Semua Bab Playing Dirty: Bab 1 - Bab 6

If someone asked me why I hate Mateo Carter, I’d probably say it’s for a lot of reasons, but the truth is it all comes down to how easy it is for him to ruin everything without caring, because he plays dirty, on and off the ice, because he’s always smiling like nothing has consequences, because he never loses, because he always gets what he wants and people follow him even when they shouldn’t, because he has that reputation as a player, a heartbreaker, like it’s something to be proud of, and still no one seems to see him for what he really is, and what pisses me off the most is that someone like him, someone exactly like that, is the one who’s with Sofi now, like it wasn’t enough having him as a rival, I also have to deal with him being this close, right in my life, in hers, like he somehow belongs there… when he doesn’t.And maybe the worst part is that this isn’t just about him.It’s about her.Because Sofi has always been mine… not like that, not officially, but she has been since

I feel something inside me tighten all at once, like a switch I didn’t even know I had just got flipped, and before I realize it I’m already moving forward, not thinking, not measuring, because there are things you just don’t see and walk away from.“What the hell are you doing?” I snap at Mateo.My voice comes out louder than I expected, heavy, sharp, and for the first time all night, things aren’t going the way he planned.He pulls away from the girl with complete calm, like this is nothing more than an awkward interruption, like what just happened isn’t enough to make any normal person panic.He runs a hand through his hair, exhales, and looks at us.“Seriously?” he says. “This is my room. Did I give you permission to come in?”I stare at him, incredulous.“Are you hearing yourself?”The girl he was with has already stepped aside, uncomfortable, watching the scene like she’s reconsidering every decision she’s made in the last ten minutes.Good for her.Sofi takes a step forward, bu

The dinner starts off uncomfortable, but not the kind you can hide behind polite smiles and light conversation, this is heavier, constant, like something is about to break at any moment and only two people at the table are actually aware of it.My mom and Mark are happy.Too happy.They talk nonstop about plans, dates, details that clearly mean a lot to them, but to me just sound like a countdown to something I don’t want to live through.“We’re thinking of having the wedding in two months,” my mom says with a smile that doesn’t fade.Two months.Perfect.Plenty of time for this to get even worse.“And after that we’d love for everyone to live together,” Mark adds, calm, like it’s the most logical idea in the world. “There’s more than enough space in the house.”Of course.Because living under the same roof with him sounds like a dream.“It’ll make things easier,” my mom continues, “for you to get to know each other, to build a relationship.”I can’t help it, a low, dry laugh slips ou