Roommates From Hell

Chapter 2: Roommates From Hell

“I can’t believe I actually signed that contract,” I said, dragging my suitcase through the mansion door as cameras swarmed us.

Nate closed the door behind me. “You signed. I signed. Ethan keeps his scholarship. That’s the deal we made.”

The producer clapped his hands. “Day one is live right now, lovebirds. Cameras everywhere. Give us the same fire from the charity event.”

I dropped my bag with a thud. “Fire? You mean me wanting to kick him out of this house already?”

Nate stepped right up to me. “Kick me later. Let’s unpack first. They want footage of us settling in like a real couple.”

“Real couple?” I glared up at him. “How many bedrooms does this mansion have and they force us into one suite?”

The producer grinned. “Exactly. Fans went crazy for your arguing yesterday. Sharing a suite will send ratings through the roof.”

“Through the roof of my patience,” I shot back. “No. I need my own room. My own bed. My own space away from him.”

Nate inhaled deeply and caught my arm. “Deal with it, princess. I hate this too, but yelling at the cameras only gives them better clips to replay.”

“Don’t call me princess.” I poked his chest hard, feeling the solid muscle tense under my finger. Heat shot straight down my body. “And stop looking at me like you already pictured us stuck in that suite together.”

“Pictured?” He held my wrist, thumb stroking slow circles on my skin. “You keep poking me first. What exactly are you starting here, Ivy?”

Another producer jumped in. “Yes, that tension is perfect. Now move to the kitchen. Natural conversation. Make it feel real.”

In the kitchen Nate opened the fridge. “Do you eat actual food or just survive on coffee and dirty looks?”

I slid onto the stool across from him. “Funny coming from the guy who probably bleeds protein shakes. Do you even sleep or just skate all night in your head?”

He laughed low, the sound warm and unexpected. “Sometimes I do both. But I made extra eggs this morning. Sit there and eat before they force us to fight over the stove on camera.”

“Why are you being nice all of a sudden?” I asked, watching him plate the food. “Yesterday you looked ready to throw me out of the charity event.”

Nate set the plate down, his fingers brushing mine on purpose. “Ethan’s my best friend. This show saves the whole team. Doesn’t mean I enjoy every camera in my face twenty-four seven.” 

A teammate limped into the kitchen off to the side. “Cap, my ankle is killing me from yesterday.”

Nate glanced at the producers then knelt fast. “Ice it properly this time. Tell the coach I took the extra drills so you can rest. No arguing with me.”

The teammate nodded. “You always cover for us, man. Thanks, Cap.”

I watched, surprised. “You take the blame for their mistakes? Why hide that side of you?”

Nate stood up and shrugged. “Captain’s job. The team comes first. Not everything fits the show’s drama script.” His eyes locked on mine. “You surprised I’m not just the arrogant asshole you thought?”

“Very surprised,” I said. “Doesn’t match the guy who tripped me on camera and smiled about it.”

He smiled faintly at me. “Maybe you don’t know me at all yet.”

My phone buzzed. I slipped into the hallway while producers adjusted lights.

LensCrusher: I moved into the mansion. They’re forcing us to share one suite. Cameras follow every single move. We argued in the kitchen but he made me eggs. Then I saw him quietly help an injured teammate and take the blame. This is messing with my head.

MidnightMVP: Suite sharing on day one? That’s brutal. You holding up with all those cameras? Eggs sound like a small peace offering though.

LensCrusher: Barely holding up. He’s different when no one watches. Covers for his guys without taking credit. Doesn’t match the grumpy captain I expected. I feel exposed and way too confused right now.

MidnightMVP: People have layers. Maybe he’s not all bad underneath. You’re stronger than this whole circus. Remember that penguin goalie meme I sent last week? Laugh with me for a second.

I smiled, the knot in my chest loosening.

LensCrusher: Yeah, that one killed me. I laughed until my sides hurt. You always know how to pull me out. Real guys should be more like you, easy to talk to, funny, actually listening. Makes me forget how trapped I feel in this house.

MidnightMVP: Same here. Your messages make my nights better. Keep venting everything. I’ve got you no matter what.

Back in the main room Nate found me again. “Hiding from the cameras?”

“Trying to catch my breath,” I said. “You helped that teammate so quietly. Why act like the arrogant captain when they’re rolling?”

He looked away for a second then stepped closer. “The show wants fights and drama. Not me taping sticks at midnight or making sure the rookies eat right. Easier to play the role they expect.”

The lead producer clapped loudly. “Great footage today, you two. But we need a bigger spark for the fans. Big announcement for the next twenty-four hours you and Nate will be handcuffed together. The live challenge starts at dawn. Every argument, every meal, every moment on camera.”

“Handcuffed?” My voice shot up. “You cannot be serious. No way in hell.”

Nate moved right beside me, his shoulder pressing firm against mine. “Twenty-four hours chained to each other? This is pure hell.”

The producer grinned. “Hell makes the best TV. Fans are already voting how long until you two kiss just to shut each other up?”

I turned to Nate, heart slamming hard. “Kiss? Never happening. This is way too far.”

His eyes dropped to my lips, dark and intense. “You say that now. But a full day stuck this close, bodies touching with every move, breathing the same air… things might shift fast between us.”

Heat flooded my face and pooled low in my stomach. “Shift how? You think I’ll suddenly forget how much I can’t stand you just because they lock us together?”

He murmured, breath warm against my ear, voice low. “Maybe I’ll finally understand why fighting with you gets my blood hotter than any overtime win on the ice.” His fingers brushed my waist, pulling me a fraction closer. “Or why that glare of yours makes me want to push you against the wall instead of walking away.”

I swallowed, skin tingling everywhere he touched. “This is dangerous. You know that, right? Twenty-four hours like this could break everything.”

The producer stepped back. “Cameras love this chemistry. Rest up tonight. Handcuffs go on at sunrise tomorrow.”

Nate’s gaze lingered on me, heavy and full of promise.

My phone buzzed in my pocket with one new message as his hand stayed on my waist.

What if being handcuffed to him for twenty-four hours makes me want things I swore I’d never want from him?