Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain

I’m watching them in slow motion, absorbing every bit of information crawling into my brain. Old, rusty cogs finally crackled and started turning, a flickering light blinking on.Ah. This is why he didn’t answer my texts.Before either of them notice me, I stumble away from the door like the handle burned me. Nausea and heartburn crawl up my throat and scald it with acid.Being at this party is suddenly the worst idea I’ve ever had. So, I start wobbling toward the stairs, reeling.Oliver… He and I had been best friends for years. He knew more about me than most people, sometimes even more than my mom.And I told him…I told him I didn’t want to date him, even when he asked me. I wanted to keep my best friend and not lose him.But Oliver changed my mind. Said friendship would make our love stronger… What a joke.My eyes burn as I make my way down the stairs. With the new year here, the party’s now in full swing. If they were being rowdy before, they were chaos now—chaos that quickly swe

New Year’s Day was on a Wednesday, so school started back the following Monday. At least I had a few days to deal with my emotions and plan for the worst.Oliver may not have been the captain of the hockey team, but he was fairly popular in his own right. Moreover, I was seen with Alex. The rumor mill at Redmond High was certain to be rolling with new gossip.My schoolmates do not disappoint.In the school halls, people whisper as I pass by, watching me with hawk-like eyes. Some laugh at me, whispering about icing and cupcakes.I keep my gaze on the ground, trying my best not to mind them.The best thing I can do is just mind my own business. Give it a few days, and something else will probably happen to attract everyone’s attention. I’ll be able to return to my normal life, sans a fake boyfriend.At least, that’s what I’m hoping for. But the road to get there seems more bumpy than I could have anticipated.During lunch, I go through the line, picking up my usual tray of Redmond’s poo

Again. Alex has somehow come to my rescue. Once is a happenstance. Twice, a coincidence.I’m cold and dripping wet, my face against his neck, but he holds me so easily. When I feel my body start to move, I open my mouth.“...Books.”“Huh?”“My books… In the…on the chair.”“...Are you seriously worried about your books right now?”I back my head away from the lovely pine smell and stare up at him with lidded eyes. He stares back at me, then he sighs, shaking his head.“Nerd.”He finds where I’d tucked my backpack and picks it up, going back into the dark pool room. Somehow, he cradles me with a single arm and fills my book bag with the other. Is all of his strength really from hockey?Suddenly, he pauses. Before I can ask why, I hear a bunch of footsteps rushing up to the broken door.“She’s in here! In here!” Danielle’s voice rings out. “I saw her steal the keys to the pool room and—!!”When she enters, she’s followed by three of her friends and two security guards. At first, she imme

Redmond High is well known for its ability to produce very skilled hockey players, especially for a public school. Because school funding focuses more on sports than arts, we were able to get our own ice rink.Since it’s winter, I bundle up in my jacket before I try to go see him. Once I step into the room, as expected, it’s frigid, the warmth seeping from my skin.The Redmond Chillers are all there, skating along the rink, sitting in the bleachers, talking, the works. I walk up to the first group of people I see, not wanting to catch Oliver’s attention, wherever he is.“Uhm…excuse m-me.”The three guys all look over at me, curious.“I’m looking…for, uhm…A—”Before I finish, one sighs, startling me slightly. He points his thumb toward a short nook to his right, my left, with a bored expression.“Alex is in the coach’s office, back that way. He’ll probably be out soon, so you can wait for him.”Unable to verbalize my thanks, I just bow slightly at him before scurrying away.The short n

I stare at his closed eyes, processing the sensation of lips against my own.They are soft, unchapped. He doesn’t open them, pressing our mouths together like puzzle pieces.It takes me a minute to realize what we’re doing. Even after I realize it, I’m frozen in place, my thoughts running wildly. A single thought sparks.I don’t feel the need to reject this kiss.When Alex backs away, his lashes rise to reveal warm brown eyes. The golden flecks astound me with their vibrance, my mouth dropping open just slightly. He gives me a smile and a wink.My face immediately heats like a furnace. Then I remember that we’re not alone and hide my mouth behind clammy fingers.Danielle seems to be turning an interestingly pale shade as Oliver’s expression darkens ominously.Alex meets their dissatisfaction smoothly.“Do you think this is a deal? What would even make you two lovebugs think that, huh?”They suddenly remember that they’re supposed to be dating, their expressions crumpling in embarrassm