Semua Bab Kissing the Hockey Captain: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Ava’s POV"What’s going on here?"My mother’s voice was sharp, her eyes darting between Ryan’s hand, which was still inches from my head and my flushed face.Ryan didn't even blink. He dropped his hand smoothly, reaching past me, grabbed a bottle of the sparkling cider Victor had mentioned, and turned toward her with a lazy, effortless smile."Ava couldn't find the bottle opener," he said, his voice as smooth as silk. "I was just showing her where everything is. This house is a maze, isn't it?"My mother’s expression softened instantly. The suspicion in her eyes vanished, replaced by that eager, desperate-to-please glow. "Oh! Well, thank you, Ryan. That’s very thoughtful of you."I stood frozen against the pantry shelf, my heart still trying to kick its way out of my ribs. He was terrifyingly good at this. One second he was whispering threats in my ear, and the next, he was the helpful, perfect son."Come on," my mother said, gesturing for us to follow. "Dinner is ready."Ryan stepped

Ava’s POV"Ughh, yes Ryan...go harder like you always do." Her moans filled the media room, making me wet on the spot.I should have walked away the second I realized what I was looking at.Instead, I stood there.The media room glowed softly from the dim lights overhead, shadows of Ryan and the new girl bouncing on him stretched across the walls. Her fingers slid into his hair as she kissed him again like she’d done it a hundred times before.And maybe she had.Something ugly twisted low in my stomach. It was embarrassing that I felt this way and I hated it instantly.Because I had no right to feel this way. Ryan wasn’t mine. None of whatever existed between us was even real. It started with a bet, lies, manipulation, and somehow my stupid heart still skipped a beat every single time he looked at me.I should have hated him completely by now.But watching another girl ride him like that made my chest ache so badly it almost felt physical.The new girl laughed softly against his mout

Ryan’s POVThe kiss lasted long enough for Ava to see it, but the moment she walked away, the kiss started to taste like ash. It was the way Ava’s face changed before she looked away.She was jealous, maybe hurt.And trying way too hard not to show it.The second she walked off, something inside me settled and twisted at the same time.Iris pulled back slowly, studying me. “You’re distracted,” she said.“I’m tired.”“That’s not what this is.”I shoved my hands into my pockets and looked toward the parking lot entrance where Ava had disappeared.Iris followed my gaze quietly, then she looked back at me.“Oh,” she said softly.I frowned slightly. “What?”“Nothing.”But it clearly wasn’t nothing. She knew me too well for that.“Ryan,” she started carefully, “what exactly is going on between you and Ava?”“Nothing.”The answer came too fast and Iris noticed.“You stared at her the entire day.”I let out a quiet breath. “You’re imagining things.”“Am I?”I didn’t answer, because honestly?

Ava’s POVBy Thursday morning, the entire campus had turned into hockey madness. Blue and silver banners hung across buildings. Posters for the championship game covered almost every wall near the student center. Cheerleaders practiced routines outside on the lawn while music blasted through speakers loud enough to shake the pavement.Everyone was excited...well everyone except me.I stood beside Lily near the coffee cart, half awake and emotionally unstable, staring at a giant poster of Ryan Carter taped across the athletics board.HOCKEY CAPTAIN LEADS WESTBROOK INTO FINALS.His stupid face looked annoyingly perfect even in print.“Honestly?” Lily said while sipping iced coffee. “That picture alone could get women pregnant.”“Please stop talking.”“I’m serious. Look at his jawline.”I rolled my eyes and looked away.Bad decision.Because Ryan walked onto campus at that exact moment.And Iris was beside him.The reaction around us was immediate.“No way.”“They’re back together?”“I k

Ava’s POVMy mum only got excited for a few things...Flowers, dresses...and money. But this felt different somehow.And I didn’t like the feeling crawling up my spine because of it.The principal’s office door suddenly opened behind me.I turned quickly.“Lily?”She stepped out slowly, eyes red already.My stomach dropped instantly. “Oh my God. What happened?”Lily laughed shakily, wiping at her face too fast. “Apparently my existence is now a disciplinary issue.”“Lily—”“The principal said the post is being investigated.” Her voice cracked slightly. “But if the rumors are true and the picture is real…” She swallowed hard. “I could get expelled.”“What?” My voice came out sharper than I meant. “They can’t do that.”“They absolutely can if they decide I’m causing disruption on campus.” Another bitter laugh escaped her. “Which apparently I am.”Anger burned hot in my chest instantly.“That’s insane.” “Welcome to Brookshire High.” She rubbed at her eyes roughly. “Prestige and discrimi