All Chapters of Fake Dating With The Playboy hockey Captain: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Cassie's POV I hadn’t even stepped fully onto the rink before I felt eyes on me.Some players didn’t even bother to hide those disgusting, prolonged stares that scraped across my skin like a dare. A few nudged each other, whispered too loud, and laughed too easily. I ignored them. I wasn’t here for them.I'd already set my mind to just do all that I had to do and end the day quietly.From the center of the ice, Zeke snapped at them. “Cut it out.”His voice wasn’t loud, but it was firm enough and that was all it took. The looks dropped and conversations shifted back to normal.I gave him a small smile in thanks and continued to the bleachers. As I climbed, I found myself scanning the ice, looking for him.But Ledger wasn’t there.I didn’t see him on the benches. Didn’t hear his voice barking out orders or tossing around sarcasm mid-practice. It was too quiet without him and it made the air feel heavier.“Looking for Rivers?” Zeke asked, stepping up beside me.I didn’t answer right awa

Ledger POVWhen Kylian and I returned home, Alison was waiting in the living room. My gaze shifted to the clock on the wall. Twenty five minutes past ten. Alison looked up the moment we approached. “You two took your time,” she said, sitting up a little. “Gym run that intense?”Kylian gave her a tired smile. “Ledger had a lot of tension he needed to work out.”Alison looked over at me, crossing her arms. “And? How do you feel? Better?”I ran a hand through my damp hair. “A little.”Kylian walked over to her and leaned down. “Thought you’d be asleep by now.”“I decided to wait up.” She said, walking over to Kylian with a small smile on her face. Like she'd missed him. Kylian opened his arms easily and she stepped into them like it was second nature, lifting her up so she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. “I missed you.” He whispered.“I missed you more.” She answered softly. They kissed after that. It wasn't long or showy. Just something soft and sure.

Ledger's POV It wasn't hard to find the local ice house Coach Damian Monae had described. As he said, the facility was only a couple blocks away from our university. And even though I had passed the place several times before, I had never noticed it till now.I began to garner attention as soon as my Bugatti divo drove through the silver gates. I had chosen a flashy ride simply for that purpose. I wanted to make a statement.Players were milling around the lot, tossing pucks, laughing, stretching. The second I stepped out of my car, eyes locked on me. Conversations paused.I didn’t flinch.They all knew who I was. And yeah, I got it. I was the guy with the scandal, the suspension, and a chip on his shoulder the size of Monarchcrest itself. A big-name player now slumming it on a local team. There was bound to be tension.They probably thought I was here to use them as a stepping stone.They weren’t wrong. Not entirely. I did want to stay on the ice. But I also knew I had something to

Ledger's POV Everyone drew closer curiously. “You want to reset our plays?” Julian, the one who punched me, asked. He didn’t sound angry, just confused. “Right before the season starts?”I shrugged. “We still have a week left. That's enough time.” He looked doubtful. “Still don’t believe me?” I asked, raising a brow. “Your second team beat you. Three to one. The players you wrote off beat you. And that was with only a few tweaks. Imagine what happens when we overhaul everything properly.”I could see the wheels turning in their heads. They knew I was right. Of course, I was.I was Ledger Rivers, Captain of the Snow Bears team. I lived and breathed hockey. There was nothing else I was better at. Winning the MVP four years in a row in the Monarch Competition wasn’t luck. And I’d bagged MVP three times in a row across all tournaments.That wasn’t a fluke either.Sure, I might not get a fourth this year thanks to the suspension. But I’d win everything else—the Division III league, th

Cassie’s POVThe next day was Friday.Ledger had warned me it would be a long one. He and Mason had headed to the Icehouse early that morning to put together a detailed practice schedule, not just for the team, but individual training plans for each player too.He’d told me all about it during breakfast, half-dressed and more excited than usual. I liked seeing him that way: focused, purposeful, hopeful.After eating, he handed me the keys to his Audi. “Take your time. I’ll be at the Icehouse. Just meet me there when you’re ready.”And so here I was, driving my way through the gate in Ledger's car. “Have a good day, Miss Cassie.” Noah said with a wave.I was barely out through the gates when a car swerved to block my path. I hit the brake instantly, jerking forward as the car came to a stop.“What the hell…?”The doors opened.Recognition came the moment the driver stepped out.Jade.No wonder I didn't recognize the car immediately, the paint job was different.I let out a frustrated