My Life Was Ruined in Ten Seconds

Chapter 1: My Life Was Ruined in Ten Seconds

“What the hell is this?” I hissed, my stomach dropping as my face exploded across the giant screen beside Nate Callahan’s cocky grin. The charity event crowd went wild, cheering and stomping like it was the championship game.

The host grinned wide into the mic. “Boston University, give it up for our newest Rink & Romance couple Ivy Chen and Captain Nate Callahan!”

I shot to my feet. “No. This is a mistake. I’m not dating him. Shut it down right now.”

Ethan grabbed my arm tight from behind. “Ivy, sit. You’re making a scene.”

“Making a scene? They just blasted my face up there with him!” I ripped my arm free. “Nate, tell them. Say it’s bullshit.”

Nate pushed through the swarm, jaw clenched. “You think I set this up? They blindsided me too, Ivy. Five minutes ago.”

A reporter shoved a phone in my face. “Ivy, how long have you two been sneaking around? That tension looks electric.”

“Electric? I barely know the guy.” My voice shook. “Ethan, what the fuck did you do?”

Ethan pulled me closer. “The rookie scandal tanked everything. Sponsors bailed. Scholarships are getting slashed. Mine’s first on the list if we don’t fix the image.”

“Yours?” I stared at him, chest tight. “You offered me something like a prize?”

“Not me. University brass forced it.” Ethan’s eyes pleaded. “Mom and Dad can’t swing tuition without it. Play along, sis. One semester.”

Nate’s shoulder pressed against mine in the chaos. Heat flared up my side. “I hate this as much as you. But my captain spot and the Frozen Four ride on this. We fake it. No choice.”

“Fake it with you?” I spun on him. “The guy who acts like the ice is his kingdom and everyone else is in the way? Hard pass.”

He leaned down, voice low against my ear. “And you’re the girl always hiding behind her camera, acting above it all. We’ll make it work whether we like it or not.”

Phones flashed everywhere. Students pushed closer, filming every breath. My skin crawled.

“Stop recording right now,” I snapped at a group of girls holding their phones high. “This isn’t real. Delete it.”

One laughed loudly. “You two look like fire together. Already trending. #RinkRomance couple goals.”

The producer appeared at my elbow. “Miss Chen, the announcement is locked in. Contracts are waiting at the house. Smile for the crowd. This is blowing up online.”

“Blowing up my life, you mean,” I fired back. “For what? Your ratings?”

Nate’s hand brushed my waist as he turned us toward the cameras. His fingers spread warm through my shirt. “Mine’s blowing up too. Yelling only makes the clips worse. Breathe with me.”

“Breathe with you?” I faced him, our bodies too close in the crush. His eyes held mine, dark and intense. “You’re my brother’s best friend and suddenly my fake boyfriend? This is insane.”

Ethan wedged between us. “Ivy, please. One semester. Keep me on the team. Dad sounded destroyed on the phone earlier. He mentioned the house payment again.”

I rubbed my temples hard. “Fine. But no shared house. And definitely no bed sharing.”

The producer chuckled. “Luxury off-campus spots are ready. Cameras start tomorrow. Shared spaces make the best romance.”

Nate’s mouth curved into a half-smile. “Scared you’ll enjoy living with me, princess?”

“Don’t call me that.” I poked his chest, feeling hard muscle jump under my finger. “I’ll handle you just fine. Keep your distance.”

He inhaled deeply, eyes dropping to my lips for a beat. “Distance? We sell the couple vibe starting now. They want proof.”

The host waved us forward. “Lovebirds, quick pose for the fans. Make it good.”

I stood rigid beside Nate. His hand settled firm on my lower back, pulling me flush against his side. Heat pooled low in my belly. His scent of sharp soap and warm skin hit me hard.

“Relax,” he murmured, breathing hot on my neck. “Pretend you don’t want to kill me right here.”

“I do want to kill you,” I whispered, but I melted into him anyway. His grip tightened, thumb brushing my spine. The crowd roared louder, phones exploding with flashes.

Hours later in my dorm, I dropped onto the bed, heart still racing, and opened the chat.

LensCrusher: Today wrecked me completely. Ambushed at the charity event. The big screen showed my face with that hockey captain. Now I’m stuck fake dating him on reality TV. Ethan’s scholarship is gone if I say no.

MidnightMVP: Public ambush? That’s ruthless. Spill every second. I’m here for all of it.

I wiped my eyes and kept typing.

LensCrusher: The host announced to us like it was real. I denied it out loud in front of everyone. Reporters swarmed. My brother begged because the team’s scandal killed the funding. If I walk, we lose everything at home. Nate’s intense. Grumpy as hell. Looks at me like I’m trouble he has to solve with his hands.

MidnightMVP: Hands? Sounds complicated. Are you okay breathing right now? Tell me what he’s like up close.

LensCrusher: Ethan’s best friend, Nate Callahan. Terriers captain. Dawn workouts, all rules, no fun. Now I have to live with him? Share a bed for the cameras? My body’s on edge just thinking about it.

MidnightMVP: Share a bed? Damn, that’s next level. But maybe the grump has surprises under all that. You vented harder stuff to me before. That all-nighter last month? We killed it with those memes.

I smiled, the knot in my chest loosening.

LensCrusher: Yeah. That stupid hockey gif had me laughing until my sides hurt. Real guys should be more like you. Easy to talk to. No pressure. Just safe and real. You get me without trying.

MidnightMVP: Safe? You’re gonna have me smiling over here. Keep talking. What else went down today?

LensCrusher: Social media exploded after. The show posted our picture. Millions of views already. Everyone’s calling us the new favorite couple. I cried hard in the bathroom earlier. I felt so trapped and exposed.

MidnightMVP: I’m sorry. That weight is heavy. You’re stronger than this mess though. One breath at a time. I’m always on your side. Send the pic. I’ll roast it with you.

I sent it quickly.

MidnightMVP: Okay, he pulls off broody well. But damn, you two have real spark. Tension jumping off the screen?

LensCrusher: Tension? More like I want to shove him away. But talking to you… it stops the tears every time. Thanks for getting me without judgment.

MidnightMVP: Anytime. Even at 2 a.m. Your messages make my nights better. I look forward to them.

A loud knock hit the door. I minimized the chat fast.

Ethan poked his head in. “Producer’s here with papers. They want you at the house tonight.”

“Tonight?” I groaned. “Tell them to back off.”

The producer walked in, folder ready. “Ivy, the buzz is insane. Ratings spiked hard after that pose you two gave.”

Nate followed, hands in pockets, eyes locked on me. “No dodging anymore. Ethan’s scholarship ties straight to the show’s numbers.”

I stood up. “This is straight blackmail.”

“Not blackmail,” the producer said smoothly. “Opportunity. Sign and the funding locks in. Refuse and they review every athletic scholarship at sunrise tomorrow.”

Ethan shifted on his feet. “Sis, Dad called twice more. He’s really scared about the bills.”

Nate stepped closer. “I’ll keep things smooth between us. We argue when the cameras want it. Fake the rest. We got this together.”

“Smooth for you maybe,” I said, voice dropping. “You save your captain title. I get my life plastered everywhere.”

The producer placed the thick contract on my desk. “Read every line. Sign by morning or your brother loses the scholarship. The house is waiting. Cameras hit at sunrise.”

Nate stayed behind as the others stepped out. He moved in close, voice low. “This online friend you keep mentioning… sounds like he really sees the real you. I wish real life felt that easy.”

I froze, heart racing. “How do you know about my chats?”

He smiled faintly, eyes lingering on my mouth. “Lucky guess. Get some rest. Tomorrow we start this thing for real.”

My phone buzzed with one last message.

MidnightMVP: Whatever hits tomorrow, I’ve got you. But tell me… what if this fake dating with the captain turns into something that feels way too real and you can’t walk away?

What if it does?