CHAPTER 2

WILLOW

Today is regionals. Northwestern University’s hockey team is facing off against California’s Omega hockey team.

It’s a freaking bloodbath out there on the ice rink. Both teams are already an hour into the game and after three solid intermission periods, the Omegas are in the lead.

Theo is in the lead, supporting the offense squad to get the puck into the goal post. Every time our team scores, the cheerleading squad cheers loudly. But my heart is not in it, not when Theo’s out there, shining and dominating on the rink after he humiliated me.

Every time I raise my pom poms, I feel like I’m going to be sick. I even flunk a few steps in our cheer routine. Thankfully, no one notices. No one except Violet.

“Are you okay?” she asks me, raising her voice to be heard above the noise of loud cheers. “If you’re thinking about that asshole right now, better get him out of your mind. He’s not worth it.”

“I’m not thinking about him.” Just as I say it, Theo comes barreling towards the cheerleading squad. Before my very eyes, to my utter dismay, he takes off his helmet and claims Tessa’s lips in a deep kiss. In front of everybody.

The crowd behind the board is going wild with excitement. The commentators are having a field day, talking about Omega’s star player’s unexpected display of affection. Theo’s back on the rink but that kiss—it’s all anyone can talk about.

I want to die. The humiliation burns my throat. Makes my vision swim. My feet are already moving before I realize it. Luckily, Violet sees me marching towards Tessa and steps in front of me.

“No,” she deadpans, eyes firm. “You’re not gonna confront her.”

“Why not?” I fume. “She stole my boyfriend and now, they are rubbing their affair in my face. I can’t take it.”

“I know. It sucks. But think how bad a public confrontation, with that skank, would be for you. If you go to her right now, you give them more ammunition to use against you.”

“It’s not fair,” I bite my bottom lip, fighting back the urge to scream. “Why do they get to have a fairytale when they both fucked me over?”

“Calm down Willow and believe me when I say that this shit will pass. Give it a week and campus will be gossiping about someone else.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. It just sucks to let my asshole ex get away with everything he’s done to me in the last week. All week, he’s been flaunting Tessa at frat parties. Going on dates with her. Spreading rumors about what a prude I was during our relationship. As if that’s not bad enough, now they are kissing at hockey games, like some madly-in-love couple.

I hate it. I hate it so much.

I do not wish to let them get away with it so easily. There’s got to be something I can do.

That is when I see him, tearing across the rink. All six foot five, hunk of male sexiness. Even in gear and paddings, it’s easy to make out the form of Aiden Cross, hot on the enemy’s tail. He’s feral in his pursuit and my breath hitches as he steals the puck from the enemy’s stick. He switches direction with the swift grace that only a pro can pull off and the crowd is going crazy as he passes the puck to another player. The Omega team pass the puck to one another, gliding towards the enemy’s goal post.

Aiden is set to shoot. Once the puck finds its way into his stick, he doesn’t hesitate. He shoots, sending the puck into the net.

Another goal for the omegas. The crowd goes wild, chanting his name.

Aiden Cross. Omega’s number 1 offense player. An outright hottie— And Theo Spencer’s step brother. That’s right. Theo's got a brother, who attends the same university and plays on the same hockey team as he does. It’s no secret how much they hate each other. That’s only to be expected though, seeing as how they are nothing alike. While Theo is loud and a bit of a peacock, Aiden’s more of a brooder. A silent observer.

I forget all about cheering, much too busy formulating a plan in my mind. The perfect revenge. A way to get back at Theo.

The game continues for another hour but I barely notice the minutes shedding away. All I can think about is vengeance. I barely notice when the omegas score the winning shot. Barely hear the ear-splitting screams of the crowd cheering.

The team is busy doing its victory dance on the rink, hooting and hugging. I watch Theo excuse himself from his teammates. He’s gliding towards Tessa, no doubt to make another public show of kissing her.

That’s when I move. I do not hesitate. I dump my pom poms on the ice and make a mad dash for the rink. My heart’s racing, heart pounding.

Please Aiden.

Don’t push me off.

Work with me. Just once.

“Aiden!” I yell at the top of my lungs, hellbent on catching his attention. “Aiden Cross.”

He turns around and my heart nearly stops. Somehow, my legs are still running, still carrying me forward. His helmet’s off and he’s got silky black hair playing in his face.

I wait until I’m a couple of feet away from him before I jump. Adrenaline courses through my veins, morbid excitement sizzles as I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.

He’s not kissing me back. I’m thinking I’ve made a mistake when his arm suddenly wrap around my waist. The other arm, he tucks it beneath my ass, opening his mouth, as I deepen the kiss.

I’m trying not to be nervous. I put everything I’ve got into this one kiss. I can only hope that everyone’s watching, else this would have all been for nothing.

“Holy shit,” one of the players guffaws, whacking the back of Aiden’s head with his stick. “Get a room, you guys.”

We stop kissing. I look around the rink. More than half of the players are watching us, eyes wide open. Mouths agape. The reaction that excites me the most is Theo’s. He’s staring at us with his mouth hanging wide open, eyes blazing with fury.

“So, Thompson…” Aiden’s deep rumble cuts through my internal celebration. His eyes are twinkling with amusement when I bring my gaze back to his. “… Care to explain what this is?”