Chapter 1: The Golden Boy

Hazel’s POV

“That game was supposed to be your victory lap,” I said hasteningly clutching to my clipboard while Trey leaned lazily against the locker, his attention totally buried in his phone. 

Why did his silence hurt like a slap? He always makes me feel invisible even when I try to be his biggest supporter.

I had rushed into the locker room immediately after the buzzer blared to cheer him up, to remind him that he was still the star player no matter what.

“Jaxon totally stole your moment,” I continued, stepping closer. “It’s so not fair…”

“It’s done,” he cut me off sharply, “Nothing I can do about it.”

My heart climbed into my throat as he brushed past me. I should be used to him ignoring me by now. But every time he did, it felt like I’d been erased all over again.

“You are still my star player,” I shouted even if he had already disappeared from the locker room.

Just like that.

No thanks. No smile. Not even a glance.

The locker room door clanged open and shut as players passed through, laughter and heavy footfalls echoing behind me. Somewhere down the hall, someone snorted, “Yo, what’s that freak doing in here again?” 

“Probably stalking Trey as always,” another teammate sneered.

Laughter followed, and I pressed myself tighter against the wall, ducking my head. My badge said student assistant, but everyone knew I was just that girl–Quiet and Nerdy. The teammates barely noticed me, I am just the nerd with the big glasses and Trey’s silent shadow but none of that matters to me.

I clenched my clipboard tighter with my heart racing because I wasn’t here for drama, I wasn’t here to be seen.

I was here for Trey.

Trey Rivers isn’t just the Ice Hounds’ Golden Boy. He’s my stepbrother and the one boy I should never have fallen for.

I knew better when I stayed up writing about him in secret, spinning scenes no one would ever read. But crushes don’t care about logic, especially this hopeless kind.

I stood there reeling from the outcome of the games today. My heart ached, and not just because Jaxon Carter had overshadowed Trey tonight, but I had also watched the whole game from the edge of the rink and screamed his name until my throat turned hoarse.  

I pressed myself against the rink’s Plexiglas wall, heart pounding in sync with the sound of blades slicing the ice and my clipboard clutched in my arms, taking notes as the team's assistant, only to forget to take any notes. I was constantly distracted looking out for Trey 

I waved once. Twice. Nothing. Trey skated past like I didn’t exist. My clipboard felt heavier in my arms. My chest, tighter.

Still, I cheered louder than anyone else.

“And there goes Senior Trey Rivers! Ice Hounds' golden boy with the puck, playing his farewell championship, can he lead his team to another victory tonight?” the commentator’s voice boomed through the speakers, full of admiration.

"Let’s go, Trey!" I shouted, voice cracking from the cold and desperation. “Number 6, baby!”

“Rivers make the pass, clean, confident. Just what we expect from Ice Hounds’ captain.”

I beamed with my eyes shining, until Trey passed the puck over to Jaxon Carter

“Hold on, Carter intercepts! What a move! That’s Jaxon Carter, the team’s Junior Superstar and he’s just hijacked the ice!”

A wave of panic crawled under my skin

“No,” I whispered.

Jaxon spun past two defenders with practiced ease, lifted the puck, and slapped it into the net with a nonchalant flick.

“Goal! Carter scores his second and final goal tonight. Move over, Trey, the Hounds have a new MVP” the commentator’s voice breaks in again with surprise and delight.

The crowd erupted but I remained frozen while everyone in the stadium was cheering on their feet.

I narrowed my gaze at Jaxon raising his stick like a rockstar, smirking up at the crowd.

“CAR-TER! CAR-TER!” they chanted. Even Trey’s jaw tightened from where I stood.

Great. Just great. Of all the people to outshine him, it had to be Jaxon, the hockey bad boy who reeked of trouble. He was Trey’s worst rival and, therefore, my biggest enemy.

His cocky grin made me want to throw my clipboard away or throw up.

The bathroom door creaked open behind me now, but I didn’t hear the sound.

“Do you always give pep talks to half-dressed guys?” came a deep voice

I spun around 

Jaxon Carter was standing behind me, steam trailing behind him, a towel slung low on his hips, smirking like a devil in the flesh. I wanted to look away but I didn’t. Instead, my face got really hot.

“You know this is the men’s changing room, right? Or are you trying to catch the MVP coming out of the shower?” he asked winking at me

“Oh! Don’t flatter yourself,” I snapped, trying to storm past him.

He blocked my path. “Aww, don’t be shy. I heard you cheering. Let me see what you wrote about my performance at the rinks?” I turned away avoiding him getting a hold of my clipboard 

“Why did you steal Trey’s pass on purpose,” I hissed. “He is supposed to be the superstar. This is his last championship. You just had to show off.”

Jaxon tilted his head. “Defending your step-brother’s honour huh? Well, it's not my fault that I am better than he is. You are looking at Sterling University's star player now” 

“Trey will always be the star player to me”

I gritted my teeth, if arrogance were a sport, Jaxon Carter would’ve won the gold and still found a way to flex about it.

I turned to leave, but I bumped into his arms that were blocking my way, and I stumbled. My clipboard slammed to the ground, followed by a soft flutter as loose papers spilled everywhere.

“Oh crap” I dropped to my knees, scrambling to gather the sheets, heart pounding.

Too late.

Jaxon's foot stomped down on a few pieces of paper just as I reached for them, he was faster and he bent down and plucked the papers from the floor, “What’s this?”

“No..give that back!”

My blood ran cold

Oh no! That wasn’t just any writing, it was the secret smut I scribbled about Trey at 2 a.m., the one I

swore I’d trash but couldn’t stop rereading. And now Jaxon freaking Carter was holding it in his hand.