All Chapters of Ruined by the Hockey Captain: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

~RHEA~ “Are you okay?” I immediately forced a smile on my face as I turned to Zander. “Of course I am. Why won't I be?” I asked, and he tilted his head.“I see that frown on your face. You're not fooling me” He pointed out before reaching out to pinch my cheek.“Come on, tell me what's wrong” He urged, and I thought over it. I knew the message was from Chase. That part was obvious, but if I told Zander again, he might get into more trouble if he went after Chase again.I couldn't let that happen.“I promise it's nothing. The lecture today was just way too long and tiring, but I'm okay” I assured him.“I saw Sienna seated next to you. Did she say anything?” He asked, and I sighed.Of course he noticed that.“Sienna doesn't bother me, I promise” I said, and he stared at me for a while.“You know you can tell me anything, right? I'll always defend you” He stated, and I smiled.That was the problem. I didn't want him defending me if that meant more trouble for him.“I know. Just st

~RHEA~As soon as Zander disappeared from my sight, I glanced around the rink.“Who are you looking for?” Heather asked as she came to stand beside me.My eyes landed on Coach Jones, and a determined sigh escaped my lips.“Wait here. I’m going to talk to Coach,” I told her before walking away.Coach was having a conversation with Mason when I tapped him on the arm.“Can I talk to you, Coach?” I asked.They both immediately turned to me.“Rhea? What’s wrong?” Mason asked, his eyes searching my face for any sign of trouble.I smiled and shook my head.“I’m okay. I just need to talk to him alone, please.”Coach glanced between us before letting out a knowing chuckle.“Ah, I see what’s going on here.”I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as he turned to Mason.“I’ve heard what you said. Go join the others and wash up,” he told him, giving him a light pat on the shoulder.Mason nodded, glanced at me briefly, then walked away.“Would you like to talk in my office?” Coach asked.I nodded and

~RHEA~My hands were shaking.I clasped them together, hoping it would stop, but the trembling only grew worse.What had Chase told my mother? Had he told her that I was stealing Lyra’s life? That I had taken everything that belonged to my sister?But she was the one who had forced me into this. So why was she suddenly calling me home?“Rhea!”Zander’s sharp voice suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts. I blinked and realized he was standing in front of me.“Rhea,” he called again, this time more gently as he reached for my clasped hands. “What’s wrong? What happened?”I was about to shake my head and pretend everything was fine, but the tears came rushing down my cheeks before I could say a word.“Fuck.”Zander quickly took the basket from my arm and pulled me into his embrace.“Tell me what’s wrong,” he pleaded. “Tell me so I can help you.”He sounded like he was begging me to let him share whatever burden I was carrying.But what could I say? That I was afraid of my own mother?That

~RHEA~I didn’t know what to make of Chase’s message last night. I’d spent hours thinking about what his words meant, but I still couldn’t figure it out.“Eat, Ladybug.”I turned to Zander, and guilt welled up inside me.He’d asked me several times if I was okay, and I’d wanted to tell him about Chase’s message, but something had stopped me. I couldn’t explain what it was yet.My mother had also sent me a message, reminding me to call her and come home.I couldn’t deal with her right now. I couldn’t let her ruin the happy bubble I was currently in, just like I couldn’t let Chase get inside my head.“You okay?” Zander asked softly.I looked at the worried expression on his face, and my heart melted.I couldn’t let Chase destroy what Zander and I were gradually building. I loved how I felt whenever I was with him, and I wanted things to stay this way.“I’m okay. Just tired.” I picked up the burger he’d gotten for me and took a bite.Even if my stomach couldn’t hold it down, it was worth

~ZANDER~ I tried my best not to think about what Coach said earlier as I shoved some of Rhea's sweets into my pocket and carried the stuff I had left earlier.Our next game was going to be intense because Mr Samson, the top recruiter for the NHL, was going to be there.I hadn't been taking things so seriously before but now, I needed to actually give it my all and impress him.I needed to get into the NHL.I shook my head to get rid of that thought as I walked out of the locker room.Right now, my priority was to make Rhea happy, I could pressure myself over the NHL later.“Hey Zander!” “Yo Zander!”I raised my hand slightly and waved at the freshmen calling out my name.It felt so odd seeing this because usually, everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells around me.I wasn't sure if I liked it or not.I glanced towards where Rhea was supposed to be waiting for me and smiled immediately when I saw her.Ever since we started dating, my heart always skipped a beat when I saw her. It