All Chapters of The Hockey Star's Spicy Stripper: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Jace's POVThe cold hit me first. Stepping into the rink was like walking into another world, one that demanded discipline, focus, and steel nerves. None of which I had at the moment. My legs felt heavier than they should, my body swaying as if I hadn’t fully woken up.The fluorescent lights above seemed brighter than usual, stabbing through my eyes like knives. Every sound echoed louder, every laugh from my teammates bouncing against my skull.“Jace!”The shout came from Leo and Xavier. They skated over, a grin plastered on their faces. “Look who finally decided to show up. About damn time, Harrington.”A couple of the guys clapped me on the shoulder as I walked past, sticks tapping the ice in mock applause. Normally, I’d have shot back with some cocky retort. But today, my mouth was dry. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth. I forced a tight smile.“Yeah, yeah, I’m here.” My voice came out rougher than I intended.Scott was already by the boards, arms crossed, watching me l

Sabrina’s POVBree hadn’t said a word to me ever since that night. She was avoiding me like I’d suddenly become a stranger, and it cut deeper than I expected. I knew Bree could be judgmental; she always had been, but this wasn’t her usual disdain. No, this was anger. And disappointment. Every time I caught her eyes, they were sharp, icy daggers, full of unspoken accusation.She walked past me in the house like I didn’t exist, like I wasn’t the best friend she once trusted with everything. I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting. The silence between us was suffocating, louder than any argument.“Bree,” I finally called, trying to sound casual, though my voice trembled. “Can we talk?”Her head snapped toward me, eyes blazing. She didn’t walk away this time, but her jaw was tight, her fists clenched. She was pacing slightly, the tension in her body radiating like heat. “Talk? After what you did? You are so evil, Sabrina. I didn’t expect this from you. Where did your conscience go? How coul

Jace’s POVThe last time I cried this way was when my mother left without a trace. I had been a kid then, curled up in bed with swollen eyes, refusing food, refusing comfort, refusing to face the world. It felt the same now, except I wasn’t twelve anymore, and the world wasn’t forgiving me for being broken.I lay sprawled across my bed in my penthouse, curtains drawn, half-dressed in yesterday’s clothes. My phone buzzed endlessly on the nightstand, each vibration pulling me closer to the thing I dreaded most. I tried to ignore it, but shame had a way of clawing at you until you bled. Finally, with trembling fingers, I grabbed it and unlocked the screen.The blogs were everywhere… ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and fan sites I’d never heard of before. My name was trending on Twitter and Instagram, but not for the reasons it used to. Not because of a hat trick, not because of my million-dollar smile on a billboard, not even because of the Timberwolves being on fire. No. It was all

Sabrina’s POV“You son of a bitch! You have no idea what is coming for you; you’d better count your days because you are worse than the devil!”“Bree!!” I snatched the phone from her before she could hit send on that reply to Nico’s comment. “Are you kidding me? You were really going to post that?”“Sabrina? I just… I can’t explain this rage I feel toward that Nico guy. He’s manipulative, evil. Winning the championship was just his way of throwing shade at Jace. Whatever happened to him on that ice, I know he had a hand in it.”“You’re right, Bree. From the very first day he approached me, he said he had eyes and ears everywhere, including in Jace’s circle. Looks like he got what he wanted, one way or another.”“I know, but you should’ve let me post that reply. The world needed to see him for who he really is.”I deleted the angry draft, pressing my thumb against the screen, trying to steady my racing heart. I needed sleep, but it wouldn’t come. My mind spun with guilt over the vial,

Sabrina’s POV. The invitation to Jace’s house came out of nowhere. I thought we’d be studying at the school library, but it was too crowded, and when Scott called me, he somehow talked me into coming over. He promised they’d make me comfortable, that I’d be able to study without distractions.I hesitated. “First of all, this is a school assignment. I don’t feel comfortable coming over to Jace’s house.”“Sabrina,” Scott said patiently, “you know Jace is still recovering. He has check-ups with Dr Abel he can’t miss, so he can’t exactly run around campus right now. And besides, Mr Oliver trusts you’ll be safe with Jace. That’s why he gave me your details in the first place. You have nothing to worry about.”Jace’s health was the hook. The guilt from before still lingered, and that was the only reason I finally agreed. Otherwise, after the last time, I didn’t think I could stand being in a private space with him again. The anxiety of what might happen if he tried to kiss me again… it was