despite the constant shaking, but I couldn't. 

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I slammed my fist against the plywood demarcation three times.

“Can you please keep whatever you're doing down? I'm trying to study here.”

For a few seconds, I couldn't hear anything except the sound of my heartbeat. Then—

“Don't worry about it,” Chloe muttered in a teasing tone, completely ignoring me. “Keep going, baby.”

I scoffed, hands akimbo. “Really?”

The moaning started again. This time, louder than before. 

I totally lost it this time. I stood up and darted towards Chloe's room in sharp steps, my fist clutched tightly. I stormed into her room without knocking, and my heart stopped for a moment. 

Chloe was on my ex-boyfriend, grinding him mercilessly, eyes locked onto me.

Jason didn't even look surprised. He simply stared back at me and scoffed, one corner of his lips curling into a smirk, as though I'd interrupted something completely ordinary.

I clutched my chest tightly as I stared in disbelief. 

How could she do this to me despite knowing everything I went through because of Jason? Two years of loving the most influential man on campus, the captain of North Crest University's hockey team, had left me with nothing but broken promises, failing grades, and a heart I was still struggling to put back together. And now, here he is, fucking my best friend without an atom of guilt in his eyes.

I stood there frozen, until my legs finally took me back to my room. I collapsed onto my single bed, burying my face in my pillow as I sobbed heavily.

Despite how hard I was crying, I could still hear Chloe's moaning searing into my head. I clutched my ears tightly with my pillows until I could no longer hear anything. 

A few minutes later, the door tilted open, and Chloe walked in slowly with a small smile plastered on her face.

I jumped to my feet, throwing the pillow away. 

My jaws clenched. “What are you doing here?”

Chloe scoffed, raising a brow. “Don't tell me you're jealous, despite being the one who broke up with him.”

“Are you…” I stuttered, lips trembling. “Are you kidding me right now?”

“I mean…” she said, smirking. “Everyone on campus knew that I'd always be the one to end up with Jason. You were never fit to be with him anyway. That poor boy just stood by you in the final stages of your relationship out of pity.”

WHAT THE FUCK?

Heat rushed to my chest, and at that point, I wanted nothing more than to hurt her. Still, I kept my composure. 

I placed my palm against my face and shut my eyes. “Get out…”

“What if I don't?” She asked in a teasing tone, followed by a laugh. “Are you planning on throwing another useless tantrum?”

USELESS? YOU'RE THE ONE WHO BETRAYED ALL MY TRUST, AND YOU HAVE THE GUTS TO CALL MY FEELINGS USELESS.

I spun and grabbed the pen lying on the table, clutching it tightly. “Get the fuck out of here right now before I lose control!”

She shuddered as I said those words, and took a step back instinctively. She was about to turn and get out of my room when I saw a hand grab her in place.

When he finally stepped in, my heart stopped. It was Jason, wearing tight banana shorts, his hard length bulging. He looked at me once, then returned his gaze towards Chloe and kissed her right in front of me.

“Did she startle you?” He muttered in a soft voice, softer than I'd ever heard him speak. “I'm sorry baby.”

Then he led her out of my room and glanced at me.

“You really should stop being bitter,” he warned, eyes narrowed at me. “You broke up with me… you don't get to choose who I date next.”

And just like that, he walked out, leaving me utterly dumbfounded and fixed to a spot. 

A tear slid down my face as I thought about what I'd just experienced. I crashed into my bed, and I pressed my pillow hard against my face as I let out a muffled cry.

I remained like that until my whole body finally tired out, and I drifted to sleep.

***

Buzz-buzz!

I jerked awake as I heard my phone's vibrations. I didn't even bother checking the caller, I just slid my thumb across the screen and placed the phone against my ear.

“Hello…” I muttered, eyes shutting slightly. 

“Where the fuck are you!” the voice echoed loudly from the other end of the phone and my eyes flung open. “The whole squad has been waiting for you for close to an hour already.”

Lilly Parker, one of my oldest friends and also a member of the North Crest cheerleading squad.

I shot up when I realized why she was angry. “Oh fuck… I'm sorry, I totally forgot.”

“How could you forget something we've been planning for weeks,” She clicked her tongue, and I could imagine her shaking her head too. “Just get your arse over here now… You know the squad can't start without you.”

“I'm sorry…” I muttered, brushing my palm across my face. “But I don't think I can come today, I'm simply not in the right frame of mind.”

The other end of the line went silent for a few seconds, then— “If you fold right now, you'd be giving them exactly what they want.”

That was all I needed to hear. There's no way I'm going to stay down because of a man that isn't even worth me.

I dressed up in my best jersey and left for the arena.

****

The match ended in North Crest's defeat on their home ice. The whole atmosphere was gloomy, except the fact that I wasn't concerned in any way. I waltzed off the stands like a zombie, and before I knew what was happening, I bumped into something and crashed to the floor.

“What the fuck?” I heard someone say after a scoff, and a few people laughed. “What's North Crest cheerleading trash doing here bumping into us?”

My whole body froze when I looked up and saw a bunch of Westlake players towering over me.

“That's enough,” a deep baritone voice came from behind the players, and they parted instinctively. 

My eyes were blurry as he stepped forward, and I could only see him when he leaned closer to me, stretching a hand towards me.

“Come… let me help you up.”

My heart started racing like crazy as I stared at his green eyes, and I squealed in my subconscious. 

THE CAPTAIN OF THE WESTLAKE HOCKEY TEAM, WAS STARING AT ME WITH ALL SERIOUSNESS.