Chapter 4

Cassie’s POV

I didn’t understand the rules, not one bit.

Otto had never invited me to his games before. I could only watch him practice or when I couldn't get my mind off him, I sneak into the stadium just to see him. 

But today, I got an invitation from the captain of the team.

If asked, I would say hockey was just a loud, icy warzone where guys with too much testosterone slammed into each other with sticks and the crowd screamed like it was a life or death situation. 

The announcer’s voice kept echoing as the puck flipped back and forth like a demon let loose. Every time a player rammed into the glass, the crowd went wild.

Bored out of my mind, I just sat there, staring at the rink but the girls around me were living for it.

Every time Ledger made a move, the girls behind me would scream his name like he was a rock star instead of a sweaty guy in pads. 

“Ledger, I love you!” one yelled. Another practically threw her bra onto the rink causing me to roll my eyes. 

But then, I caught myself staring. Not at the players but at him; Ledger Rivers, captain of the hockey team and the campus playboy. The guy with a unique style that probably had a signature trademark. 

Last night, he had whispered his address in my ear like it was an invitation to ruin and I accepted, thinking it would be a one night detour from heartbreak.

But now, watching him on the ice, something shifted in me. 

He moved like he belonged there, like every muscle in his body was tuned for this moment. 

His skates sliced across the rink, his shoulders squared in the jersey with his name bold across the back — Rivers, #27.

His hair stuck out from under his helmet just enough to remind me what it felt like between my fingers.

The crowd exploded when he scored, but my ears tuned out the noise as I was too busy noticing things I hadn’t let myself see before.

The crease between his brows when he was focused and the way his jaw tightened right before he made a shot made my nerves clench in my stomach. 

Unlike other guys who celebrated with flashy fist pumps, Ledger just raised a hand to his teammates and skated away like he didn’t need the spotlight, like winning was expected.

His aura was on point, and there was something about him that felt real and suddenly, I didn’t want it to be a one night stand anymore which was stupid because guys like Ledger didn’t stay.

They didn’t text the next day unless they wanted round two. They didn’t chase girls like me, instead, they moved on.

Shifting my gaze away, I wrapped my arms around myself. I stayed until the final buzzer, because I didn’t want to look like a brat who ran off the second the match was over. 

His team won and while the crowd chanted and the players high fived themselves, I stood up quietly and slipped through the rows before anyone could notice.

I wasn’t going to stick around, I had seen what I came to see. Now it was time to return to reality where Ledger Rivers was just a chapter I would rather not re-read.

“Cassie! Wait!” The voice I had been dreading rang in my ears and I stopped dead in my tracks.

Slowly, I turned around to face her, and there she was.

Jade.

Her blonde hair was curled to perfection, her lipstick still intact, like betrayal looked best with a full face of makeup. 

She jogged over, breathing a little heavily like she had just sprinted from her seat which, knowing her, was front row.

“Cass, please,” she said, placing a manicured hand on my arm. “I didn’t know about Otto, I swear.”

“You didn’t know he was my boyfriend?” I asked, my voice low.

“I did! I mean—” She looked flustered. “I didn’t know he was with you and me at the same time, I thought you guys were over!”

“We weren’t.” I snapped. 

Biting her lower lips, she muttered, “I didn’t want this. You know that, right? He told me you were obsessed with him. That he was trying to end it but you kept hanging on.”

I almost laughed at her words but I kept a straight face. 

“Really?” I said, my voice sharp. “So that’s why you had your tongue down his throat in a bathroom at a party? Because you thought he was just trying to end things?”

Her expression switched that instant. 

“I didn’t come here to fight,” she said. “I came to apologize.”

“No, you came here to clear your conscience,” I replied. “You’re not sorry you did that, you’re just sorry I found out.”

Rolling her eyes, she scoffed, “You know what? Fine, think whatever you want. You always think you’re better than everyone else anyway.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yeah,” she snapped. “You walk around acting like you’re the best on the planet.” 

Something twisted in my chest, her words were coming from a place of jealousy I never knew she had.

“I trusted you, Jade,” I said, my voice shaking. “You were my best friend.”

“And now what? You’re going to act like you’re the victim, huh?”

“What is going on here?" A masculine voice boomed and at once, I turned to face the intruder. 

Ledger was standing just a few feet away from us. He was still in his gear and his helmet was under one arm. 

“Ledger,” Jade called, her voice suddenly sweeter. “I didn’t mean—”

“I wasn’t talking to you.” He cut in, making a horrified look splash across her face as she stumbled backwards.

“I came to see if you were still around,” he said to me. 

“I was just leaving,” I mumbled.

“Cassie,” Otto called, irritation lacing his voice. “Why are you here?”

I didn’t even have a chance to respond before Ledger stepped between us.

“Watch your tone Otto, you don't get to speak to my girlfriend that way.” Ledger scoffed, placing his hand around my neck. 

The look on Otto’s and Jade’s face was laughable if only I wasn't as stunned as they were. 

“Come on, I know you are joking.” Otto laughed, nudging Ledger but his expression remained the same. 

"Are you seriously dating Ledger?” Jade asked, her voice dripping with concern that wasn't needed.

“Do you have an issue with that?" I retorted, playing along with Ledger's game.

She tried to pull me to the side but Ledger stepped in between us. 

“Let's go Cass." He said, his lips brushing slightly against my neck.