All Chapters of Ex-Hockey Star Regret: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Nicole’s POV“Didn’t you grow up in a homeless shelter or something? You wouldn’t even be here if Rowan wasn’t fixing your entire life.”Wait, what? I blinked, my mind trying to catch up. Did she really just say that out loud? I wasn’t even sure how we got here. One minute we were just standing around waiting for the second half, next thing I know, she’s coming for my whole existence.“He doesn’t fix my life,” I snapped, before my brain could tell me to just walk away. “He’s only letting me stay with him because I don’t have a place yet. But I’ll get one soon.”Yeah. Right.That “I’ll get one soon” part was a lie so smooth I almost convinced myself for a sec. The truth is that I really wanted to get a place of my own but for now, there were no tangible plans of how to afford it yet. Every time Rowan-who I squat with, and I argue—even over dumb shit like who left the lights on—I end up outside.Being here on a scholarship from the orphanage where I grew up is really a blessing, yeah. I

Nicole’s POV“Come on! Break it up! Break it up!”Coach Austin’s voice boomed through the field like thunder cracking through tension. As he jogged closer, his presence made both Rowan and Brad freeze in place.For once, I wasn’t the one being stared at. I wasn’t the punchline and I wasn’t the joke either.I stood tall, chin up, watching the chaos unfold and for the first time tonight, I didn’t feel weak.I felt like the firestarter.It was only when the Coach got close enough that I recognized him properly—Coach Austin, the man who’d been training Rowan’s Skyblazers team since forever. I figured Rowan would relax seeing someone familiar finally stepping in.But boy, he was wrong.“What the hell were you thinking?” Coach Austin shouted, jabbing a finger toward Rowan. “What!” He exclaimed. “You didn't think it was bad enough that Brad kicked out your ass on the field? Now you want to take another beating from this same guy, huh?”Rowan blinked and looked all stunned. His jaw twitched l

Nicole’s POV“What about us?” Rowan said, puffing out his chest like he was giving a post-game interview. “I’m a star quarterback. With an NFL career literally waiting for me.”His voice dripped with cocky arrogance, like he believed the lies he was telling more than anyone else did.I scoffed quietly, brushing glass off my scraped palm. NFL career? He wished. Even he knew deep down that Brad was the one now basking in the limelight and not him. Rowan was just flailing to stay relevant, and it showed.“And Sophia?” he went on dramatically, like we were all in some low-budget soap opera. He slid his hand over her waist and pulled her against him with the flair of a man who needed an audience. “She’s more of a woman than you’ll ever be.”I didn’t flinch as I just stared at him with my face blank.He looked to his group of friends like they were his personal laugh track. “Am I right?”“Hell yeah, bro!” one of them chimed, slapping the table. “Sophia is on fire!”“Facts,” another added, r

Nicole’s POVAs soon as we left the inside of the bar while I leaped beside him, he backed me and in no time, we advanced closer to where I suppose he packed his car.He walked with this quiet confidence, like someone used to leading. His steps were long and sure, and it was as if that even the pavement trusted him.To be honest, I really don't know why he feels so familiar.“Where do you want me to take you?” he asked, calling my attention the moment he made my legs gently reach the floor so I could stand on my feet.“Oh! Right. So sorry, I wasn't thinking.”But deep down, the truth is that I don't want to let him know that I didn't have a home for now, as there was no way Rowan would accept me back into his house. He practically said that to my face.A lump rose in my throat the moment I remembered Rowan’s cold eyes, the way his voice sounded so final. What was the point? Besides, he made it clear that I meant nothing to him.It would be wrong letting him—this sweet, unexpected stra

Nicole’s POVThe crash of my body against his was louder than I expected, a messy thud followed by the sound of his grunt as his back hit the tiles. But he seems like he didn't care about all of that, as it was like he cared about my own safety now that the die has been cast. In the promise, still trying to find balance, I noticed that my lips were lying across his directly. ‘Did I just just kiss him?’ I thought out loud.“Oh my God!” I gasped this time, scrambling, but my palms just slid aimlessly against his chest.“Nic—” Brad’s voice broke halfway between concern and shock. “What are you doing?”I froze. My chest was pressed against his, my knees braced awkwardly on either side of his hips, and his hands hovered like he didn’t know whether to steady me or shove me off.The worst part? Our faces were so close I could count the faint freckles dusted across the bridge of his nose. I caught the clean, woodsy scent of his cologne even through the damp steam clinging to my skin. My lips