로그인~Hayden’s POV~“Okay, guys, great practice. But before you leave, I just wanna remind you all of the breast cancer awareness scrimmage tonight. I expect each and every one of you to show up and play along with the sororities organising the event. No excuses!” Dad announces in his deep voice. “Yes Coach!” we all echo. We scurry off to the locker rooms. I take my bath quickly, avoiding small talk with my team. “Where are you off to?” Alex asks just as I was about to head off. His hair is still wet with a towel around his head. “Just going to see Heather,” I reply. Alex's facial expression dampens a little. “Oh, how is she doing?I texted her wanting to visit but she doesn't want to see anyone.”“She's doing a lot better! She gets a little self-conscious when she's sick. But she'll see everyone when she's feeling better.”Alex nods. “Okay, say hi to her for me.”But just before I leave, he winks and adds: “And say hello to Dakota too!”I roll my eyes. My best friend can read me bette
~Dakota's POV~This is wrong, I think to myself as our kiss deepens. This is wrong, I think to myself as he lifts me into his strong arms. This is wrong, I think to myself as we stumble our way around the apartment. This is wrong, I think to myself as we crash into walls and my feet knock over stuff. This is wrong, I think to myself as we fumble into my room. This is wrong, I think to myself as we fall into my bed. This is wrong, wrong, wrong! But how could something so wrong feel so good? He tastes like fucking sin. His tongue takes over my mouth, exploring me deeply. I know I should probably end this. I know we need to draw up boundaries. I know I still haven't forgiven him for kissing Nia. But good God, I can't stop myself from wanting him. I can't stop myself from digging into his curls, or biting his skin, or dragging my nails along his back, or fumbling with his belt buckle to free his pants, or pulling his shirt over his head. I can't stop myself from moaning when
~Hayden's POV~We shuffle out of the rink at the final buzzer after a devastating 4-3 loss against Boston. I keep my head down, carrying my helmet in one hand as we head into the locker rooms. I feel empty inside. I barely even acknowledge my teammates as Dad comes in for the usual post-game lecture. “It's a tough one, guys, very tough. But we gave it our all. I know we'll get them next time,” Dad concludes his speech. I avoid eye contact with him, still mad at him. While everyone filed into the shower stalls, Dad pulls me back. “Hold on, Hayden, may I speak to you for a second?” I exhale, frustratedly. “Yes?”He puts down his notepad. “How's your sister holding up?” I scoff. “Seriously? You would know if you came to visit her!”“I've been busy with…”“....the game. Right, I know. It's always about the game with you. It's all about hockey. You'd choose hockey over your only daughter, you'd choose hockey over your kids every single day, we all know that!” I retort. Dad’s face
~Dakota's POV~ FEW DAYS LATER Heather's sitting up, laughing, when I walk into the private room holding a bouquet of flowers. “Hey you, you're up,” I call out breathlessly. She's sitting with Hayden, laughing at something he's showing her on his phone. I take a second to examine her. Why didn't I notice her eating disorder? I fucking live with her. The hollowness of her collarbones, the wrinkled lines around her eyes, the yellow hue of her skin. I just thought she was sick. She'd always never been a big eater. But she's a figure skater. Every figure skater I know has a curious relationship with food. I never thought hers would deviate to a chronic eating disorder. Tears return to my eyes. I feel inadequate as a friend. “Hey, Dakota, don't cry. I'm fine. I promise I'm fine!” Heather tries to console me. She's always cheerful. She doesn't know what she looks like on that bed, hooked to all those machines. “Hayden, do you mind giving us a second?” Heather
~Hayden's POV~ I run into the hospital, anxious. The lights in the hospital are too bright yet I can't see a fucking thing. I blink back tears. “Hayden over here!” I hear Dakota’s voice. She flies right into my arms, sobbing. “I'm so sorry, I couldn't wake her up! I didn't know what to do!” My heart sinks. “No, no, no, she's okay right?” She bobs her head. “Doctors say she'll fine, but I'm so fucking scared!” I hold her tight, wrapping my hands around her waist. I bury my face into her hair, our fight last night is long forgotten. Right now, we are both worried about my sister. “Where is she!?” I ask. Dakota leads the way to the ER room where my sister is lying passed out. Machines are hooked up to her body, feeding her intravenously. A white-gowned doctor is in the room, adjusting her hooks. I recognize him as one of my sister's doctors treating her for the eating disorder. “Doctor Philip, hey,” I say, extending her hand. Dad is in a corner of the ro
~Dakota's POV~ I struggle against him. “Put me down! Hayden, put me down!” I scream. He carries me out of the sorority house, heading down to the garage where his car is packed. I increase my tone. “If you don't put me down, I'm gonna scream bloody murder!” He ignores me, walking towards his car. He doesn't take me seriously. The fucking bastard. So I let the screams out. My voice echoes through the surrounding environment. “Jesus Christ, Dakota!” he yells back. He puts me down. Pissed, I hit him across the chest. It barely moved him. I'm so pained and mad at myself for feeling like this. I'm not supposed to care about him and his actions the way I do. I went into this arrangement knowing the kind of person Hayden is. I know this is all fake. Why the hell am I so mad and hellbent on getting back at him? Earlier, I didn't even care about kissing Elliot. I just wanted to make Hayden feel the pain I'm feeling. “Okay, okay, stop it. Let's just talk, ple







