chapter Three

My legs shook as we climbed the private stairs into the executive box, taking our seats. Ethan sat right in the middle, with Janice to his left and me to his right.

​How did I not know who he was?

​I was completely speechless as the game started. The players from both schools skated onto the ice, and then I saw him, Cole. My heart sank into my stomach the moment my eyes landed on my ex.

​But then, Cole looked up to the VIP box where we sat.

​In a fraction of a second, his arrogant expression completely shattered. The confident smile faded from his lips, his ankles shook, and he slipped violently onto the hard ice.

​The entire crowd gasped.

​"That's Saltzman?" Ethan asked, not even looking up from his tablet.

​"Yes," Janice and I answered in perfect unison.

​Ethan looked down at the rink, a slow, devastating smirk spreading across his handsome face as he relaxed back in his leather chair. "Well. He's quite clumsy."

​For some insane reason, a rush of pure satisfaction washed over me. I actually felt good.

​Cole scrambled back to his feet, his face red, still staring up at our box in utter disbelief as the referee blew the whistle.

​The game was a total disaster for our school. The opposing team was winning by a massive margin because Cole kept missing passes, fumbling the puck, and tripping over his own skates. I couldn't help the thrill that shot through me. The mere sight of me sitting next to Ethan Vance had completely destabilized him.

​Ethan seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the show, too. At one point, he leaned in close, reaching his large hand up to my face to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

​Down on the ice, Cole looked up, witnessed the intimate gesture, and promptly tripped over the blue line again.

​Our school’s coach was on the bench, fuming with rage, and Cole's teammates looked ready to murder him. When the final buzzer echoed through the arena, our school had lost for the first time in years.

​As the stadium began to empty, I caught sight of Bella in the lower stands. She looked up at our luxury box, her face frozen in pure shock and envy.

​"Why didn't you tell me who you were?" I asked Ethan as we finally headed out toward the parking lot, flanked by his private security detail.

​"Well, you didn't exactly give me a chance, sweetheart," he chuckled, his deep voice vibrating in the cool night air. "You looked like you wanted to kill me the second you set eyes on me at the mall."

​"I'm sorry for my rudeness earlier," I told him, suddenly feeling a wave of guilt. "I'm just... dealing with a lot right now."

​Ethan’s playful smirk softened, his gaze turning incredibly warm. "No, it's okay. I totally understand."

​"Thank you," I murmured, looking up at his towering frame. "How can you be so famous already? You're so young."

​"I skipped college to focus entirely on my hockey career. Went straight to the pros. I'm only twenty," he explained, looking down at me. "You?"

​"I'm seventeen," I replied, suddenly feeling very small as I looked down at my boots. Beside me, Janice was furiously scrolling through her phone, pretending not to listen.

​"You shouldn't be wasting your tears over him, Katherine," Ethan said quietly as we reached Janice’s car. "He's too clumsy for you."

​"No, he's usually really smooth on the rink," I admitted honestly. "I guess... he was just shocked to see us together."

​Ethan tilted his head, a challenging spark in his eyes. "Well, a real hockey player doesn't let outside circumstances ruin his game. His team lost tonight because of him. But you seemed to enjoy the view. Didn't you?"

​My cheeks flushed. "Yes. I did. And I have you to thank for that. Thank you for helping me make my ex-boyfriend look like a complete fool." I paused, looking into his piercing eyes. "How can I ever repay you?"

​A dark, unreadable expression crossed Ethan's face. He stepped closer, his shadow completely enveloping me.

​"You'll know soon enough," he murmured.

​Before I could process his words, his sleek black sports car pulled up to the curb. Ethan gave me one last, lingering look, slid into the back seat, and the car sped away into the night.

​I'll know soon enough? What on earth did that mean?

​"Well, girl, that was a beautiful game," Janice said, bursting into a chuckle the second his car vanished. "I absolutely loved the look on Cole's face when he saw you with a literal NHL star. God, if only he was truly your boyfriend."

​"No, that's not possible," I sighed, opening the passenger door. "What would a guy like him ever want with a girl like me?"

​"You sell yourself too short, Kat," Janice said firmly as she started the engine and drove us home.

​When she dropped me off, the house was completely dark and quiet. My parents were already asleep. I crept upstairs to my bedroom, stripped out of my revenge outfit, and climbed into bed. My heart still ached from the brutal betrayal this morning, but as my mind drifted off to the memory of Ethan's touch, a tiny smile touched my lips, and sleep finally took me.

​"You look so beautiful in that dress, Katherine," Ethan whispered. He smoothly pulled out a chair for me at a candlelit table. We were on a private beach, the waves crashing softly, and the stars above looked breathtakingly beautiful.

​"Thank you," I replied, my heart racing as he sat across from me.

​Ethan reached across the table, taking both of my hands in his. He lifted them to his lips, kissing my knuckles gently, his gaze piercing right into my soul. "I really like you, Katherine. Be my girlfriend. For real."

​I smiled, a rush of pure happiness bubbling up in my chest. I opened my mouth to respond.

​BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

​I jolted awake, slamming my hand down on my phone to turn off the blasting alarm. I let out a long, frustrated sigh, burying my face in my pillow.

​It was all a dream. A stupid, ridiculous dream.

​Suddenly, my bedroom door swung open. My mom walked in, a massive, knowing smile plastered across her face.

​"Sweetie," she whispered excitedly, leaning against the doorframe. "You have a visitor downstairs. He said his name is Ethan."

​My heart stopped.

​"What?!" I gasped, throwing the covers off.

​Ethan Vance was in my house? At eight o'clock in the morning?

​Why?