Faking it with the Hockey Bad Boy

Hazel’s POV Wait... What? My heart thudded painfully against my ribs. My body froze, caught between disbelief and horror. I didn’t even know what to feel anymore, only that whatever he was doing, I was doomed for real. Tiffany’s mouth hung open. “There’s no way.” Trey’s expression changed to anger “Hazel? Is that true?” I froze. If I said no, they’d know the love letter was about Trey. But if I said yes.. “Tell them,” Jaxon whispered in my ear, his breath hot on my skin, “unless you want your secret out.” I swallowed hard. “Yes. Jaxon’s my boyfriend. I’ve liked him… for a long time.” The moment the words left my lips, my heart tore in two because in saving myself, I lost the only person I ever truly wanted. Tiffany’s face turned red. Her plans to humiliate me just crashed. “You’re lying,” she snapped. “Hazel’s not your type. This is a joke.” “You want proof?” Jaxon said. Before I could stop him, he turned me gently and locked his lips with mine. My first kiss. Warm, un

Hazel's POV When I got back to my dorm, my head was spinning. I didn’t even bother taking off my sneakers. I just collapsed face-first into my bed, burying my face in my pillow and hugging it tight. How had my life spiraled to this point? I yanked open my laptop, my fingers hovered above the keyboard as I stared hard at the blinking cursor before bringing myself to type: Author: WildLifeOnCampus Title: The Stick That Rules the Rink I was so anxious as if I was about to commit a felony. [Jaxon Carter might be the reason why half the girls on campus suddenly care about hockey. I am not talking about how he skates on the ice like a god. No. It’s what that jersey hides underneath.] When I started the blog, it was just gossip and secrets, things I’d never dare say out loud. But now, writing about Jaxon Carter’s ‘stick’ felt like crossing a line. Not because Jaxon wasn’t ugh…ridiculously hot. He was. I’d give him that. And worse, I couldn’t help but remember someone else. The fir

Jaxon’s POV I knew something was off the second Hazel’s shoulders went rigid. She’d been standing beside me and was pretty playing alone so well until Tiffany leaned in and whispered something that made her flinch. Her knuckles whitened on the strap of her bag, and that was all I needed to see. “Excuse us,” I cut in, stepping forward so Tiffany had to rock back on her heels. I didn’t look away from Hazel, didn’t give Tiffany the satisfaction of my attention. Tiffany’s lashes fluttered like she was about to protest, but I was already sliding an arm around Hazel’s waist steering her away. Hazel stiffened even more. “What are you doing?” she hissed under her breath. Yeah, I had her attention now. “Playing my part,” I said, and maybe pushing my luck, just to see that spark in her eyes again Her eyes snapped up at me, sparking with fury when I slid my hands down further. “Seriously? Hands, Carter. People have eyes.” I smirked. Damn, she was fire when she was pissed. “Don’t get t

Hazel's POV I looked as calm as the ocean, but deep inside me, my nerves were all worked out. What was I thinking a few minutes ago when I straddled Jaxon Carter in front of the entire hockey team? All these had been because of Tiffany, she was trying so hard to get under my skin, and I wasn’t about to hand her the crown. She thought she could get to me while rubbing sunscreen on Trey’s shoulders but she never anticipated my response. I summoned all that boldness I didn’t even know I had when Jaxon asked me to play along. And now here I was, pretending like my heart wasn’t on the verge of giving out, pretending like I wasn’t a virgin who had no clue how to act, like I’d done this a million times before. Judging by Tiffany’s twitching smile, and Jaxon's body movements, I knew I was winning, yet my skin burned hot because I was fully aware that a good number of people were staring at us, and some were even videoing and taking our pictures. Tiffany's expression when I leaned into Jax

Hazel POV"You shouldn't be dating him, Hazel. He’s a playboy, he’s just using you." Trey finally spat out, his tone sharp, and for the first time in forever, I saw something that almost looked like genuine concern in his eyes."Excuse me?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, I couldn't hide the disbelief."I’m serious," he said, running a hand through his hair roughly to manage his rage. "I know how these hockey guys can be. He’s probably using you as my kid sister to get to me. I’m his biggest rival, Hazel. This isn’t about you."My stomach twisted suddenly, his attention felt good and warm, this is what I had been craving for years. Trey had never once cared about who I texted or where I even went. But now? Now he cared.And it was not as genuine as I had ever wanted. His words, "this isn't about you," sank in, hitting me more than expected."This is so rich coming from you," I snapped, folding my arms across my chest to stop them from trembling. "You’re on the same damn te