All Chapters of Dear Ex Boyfriend, The Hot Hockey Captain is My New Date.: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Hailey’s POVThe ride to the Williams’ mansion felt longer than it probably was. Maybe it was the silence, the heavy kind that fills every corner of your chest and makes you painfully aware of your own heartbeat. Roy sat beside me in the backseat, his jacket still around my shoulders. It carried his scent, a mix of rain, leather, and something warm that felt almost like safety.His brother, the driver, hadn’t said much either. I only knew his name because Roy had mentioned it once before: Ryan Williams. His tone whenever he said his brother’s name was complicated, the kind that hinted at history, rivalry, and loyalty all at once.The car glided through the long, wet road, past gates so tall they seemed to cut the rain in half. When they opened, I caught my first glimpse of the mansion. It wasn’t just big, it was intimidatingly grand. White columns, wide glass walls, and faint lights that shimmered through the rain. The kind of place that didn’t just say money but whispered power.As

Hailey’s POVThe morning felt different, it was too quiet, but not peaceful. My body was still buzzing from what had happened between Roy and me. Every time I thought about that kiss, my chest tightened, heat rising up my neck. I could still feel the ghost of his lips against mine, still hear the way he’d said, “we stop pretending we don’t feel it.”I shook the thought away as I stood in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, trying to focus on breakfast instead of my heart. The smell of bacon and coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint rain still tapping against the windows. I wanted to do something nice...maybe it would distract me from the swirl of feelings crashing in my chest.Roy hadn’t come downstairs yet, and Ryan was probably still asleep. At least that’s what I told myself.The knife slipped before I even noticed.“Ah!” I hissed softly, jerking my hand back. A small line of red bloomed across my fingertip.Before I could grab a napkin, someone moved behind me....quick and si

Hailey’s POV I barely made it up the stairs before I had to stop and breathe. My hands were trembling so hard I almost dropped the box. The air in the hallway felt thinner somehow, and no matter how many deep breaths I took, the taste of guilt still coated my tongue. Ryan kissed me. That single truth pulsed through my veins like poison. I didn’t kiss him back — I didn’t. But still, the feel of his mouth on mine, the heat of it, the shock — it clung to me like smoke I couldn’t wash off. I turned sharply down the hall, desperate to escape before Roy saw my face. But fate, apparently, had other plans. Because the moment I rounded the corner, I bumped straight into him. The box slipped from my hands, thudding against the floor. Roy caught my arms instantly, steadying me before I fell. “Whoa, hey—slow down.” His brows drew together as his gaze searched mine. “You look pale. What’s wrong?” “Nothing,” I blurted out too fast, too high-pitched. “I just—I tripped. It’s dusty down there.”

Hailey’s POVRoy’s hand lingered on my arm as I stood there, anger and heartbreak colliding inside me like a crazy psycho. The glow of the TV painted the room in pale light, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was the betrayal flashing on that screen and the fire burning in my chest.Roy stepped closer, his voice low, careful. “You don’t have to face him tonight.”“I can’t wait,” I whispered. “He’s taken everything, Roy. My mother’s company, her name, her memory, he’s twisting all of it for himself.”He exhaled slowly, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. “You’re shaking,” he said softly.“Because I’m angry,” I murmured.Roy’s gaze darkened, his thumb tracing the corner of my jaw. “Then let me calm you down.”I opened my mouth to argue, but he was already leaning in. His lips brushed mine, gentle at first, testing and then again, deeper, warmer. Every thought about my father, every ghost of guilt, blurred into static.His hand moved to the small of my back, pulling

Hailey’s POVRyan’s helicopter cut through the sky with that arrogant roar only he could make dramatic. Roy tightened his arm around me protectively, but I could feel the tension vibrating off him. Protectiveness… jealousy… possession. All tangled in one dangerously sexy package.The helicopter settled on the ground, blowing wind and dust around us. Roy stepped in front of me like a shield, shoulders squared, jaw clenched.Ryan strutted out, the wind pushing through his dark hair, shirt hugging his chest like he picked it on purpose to annoy Roy.“Brother,” Ryan said, voice smooth, teasing. “Why are you acting like I don’t want to help our Hailey?”Roy growled a warning deep in his chest. His muscles flexed and his stance widened—like he was ready to throw Ryan back into the helicopter and slam the door behind him.I touched Roy’s arm gently.“Hey… it’s okay. Let him help. The road’s done for anyway.”Ryan shot Roy a victorious smirk. “See? She wants my help.”Roy clenched his jaw. “F