Chapter 2

Sienna’s Pov

For three whole seconds, Ryder Callahan didn’t say a single word. His jaw stayed slightly open, his hand frozen mid-air where he had been holding his glass. For a guy who always had a snappy comeback ready, seeing him completely speechless felt like winning a championship trophy.

"You think you know everything, don't you?" he finally muttered, pulling himself together and narrowing his eyes at me. "It’s real easy to pick apart a play when you’re watching a calm screen in a warm room. But in the last two minutes of a game, with twenty thousand screaming fans and five guys trying to slam you into the glass, things look a little different."

"I know things look different," I replied, standing my ground. "That’s why you train your brain to make the smart play automatically. In the final play, you had two guys guarding you. If you passed left, Carter was wide open. It would have been an easy goal, Ryder."

He crossed his arms, frowning. "Carter was covered."

"No, he wasn't," I said smoothly, pulling out my phone to check my notes. "Their defender stepped up to double-team you because he knew you wouldn't pass. You force shots when the team is behind. The defense knows it, the coach knows it, and everyone in the stands knows it."

Ryder interrupted twice to question my logic, but I hit him with facts from the footage. His annoyance slowly morphed into quiet curiosity.

"So, what?" Ryder sneered, trying to hide that I was right. "You watch game tapes and suddenly you're an expert?"

I laughed out loud. "You don't have to be a genius to see what’s right in front of your face, Ryder. Being a superstar doesn't mean you're immune to mistakes."

Ryder took a step closer, his voice dropping sharply. "Must be nice sitting in your high tower, judging people who risk everything on the ice. You’ve never had to fight for anything, Sienna. You get everything on a silver platter because of your last name."

That comment hit me like ice water. Anger flared in my chest. "You don't know a single thing about my life," I whispered.

"Then enlighten me," he challenged, leaning down so his dark eyes were level with mine. "What exactly have you had to struggle for?"

"I don't owe you an explanation," I snapped. "I'm not going to prove my worth to someone who decided I’m just a spoiled rich girl."

Before he could answer, a shadow fell over us.

"That’s enough, both of you," Julian’s strict voice cut through the air. My brother stepped between us. "You two are acting like children."

Julian turned to Ryder first. "Ryder, we have a brutal road trip coming up. Go get rest." Then he looked at me with deep disapproval. "And Sienna, don't criticize the people who keep my business running. You're embarrassing us."

My breath hitched. Julian treated my knowledge like an annoyance while letting Ryder walk away.

"Excuse me," I said coldly, walking toward the back hallway.

Julian followed, his shoes clicking on the floor. "Sienna, stop! Why do you always make things so difficult?"

"Why do you treat me like a problem?" I fired back. "I was talking about real game tactics! But you act like I'm a brat throwing a tantrum!"

Julian sighed. "I’m trying to protect your reputation! If you publicly attack my star players, people will think you're entitled. They won't take you seriously."

"You don't take me seriously!" my voice trembled. "Every time you shut me up, you prove I don't matter! If I accepted a real job at a different company, without your name or money, would you actually support me?"

Julian opened his mouth, then stopped. He hesitated, looking away for two long seconds. That silence was all the answer I needed.

"Right," I whispered. "That’s what I thought."

I walked back to the lounge to breathe. At the bar, Ryder was standing with Carter Hayes, his best friend. Carter saw me and grinned. "Hey, Sienna! You're the only person who can make Callahan look like he just swallowed a lemon."

I forced a smile. "Making Ryder mad is topping my list right now."

Carter laughed, while Ryder threw his arms up. "Don't encourage her, Carter!"

"At least one of us has a brain," I teased softly.

For a second, Ryder looked at me with a strange, soft expression I’d never seen before, before shaking his head and looking away.

By midnight, the party was wrapping up. My phone battery was down to one percent, and my driver canceled due to the pouring rain. Julian had left for a business dinner, and my mother was busy with donors. I walked toward the front doors, wondering if I should brave the rain.

"Where do you think you're going?" a deep voice asked behind me.

I turned to see Ryder holding his jacket.

"Home," I said shortly. "My ride got canceled."

"Get in my car. I'll drop you off," Ryder said.

"No thanks. I’d rather walk in freezing rain than spend ten minutes stuck with your massive ego."

Ryder rolled his eyes. "Sienna, look outside. It's pouring, and photographers are waiting. If you walk out there, your brother will kill me for leaving you behind. Just get in."

My phone died with a soft black screen. I had no choice. "Fine," I grumbled. "But this doesn't mean we're friends."

"Trust me, that’s a massive relief," Ryder replied, opening the passenger door.

I climbed in, and Ryder pulled out into the dark, rain-slicked streets. The silence inside the car was thick as windshield wipers clacked against the glass.

Suddenly, my dead phone buzzed. The screen flashed as reserve power kicked on, displaying a new email notification.

My eyes went wide: RE: Sports Broadcasting Internship - Application Status Update: ADVANCED TO NEXT ROUND.

My heart leaped. I squeezed my phone, a gasp escaping my lips.

Ryder glanced away from the road, his eyes dropping straight to the glowing screen. He read the preview text, his eyebrows pulling together in deep confusion.

"Wait a second," Ryder said slowly, his voice dropping as he looked back at the road and then back to me. "Why are you applying for jobs under a fake name? And why are you hiding it from your family?"