Chapter 4: The Rules

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 first boy who ever made my heart flutter—Trey.

I was still drowning in my thoughts when I heard the door rattle open.

Crap.

I slammed the laptop shut and yanked my blanket over it just as my roommate turned friend, walked in, and trailing behind was a girl from the cheer squad who looked like she’d stepped straight out of a shampoo commercial.

“Hey girl,” Sasha sang, kicking off her sneakers and tossing her tote bag across her bed. “Smells like fries and books in here.” She gave me a smile.

I gave her a flat look. “Hi, Sasha.”

The cheerleader stepped forward, eyes scanning me intently. “Wait, you’re Hazel, right?”

My stomach tightened. “...Yeah?”

Her whole face lit up like she’d just solved a mystery. “You’re Jaxon’s girl?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Don’t even try to act innocent. He kissed you in the cafeteria like a scene from a romance movie,” she said, practically bouncing. “ Even the senior girls are crying into their group chats since he claimed you.”

I offered a weak smile, even though my insides were doing somersaults.

Sasha cut in, “Seriously, Hazel, you and Jaxon? Wow. You didn't even give me a hint when you guys started... that's so not fair.”

Claimed.

Was that what happened?

If only they knew the truth.

I quickly excused myself and started changing to go meet Jaxon, even though I saw Sasha's curious glare at me. I knew she wouldn't let me escape easily.

When I got to the locker room, the smell of sweat and the metallic locker filled the air, not exactly the place I imagined sealing my fate. I started up and down, my sneakers squeaking against the floor while waiting for Jaxon. I took a glance at my wristwatch for the umpteenth time and ,boy it w,as fifteen minutes well past six o'clock.

When the door finally swung open, Jaxon strolled in like he owned the place, his bag slung over one shoulder, damp hair pushed back in near curls, and that lazy grin on his lips.

“You’re late,” I snapped, crossing my arms. “Some of us actually have lives outside fake dating schemes.”

“Relax, Sunshine,” he said, tossing his bag onto the bench. “Practice ran late. Coach was on my ass about my grades again.”

“Oh, poor you,” I muttered

He shrugged as he dropped onto the bench crossing his arms on his chest.

“So,” he said, leaning forward. “You need a fake boyfriend to hide your secret crush on your stepbrother, and I...”

I cut him off. “You need me to tutor you in Lit and of course, write about how endowed you are,” I sighed

“Or maybe…” His tone shifted, quieter now, his eyes holding mine. “Maybe I’ve liked you for a while, and this was the only way to spend time with you.”

For a split second, my brain went blank. He couldn’t be serious… right? My laugh came out sharper than I intended. “You’ve liked me? Right. Between all the times you called me a nerd and the fact that we’ve barely talked.”

He didn’t answer, he just kept staring like I’d missed something obvious.

I looked away first before continuing, "Good luck on convincing anyone this is real.”

“Watch me make this relationship the best show on campus, baby. I’m persuasive." His grin was twitching at the side.

My jaw clenched. “Fine. Let's do it. But there will be rules.”

His eyes glinted fully as he leaned back. “Oh, I love rules.”

I yanked my notebook out, dropped it on the bench, and flipped to a clean page. “Rule one,” I said, scribbling fast, “no sudden kisses.”

“That’s impossible,” he said immediately.

I glared at him. “Excuse me?”

“If we are going to be in a fake relationship, we are going to kiss a lot,” he said licking his lips

“Gross..”

“I thought you really liked our first kiss.” He winked at me

Every instinct in me screamed to walk away, but then I imagined Trey’s face and Tiffany’s laugh. No. I wasn’t giving them that satisfaction.

“Alright, I can reluctantly accept that.. but just to be clear, I did not enjoy the kiss.”

He smirked. “So you are mentally preparing now?”

I jabbed my pen at him. “Don’t push me.”

I went back to writing “Rule one again, absolutely no sex.”

He held up both hands. “Noted.”

“Rule two,” I continued. “No feelings. This is strictly business. No falling for each other.”

He leaned back against the lockers, one arm stretched out behind the bench. “Please. Did you actually think I’d fall for you?”

I didn’t answer that. My throat dried, not that I expected that he would fall for him but hearing from him hurt a little.

“Rule three.”  I continued suddenly “We never talk about this agreement to anyone, not your teammates, not even your dumb hockey groupies. No exceptions.”

His brow lifted. “You think I have groupies?”

I gave him a look.

“Okay, maybe I do,” he admitted, unbothered.

“And rule four,” I said, writing in big, underlined letters, “This fake relationship ends in one month. After homecoming, it’s over. That gives us just enough time for all this to blow over.”

“Deal,” he said, surprisingly quick.

“But I have my terms too.”

“Of course you do,” I muttered.

He stood up and walked over to where I was sitting. Instead of standing in front of me like a normal person, he sat beside me on the bench, right beside me. His thigh pressed against mine.

I scooted an inch away.

He scooted an inch closer.

I shot him a glare.

He grinned, perfectly pleased with himself. “Rule One, you come to every one of my games during this month and you cheer for me loudly.”

I groaned. “Fine.”

“Two,” he continued. “You come to every party with me... Including homecoming of course.”

I hesitated. “I’m not really a party person…”

“Not optional,” he said with a wink. “You’re my fake girlfriend, remember?”

I didn’t like the way that word “girlfriend” sounded in his mouth.

“And lastly…”

He turned, eyes glinting with that trademark arrogance. “We’re throwing a victory party tomorrow night.”

My brain stalled, trying to process what he’d just said “You haven’t even played the match yet.”

“News flash,” he said with a lazy shrug. “I always win. You’ll see.” winking afterwards.

Of course, he was sure he’d win. Classic Jaxon Carter.”

“I want you on my arm,” he said, already walking toward the exit. “Oh, and Hazel…”

“What now?”

He turned his head just enough to flash me a wicked smile. “Wear a swimsuit.”

I slumped dramatically onto the locker like my life was ending in slow motion. “You’re joking”

“And make it sexy.” I could see his smirk even if he was backing me now as the door swung shut behind him. “But don’t look so panicked. It’ll be fun.”

I frowned. “Define fun.” But he was already gone.

I was left staring at my notebook full of rules, wondering if I’d just made the worst decision of my life.