DIRTY SECRET

JEREMY’S P.O.V

The heavy arena doors slammed shut behind me and the roar of the crowd finally died. I cut straight through the locker room, past the empty benches and the lingering stench of sweat, all the way to the dark back corner. My bag hit the floor with a dull thud.

My phone was still out and Axel’s text still glowing on the screen.

DICK FACE: Locker room. Now. Wait for me.

JEREMY: Here.

I stared at my text, my jaw tightening. I was here, but how long would Axel keep me waiting for me?

After a win, the rest of the team never bothered coming back here. They stayed in their gear and flooded the nearest house party like a pack of wolves. That happened quickly and once they had left, Axel would be able to sneak away.

I hoped it wouldn't take long. I was sad, tired and a little bit hungry.

I sat down, rummaging through my bag for a granola bar. Once I found it, I held it in my palm, turning it over.

I changed my mind. I could manage a couple hours without it. A measly bar of dried fruit and chocolate wouldn't satisfy my starvation. It would only sit inside me, making me feel even larger than I already was.

Once I made up my mind, I put it aside, listening to the noise still coming from the arena instead.

It thumped faintly through the walls. Axel was the centre of it—captain, golden boy, most popular dude on campus. Everyone definitely wanted a piece of him. I could only wonder how he’d be able to escape his own party, but knowing Axel, he would find a way.

He always did, whether it was minutes before practice, between classes, or in the middle of dates with Madison, he always managed to escape. Even now, trapped in his own spotlight, he was going to slip through the cracks.

The door opened somewhere behind me. I turned around, stuffing the granola bar into my bag.

Nobody was here. Probably one of the equipment staff. I exhaled and rubbed both hands over my face.

My phone buzzed again and my heart jumped for the second time.

Dick face?

I took out my phone.

DANI CALLING…

I frowned.

Dani was my annoying younger sister. She was a high school senior and had absolutely no intention of staying close to home for college like I had. Because I did, she made it her personal mission to be my secret informant, dumping all the family gossip and drama on me daily.

But now was not the time. Axel could walk in at any second, and I didn't want him finding me on a call. He wouldn't like it.

I quickly declined, but a second later, the screen lit up again.

DANI CALLING…

“Not now, Dani,” I muttered to myself, casting an anxious glance towards the door.

It buzzed a third time, but instead, a text came through.

DANI: Answer! It's a fucking emergency!

I rolled my eyes and sighed in defeat. It would only take ten seconds max. I could spare ten seconds; Axel wouldn't arrive that fast anyway.

I answered, bringing my phone to my ear.

“What is it? I'm busy.”

“Mum's little boyfriend’s moving in and he brought his fucking kid!”

My eyes grew wide. “What? They're here now?”

“Yes! I'm in a fucking closet talking to you because they're all in the living room waiting.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the locker-room door swung open.

I froze.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I fumbled with my phone, wanting to end the call.

Axel shut the door behind him and soon enough, heavy footsteps filled the room as he approached.

I lowered my voice. “Dani, I have to go.”

“But Jeremy—”

I didn't wait for her to finish; I ended the call and put the phone away right on time before Axel showed.

He still wore full gear. Face damp, hair stuck to his forehead, the post-game flush high on his cheekbones. His eyes found me in the dark.

“Who were you talking to?”

“Oh… it's just Dani,” I answered, taking out my phone to show him the call log as proof.

He barely looked at it, walking closer. His arms stretched out for me, wrapping them around me, resting his head on my shoulder.

“What did she want?” he asked, mumbling into the crook of my neck.

“Nothing important.”

His body was solid and exhausted and still vibrating with leftover adrenaline. The heat of him, the sweat and faint trace of his cologne that never quite washed off. I could smell it all. I could feel him too, especially when he rolled his hips, pressing his hard on against my stomach.

“I’m fucking exhausted,” he whispered, his hot breath brushing my skin. “I just want to go home, take a cold shower…”

It was ironic, considering going home and taking a cold shower had been my exact plan right before he walked in.

“Can you come over tonight?”

My jaw clenched at those words, and the image of him and Madison rushed back. The deep, messy kiss they had openly shared on the ice. I didn’t pull away, even though I wanted to. I let him lean on me with his arms locked around my back.

But the jealousy burned a slow, ugly hole through my chest.

“I want you so bad, Jer. You're all I thought about on the ice today.”

One of his hands slipped from my back, dropping lower. Axel grabbed a handful of my arse, giving it a rough squeeze that made me wince. His fingers then crept under the hem of my jersey, tracing lines against my bare skin.

“Have you had anything to eat?”

“No. I wasn't hungry.”

Axel didn't comment on the lie, still kneading his large hands into my waist.

My body went stiff under his touch and Axel noticed. He pulled away, hands placed on my shoulders, peering down at my face.

I couldn't hide the hurt, or control what I said next.

“Wouldn’t you rather be at the after-party… with Maddie?”

Axel froze.

One second he was soft and delicate against me, the next his hands were rough, shoving me lightly into the locker. His green eyes darkened, jaw tight as his captain’s temper flared.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Jer? You know I don't like her that way.”

“Yeah, well, it definitely looked like you did.”

Axel took one step, then another, backing me further against the cold metal lockers. His forearm braced beside my head, the other hand holding my chin firmly, forcing my eyes to stay on him.

“Why are you like this? I can't tell anyone about us, you know that. I’m here because of you. I love you, Jer, and I want to spend tonight with you, not Madison.”

I wasn't convinced and he knew.

He grabbed my wrists, pinning my hands above my head. I winced at the force.

One hand kept both of mine in place and the other dropped to my crotch, he shoved my joggers down, hands making contact to my pulsing cock. Axel grabbed it firmly, stroking me under my clothes.

“Fucking slut,” he hissed. “You want me.”

My head dropped as hot, stubborn tears dared to leak, I bit back a moan.

“Axel… my wrists,” I managed.

His frown deepened. After a tense silence, he exhaled and released my hands, leaving them to drop limply at my sides.

Axel pressed his forehead to mine.

“I’m sorry, Jer. The game really stressed me out. I'm sorry. You know I'll never hurt you.”

He grazed my chin, thumb running smoothly over my lip.

“Is it because you couldn't play? Is that it?”

I shook my head, not wanting to sound dramatic or over-sensitive or too clingy or other words Axel had used to describe me in the past.

“I can talk to Coach again—”

“It's fine, Axel. I'm just stressed… my Mum has guests over, so I need to get home.”

I pulled up my joggers, picked up my hockey bag, swinging it over my shoulder, waiting for Axel to step out of the way. But he didn't; he remained rooted to the spot.

“Jer, don't be this way,” he muttered.

“I need to go home. Dani called earlier; it's important.”

“You can go, but you’re coming over tonight, right?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered.

“Jer, c’mon. I need you tonight.” His voice softened, taking on a coaxing edge he knew I couldn’t easily resist. “I won a game, didn’t I? Don’t I deserve a little reward?”

“Axel, I can't. I'm sorry.”

I pushed past him, tightening the straps of my hockey bag. I didn't make it far when Axel’s threat brought me to a sudden halt.

“You know you owe me, right?”

I spun round to face him. “You promised you'd never hold that against me,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Wonder Boy charm returned, followed by a flash of his perfect dentition.

“Well, I changed my mind. Come tonight, Jer. I won't say more than that.”