4.

Lori’s POV

My eyes snapped shut instantly. I could not tell them about Lucas. Not yet. I could not even process the wild reality of it myself.

"Travis cheated on me," I croaked. My voice sounded raw and completely ruined. "With Elena. Right here on my bed."

Jessica’s jaw dropped flat. She gasped loud. "That absolute piece of garbage! Wait, you and Travis? Since when were you guys a thing?"

"We have been going out for six months," I confessed softly. I stared down at my hands. "He wanted to keep us a secret. He was supposed to tell everyone last night. Instead, I walked in on them."

"Oh, Lor," Ann sighed. She shifted closer and wrapped me in a long, warm hug.

"I am going to squeeze the life out of that son of a bitch," Jessica cursed, pacing back and forth. "And Elena? That plastic Barbie is dead to me. But where did you go after? We called a million times."

My heart did a heavy stutter. "I just... I drove around to clear my mind."

It was a total lie. But a fake story was better than the dangerous truth.

My roommates insisted we leave the dorm for lunch. By one o'clock, I dressed in baggy jeans and a plain top. I grabbed my dark sunglasses so no one from the party would recognize my face.

We walked into the campus diner. "Look who just walked in," Jessica whispered, nudging my arm hard.

My breath caught in my throat. It was Lucas Miller.

He was surrounded by his hockey teammates. The thick grey hoodie he wore made his big shoulders look even broader. He looked exactly like the golden campus boy everyone loved.

He must have sensed my eyes on him. He turned in my direction and stared right back at me.

His smile faded instantly. A dark, private smirk replaced it. His gaze dropped down to my lips. The heavy look made me shiver as I remembered how our mouths locked together last night.

Shocked, I pretended not to notice. I focused on the paper menu in my lap. I could feel my cheeks turning bright red.

"Oh my god, he is so gorgeous it hurts," Jessica whispered loudly. "Lucas Miller! I have had a massive crush on him since freshman year. He is the ultimate goal, Lor. Seriously."

My stomach dropped into a bottomless pit of cold dread.

I looked at Ann for help, but she was nodding and agreeing with Jessica. Hot guilt began eating away at my chest. How could I ever tell Jessica that the guy she loved had just taken my virginity? The knowledge alone would shatter her heart and split our friendship apart.

---

Against my bitter protests, Jessica and Ann dragged me to the campus ice rink later that evening. The stadium was packed and freezing.

The moment the team skated out, the crowd erupted into a deafening roar. Leading the pack was Lucas, looking massive in his heavy gear.

"Look at him!" Jessica yelled, clutching my forearm tight. "Can you imagine what it feels like to have those arms around you?"

Yes, my mind screamed. Yes, I can.

A vivid flashback slammed into me. I remembered the exact weight of those broad shoulders pinning me down against his mattress. I remembered his rough voice telling me I belonged to him.

My breath hitched. A sudden heat pooled deep in my stomach.

Lucas played like a man possessed, checking opposing players with terrifying aggression. He scored the winning goal, and the entire stadium went wild.

During the celebration, Lucas turned his head slowly.

Through the thick glass, his blue eyes found mine unerringly. He raised his hockey stick slightly in my direction. It was a subtle, private salute. My heart nearly leaped right out of my chest.

"Did you see that?!" Jessica squealed. "He totally looked at our exact section!"

A fake smile plastered onto my face. I hid my shaking hands inside my pockets. One look at Jessica’s love struck face had guilt twisting my insides.

Travis would make a massive deal over this. Elena’s reaction would be worse. And Jessica would never talk to me again when she finds out.

I stole one last look at Lucas before he moved toward the locker rooms. I winced, knowing deep down that my secret was not safe with him.