All Chapters of Faking It With The Hockey Playboy: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Lila POV Derek leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. His face was completely calm, like my anger meant nothing to him. "You are wrong," he said simply. "Wrong about what?" I demanded. "I did have a right," Derek replied. "In fact, I had every right. You want to know why?" I glared at him, waiting. "Because you are my girlfriend," Derek said. "And even if this whole thing started as a deal between us, even if none of it is real to you, it is real to everyone else in this school. Which means it has to be real to me too." "That does not make any sense," I said, shaking my head. "It makes perfect sense," Derek countered. "Think about it, Lila. What would people say if they saw Ryan dragging my girlfriend through the hallways? What would they think if they saw him yelling at you and grabbing you while I just stood there and did nothing?" I opened my mouth to respond, but Derek kept talking. "They would think I am weak," he said, his voice getting harder.

Lila POVThe rest of the day passed in a blur of misery.I went to my classes like a zombie, not really hearing anything the teachers said. My mind kept replaying the morning over and over again. Ryan's anger. Derek's cold words about reputation. The way everything in my life was falling apart.By the time the final bell rang, I could not face going home yet. I could not face seeing Ryan. So instead of heading to the parking lot with everyone else, I turned in the opposite direction.The school pool was located in a separate building behind the main campus. Most students forgot it even existed unless they had swim class. It was quiet there, peaceful, and most importantly, empty.I pushed through the glass doors and breathed in the familiar smell of chlorine. The pool stretched out before me, its surface smooth and undisturbed. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, making the water sparkle like diamonds.I walked to the bleachers and sat down on the lowest bench. Then I pulled ou

Lila POVI never responded to Derek's messages.I stared at my phone for over an hour, reading his texts again and again, trying to decide what to say. But in the end, I said nothing. I just turned off my phone and tried to sleep.Sleep did not come easy. I tossed and turned all night, my mind racing with thoughts of Ryan, Derek, Cassandra, and the mess my life had become.When morning finally arrived, I felt exhausted. My eyes were red and puffy from crying. My head ached from lack of sleep. And my heart felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.I got ready for school slowly, dreading every moment. I did not want to face Ryan. I did not want to face Derek. I did not want to face anyone.But I had no choice.When I went downstairs for breakfast, Ryan was already gone. He must have left early to avoid me. Mom asked if everything was okay between us, and I lied and said everything was fine.The drive to school felt like driving toward my own execution.I arrived just as first period was s

Lila POVI had no choice.Derek had me trapped, both physically against the wall and emotionally with his threat. If he exposed my secrets right now, in front of my entire English class, my life would be over."Fine," I whispered, my voice filled with defeat. "I will go with you."Derek's expression softened immediately. He pulled back slightly, giving me space to breathe."Good," he said, and his voice was gentle again. "Thank you."Thank you? He was thanking me for forcing me to do what he wanted? The nerve of this boy.Derek took my hand again and pulled me away from the classroom door. Through the window, I could see my classmates still pressed against the glass, watching us with wide eyes and huge smiles.Great. By lunch, the entire school would be talking about Derek Stone almost kissing Lila Richmond in the hallway.We walked through the corridors in silence. Derek kept holding my hand, his grip firm but not painful. I did not try to pull away this time. What was the point?As

Lila POVI lay there on the cold concrete floor, trying to catch my breath. Every part of my body screamed in pain.My shoulder throbbed. My hip felt like it was on fire. My knee was already swelling. And my head was pounding from where it had hit the bench.I needed to get up. I needed to stand and walk away before this became even more humiliating than it already was.Using my arms, I tried to push myself up into a sitting position.Pain shot through my ribs so intensely that I cried out and collapsed back down.Tears streamed down my face. I could not tell if they were from the physical pain or the emotional pain of realizing that Cassandra had orchestrated this whole thing.Around me, I could hear people gathering. Footsteps running. Voices shouting."Someone call the nurse!""Give her space!""What happened?"I closed my eyes, wishing I could disappear. Wishing I had never come to this stupid rink. Wishing I had never agreed to Derek's blackmail in the first place.Then I heard s