Chapter 4

RHETT’s POV

The puck slammed against the board, loud enough to echo through the empty rink.

‘’Again, Mavericks!’’ Mason barked.

I corked him a death glare and rolled my shoulders, gripping my stick tighter before skating back into position.

My breath was ragged, frustration clawing at my chest. I tried again, but somehow the puck still managed to ricochet off the post.

‘’Fuck!’’ I cursed, tightening my grip on the puck.

I couldn’t tell what it was.

Maybe it was transferring schools mid-season.

Or getting my academic reports sent in.

Whatever it was had me fucked up and every pass, every shot missed by half an inch.

‘’Jesus Christ, Rhett,’’ Mason’s footstep echoed behind me. ‘’That was fucking awful!’’

I pushed my helmet off, dragging a hand through my damp hair while irritation clawed under my skin.

The private rink was freezing, but sweat still managed to slide down my spine.

‘’Awful as shit! What the fuck is wrong with you, dude?’’ Jace’s hand clamored over my shoulders as he dropped his helmet to the floor, his face twisting confusedly.

‘’it’s nothing man. Let’s take five.’’

‘’Nothing? Bro you managed to miss the post, four fucking times—‘’

‘’Five actually.’’ Jace interrupted, skating forward.

‘’Well isn’t that a record?’’

‘’Yh! Almost murdered me on the third try.’’

I couldn’t help but laugh at his overreaction.

The puck had missed him by a few inches before veering off the rink.

He didn’t actually get hit or anything…

Mason turned up in front of me, his face turning serious. ‘’Bro you need a fucking break. No— you need alcohol. In fact…we are going to a club!’’

I should say no.

Probably stay in the rink and practice more.

But they were right. Hockey wasn’t fixing anything.

I needed a drink, maybe two.

‘’Fine!’’ I muttered. ‘’Just one drink.’’

Mason grinned. ‘’That’s all we needed to hear!’’

———-

The club was loud enough to drown thoughts.

I dragged the glass of liquor to my lips and donned it in on go.

The alcohol slipped down my throat effortlessly, leaving a burning effect.

‘’See?’’ Mason leaned into me, a smirk breaking across his lips. ‘’You look more relaxed now. Less…homicidal.’’

I frown. ‘’I still just might kill you.’’

Jason laughed, sliding another glass across the table.

I barely reached for it when a shadow loomed over me.

I slowly looked up, my breath catching in my throat.

Long, black wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders, her lips parted like she wanted to say something but was pondering on it.

She looked gorgeous.. yet, completely out of place.

Before I could open my mouth, she leaned in, tucked her hand around my collar and kissed me.

My breath short circuted, the sound of blaring music a dull hum.

Fuck!

Her lips were soft, reckless and oddly inexperienced… like she’d never kissed a day in her life.

What the fuck—

I pulled back first, staring at her in shock.

She looked confused, her cheeks flushed crimson. Then she blinked at me, her lashes fluttering.

And damnnnn… I couldn’t stop myself.

A slow smile curled my lips before I could even stop it. ‘’Well, aren’t you a little desperate?’’

I didn’t know what I was expecting when I said that.

A smile? Flirtatious remarks? Another kiss perhaps?

But watching her face morph from embarrassment to anger was never supposed to be on the list.

‘’Excuse me?!’’ She snapped, looking offended.

I leaned forward, my brow raising upwards. ‘’You kissed a stranger in a club, love. What exactly was i supposed to think?’’

Her face twisted, her mouth dropping.

‘’Are you insane?’’ She hissed. ‘’Who says that to someone?’’

I blinked.

Okay, that wasn’t the reaction I was expecting.

I mean… I was the one who got harassed and assaulted but she was the one who ended up looking pissed.

A low chucked rippled out of me. ‘’I was jok—‘’

‘’Don’t!’’ She snapped.

Before I could process anything, she raised her hand and smacked me hard across the face.

My face snapped to the left, my head almost veering off my neck.

God! She was feisty too.

‘’Fucking jerk!’’ She cursed under her breath, spun around and stormed out of the booth.

‘’WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?!’’ Jace shouted, choking on his drink.

My cheeks stung. Like reallyyyy bad.

But all I could focus on was her retreating figure. The way her dress clung to her body perfectly and the way she swayed her hips as she walked.

That was fucking badass.

I reached for my cheek and held it, a small smile spreading across my lips.

‘’She freaking hit you!’’ Mason shouted, sounding traumatized.

‘’Yes.’’ My voice was barely a whisper and my smile widened.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Off the exit.

‘’Fucking dork!’’ Jace swore under his breath.

My head snapped around instantly. ‘’What did you say?’’

He froze. ‘’Uh…her.’’

My eyes narrowed at him, my interest piquing.

‘’You know her?’’

He stared at me like I had lost a screw.

‘’Who doesn’t? That’s Sophie Hayes.’’

The name hit me instantly.

‘’She’s not usually this bold though. At least not bold enough to smack someone in the face….’’

I could barely hear a word he was saying.

Noah’s Sophie?

No fucking way!

‘’The nerd Noah Grayson keeps around.’’ He continued. ‘’His best friend.’’

Oh fuck..

I leaned back slowly, brushing my nails against my burning cheeks with a smile.

‘’That look…Don’t even think about it dude.’’ Jace voice rose. ‘’Stay the fuck away from Noah’s girl! This is a fresh start for you.’’

‘’Yh bro.’’ Mason patted my shoulders. ‘’Don’t mess it up by getting on the wrong foot over some girl.’’

Oh…I was absolutely gonna do the opposite.

———-

The next morning, I was halfway through taping my stick when Mason and Jace walked in laughing.

‘’Rhett! You need to fucking see this man!’’ Jace voice was rudded with shock and laughter, his eyes glued to his screen.

‘’No I don’t. I’ve got better things to—‘’

‘’Quiet!’’ He interrupted, forcing the phone into my hand.

‘’…..Trust me she’s completely harmless. I only let her follow me around because she worships the ground I walk on….’’ Noah’s voice bloomed from the other end of the phone accompanied by a female laughter.

My hand tightened around my stick as an ugly feeling spread across my chest.

‘’This shit is all over the school. Serves her right for hitting you. Almost thought she was gonna get away with it.’’ Jace voice cut through my thoughts.

Mason snorted. ‘’Yh! She would probably be bawling her eyes out right now.’’

‘’Cut it out.’’ I muttered, tossing the phone back to Jace.

He grabbed it and turned to Mason. ‘’Do you think her contacts fell off while she was…bawling her eyes out?’’

My nails dug into the flesh of my palm. My face hardening as the sound of their laughter echoed in the room.

‘’That’s insa—‘’

‘’I said cut it out!’’ My voice rose, the words coming out harsher than I intended.

The laugh died down.

‘’Dude what the fu—‘’

I didn’t want for him to finish.

I threw my stick and bolted out of the locker room, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

Sophie!

I need to see her. To make sure she was okay…

I bolted across the hall, my eyes darting around, throat tightening as I searched for her.

I was halfway through the hallway when coach stepped in front of me.

‘’Mavericks!’’

I stopped, chest heaving.

He cross his arm, stopping right in front of me. ‘’I just got your academic reports.’’

My heart toppled.

‘’I—‘’

He raised a hand, stopping me.

‘’You’re talented, Mavericks.’’ He continued. ‘’One of the best players I’ve seen. But talent doesn’t matter if your grades tank.’’

I wet my lips, my teeth grazing the inside of my cheeks.

‘’With such grades, it’ll be hard to get scouted.’’

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. ‘’I’ll figure it ou—‘’

‘’You need a tutor.’’ He cut me off.

A tutor?

Suddenly, the lips..hair…waist and curves flashed before my eyes.

‘’Is there anyone you have in mind?‘’

I smirked.

‘’Sophie Riley Hayes.’’