Chapter 1

Minerva

The phone rang right as I was shoving my notes into my bag, already giving up on internship because no team wanted to hire a low class intern. I almost ignored it but something made me pick up. “Hello?”

“Minerva Brooks? This is Coach Reynolds from the New York Pros. Congratulations. You’ve been selected for the sports medicine internship starting next week.”

I stood there frozen for half a second then let out this squeal that probably scared my neighbors. “Wait are you serious? Me? Like actually me?”

Sophia jumped up from the couch so fast her soda nearly spilled. She grabbed my arms and we started hopping around the tiny living room like idiots. “You did it Min! After all that crap you finally got in with the Pros!”

I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. This was my fourth year and the first three had been a total mess because I spent way too much time on the field cheering for Liam when he got nervous before games. I specialized in taking care of athletes and yeah I picked hockey because of him. He always said my support made the difference. Now here I was getting this huge break.

Sophia hugged me tight still bouncing. “Tell me everything. What did they say exactly?”

“They just said my application stood out and they want me there next week. I can’t believe it Soph. I applied to so many teams and most of them turned me down flat because my experience was all tied to one guy. But the Pros actually took me.”

We collapsed onto the couch still giggling. Sophia wiped her eyes. “This calls for a celebration. But wait isn’t today Liam’s birthday? I thought you told him you couldn’t hang out.”

I grinned and felt my face get warm. “Yeah I lied on purpose. I wanted to surprise him big time. I planned on showing up with his favorite takeout and then giving him the time of his life tonight if you know what I mean. It’s been way too long since we did anything like that. I was so busy hunting for a team that would actually take me I barely saw him.”

Sophia burst out laughing and poked my arm. “Girl you are sneaky. He’s gonna lose his mind in the best way. How long has it been anyway? Like a month?”

“More like six weeks and don’t remind me. I feel bad but this internship news makes it perfect timing. I’m gonna head over right now before he makes other plans.”

She gave me this knowing look. “Go get your man. Text me all the details later. Or don’t because I don’t need to picture it.”

I grabbed my keys and the takeout I had already picked up and headed out still buzzing from the call. The whole drive over I kept smiling to myself thinking about his face when I walked in. Liam had been so stressed lately with the season and I wanted to make him forget everything. I pulled up to his place and parked quick. His car was there so good he hadn’t gone out yet.

I let myself in with the spare key he gave me ages ago because he doesn’t live alone and his roommates are always around. The second I stepped inside I heard noises from the back. Moans. Loud ones. My stomach dropped but I told myself it was probably one of his hockey buddies with a girl. Liam wouldn’t do that. I decided to just sit in the parlor and wait it out. No big deal right? The sounds kept going though and they felt way too familiar. That voice. Those little gasps. It sounded almost over and then there was laughing.

I sat there gripping the takeout bag so tight my fingers hurt. The door to the bedroom opened and two people came out fixing their clothes. Liam. And Vivian …. No fucking way… Vi…vian my stepsister. They were laughing together walking toward the front like they owned the place.

“You moan way better than my lame girlfriend does,” Liam said with this stupid chuckle.

Vivian snorted. “Right? Poor Minerva probably sounds like a dying cat compared to me.”

They both spotted me at the same time. Liam’s face went white. “Minerva? What the hell are you doing here?”

He ran over trying to grab my arms but I shrugged him off at first. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might throw up. I didn’t slap him though. Instead I walked straight toward Vivian because all I could see was red. She stood there with her arms crossed looking smug like she had won something.

“Minerva don’t,” Liam said stepping in front of her and catching my wrist before I could swing. “Just stop okay?”

“Why?” I snapped yanking my hand back but he held on. “Why the hell would you do this Liam? On your birthday of all days? I came here to surprise you and this is what I get?”

He looked panicked talking fast. “You told me you won’t be around. You’ve been so busy with school and everything I barely saw you. But come here, I still want you.”

I laughed but it came out sharp. “Vivian has been busy with school too right? I chose you Liam. I spent three years of med school on the sidelines cheering for your nervous ass every game. I picked hockey because of you. I turned down other opportunities so I could support your career and this is how you repay me?”

Vivian rolled her eyes and flipped her hair. “Oh please Minerva. You were always so obsessed with him it was pathetic. Move on already.”

Liam kept holding me back his grip tight on my shoulders. “Listen to me. We didn’t plan this. It just happened, I’ll never hurt you like that. She just…. You know someone….”

I tried to pull away again my arms shaking. “Someone like my stepsister? The one who made my life hell after my dad left us for her family? Are you kidding me right now? I want to tear her apart Liam let me go.”

He wouldn’t budge just kept talking over me. “Minerva stop. I care about you but let’s be rational.”

“Be rational?” I yelled, interrupting him. I turned and landed a slap across his face.

“MINERVA!!” He screamed, putting his and to his cheek.

“I was at every game supporting you while you got all nervous and now you’re with her? The bully who stole my dad and now wants my boyfriend too?”

Vivian stepped closer frowning. “Why would you hit him? By the way, it's ex-boyfriend. And yeah you should move on because Liam plans on proposing to me.”