Claimed By The Hockey Captain

Lori’s POV

Tonight wasn’t just my twentieth birthday. It was the night the secrecy ended.

For six long months, Travis kept us hidden. He wanted our relationship away from the campus gossip. But tonight, he had promised to tell everyone about us.

I smoothed my sweaty hands down my emerald silk dress. Tonight was supposed to be the night. I planned to give him everything. My virginity was wrapped up like a milestone birthday gift.

"Aren’t you tired of staring at yourself?" Jessica asked. She leaned against the bathroom doorframe, swirling a tequila bottle in her hand.

Ann, my other roommate, shot Jessica a sharp glare. "Ignore her. You look beautiful, Lori. Twenty looks good on you. Just promise me you won’t let Jessica talk you into doing body shots off the kitchen island tonight."

"Hey! It’s a birthday tradition!" Jessica argued.

I laughed, while my eyes kept darting to my phone on the marble counter. There was still no text from Travis. My roommates knew I was seeing someone, but they didn't know it was Travis. He was the star wide receiver. The campus golden boy. I just wanted the reveal to be absolutely perfect.

"I won't do it," I promised Ann. I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat. "Tonight is going to be unforgettable."

Our apartment was packed by 10pm. The floors were sticky. Neon LED lights flashed against the walls while heavy bass of hip hop shook the room. Guests flooded the space with a chaotic energy. Usually, I loved this vibe.

However, my chest squeezed painfully everytime the front door opened, and he wasn’t the one.

He finally arrived a few minutes before 11pm looking devastatingly handsome. He wore a casual black jacket. Immediately, a frat brother caught his arm. Travis didn't even look for me. He didn't glance my way at all.

My stomach did a violent flip. I pulled out my phone. My fingers flew across the screen as I typed: You're late. I'm waiting for that toast and announcement. Ready when you are, X.

I watched him from across the crowded room. Travis felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out. The blue light illuminated his sharp jawline. He read the text. I watched his face closely, waiting for a smile or a wink. I was waiting for his eyes to search for me in the crowd.

Instead, his expression stayed completely blank. He locked his screen and slid the phone back into his pocket. He just continued his conversation as if I hadn't sent a thing.

A cold splash of ice water hit my stomach.

"Hey, birthday girl. Why do you look like someone just died?” Jessica asked, pinching my face playfully.

She excused herself for a second and appeared right beside me some moments later, shoving a shot glass filled with amber liquid into my hand. "You're entirely too sober. That's a federal crime on your birthday. Drink up."

Anger replaced the cold dread in my chest. It was hot and sharp. If he wanted to play games, fine. I slammed the shot back. The harsh burn cut through the sudden numbness in my throat.

"Another one," I demanded while wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

Jessica’s eyes lit up immediately. "That’s my girl."

Three shots later, the whole room was spinning. The music felt entirely too loud and the anger in my chest curdled into a nauseating wave.

The alcohol wasn’t numbing the disrespect. It was magnifying it. I clutched my stomach while pushing through the sweaty bodies in the hallway. I rushed to the safety of the guest bathroom.

I had barely made it to the toilet before my birthday dinner made a violent, humiliating reappearance.

I cleaned my mouth with a damp towel, before staring at my pale, shaking reflection in the mirror. My lipstick was completely smudged. The excitement was entirely gone. In its place was a fierce clarity. It was the kind of sober thought that only comes after being violently sick. I didn't want a toast anymore or even the grand announcement. I wanted an explanation.

I unlocked the bathroom door and stepped back out into the living room. The party was still fully going on.

However, Travis was nowhere to be found. I started searching for him in the crowd, and was even asking guests if they had seen him. Most people shook their heads. They didn't know where he went. Finally, one girl pointed directly at my bedroom door.

I stormed toward it. I hoped to find him waiting inside. He would have to explain to me what the hell was going on. I reached the door and turned the knob. The moment I looked inside, I wished I hadn't.

Some cheap vanilla scent filled the air in my room. It was a scent I knew and loathed. It choked the air of my room. Elena, the captain of the cheer squad, was arched beneath Travis. She had been my literal tormentor since freshman year. Travis’s hands were gripping her hips. His bare back glistened with sweat under the dim light of my bedside lamp.

My world stopped completely. The heavy bass outside seemed to mute. The high-pitched ringing in my ears replacing it.

"Travis?"

I barely heard my own voice from the shock that I was witnessing.

Travis froze instantly. He snapped his head around so fast I heard his neck pop. Elena looked over his shoulder. A slow and malicious grin spread across her glossy lips. She pulled the sheets up mockingly.

"Oh. Oops," she purred. She did not look sorry at all.

"Shit! Lori, wait!" Travis scrambled off the bed. He pulled up his jeans in a speed faster than lightening.

"Don't," I said in a steady voice. "Don't you dare say my name."

"Lori, please. I drank too much. She came onto me—" Travis reached for my arm.

I backed away toward the door.

"Get your hands off me!" I snapped.

A sudden, white-hot fire roared back into my veins. I looked at the bed. I looked at the boy I was willing to give everything to tonight and felt an utter disgust.

"We are done. Get out of my room."