All Chapters of Sinful cravings for my hockey step brother : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

VIANA. I knew something was off the moment I stepped onto campus. The air itself didn’t feel different, but the way people looked at me did. Heads turned a second too long. Conversations lowered when I passed. A few girls leaned closer to each other and whispered, their eyes flicking toward me like I was some kind of exhibit. I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and kept walking. “Seriously?” I muttered under my breath. “Don’t you people have classes?” It wasn’t the first time I’d been stared at. Ever since Alvin stepped into my life, the spotlight had followed me around like an unwanted shadow. I never asked for it. I didn’t even like attention. But somehow, it kept finding me. I passed a group of guys near the cafeteria. One of them nudged the other and whispered something. They all laughed. I didn’t stop walking. If they wanted a show, they weren’t getting one from me. By the time I reached the general lecture hall, my patience was already thin. I pushed the door op

VIANA. I never thought I would see the inside of a detention centre. But then, here I was—not as a visitor. But as someone standing in line, clutching a slip of paper with my name on it like it was some kind of criminal record. The building smelled like old paint and dust. The walls were dull grey, and the benches were metal and cold. I wrapped my arms around myself and tried not to look as miserable as I felt. “This is so stupid,” I muttered. Marissa, who stood beside me, didn’t look bothered at all. She was scrolling through her phone like we were waiting at a café instead of a detention office. “You’re the one who lost your temper,” she said casually. I turned to her sharply. “You provoked me!” She smirked. “Sure, Viana. Blame me.” Before I could snap back, the door to the office opened. A middle-aged woman with sharp glasses and a tired expression looked at us. “You again?” she sighed. My heart dropped. Again? I stared at her, confused and embarrassed. I thought she me

VIANA. The evening air always felt heavier outside the school gate. Maybe it was because I was tired. Or maybe it was because every day for the past three days now ended with the same reminder—community service. I adjusted the strap of my bag and stepped toward the bus stop, trying to ignore the small group of students whispering nearby. I didn’t know if they were talking about me, but lately, it always felt like they were. The sun was already sinking, painting the sky in soft orange. I checked my phone. The bus usually came at 5:15. That was when I saw it. A silver sedan turned the corner and slowed down. My heart skipped. No. It couldn’t be. I squinted, recognition dawning on me. It was my mom’s car. My mouth fell open. My mom had nothing to do around here. She hated this part of town, barely drove through it. She wouldn’t randomly show up at my school, especially not unannounced. My pulse shot up. “Oh my God…” I muttered. Was it stolen? My fingers moved before my brain

ALVIN. I had to beg Jenna longer than I expected. “You’re not drinking,” she said for the third time, her car keys hanging from her fingers as she stared at me like I was fifteen again. “I’m not,” I promised. “I just need to catch up with these guys. That’s it. I’ll be back before midnight.” She narrowed her eyes. “Alvin.” “I swear, Jen. No alcohol. Not even a sip.” She studied my face like she was searching for cracks in it. Finally, she sighed and dropped the keys into my palm. “If I get one call—” “You won’t,” I cut in quickly. As I walked out, she called after me, “Be safe!” I didn’t answer that part. By the time I pulled up to the house, it was almost eleven. The gates slid open slowly after the guards recognized me. We exchanged small greetings. “Long time, sir,” one of them said with a polite nod. “Yeah,” I replied, forcing a small smile. “Been busy.” Busy wasn’t the word. Avoiding was more like it. When I stepped inside the compound, something in my chest tightene

VIANA. When I woke up that morning, the first thing I did was reach for my phone. No message. I blinked at the ceiling for a few seconds, hoping maybe my eyes were still blurry and I had missed something. But no. There was nothing from Alvin. I sat up slowly. He had said he would text me early when he was ready for school so we could go together for the community service at Southside Park. He had said it so clearly, with that half-smile he always wore when he was trying to be serious. “Seven-thirty sharp, Viana. Don’t oversleep.” And I had rolled my eyes. “I don’t oversleep.” Now it was almost eight. I got ready quickly, my movements sharper than usual. When I stepped outside, I looked around instinctively, expecting to see him leaning on his car or standing with his hands in his pockets. Nothing. The street felt too quiet. I crossed my arms over my chest and sighed. “Seriously?” I muttered to myself. “He stood me up? So much for trying to make amends.” The thought stung m