All Chapters of Faking It With The Hockey Playboy: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

Derek POVI paced my room for the next hour, my mind spiraling.Vermont. My father was actually sending me to Vermont. Tomorrow.I would miss the rest of winter break. Miss the start of the new semester. Miss everything happening here.Miss being able to help Lila.Cassandra's deadline was in two days. Two days for Lila to figure out what to do. Two days before everything potentially exploded.And I would be hundreds of miles away, powerless to help.I pulled out my phone and tried calling Lila. It rang four times before going to voicemail."Lila, please call me back as soon as you get this. It is urgent. Really urgent. I need to talk to you tonight."I hung up and immediately tried again. Voicemail again.Where was she? Why was she not answering?I sent another text. "Please. I'm begging you. Call me."Ten minutes passed. No response.I was losing my mind. My father was downstairs, probably making final arrangements for my exile. Lila was not answering. And I had no plan, no solution

Lila POVThree days after Derek left for Vermont, my mother and stepfather came home.They had been away for work, some business trip that had stretched longer than planned. But now they were back, full of energy and excitement about spending quality family time together during the holiday break."We have been away too much," my mother said the morning they arrived, pulling me into a hug. "So we cleared our schedules. The next week is all about family."I forced a smile. "That sounds great, Mom.""We have so many plans," she continued enthusiastically. "Museums, restaurants, ice skating. It will be wonderful."My stepfather nodded, putting his arm around Ryan. "Quality time with our kids. That is what matters."Ryan looked as unenthusiastic as I felt, but he managed a polite smile.And so began a week of forced family togetherness.The first outing was to an art museum downtown. My mother loved art, always had. She walked through the galleries pointing out paintings she admired, askin

Lila POVRyan's lips were on mine and panic exploded through my entire body.This was wrong. This was so wrong.I pressed my hands against his chest and pushed, trying to create distance between us.But Ryan was stronger. His body kept me pinned against the door, his hands on either side of my head, trapping me."Ryan, stop," I said, turning my face away from his kiss.But Ryan just followed, his lips finding mine again.I pushed harder, using all my strength, but it was useless. Ryan was a hockey player. He was taller, heavier, stronger than me in every way."Please," I said against his mouth. "Please stop."Ryan did not stop. His kiss became more insistent, more desperate, like he was trying to prove something.I twisted my body, trying to slip out from between him and the door. But there was nowhere to go. No space to escape.My heart was racing. My breath was coming in short gasps. I felt trapped. Cornered. Powerless."Ryan, no," I said louder, pushing against him again.Ryan's ha

Lila POVThe next morning, I woke up with a sense of dread that had nothing to do with what happened with Ryan.Cassandra.If Cassandra somehow found out about Ryan kissing me, about us being alone in my locked bedroom, she would use it against me. Would twist it into proof that I was not staying away from Ryan like she demanded.Never mind that I had been fighting him off. Never mind that I had not wanted it. Cassandra would not care about the details. She would only care that it gave her more ammunition.I needed to make sure Ryan understood how important it was to keep what happened between us a secret.I found him in the kitchen that morning, making coffee. Our parents were still asleep."Ryan," I said quietly from the doorway.He turned, surprise and wariness on his face. "Lila. Good morning.""We need to talk," I said."Okay," Ryan said carefully. "About what?"I glanced toward the stairs, making sure we were alone. "About last night. About what happened."Ryan's expression beca

Ryan POVI held the envelope in my hands, staring at it.Lila had gone upstairs immediately after I grabbed it from her, angry and upset that I had intercepted her mail."Just read it and give it back," she had said coldly before leaving. "I do not care anymore."But she did care. I could see it in her eyes. This letter meant something to her.I should have just given it back. Should have respected her privacy. Should have remembered my promise to give her space.But I was curious. And concerned. And still struggling with what had happened between us in her bedroom.So instead of going upstairs to return the letter, I went to my room and closed the door.I sat on my bed and looked at the envelope again. Still no return address. Just Lila's name and address in handwriting I did not recognize.Who would send Lila a letter? Everyone used phones and social media now. Physical mail was rare, especially for teenagers.Unless someone was trying to hide their communication. Unless someone did